Nummulites remissus, a new species from the lower Lutetian of Elsheikh Fadl, Nile Valley, Egypt

Abstract

A nummulite bank located at the very base of the Muweilih Formation, cropping out to the east of Beni Mazar, has yielded a new species: Nummulites remissus. Planktic foraminifera from beds enclosing this nummulitic horizon indicate that it belongs in the lower Lutetian ( Hantkenina aragonensis or basal Globigerinatheka subconglobata subconglobata Zones). All the morphologic characters of N. remissus suggest that it has descended from N. gracilis Schaub, 1981 , so far recorded from lower Eocene rocks.