Omphalocyclus Macroporus Research Articles

Biostratigraphy of Hartha Formation from Selected Wells in Nasiriyah Oil Field, Southern Iraq

The Hartha Formation has been investigated from a biostratigraphic view in three subsurface sections in the Nasiriyah Oil field, wells Ns1, Ns3, and Ns4, South of Iraq. Hartha Formation is composed of limestone and has various areas of intense dolomitization alternating with marly limestone. The formation ranges in thickness from 126 to 182 meters. Thirteen large and small benthic foraminifer species and genera are identified from Hartha Formation. Based on the large benthic foraminifer's assemblage, one distinct biozone was recognized after an examination of the paleontological datum in the investigated area showed that the studied wells contained a diversity of foraminiferal species, the larger foraminifers biozone was proposed: Orbitoides medius- Orbitoides tissoti - Orbitoides gensacicus -Orbitoides apiculatus - Omphalocyclus macroporus assemblage zone (Late Campanian- Early Maastrichtian), this biozone divided in two range subzone: Orbitoides medius Partial Range Zone (Late Campanian) and Omphalocyclus macroporus Range Zone (Early Maastrichtian). This biozone indicated that the Hartha Formation deposited through (Late Campanian- Early Maastrichtian).

Laffitteina from the Maastrichtian-Thanetian shallow marine carbonates of the Aures Basin (Northeastern Algeria): microfacies and stratigraphic distribution

The Maastrichtian-Thanetian Ncham Member of the Aurès Basin in northeastern Algeria contains variably lenticular microfossils, which are defined as Laffitteina genera. It is a large benthic foraminifera, studied from three stratigraphic sections. The systematic study of Laffitteina led identification of nine species, four of which, Laffitteina marsicana, L. aff. mengaudi, L. monodi and L. erki were recorded for the first time in the study area. Various species of Laffitteina were used as index fossils to recognize the K/Pg transition in the Aurès Basin. The last occurrence of L. oztuerki marks the end of the Maastrichtian, which was found in association with Omphalocyclus macroporus (Lamarck) in the upper Maastrichtian. The first occurrence of L. erki marks the Thanetian age, while the Danian and Selandian deposits are missing in the field after a general emersion in the early Paleocene, despite the absence of a visible non unconformity. It could therefore be proposed that the K/Pg transition may occurs in the last 10 m of the Ncham Member. Concerning the paleoenvironment, Laffitteina is considered as a resistant foraminifera and thrives in meso- to eutrophic environments (lagoon). Microfacies data from the Upper Cretaceous-Lower Paleogene limestones of the Aurès Basin suggests a carbonate platform with shallowing-up sequential organization, mainly controlled by fluctuations in sea-level.

Foraminiferal micropaleontology of the Harami Formation (Elazığ, Eastern Turkey), and reassessment of its age based on larger benthic foraminifera

The age and depositional environment of the Harami Formation were reevaluated based on the new larger benthic foraminiferal (LBF) data. LBF assemblage including Orbitoides medius (d'Archiac), O. megaloformis Papp and Küpper, O. gruenbachensis Papp, Pseudomphalocyclus blumenthali Meriç, Omphalocyclus macroporus (Lamarck), Sirtina cf. orbitoidiformis Brönnimann and Wirz, Hellenocyclina beotica Reichel, Lepidorbitoides campaniensis Van Gorsel, L. bisambergensis (Jaeger), L. cf. minor (Schlumberger), Pseudosiderolites vidali (Douville), and Siderolites gr. calcitrapoides Lamarck were determined in the formation. Based on this LBF assemblage data, the late Campanian-Maastrichtian age was assigned to the formation. The paleontological and sedimentological data indicate that the Harami Formation was deposited on a shallow ramp environment.

First record of the foraminiferal genera Clypeorbis Douvillé and Ilgazina Erdoğan from the Maastrichtian of the Arabian Peninsula (Simsima Formation, North Oman): Paleobiogeographic implications

