Nummulitids of the shallow-marine middle Eocene limestones from the central Iran region: taxonomic and biostratigraphic implications

Abstract

Nummulitid tests are recorded for the first time from an upper Lutetian limestone outcrop of the Tihoieyeh section, exposed in the southwestern Jiroft region of central Iran. Detailed studies on their systematics and biostratigraphy resulted in the diagnosis of three nummulitid taxa as Assilina exponens Sowerby 1840, Nummulites deshayesi D’Archiac and Haime 1853 and Nummulites sp. cf. N. praelyelli. These larger benthic foraminifera are associated with calcareous nannofossil assemblages assignable to the SBZ16, NP16/CNE14 biozones.