Late Caradoc Research Articles

Late Ordovician deep-water brachiopod fauna from Raheen, Waterford Harbour, Ireland

The Raheen Formation at Newtown Head in Waterford Harbour is a small isolated section of Ordovician rocks, dominated by volcanics of the Duncannon Group, but with interbedded fossiliferous shales. Although a brachiopod and trilobite dominated fauna has been known since the mid-nineteenth century, only the trilobites and cystoids have been assessed in modern terms. This paper describes the brachiopod fauna for the first time. The assemblage from Raheen is overwhelmingly dominated by the dalmanelloid Onniella, with the small plectambonitoid Sericoidea comprising the second most numerous species; both are represented by new species. This revision has also identified a wide range of other genera, but all in very small numbers. These include an obolid, a paterulid, Paracraniops and Orthisocrania divaricata (M‘Coy) amongst the non-articulated brachiopods. Articulated genera present include the orthoids Nicolella, Ptychopleurella, Sulevorthis, Skenidioides and the plectambonitoid Leptestiina. Very rare forms include Idiospira? and Palaeostrophomena, together with possibly Biscuspina and Sowerbyella. The brachiopod revision supports the late Caradoc (early Katian) age indicated by the trilobite fauna. The trilobite fauna generally indicates a probable deeper-water environment and the brachiopod assemblage confirms an outer-shelf environment. Although elements of the assemblage indicate affinity with the well-defined Late Ordovician Foliomena fauna, it probably occupied a more shoreward position. (Less)

Global palaeobiogeography of brachiopod faunas during the early Katian (Late Ordovician) greenhouse episode

The early Katian (Late Ordovician) was marked by a major greenhouse episode and the early stage of a first-order marine transgression that led to the flooding of much of North America during the middle–late Katian. Multivariate analyses of 33 brachiopod faunas of early Katian (Trentonian, Chatfieldian, late Caradoc) age, including 252 rhynchonelliform genera, demonstrate that the “Trentonian brachiopod faunas” of Laurentia were already clearly differentiated into a Scoto-Appalachian fauna and an epicontinental fauna. Globally, four distinct faunal clusters are identified: Kazakhstan, Avalonia, epicontinental Laurentia, and Scoto-Appalachia. The Scoto-Appalachian fauna, which originated during the Sandbian, persisted into the early Katian and became most closely related to the brachiopod faunas along the western margins of Laurentia. The early Katian epicontinental faunas of Laurentia were more closely related to the coeval brachiopods of the Lithuanian–North Estonian confacies belts of Baltica than to the Scoto-Appalachian fauna. Palaeoecological control on the faunal endemism within Laurentia was attributable to isolation of Appalachian foreland basin by faulting and peripheral bulging during the early Taconic Orogeny, palaeolatitudinal faunal gradient from the subtropical Appalachia to mid-tropical epicontinental Laurentia, as well as different water depth, water temperature, and substrate types between the two palaeogeographical settings of Laurentia.

Strain analysis of Late Ordovician tectonic events in the In-Tahouite and Tamadjert Formations (Tassili-n-Ajjers area, Algeria)

The Tassili-n-Ajjers area in southern Algeria is located in the south-east of the Saharan platform. It is bounded to the east by the Tihemboka N–S trending structural system, the Hoggar shield to the south and to the north by the Illizi Basin. During the Palaeozoic, the Saharan Platform was part of the northern passive margin of the Gondwana supercontinent and the tectono-stratigraphic evolution of sedimentary systems in the Algerian Sahara was typical of the Gondwana stable cratonic platform. During the Late Ashgill (Hirnantian), the North African platform was located near the South Pole and an icecap developed over much of Africa and South America. Field observations, in the study area, together with integrated strain analysis and previous studies provide evidence for a number of Late Ordovician deformation phases. An extensional event of probably Late Caradoc–Early Ashgill age (?) was associated with the development of planar domino-style normal faults and listric faults that occurred prior to the infill of glacial palaeovalleys. This is observed in the pre-glacial In-Tahouite Formation. Glaciotectonic over the Tassilli-n-Ajjers is related to the Late Ashgillian (Hirnantian stage) Taconic event. Probably, the Taconic unconformity is a combination of traditional tectonic movements and glaciotectonics. Many soft-sediment deformation structures are attributed to glaciotectonic process. A systematic description of these deformation structures and strain analysis show that there are two types of deformation, pure shear at the top of the Hirnantian syn-glacial Tamadjert Formation and simple shear in the basal part and there are two types of glaciotectonic deformation. The first type at the base is the subglacial deformation and is characterized by simple shear strain and extensional tectonics. The second type at the top is characterized by pure shear strain and compressional tectonics and consists on proglacial deformation. The glacial palaeovalleys show a gravity-sliding mechanism affecting the unconsolidated deposits.

