Lower Campanian hippuritid rudists (Bivalvia) from the Dry Hill Formation of central Jamaica

Abstract

Five species of hippuritid rudist bivalves are recognized from the Dry Hill Formation of Jamaica: the multiple-fold species Barrettia dommeleni Grubić, Whitfieldiella catherinei sp. nov., W. gracilis sp. nov. and Praebarrettia magnifica sp. nov., and the simple hippuritid Torreites tschoppi Mac Gillavry. The Dry Hill Formation is placed in the lower Campanian based on the presence of B. dommeleni, a species that also occurs in Puerto Rico and Cuba. The two species of Whitfieldiella are relatively primitive species and transitional between the lower Campanian W. luceae Mitchell from the Clifton Limestone (Jamaica) and the middle Campanian W. gigas from the Haughton Hall Formation (Jamaica). The presence of two distinct species of Whitfieldiella suggests the existence of at least two separate lineages. Praebarrettia magnifica sp. nov. shows similarities with P. coralli Palmer from the Santonian of Cuba, but is more advanced having moniliform rays. Two separate assemblages of Torreites are recognized: T. tschoppi in the Santonian and lower Campanian and T. sanchezi (Douvillé) from the lower to middle Campanian. The different species are distinguished on morphological features and using statistical methods. Multiple-fold hippuritid rudists are shown to be useful in the biostratigraphy of the Santonian to Campanian interval in the Americas.