The Maastrichtian orbitoidiform foraminiferal genera Clypeorbis Douvillé, previously reported as endemic to the ‘European Faunal Province’ and Ilgazina Erdoğan, as yet only known from Turkey with poor illustrations, co-occur in the transgressive beds of the Simsima Formation in north Oman. The present records of these complex genera and their species C. mamillatus (Schlumberger) and I. unilateralis Erdoğan from the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula (‘African Faunal Province’), enable us to re-evaluate their biogeographic affinities. In addition, due to the incomplete original description, the diagnosis of I. unilateralis, which looks like a ‘broken-Orbitoides in half’ with a single layer of lateral chamberlets, is revised and emended by describing the megalospheric embryon and other test features for the first time. The embryonic apparatus of this species differs from that of the closely associated genus Orbitoides d'Orbigny by having an ‘Y’-shaped trilocular embryon with only two principal epi-embryonic chamberlets arising from it. In addition, the hyaline lateral layer without chamberlets presents compressed ‘vacuolar’ structures that are comparable with the canals in the Paleocene genus Lakadongia Matsumaru and Jauhri, endemic to the Indian Subcontinent. Because of these morphological features Ilgazina differs significantly from other Late Cretaceous orbitoidiform taxa. A Maastrichtian age (but not the latest) is indicated for the Simsima Formation based on assemblages of Lepidorbitoides with transitional developmental stage between L. minor (Schlumberger) and L. socialis (Leymerie), Orbitoides gensacicus (Leymerie), O. ‘medius’ (d'Archiac), Omphalocyclus macroporus (Lamarck), Siderolites gr. calcitrapoides Lamarck, Sirtina orbitoidiformis Brönnimann and Wirz, Planorbulina cretae (Marsson) and Goupillaudina Marie.

Earliest Campanian - latest Maastrichtian sequence stratigraphy based on planktonic foraminifera, Fars province, Zagros, Iran

The Gurpi, Tarbur and Sachun formations have been investigated in the studied section in the Fars Province, in order to determine their sequence stratigraphy. On the basis of done studies on the cores of borehole, four main microfacies have been recognized in four stratigraphic sequence deposited during the Campanian to Maastrichtian. The lowermost sequence, was deposited in the early Campanian-early late Campanian which include wackestone to packestone texture with Globotruncanita elevata Zoneand Globotruncana ventricosa Zonethatrepresentative of the deep marine and outer ramp. The intermediate and uppermost sequences (sequences two, three and four) display well developed deposits formed in the end of the Campanian (Radotruncana calcarata Zoneand Globotruncanella havanensis Zone), formed during the Maastrichtian (Globotruncana aegyptiaca Zoneand Gansserina gansseri Zone) and the end of the Maastrichtian (Omphalocyclus macroporus - loftusia sp assemblage Zone) on pelagic, hemipelagic, outer and middle ramp. On the basis of the sequence stratigraphic chart, the transgression of the upper Cretaceous sea started since the early Campanian and continued gradually until the early Maastrichtian. Then, until the end of Maastrichtian, the area has been emerged. The sequence stratigraphic architecture of Campanian/ Maastrichtian Gurpi, Tarbur and Sachun formations model is in a good agreement with global sea level changes.

Stratigraphy and Sedimentology of Upper Cretaceous to Upper Palaeocene Succession in Zimam Formation Along Wadi Tar al Kabir, NW Libya

The Upper Cretaceous to Upper Palaeocene rocks of the Zimam Formation along the southwestern escarpment of the Hun Graben of NW Libya have been stratigraphically investigated from two stratigraphical sections in wadi Tar al Kabir. The field investigations led to the recognition of three members, from the oldest to the youngest, the Lower Tar Member, the Upper Tar Member and the Had Member. Eight sedimentary facies were distinguished at outcrop-scale and several microfacies were recognized and the outcome indicates that the depositions of the Zimam Formation are corresponding to two transgressive-regressive sedimentary cycles. The first cycle is attributed to the Lower Tar Member in which small planktonic foraminifera is quite common in the Campanian whereas the larger benthic foraminifera, namely, Omphalocyclus macroporus and Siderolites calcitrapoides are abundant in the Maastrichtian. The last occurrence of the latter two taxa, however, was used to delineate the contact between the Maastrichtian and Danian stages in the studied sequence.
 
 Up-sequence the sediments of the Upper Tar Member along with the overlying Had Member correspond to the second transgressive-regressive sedimentary cycle. Herein, the Upper Tar Member is enriched by small benthic foraminifera; Neoeponides duwi and Cibicides cf. libycus, and has been ascribed to the Danian (Lower Palaeocene). The reaming sediments of Zimam Formation, however, are belonging to the overlying Had Member and is tentatively ascribed to the Selandian (Upper Palaeocene) based on the last occurrence of the Danian fauna and the total range of the codiacean algae Ovulites morelleti.