Ordovician corals of the Siberian and Mongolian basins: Taxonomic diversity, morphogenesis, and occurrence

Taxonomic diversity, structural peculiarities, and occurrence of the Ordovician corals Tabulatoidea, Heliolitoidea, Rugosa, and Cyrtophyllida from the Siberian and Mongolian basins are analyzed. The corals settled in the Siberian basin almost for 1.5 million of years earlier than in the Mongolian basin. First corals in the Siberian basin were found in the lowermost Muktei Horizon (Llanvirn, i.e. Darriwilian Stage) while first corals in the Mongolian basin are known from the lower part of the Bairim Horizon (Late Caradoc, i.e. lower part of the Katian Stage). First corals in both basins belonged to the subclass Tabulatoidea.

An Early Ordovician (Finnmarkian?) foreland basin and related lithospheric flexure in the Scandinavian Caledonides

Early Ordovician (479 - 455 Ma) graywackes overlying Cambrian passive margin successions in the Baltica palaeocontinent-related Lower AUochthon of the Scandinavian Caledonides document early Caledonian tectonic activity. Such rocks occur from the Jamtland area (Sweden) northwards along the eastern Caledonian margin, and imply a wide regional extent of a foreland basin in Early Ordovician times. This foreland basin was subsequently incorporated into a fold-and-thrust belt during the final Caledonian, Scandian tectonic episode (c. 425 - 390 Ma). Based on published cross section data, this late deformation is restored. The results and other available information are compiled into a palaeogeographic map and sections on the geometry and evolution of the Early Ordovician foreland basin. Graywacke/turbidite sedimentation (Follinge Formation) started in western (internal) areas already in Early Arenig times with a main phase from Llanvirn to Late Caradoc (c. 472 - 461 Ma). There, the Follinge Formation rests with an erosional unconformity on older beds. Towards east, however, it overlies successively younger beds related to a carbonate domain. It is suggested that the areas of the sub-turbidite erosional unconformity represent the early location of a flexural forebulge, which subsequently migrated eastwards towards the margin of the carbonate domain of palaeocontinent Baltica. The restored foreland-basin geometry is compared with numerical models in order to derive some characteristics of the flexure of the foreland lithosphere. Time and lithospheric constraints make it possible to test the viability of the restoration and of foreland basin models. Relative to the available lithospheric strength data, the width of the basin is too large, the depth relatively small, and the large wavelength of the flexure is difficult to explain with simple orogenic loading. Graywacke sedimentation occurred after Finnmarkian (515 - 475 Ma) HP metamorphism, perhaps as a consequence of exhumation and consequent loading of the Baltican margin. Graywacke sedimentation ended at the time of Jamtland phase (460 -440 Ma) HP metamorphism and relatively deep water conditions. It is speculated that eclogitization of crustal material produced an additional load, which caused a relatively large down flexure of the lithosphere.

Early Silurian glaciation along the western margin of Gondwana (Peru, Bolivia and northern Argentina): Palaeogeographic and geodynamic setting

