Abstract
Recent studies of the nonmarine Triassic in New Mexico and adjacent states by the New Mexico Museum of Natural History have resulted in a data base that for the first allows the use of calcareous microfossils for zonation of the Moenkopi and Chinle formations. Three biostratigraphic assemblages have been recognized thus far: Moenkopi, lower Chinle, and upper Chinle. The Middle Triassic Moenkopi assemblage is characterized by the charophyte Porochara, uncoiled species of Spirorbis, and the presence of the ostracod genus Darwinuloides. The Upper Triassic lower Chinle assemblage is present in the lower shale member of the Chinle Formation. It is characterized by lacking a charophyte component and in containing an exceptionally large species of Darwinula. The upper Chinle assemblage is present in the upper shale and Redonda members of the Chinle Formation and in the Sloan Canyon Formation. It contains the charophyte Stellatochara, a diverse assemblage of darwinulid ostracods, the ostracod genus Lutkevichinella, and a generally coiled species of Spirorbis. These three microfossil assemblages contain several elements of apparent cosmopolitan distribution and should greatly facilitate long-range correlations. Initial correlations suggest the Moenkopi can be correlated with the middle Bundsandstein of Europe and the Lower Triassic of the Caspian depression ofmore » the Soviet Union. The lower Chinle assemblage appears to be restricted to the southwestern US with no known correlatives elsewhere. The upper Chinle assemblage contains elements in common with the middle and upper Keuper of Europe and the Upper Triassic Wayaobu Formation of Shaanxi, China. As more collections are made and studied, correlations with other Triassic assemblages should increase in refinement and utility. Additionally, the paleoecologic aspects of these assemblages should help greatly in refining Triassic paleoenvironmental interpretations.« less
Published Version
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