LATE CAMPANIAN-MAASTRICHIAN GASTROPODA FROM BEKHME FORMATION, NORTHERN IRAQ

The gastropod fauna of the Upper Campanian-Masstrichtian Bekhme Formation in the Northern Iraq comprises six species belonging to six genera, six families are documented for the first time from Iraq. The species are abundant at the lower and middle parts in the formation. Most of the specimens are internal molds, some of which are, in addition in complete. The geographic distribution of the identified species is having closely affinity to the Tethyan fauna from Asia, Europa and Africa. These species are associated with large foraminifera such as: Orbitoides media; O.apiculatus; Loftusia elongatea; Omphalocyclus macroporus; Siderolites calcitropodes and rudist as: Durania cornupastoris, Hippurites sp.; Dictyptchus sp.

Foraminifera from the Aruma Formation of Central Saudi Arabia

The Aruma Formation is well exposed in central Saudi Arabia as a thin northwest-southeast trending outcrop. It consists of a carbonate-dominated succession dated asCampanian to Paleocene. Of the three members, theKhanasir and Hajajah are confirmed as being Cretaceous, but the uppermost Linah Shale Member is assigned a Paleocene age. Dolomitization and differential erosion of the Aruma has left exposures for which the lithostratigraphy can only be confirmed by biostratigraphy. At the study location, the Khanasir Member contains the dasyclad algae Cymopolia tibetica, radiolitid rudist fragments and rare small rotalid and miliolid foraminifera. The HajajahMember is confirmed by the presence of the characteristic larger benthonic foraminiferal assemblage including Loftusia persica, Omphalocyclus macroporus, Rotalia trochidiformis and Fissoelphidium cf. operculiferum of Maastrichtian age. The sparse microfossil assemblages indicate deposition undifferentiated shallow marine, normal salinity, probably lagoon depositional setting.

Benthic foraminifera of the Maastrichtian sediments from the Maliboğazi (Kalecik, Ankara) and Irmak (Kırıkkale) areas in Türkiye

The investigation focuses on benthic foraminifera and their paleoecology, particularly on the Orbitoides genus in the Maaastrichtian sediments from the northern and western Ankara City (Turkey). The hard and soft rock samples from two measured sections, namely as Malibogazi (N Ankara) and Daryaka-Irmak (W Ankara, Kirikkale) were evaluated. More than one hundred equatorial and axial sections of the Orbitoides genus were prepared. The benthic foraminifera of the Maastrichtian sediments are as follows: Dorothia sp., Marssonella sp., Lenticulina sp., Saracenaria sp., Oolina sp., Cibicides sp., Gavelinella sp., Orbitoides apiculatus, O. gruenbachensis, O. medius, Pseudomphalocyclus sp., Omphalocyclus macroporus, Lepidorbitoides sp., Sirtina sp., Sulcoperculina globosa, S. vermunti, Siderolites calcitrapoides, Laffitteina mengaudi, Laffitteina sp. In the Malibogazi area, biometric data based on the internal and external parameters of the Orbitoides genus present reliable interpretations for paleoecological approaches of the Maastrichtian time. The calcareous siliciclastics comprise abundant Orbitoides apiculatus and O. gruenbachensis species. We have identified two ichnospecies as Maeandropolydora osmaneliensis and Curvichnus semorbis in the Orbitoides tests. It is thought that meandered microboring activity are related to parasitic life modes while cave shaped ones are associated with hermit type life modes. Orbitoides bearing siliciclastics overlies reefal sediments including biostromal limestones with rich rudist fauna, Thalassoniodes rich carbonates and massive, thick bedded limestones in the Maliboğazi area. In contrast, siliciclastics indicating open sea sediments outcrop widespreadly in the Irmak area. The obtained stratigraphical, sedimantological and paleontological data show that northern part of the Ankara was shallower than western part of the Ankara during the late Maastrichtian.

Els macroforaminífers i la fauna associada del Maastrichtià del sector Prebètic valencià sud (Est de la Península Ibèrica)

Larger foraminifera and associated fauna from the Maastrichtian of the southern valencian Prebaetic sector (E Iberian Peninsula) The benthic foraminiferal assemblage and the associated fauna found in the Upper Cretaceous deposits of the Serra de la Solana, Valencia (Spain) have been revised. The study has allowed us to confirm the presence of the foraminiferal species Hellenocyclina beotica Reichel, Siderolites aff. calcitrapoides Lamarck, Orbitoides apiculata Schlumberger, Orbitoides gensacicus (Leymerie) and Omphalocyclus macroporus (Lamarck), as stated by previous authors. In addition, the revision has permitted to identify some other species, never cited before in Serra de la Solana and neighbour regions in Iberian Peninsula, such as Fissoelphidium operculiferum Smout and Selimina cf. spinalis Inan and two different morphotypes of rotaliids that we have left in open nomenclature, namely, Rotaliidae indet. sp. 1 and Rotaliidae indet. sp. 2. The rudists and echinoid found associated to these benthic foraminifera have been also revised. The rudist species found are Hippurites radiosus Des Moulins, Hippurites cornucopiae Defrance, Hippurites cf. lamarcki Douvillé, and Apricardia sp., the two latter cited in Serra de la Solana for the first time. The echinoid assemblage is composed of the species Pygopyrina darderi (Lambert), Linthia payeni (Coquand) and Hemipneustes striatoradiatus (Leske). The whole assemblage, typical of shallow-water platform environments, is Upper Maastrichtian in age and shows some differences in respect other contemporaneous asseblages from other paleogeographical areas.