The record of the Ordovician–Silurian transition within the southern Peru–Bolivia Palaeozoic basin (extending across Peru, Bolivia and northern Argentina) is characterized by a diamictite-bearing unit which overlies several different Ordovician units, and underlies mid Silurian shales. We review the lithostratigraphy, sedimentology and biostratigraphy of this unit, revising stratigraphic relationships and several ideas and interpretations previously proposed. Analysis of facies and lithofacies associations allow for a reinterpretation of sedimentary processes and environments involved during its deposition. Turbidite and shale interbeds within the diamictites indicate a deep marine environment, with interbedded mud flows, debris flows, slumps and large displaced slabs providing evidence for sediment instability and resedimentation. Chitinozoan biostratigraphy indicates a Llandovery age, in contrast with previous proposals of a Hirnantian age, and suggests the need for more detailed sedimentologic and biostratigraphic studies, and a reassessment of this diamictite unit in relation to adjacent regions in South America. The resedimented character of the deposit explains some of the Ordovician fauna previously described, which must be considered as recycled from underlying units. In situ fauna needs to be reassessed, as it may be endemic, diachronic and/or indicative of migrations within Gondwana. Glacially-faceted and striated clasts, as well as large granitoid boulders within the resedimented materials, provide evidence for glaciation of the source area, and are interpreted as recycled from former glacigenic deposits. The evidence found in the Central Andes indicates a glaciomarine origin for the diamictites and corroborates glaciation of a western source area prior to the late Llandovery (Telychian). The precise age of glaciation in this part of Gondwana cannot be confirmed do to a lack of true tillites. Tectonic deformation and the resulting relief are respectively identified as the origin for sediment instability and for local glaciation along the active margin of western Gondwana during the Late Ordovician and Early Silurian. The new data imply that the Ordovician–Silurian boundary was not preserved in some areas of the basin, and that an erosional hiatus (disconformity with variable regional significance) is present between different Ordovician units and the diamictite unit. Late Ordovician (?late Caradoc–?early Ashgill) euxinic black shales locally present in the central Altiplano and Eastern Cordillera of Bolivia may represent the youngest Ordovician unit in the region, and more research should be focused on them. Paleogeographic reconstruction of the Early Silurian Peru–Bolivia Basin depicts the extension of the diamictite unit southwards into northern Argentina and western Paraguay, connecting with the Paraná basin through the Asunción Arch. To the north it continued into northern Peru and Ecuador, connecting with the Silurian record in Colombia and Venezuela, and to the northeast into Brazil (Solimões and Amazonas basins). The sedimentary record of glaciation in the Peru–Bolivia basin was due to the development of local ice fields to the west of the basin, related with tectonism and resulting reliefs along the active margin of Gondwana, and probably did not coincide with the development of the North African late Ashgillian ice cap.

LATE ORDOVICIAN BRACHIOPODS FROM THE DULANKARA FORMATION OF THE CHU‐ILI RANGE, KAZAKHSTAN: THEIR SYSTEMATICS, PALAEOECOLOGY AND PALAEOBIOGEOGRAPHY

Abstract: Brachiopods from the late Ordovician (late Caradoc) Dulankara Formation of the Chu‐Ili Range, Kazakhstan, are reviewed. Those from the upper two members of the formation, the Degeres and Akkol members, are systematically described. New genera from the Dulankara Formation are Nikitinamena (Plectambonitoidea: Leptellinidae), with type species Nikitinamena bicostata sp. nov., and Weberorthis (Orthoidea: Plectorthidae), with type species Mimella brevis Rukavishnikova. Another new genus is Glyptomenoides (Strophomenoidea: Glyptomenidae), with type species Rafinesquina girvanensis Salmon from the Caradoc of Girvan, Scotland. Other new species from the Dulankara Formation are Holtedahlina orientalis, Platymena tersa, Christiania proclivis, Leangella (Leangella) paletsae, Metambonites subcarinatus, Ogmoplecia nesca and Plectorthis licta. The ecology and assemblages of all three members of the Dulankara Formation are identified or reviewed, and their palaeogeographical significance assessed: the Chu‐Ili Terrane (on which the Dulankara Formation was situated during the Ordovician) formed part of the relatively low‐latitude peri‐Gondwanan complex of terranes, and was probably not far from North and South China. The faunal links suggested between the Dulankara brachiopods and contemporary faunas from Australia are now perceived to be weaker than previously thought.

Neodymium isotopic composition of Cambrian–Ordovician biogenic apatite in the Baltoscandian Basin: implications for palaeogeographical evolution and patterns of biodiversity

Biogenic apatite preserved in 148 samples of conodonts and organophosphatic-shelled brachiopods from Cambrian through Ordovician successions of the Baltoscandian Basin (Baltica Plate) preserves a sensitive record of early Palaeozoic sea-water chemistry interpreted via neodymium isotope ratios. Consistent ${\uvarepsilon}$Nd(t) values of −9.6 to −8.3 for Lower to Middle Cambrian samples suggest no significant lateral or temporal variation across the region. Average Upper Cambrian values are −7.2 to −7.7. Sedimentary analysis suggests that the influence of continental weathering from Baltica as a major source of radiogenic Nd was negligible. Ordovician samples show a rise to −5 to −6 in the early Arenig, early–mid Llanvirn and late Caradoc. Sea-water mixing from the southeast Iapetus Ocean was a constant factor throughout Cambrian–Ordovician times. The rise reflects erosion of obducted volcanic arc complexes along the Caledonian margin, and probably also relates to pollution of the Baltica sector of Iapetus from the approaching Avalonia Plate. Patterns of evolutionary biodiversity and palaeobiogeographical linkages support the geochemical signatures in interpreting the tectonic history of the region. Extinction of lingulate brachiopod faunas in the Tremadoc, followed by subsequent recovery and emergence of benthic assemblages typical of the Ordovician Evolutionary Fauna in the Billingen–early Volkhov regional stages coincide with significant changes in geochemical characteristics of water masses across the Baltoscandian basin. The early and mid Ordovician (Arenig to Llandeilo) brachiopod faunas of the North Estonian Confacies Belt are characterized by high endemism and low turnover rates, whereas increased immigration resulted in the extinction of a number of local lineages in the late Llanvirn. From the mid Caradoc to mid Ashgill, when Baltica was drifting on a course to collide eventually with Avalonia and gradually approach Laurentia, brachiopod assemblages were characterized by higher turnover rates. At the same time they gradually became more cosmopolitan and less influenced by the invasion of new faunas.

