Abstract
We provide a biochronology of Jurassic planktonic foramininfera, using first order linkage to ammonite and nannofossil stratigraphy and geochronology. This enigmatic and understudied group of microfossils occurred from middle Toarcian through Tithonian time, from ~180 to ~143 Ma; its origin is unknown. There are three genera: Globuligerina, Conoglobigerina and Petaloglobigerina. The genus Globuligerina, with a smooth to pustulose test surface texture appeared in Toarcian (late Early Jurassic) and Conoglobigerina, with a rough reticulate test surface texture in Oxfordian (early Late Jurassic) time. The genus Petaloglobigerina, having a petaloid last whorl with one or more claviform and twisted chambers evolved in early Kimmeridgian time from Globuligerina balakhmatovae. Biochronologic events for Jurassic planktonic foraminifera are most like First Common Appearance or Last Common Appearance events. The very first or very last appearance levels of taxa are not easily sampled and detected. We recognize stratigraphic events from eleven species across four postulated evolutionary lineages, calibrated to Geologic Time Scale 2020. A faunal change, which is not well documented led to the survival of only one taxon, most likely Gobuligerina oxfordiana in the Tithonian.
Highlights
We provide a tentative biochronology of Jurassic planktonic foramininfera, using their taxonomy, stratigraphy, paleoecology and paleogeography with first order linkage to ammonite and nannofossil stratigraphy and geochronology
The Jurassic planktonic foraminifera preferred marine continental margin conditions along the margins of the Tethys Ocean. This short study was invited for the Special Issue of Geosciences on “Application of Foraminifera in Biochronology”, it is appropriate to briefly dwell on the historical background and meaning of biochronology and of paleontologic events. The latter is relevant considering the paucity of Jurassic localities with common to frequent planktonic foraminifera as free specimens, and near absence of Jurassic outcrop or well sections with a continuous stratigraphic range of taxa over several zones
In its formal stratigraphic presentation the Guide has no place for biochronology, since the latter resolutely bypasses zones, stages and chronostratigraphy on its way to geochronology
Summary
We provide a tentative biochronology of Jurassic planktonic foramininfera, using their taxonomy, stratigraphy, paleoecology and paleogeography with first order linkage to ammonite and nannofossil stratigraphy and geochronology. The Jurassic planktonic foraminifera preferred marine continental margin conditions along the margins of the Tethys Ocean This short study was invited for the Special Issue of Geosciences on “Application of Foraminifera in Biochronology”, it is appropriate to briefly dwell on the historical background and meaning of biochronology and of paleontologic events. The latter is relevant considering the paucity of Jurassic localities with common to frequent planktonic foraminifera as free specimens, and near absence of Jurassic outcrop or well sections with a continuous stratigraphic range of taxa over several zones
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