Micropalaeontology of the Permian Marls of Merbah el Oussif (Jebel Tebaga, Tunisia) with special emphasis on the Ostracods

F Lethiers,S Razgallah,D Vachard,J P Colin

doi:10.1144/jm.8.2.227

F Lethiers, S Razgallah + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1144/jm.8.2.227

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Abstract

Abstract. The Marls of Merbah el Oussif are part of the Permian series of the Jebel Tebaga of Médénine in Tunisia. They belong to the uppermost Murghabian, a stage intermediate between the Wordian and the Capitanian. These green marls were deposited in lows at the base of sponge bioherms. The sedimentation rate was high and the environment well oxygenated. The marls contain a relatively rich assemblage of isolated sponges, gastropods, smaller foraminifera, fusulinids, dasycladacean algae and ostracods. Amongst those, for the first time reported from the Permian of Tunisia, 14 species have been identified and one new species described, Bairdiacypris postrectiformis sp. nov. The geographic and stratigraphic distribution of several species are discussed. This ostracod fauna indicates a shallow nearshore environment and suggests a western, not eastern connection between the Tethys and the Texas Sea.

Highlights

ABSTRACT -The Marls of Merbah el Oussif are part of the Permian series of the Jebel Tebaga of MCdCnine in Tunisia
Explanation of Plate 1 All specimens are from the Merbah el Oussif Mark (Jebel Tebaga, Tunisia), Late Permian (Late Murghabian)
Explanation of Plate 2 All specimens are from the Merbah el Oussif Marl (Jebel Tebaga, Tunisia)Late Permian (Late Murghabian)

Summary

TATARIAN KAZANIAN UFIMIAN

Groups of microfossils are common in the washed residues: (a) Unidentified gastropods; (b) green and red algae: Permocalculus plumosus. Until now the stratigraphic range of the Late Carboniferous and Permian ostracod species having wide geographical distribution could not be accurately determined. For this reason, long distance correlations are only approximate. The Late Carboniferous species such as Bairdiacypris deloi Bradfield, 1935, Hollinella ) menardensis Harlton, 1929, Sargentinu whitei (Bradfield, 1935) and Sulcella sulmu Coryell & Sample, 1932, are found to extend up into the Late Permian with total ranges of about SO My. A tendency toward long duration of ostracod species during the Late Carboniferous and the Permian is confirmed. Explanation of Plate 1 All specimens are from the Merbah el Oussif Mark (Jebel Tebaga, Tunisia), Late Permian (Late Murghabian)

OSTRACOD SPECIES

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