Structural inversion and origin of a Late Ordovician (Trenton) carbonate buildup: evidence from the Tanglewood and Devils Hollow members, Lexington Limestone, central Kentucky (USA)

Throughout east–central United States, Lexington/Trenton limestones are largely Late Ordovician (Chatfieldian; mid-Caradoc), argillaceous, skeletal calcarenites, which are transgressive upward into Late Ordovician (late Chatfieldian–Edenian; mid-late Caradoc) shales and interbedded micrograined limestones. In central Kentucky, however, the same sequence is partially truncated by an unconformity and passes upward into a thicker, younger (Edenian; late Caradoc), regressive shoal complex of coarse calcarenites and calcirudites that is not generally typical of the Lexington/Trenton sequence elsewhere. The shoal complex is interpreted to have been a carbonate buildup and is partially bound by extant faults with basement precursors. Comparison of isopachous maps for pre- and postunconformity buildup units with basement structural lineaments suggests that the buildup is related to reactivation—and in one prominent case, inversion—of the basement structures. The coincidence of structural reactivation, inversion, and buildup development with other major regional, cratonic changes may reflect a reorganization of cratonic, far-field forces accompanying a nearly coeval reversal in the polarity of Taconic subduction.

Late Ordovician carbon isotope trend in Estonia, its significance in stratigraphy and environmental analysis

Carbon isotope changes during most of Late Ordovician time (from the mid-Caradoc Kinnekulle K-bentonite until the beginning of the Silurian) were investigated. As the corresponding sequence of rocks is stratigraphically nearly complete in Estonia, an attempt was made to use it to elaborate the general pattern of carbon isotope changes in the Late Ordovician. Complications were caused by several local or regional hiatuses in the middle and late Caradoc and Hirnantian. A total of 385 whole rock samples were studied from eight drill cores in northern and central Estonia. The following positive carbon isotope events were observed: (1) the mid-Caradoc excursion (peak δ 13C value 2.2‰) in the uppermost part of the Keila Stage, also known in Sweden; (2) the first late Caradoc excursion (1.9‰) in the lower part of the Rakvere Stage; (3) the second late Caradoc excursion (2.4‰) in the upper part of the Nabala Stage; (4) the early Ashgill excursion (2.5‰) in the lowermost part of the Pirgu Stage; (5) the widely known large Hirnantian excursion (in Estonia the peak value reaches 6.7‰) in the Porkuni Stage. The study interval comprises a long (∼10 Ma) period characterized by low-magnitude carbon isotope changes and a following brief (∼2 Ma) interval with large changes. No obvious lithological preference for hosting the positive shifts was recorded. In principle, the δ 13C values exceeding the background values may occur in all types of rocks present in a sedimentary basin. Several δ 13C positive excursions (values 1.5‰ to 3‰) in the Mohawkian of North America are evidence that the minor Caradoc and early Ashgill δ 13C positive shifts in Baltoscandia may have counterparts in Laurentia. If correctly correlated, these shifts may have global significance. The Hirnantian excursion is usually linked to a major glacial event, even if some carbon cycling mechanisms are not completely understood. The environmental causes suggested for the earlier minor shifts range from global climatic and glacial events to very local changes in basin regime and sea level. Our study supports the primary role of climatic or climatically triggered oceanic processes.

Late Ordovician palaeoceanographic changes as reflected in the Hirnantian–early Llandovery succession of Jämtland, Sweden

