NEW SPECIES OF THE LOWER CRETACEOUS GENUS MATHERONIA MUNIER-CHALMAS (BIVALVE HIPPURITIDA) IN ROMANIA

Abstract

Barremian-lower Aptian requieniid rudists from the Southern Carpathians and the Apuseni Mountains, in Romania, are represented by four new species of the genus Matheronia Munier-Chalmas: Matheronia dacica, Matheronia nerae, Matheronia carinata and Matheronia silvaeregis. In the study stratigraphic interval these species possess a potential biostratigraphic value. Their evolution trough time is essentially characterized by shell size increase. Matheronia looks restricted to the North Mediterranean Tethyan margin and the new Romanian species are interpreted as markers of the Carpatho-Cimmerian rudist province.