Dissocladella compressa n. sp., a new Dasycladale (green algae) from the Upper Maastrichtian of Iran

The new dasycladalean alga Dissocladella compressa is described from the lower part of the Tarbur Formation of SW Iran (Zagros Zone). The medium-sized representative of the genus is characterized by rather large primaries displaying slight vertical compression. It occurs in a foraminiferan-algal packstone associated with larger benthic foraminifera typically Omphalocyclus macroporus Lamarck, Loftusia sp., Siderolites cf. calcitrapoides Lamarck, and scattered corals. Associated algae include Trinocladus tripolitanus Raineri, Thyrsoporella longa Radoicic, Ovulites delicatula Elliott, accessory udoteaceans, and corallinaceans.

LOFTUSIA CF. ANATOLICA HORIZON IN UPPER MAASTRICHTIAN LIMESTONES OF THE EASTERN GREECE PLATFORM (MOUNT PTOON, BOEOTIA, GREECE): PALAEOBIOGEOGRAPHICAL REMARKS

Researches on upper Cretaceous limestones from the Eastern Greece platform in the area between Kokkinon and Akrefnion (Boeotia, Greece) revealed the presence of a horizon rich in Loftusia cf. anatolica (foraminifer). In this horizon, of late Maastrichtian age, L. cf. anatolica is associated with debris of Rudists, Orbitoides media, O. apiculata, O. gensacicus, Siderolites calcitrapoides, Omphalocyclus macroporus, Hellenocyclina beotica, Miliolidae, Dasycladaceae and echinoderms. It is found in an undisturbed sequence of limestones, where both the underlying and the overlying horizons are of the same facies and contain debris of Rudists, Hellenocyclina beotica, Orbitoides media, Siderolites calcitrapoides, Sulcoperculina sp., Rotaliidae, Mélobesiées,Nummofallotia sp., echinoderms. L. cf. anatolica is confined in the above mentioned horizon and it is found neither in the underlying nor in the overlying beds. This fades reflects an outer shelf environment in front of the rudist reefs. It is the first time that this species is reported in situ in Greece in an undisturbed stratigraphie sequence of upper Cretaceous limestones up to Paleocene flysch.

Biostratigraphy and lithostratigraphy of Tarbur Formation (Upper Cretaceous) in Hossein Abad section, Zagros basin (SW of Iran)

The Tarbur Formation is a Reef carbonate lithostratigraphic unit that outcrops in the Zagros basin. To study biostratigraphy and lithostratigraphy of Tarbur Formation in Zagros basin, Hossein Abad Section was selected. In this section, the Tarbur Formation lies unconformably on the Pre-Campanian radiolarite beds and the Sachun Formation overlies the Tarbur Formation uncorformably. 39 foraminifera species belonging to 27 genera were identified from the Hossein Abad section in the Tarbur Formation. Orbitoides media, Orbitoides cf. concavatus, Orbitoides apiculata, Orbitoides sp., Omphalocyclus macroporus, Omphalocyclus sp., Pseudomphalocyclus blumenthalis, Lepidorbitoides sp., Antalyna korayi, Dicyclina shlumbergeri, Archaecyclus midorietalis and Goupillaudina shirazensis are the most significant foraminifers. Based on faunal assemblages, three biozones were proposed: Archaecyclus midorietalis range zone (late Campanian), Orbitoides—Goupillaudina assemblage Zone (early Maastrichtian and Antalyna korayi range subzone (late Maastrichtian). Foraminiferal assemblage of the Tarbur Formation supports late Campanian to late Maastrichtian age in section of Hossien Abad.