A study of the Upper Ordovician–Lower Silurian strata in Jämtland, central Sweden, shows that large-scale changes in shelf deposition took place close to the systems boundary. These changes include unconformity development and the replacement of a siliciclastic shelf with a carbonate-dominated shelf, suggesting the interaction of allocyclic controls such as changing eustatic sea-level and climate. The 6-m-thick Ede Formation is a key lithosome for interpretation of this transition. Its sediments were deposited in the Caledonian foreland basin, situated east of the closing Iapetus Ocean on the western margin of the Baltic craton. A major part of the late Caradoc to late Ashgill (into the Hirnantian) was characterised by continuous and uniform deposition over wide areas (Kogsta Formation), whereas erosional surfaces and complex lateral facies relationships characterise the Ordovician–Silurian boundary strata (Ede Formation and lateral equivalents). The Ede Formation represents the end of terrigenous deposition, which in the middle Aeronian was followed by regional expansion of carbonate deposition (Berge Formation). A syn-sedimentary erosional surface, with at least 1 m of relief locally, forms the lower boundary of the Ede Formation. This surface is overlain by two types of conglomerate. Lower parts of the Ede Formation consist of medium to thick-bedded quartzites. A second erosional surface with only minor (few centimetres) relief occurs on top of these quartzites. The upper parts of the Ede Formation consist of a thin, basal favositid biostrome overlain by thin bedded, calcareous sandstones, limestones and intensely bioturbated shales. Analysis of stratigraphic boundaries and the facies succession suggests that the lower Ede Formation represents a major downward shift in coastal onlap and by-pass sedimentation that created the lower erosional surface. The erosional surface in the middle of the Ede Formation is inferred to have formed during the subsequent maximum lowstand or as a ravinement surface, and is interpreted as an unconformity. The succession is subdivided into four facies associations, each corresponding to a specific systems tract: (a) a Shale–Siltstone Association (uppermost Kogsta Formation), deposited during a highstand situation in mid-outer shelf areas; (b) a Quartzite Association (the lower Ede Formation), deposited during forced regression in a shoreface environment; (c) a Mixed Carbonate–Siliciclastic Association (the upper Ede Formation), deposited during transgression in a wave-dominated, proximal shelf environment when clastic supply was reduced; and (d) a Micritic Limestone Association (lowermost Berge Formation), deposited during a second highstand situation in a low-energy, offshore environment. Conodont data, together with a previously reported Hirnantia fauna, constrain the position of the Ordovician–Silurian boundary to the lower 1.65 m of the Ede Formation, or less likely, to the uppermost metre of the underlying Kogsta Formation, i.e., within a 2.65-m-thick uncertainty interval. The base of the Berge Formation is about 4 m above the top of the uncertainty interval, and is dated as being mid-Aeronian in age, suggesting condensation and/or a hiatus close to, or at, the Ordovician–Silurian boundary. These data tie the unconformity and the regional facies change from a siliciclastic to a carbonate-dominated shelf to Late Ordovician–Early Silurian eustatic and climatic changes.

UPPER ORDOVICIAN CARBONATE MOUNDS ON GOTLAND, CENTRAL BALTIC SEA: DISTRIBUTION, COMPOSITION AND RESERVOIR CHARACTERISTICS

We present a multidisciplinary description of the Upper Ordovician carbonate mounds which are found throughout the central Baltic Sea and which were studied in detail on the island of Gotland. These mounds were the subject of intense exploration between 1974 and 1992 and a total of 323 shallow wells were completed in more than 100 mounds on Gotland. Many of these were put into production and a total of 100,000 cu. m of high quality oil was produced. In this paper, we discuss the mounds’occurrence, lithological characteristics, age, faunal composition, petroleum chemistry and reservoir properties.The study is based on analyses of core material from wells in the northern part of Gotland. Upper Ordovician mound reservoirs here contain oil which has a similar geochemical signature to that in Lithuania and in the Kaliningrad district (Russia). The oil was probably derived from marine anoxic shales and migrated up‐dip from more central parts of the Baltic Syneclise where oil‐prone shales are known to occur. An intraformational origin for the oil is unlikely.The mounds contain large numbers of vugs and moulds which communicate mainly through dissolution fractures and surfaces and probably reflect a marine regression. Various lithofacies were recognized from petrographic studies including sub‐mound, intra‐mound, cap and flank, and supra‐mound facies. Algae and stromatolites dominate the intra‐mound facies, providing an organic framework for the entire structure. Consequently, the mounds are not merely poorly defined buildups of mud and micrite, as has previously been assumed. Biostratigraphic data indicates a late Caradoc to Ashgill age for the mounds and their associated lithologies.

