Stratigraphic distribution and importance of some imperforate benthic foraminifera from the upper Campanian–Maastrichtian of the Tauride Carbonate Platform, Türkiye

Abstract

Many parts of the Tauride Carbonate Platform were exposed to subaerial exposure from the Turonian to the Santonian. However, the record of the upper Campanian–Maastrichtian in shallow-marine facies is relatively continuous, except for short-term platform emergences. The present study focuses on the stratigraphic distribution and importance of some selected benthic foraminifera from the upper Campanian–Maastrichtian of the Tauride Carbonate Platform. Mainly Accordiella conica, Moncharmontia apenninica, Fleuryana adriatica, Murciella cuvillieri, Pseudocyclammina sphaeroidea, Rhapydionina liburnica and Pachycolumella acuta recorded from different parts of the TCP were studied. On a local and/or regional scale, some of these benthic foraminifera can be regarded as chronostratigraphically significant. Murciella cuvillieri, whose first occurrence is in the upper Campanian, and Rhapydionina liburnica, which has a narrow stratigraphic range (upper Maastrichtian), are two examples. Their occurrences and abundance vary throughout the upper Campanian–Maastrichtian. The presence of Accordiella conica, which is represented by a small number of specimens, and Moncharmontia apenninica, of which numerous characteristic specimens have been found, characterizes the upper Campanian strata. The upper Maastrichtian is marked by Rhapydionina liburnica, which co-exists with Pachycolumella acuta, known from the upper Maastrichtian–Paleocene interval. Murciella cuvillieri, Fleuryana adriatica, and Pseudocyclammina sphaeroidea occur throughout the upper Campanian–Maastrichtian strata. Fleuryana adriatica is represented by larger, typical specimens in the upper Maastrichtian but by smaller, atypical ones in the older strata. The stratigraphical importance of these species for the Campanian–Maastrichtian intervals in the Tauride Carbonate Platform is discussed.