Late Cretaceous (Campanian) echinoids from the northern Tethyan province (Zonguldak, northern Turkey) and their palaeobiogeographical implications

Abstract

Seven species of atelostomate (irregular) echinoids are described from Upper Cretaceous marl-limestone alternations in the vicinity of the village of Kalafatlı (province of Zonguldak, Black Sea region, northern Turkey), namely Stenonaster tuberculatus, Echinocorys scutata forma pyramidata, Rispolia sp., Seunaster lamberti, Micraster (M.) coravium, Micraster (Gibbaster) stolleyi and Coraster aff. alapliensis. An integrated biostratigraphical approach using calcareous nannofossils, inoceramid bivalves and these echinoids has revealed a possibly late early Campanian to early late Campanian age for this succession. Although the palaeogeographical position of the study area is along the northern margin of the Tethyan Ocean, the echinoid species recorded indicate a palaeobiogeographical link to the Boreal Realm of northern Europe. In view of the fact that the echinoid record in this area of the Tethyan Province is generally sparse, the new finds allow a reconstruction of possible echinoid migration patterns during the Late Cretaceous and improve the regional stratigraphy.