An ancient seismite response to Taconian far-field forces: the Cane Run Bed, Upper Ordovician (Trenton) Lexington Limestone, Central Kentucky (USA)

The Cane Run Bed is a prominent unit of micrograined limestone and shale of distal storm origin in the lower part of the Late Ordovician (late Chatfieldian; late Caradoc) Lexington Limestone (Trenton) in central Kentucky, USA. The unit's prominence relates to presence of up to three horizons of penecontemporaneous, soft-sediment deformation that form a distinctive event bed; equivalent horizons of different lithology are also deformed. Concurrence of four lines of evidence, including deformation consistent with a seismogenic origin, widespread distribution in temporally and stratigraphically constrained horizons, a pattern of increasing frequency or deformation intensity toward likely epicentral areas, and the ability to exclude other likely causes, points strongly to a seismogenic origin for each horizon. This interpretation is bolstered by the facts that the deformation contains random fold axes, crosses facies boundaries, is associated with a periodically reactivated basement structural lineament, and crosscuts undeformed beds from both above and below. Moreover, mapping the distribution of deformation intensity allows for the interpretation of possible epicentral areas. The association of Cane Run deformation with other sedimentologic-stratigraphic anomalies related to reactivated basement faults, as well as their coincidence with the inception of a Taconian tectophase, suggest that Cane Run seismites are one of several responses to the distal transmission of far-field forces from the coeval Taconian orogeny into the foreland, largely via zones of basement structural weakness. Units like the Cane Run Bed and its equivalents, whose seismogenic origins can be confidently demonstrated, suggest that seismicity must have had a substantial influence at times on epicontinental sedimentation, even in seas far removed from orogenic sources of stress.

Biostratigraphy, biodiversity and palaeoenvironments of the chitinozoans and associated palynomorphs from the Upper Ordovician of the Central Anti-Atlas, Morocco

The range, abundance and diversity of Upper Ordovician chitinozoans and of various other organic-walled microfossils (i.e., acritarchs, leiospheres, scolecodonts) have been documented in the Bou-Ingarf section, Central Anti-Atlas, Morocco. The goal of this study is to provide a refined biostratigraphic scheme for the Lower Ktaoua, the Upper Tiouririne, the Upper Ktaoua and the Lower Second Bani formations in order to locate the initial effects of the Late Ordovician glaciation on the composition of assemblages of organic-walled microfossils. Five Late Ordovician chitinozoan biozones belonging to the North Gondwana zonation are identified. During the late Caradoc and early Ashgill, no significant changes in chitinozoan assemblages are recorded that could be attributed to any dramatic climatic and/or environmental events. The almost absence of phytoplanktonic elements (acritarchs and leiospheres) and of cryptospores in the fistulosa/ barbata and in the nigerica biozones are interpreted as resulting of lower offshore environmental conditions. The reappearance of a variety of palynomorphs in the lower part of the elongata biozone does not indicate drastic climatic changes but more likely a shallowing trend of the marine environment and an increased primary production, possibly related to a cooling of the surface water masses subsequently to early effects of a general climatic cooling. The first obvious evidence of the Late Ordovician glaciation occurs in the lower part of the elongata biozone, at the base of the sandy member topping the Lower Second Bani Formation. This sandy deposit is interpreted as the result of a dramatic fall of the sea level due to the development of the Hirnantian ice cap on Gondwana. This short-lived glaciation ended when the northern Gondwanan ice cap melted during the upper part of the elongata and the oulebsiri biozones. A biological crisis affected both the chitinozoans and the acritarchs just after this glaciation, i.e., in the latest Hirnantian.

Stratigraphical and palaeoecological importance of Caradoc (Upper Ordovician) graptolites from the Cardigan area, southwest Wales

Graptolites from more than 60 horizons in the basinal Caradoc succession of southwest Wales, between Fishguard and Cardigan, allow recognition of the multidens, clingani and linearis biozones. The biostratigraphy permits recognition of major differences in the sedimentary rock-sequence north and south of structures associated with the Fishguard–Cardigan Fault Belt. The Penyraber Mudstone Formation, disconformably overlying the Fishguard Volcanic Group (Llanvirn), is partly of multidens Biozone age. It is succeeded south of the Newport Sands Fault by the Cwm yr Eglwys Mudstone Formation of clingani to linearis biozones age. North of the fault the Cwm yr Eglwys Mudstone Formation is replaced laterally by the northwards-thickening, sandstone turbidite-dominated Dinas Island Formation (clingani and linearis biozones). Graptolite stratigraphical distribution indicates that Dicranograptus clingani occurs only rarely within the caudatus Subzone of the clingani Biozone and that Climacograptus antiquuss.l. also does not range above the lower part of the clingani Biozone. The first occurrence of Dicellograptus morrisi, within the upper clingani Biozone, confirms its value as a marker for the morrisi Subzone, and is associated with the first occurrences of Diplacanthograptus dorotheus and Normalograptus minimus. Dicellograptus flexuosus, used to indicate the morrisi Subzone elsewhere, occurs throughout the clingani Biozone in the Cardigan area. The linearis Biozone is recognized by Climacograptus tubuliferus. Oxic bottom conditions in early and early mid-Caradoc times largely precluded the influx of, or preservation of, graptolite faunas in the Penyraber Mudstone Formation. Anoxic mudstones of the Cwm yr Eglwys Mudstone and Dinas Island formations preserve graptolite assemblages of 21 and 26 species, signalling strong open marine influences which persisted in this area until late Caradoc times. This contrasts with the shelfal faunas in the Whitland area (south Pembrokeshire), where the late Caradoc is dominated by low-diversity Normalograptus-dominated assemblages.

