First record of Upper Turonian rudists (Mollusca, Hippuritoidea) in the Bey Dağları carbonate platform, Western Taurides (Turkey): taxonomy and strontium isotope stratigraphy of Vaccinites praegiganteus ( )

Abstract

The uppermost part of the Upper Cretaceous platform carbonates of the Bey Dağları Autochthon in the Korkuteli, Turkey, area is characterised by an association of hippuritid and radiolitid rudist bivalves dominated by Vaccinites praegiganteus (Toucas). A Late Turonian age is indicated by 87Sr/ 86Sr values of well-preserved low-Mg calcite of the shells and agrees with the stratigraphical range of the species in the western and central Mediterranean region. This is the first record of Upper Turonian rudists from Turkey. Right valves of 17 specimens of V. praegiganteus from Bey Dağları have been analysed morphometrically and are compared with previously reported specimens from the central and western Mediterranean. Most of the specimens from Turkey differ in having fused posterior pillars.