Upper Cretaceous Abiod and El Haria Formations in Jebel Rhorfa (Grombalia area, northeastern Tunisia): lithology and biostratigraphy revised—with extended comments on Ahlem Amri, Moez Ben Fadhel, Asma Chermiti, and Mohamed Ben Youssef (2018)

Abstract

In the present work, we comment on Amri et al. Arab J Geosci 11(253) (2018) publication. This latter contains many taxonomic misinterpretations and confusions. That is why, in the present work, we propose accuracy on the chronostratigraphy of the Abiod Formation. So, we demonstrate that this Formation remains in the Late Cretaceous in age as originally defined by its author, Burollet Ann Mines Geol 18:388 (1956), and widely accepted by other geologists working on Cretaceous and Paleogene series in the Grombalia area as well as elsewhere in northern and central Tunisia. It cannot be Paleocene in age indeed. We discuss also much incoherence both in the text and illustrations (figures and plates) provided by Amri et al. Arab J Geosci 11(253) (2018). In order to correct their taxonomic misinterpretation, we use the main characters allowing the distinction of globotruncanids from morozovellids and globigerinids. We also describe Rh section in Jebel Rhorfa from the Grombalia area and we plot the genuine respective range of foraminiferal species. Consequently, we demonstrate that the Abiod Formation is rich in globotruncanids including Upper Cretaceous species belonging to genera Globotruncana, Globotruncanita, Globotruncanella, Radotruncana, and Rugoglobigerina. This formation is well and truly devoid of morozovellids and globigerinids indicative of Paleocene. Hence, no possible reworked Paleocene fauna exists and their proposed scenario with an assumed reworking can be no longer defensible.