Chitinozoa and Nd isotope stratigraphy of the Ordovician rocks in the Ebbe Anticline, NW Germany

Abstract Strongly tectonized Ordovician rocks appear in the Ebbe Anticline (Rheinisches Schiefergebirge), West Germany. These fine-grained detrital rocks of the Herscheider Schichten are divided into the Plettenberger Bänderschiefer. Unterer (Kiesberter) Tonschiefer, (Rahlenberger) Grauwackenschiefer, and the Oberer (Solinger) Tonschiefer. The scope of this investigation was to improve the dating of the entire Ordovician succession. but especially the Oberer (Solinger) Tonschiefer. We used chitinozoans. Palaeozoic microfossils of high biostratigraphic value, and Nd isotopes, which previously have been used for correlation and terrane affinity analysis. Chitinozoan preservation is poor, but some taxa could be confidentially identified to the species level. The ɛNd(t) values obtained from the Ordovician succession range from -8.0 to -9.2. Joint evaluation of chitinozoan and Nd isotope data together with previously known age-ranges suggest the following ages for the Herscheider Schichten: Plettenberger Bänderschiefer (early Abereiddian, earliest Llanvirn), Unterer (Kiesberter) Tonschiefer (early to mid Abereiddian, early Llanvirn). (Rahlenberger) Grauwackenschiefer (Aurelucian, earliest Caradoc), and Oberer (Solinger) Tonschiefer (late Caradoc). The Ebbe ɛNd(t) values are most readily compared with ɛNd(t) values from Avalonia. and we therefore support the inclusion of the Ordovician rocks of the Ebbe Anticline in that palaeocontinent.

Biostratigraphy and palaeogeography of Late Ordovician chitinozoans from the northeastern Alborz Range, Iran

Chitinozoans were extracted from Upper Ordovician strata in the northeastern Alborz Range (Kopet Dagh Region); 31 chitinozoan species are recorded. Four successive biozones are recognised within the Ghelli Formation, viz. Tanuchitina fistulosa, Acanthochitina barbata, Armoricochitina cf. nigerica and Ancyrochitina merga biozones. Correlation of these biozones with those of the North Gondwana Domain suggests that the middle and upper parts of the Ghelli Formation range from Late Caradoc to mid Ashgill. The number of species in common with the North Gondwana Domain suggests a close relationship between Iran and North Gondwana. However, there are a number of cosmopolitan species occurring in the Ashgill. Three new species are described: Armoricochitina alborzensis, Armoricochitina iranica and Ancyrochitina persica.

Assessing trilobite biodiversity change in the Ordovician of the British Isles

AbstractThe Ordovician Period saw the most sustained, steep rise in marine biodiversity in the history of life on Earth and set the ecological pattern for the rest of the Palaeozoic Era. The long history of research, wide variety of depositional settings and juxtaposition of terranes with very different palaeobiogeographical histories makes the Ordovician of the British Isles an excellent laboratory in which to study this change. A database approach to analysis of trilobite biodiversity change is described using a simple compilation of stratigraphical ranges of 663 species of Avalonian trilobites, and a much more sophisticated information‐rich relational database based on the fundamental information of the fossil record–species at localities. The latter includes 2001 occurrence records of 617 trilobite species at 508 localities in the Welsh Basin. The first ever species‐level diversity curves for the whole Ordovician of an entire region are presented. Both databases reveal an overall increase in species‐ and genus‐level diversity through the Ordovician. Random resampling tests and environmental information are used to remove sampling effects from the Welsh Basin diversity curves. The main features of trilobite biodiversity change in Avalonia are the following: a late Arenig–early Llanvirn increase, during which time the highest species‐to‐genus ratios occur, is contemporaneous with a rise in global diversity and rifting of Avalonia from Gondwana; a late Abereiddian dip is followed by recovery during the Llandeilian–early Caradoc; decline during the late Caradoc–early Ashgill is at least partly attributable to lack of preserved rock and restriction of most of the preserved faunas to deep‐water environments. The greatest diversity occurs in the palaeoenvironmentally differentiated Rawtheyan and is followed by the diversity crash seen in the Hirnantian throughout the world. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Quantitative evaluation of microplankton palaeobiogeography in the Ordovician–Early Silurian of the northern Trans European Suture Zone: implications for the timing of the Avalonia–Baltica collision

Quantitative analysis of assemblage similarity among chitinozoan and acritarch associations recovered from various sedimentary sequences across the Trans European Suture Zone (TESZ; southern Baltic Sea and northern Germany region), permits evaluation of changes in microplankton palaeobiogeography during the Ordovician in the study area. The present data confirm strong palaeobiogeographic differences between the lower Ordovician of the Rügen area, and the coeval domains of the East European Platform (EEP), corroborating the idea that the subsurface of Rügen should be considered palaeogeographically as the eastern extension of Avalonia. Cluster analysis of chitinozoan assemblages from numerous wells in the Rügen area, and one well from the southern margin of the EEP indicates that chitinozoan bioprovincialism reached its maximum during the Llanvirn; during this period, the Rügen microplankton communities were clearly Gondwanan in character. Calculations using the coefficient of similarity support the conclusion of a high similarity between Llanvirn acritarch assemblages from the Rügen subsurface and from coeval Perigondwana localities (e.g. Tunisia). Since the early Caradoc, this Gondwanan affinity of the Rügen microfossils starts to lessen, and becomes negligible during the late Caradoc. During latest Caradoc–early Ashgill through Llandovery times the chitinozoan assemblages from either side of the TESZ are undistinguishable. If palaeobiogeographical differentiation is primarily related to palaeolatitudinal distance, then the present data support closure of the Tornquist Ocean during late Caradoc–Ashgill times. The presence of reworked Llanvirn acritarchs of Perigondwanan affinity in middle Ashgill sedimentary sequences at the southern margin of the EEP, clearly shows that by this time erosion of an uplifted area was taking place. Accordingly, the closure of the Tornquist Ocean, and consequent Avalonia–Baltica collision must have taken place during the time interval between the middle Caradoc and the early middle Ashgill (Rawtheyan). New chitinozoan data from boreholes H 2 and K 5, offshore of Rügen Island, northern Germany, allow for precise biostratigraphic dating. In the pre-Devonian part of H 2, Siphonochitina formosa indicates an Abereiddian (Early Llanvirn) age, facilitating correlation with boreholes Binz 1/73 and Lohme 2/70 of Rügen. In borehole K 5, the occurrence of Belonechitina robusta and Tanuchitina bergstroemi permits attribution of the investigated pre-Carboniferous sequence to the middle-late Caradoc, and, possibly, early Ashgill.

Reefs during the multiple crises towards the Ordovician-Silurian boundary: Anticosti Island, eastern Canada, and worldwide

Multiple latest Ordovician (Rawtheyan–Hirnantian) glaciations in central Africa, with concomitant global sea-level lowstands and cooler, restricted, equatorial carbonate shelves and ramps, interrupted by warmer interstadial highstands, had a dramatic global impact on the tropical shallow-water reef ecosystem and carbonate production. With the Ordovician-Silurian boundary strata on Anticosti Island as a global standard for a carbonate shelf-ramp setting, the latest Ordovician and earliest Silurian reveal three reef phases, ended by three extinctions. The first extinction, towards the end of the Rawtheyan, affected the last "Richmondian"-type reefs (Vaureal Formation, Mill Bay Member). The second extinction was less pronounced, ending with reefs at the base of the Prinsta Member (Ellis Bay Formation), interpreted as the top of the Normalograptus extraordinarius graptolite Subzone. The third and most severe extinction phase capped the Laframboise patch reef complex (Ellis Bay Formation), at the top of the Normalograptus persculptus Zone. In the paleotropics, the Hirnantian interglacials showed higher biodiversity than either the preceding Rawtheyan or following Rhuddanian (early Llandovery) warm intervals, a feature perhaps achieved by high innovation rates via introduction of "Silurian" reef biotas during the Hirnantian. The Anticosti reef succession is compared with latest Ordovician reefs from northwestern Europe (Baltic Basin and U.K.), the northwestern margins of Gondwana (Spain and Austria), the Urals, Siberia, Kazakhstan, northeast Russia, and China. Reefs show a global decline from the late Caradoc through late Ashgill, marked by hiatuses towards the O–S boundary. A protracted 3–4 million-year recovery phase for Early Silurian tropical marine biotas, generally without reefs, marked the succeeding Rhuddanian; full reef recovery was delayed until the mid-Aeronian.