Biostratigraphy and Sequence Stratigraphy of Campanian and Maastrichtian Succession, Qutbabad Well, Zagros (Iran)

The Qutbabad section of the Gurpi, Tarbur and Sachun Formations in the Fars Province (Zagros Basin) has been studied, in order to determinate its microfacies and sequence stratigraphy. On the basis of thin section studies of cores from Qutbabad Well in the Gurpi, Tarbur and Sachun Formations of the Zagros Basin, four main microfacies have been recognized within four stratigraphic sequences deposited during the Campanian to Maastrichtian. Depth and sea level changes were the main controls on the distribution of these microfacies. The microfacies are: Pelagic; Hemi-Pelagic; Outer ramp; and Middle ramp. The lowermost sequence was deposited in the Early Campanian-early Late Campanian and includes wackestone to packestone textures with biozones Globotruncanita elevate and Globotruncana ventricosa representative of the Pelagic, Hemipelagic and Outer (ramp/shelf). The intermediate and uppermost sequences (sequence two, three and four) display well developed deposits formed at the end of the Campanian (Radotruncana calcarata zone and Globotruncanella havanensis zone), beginning of the Maastrichtian (Globotruncana aegyptiaca zone and Gansserina gansseri zone) and the end of the Maastrichtian (Omphalocyclus macroporus - loftusia sp assemblage zone) on the Pelagic, Hemipelagic, Outer and Middle ramp. On the basis of the sequence stratigraphic chart, the transgression of the Upper Cretaceous Sea started from the Early Campanian and continued gradually towards the Early Maastrichtian. Then, until the end of Maastrichtian, has had regression. This resulted that the sequence stratigraphic model of the Campanian- Maastrichtian Gurpi, Tarbur and Sachun Formations has architecture similar to those that have developed from global sea level changes.

Suraqalatia brasieri n.gen., n.sp. (larger foraminifera) from the Maastrichtian of Sulaimani area in northern Iraq

Suraqalatia brasieri n.gen., n.sp. from the family Dicyclinidae Loeblich and Tappan 1964 occurs on the Maastrichtian carbonate platform of northern Iraq. The new genus is recognizable by its large very compressed conical test, up to 55–70 mm in diameter, to 0.3–1.6 mm in thickness, planspiral cooling having very small proloculus in the initial part and later circular chambers including numerous chamberlets with an agglutinated wall. Suraqalatia brasieri n.gen., n.sp. is associated with textulariids, miliolids and rotaliids as Loftusia elongata Cox, L. morgani Douville, Orbitoides medius d’Archiac, O. megaloformis Papp & Kupper, O. gruenbachensis Papp, O. apiculatus Schlumberger, Omphalocyclus macroporus (Lamarck), Siderolites calcitrapoides Lamarck, Sirtina orbitoidiformis Bronnimann & Wirz. The associated macrofauna comprises large and rich giant rudists (Preradiolites sp.), other bivalves (Gryphaea sp. and Glycymeris sp.), gastropods (Acteonella sp.), echinoderms and corals. The fauna indicates shallow marine carbonate platform conditions within the Maastrichtian green house. It is also worth mentioning that the new genus has only been recorded from the Maastrichtian age.

Campanian–Maastrichtian foraminiferal stratigraphy and palaeoenvironment of the Lower Tar Member in the Wadi Tar section, Western Sirte Basin (Libya)

Upper Campanian–Maastrichtian sections on the western flank of the Hun Graben in the Western Sirte Basin (WSB) are displaying two major type facies based on the foraminiferal assemblages. The first one indicates open-marine to outer-shelf conditions, and is represented by numerous bathy-pelagic planktonic foraminiferal species referable to the Radotruncana calcarata, Globotruncana aegyptiaca and the lower part of the Gansserina gansseri Zone (all late Campanian).The second type facies indicates an inner-shelf environment and is represented in the middle-upper part of the Gansserina gansseri Zone (early Maastrichtian) and Racemiguembelina fructicosa (late Maastrichtian) dominated by epi-pelagic planktonic and large benthic foraminifers. Large benthic foraminiferal index species Siderolites calcitrapoides Lamarck and Omphalocyclus macroporus (Lamarck) occur in abundance by the middle–late Maastrichtian. Correlation between planktonic foraminiferal zonation and large benthic foraminiferal zonation is given. An open-marine to outer-shelf environment passed into shallower marine conditions during the late Campanian–early Maastrichtian to late Maastrichtian, then a slight deepening and again shallowing is noticed.

Constraining the age of the last marine sediments in the late Cretaceous of central south Pyrenees (NE Spain): Insights from larger benthic foraminifera and strontium isotope stratigraphy

The uppermost Cretaceous (upper Campanian–Maastrichtian) marine deposits of the central south Pyrenees host a rich larger benthic foraminiferal fauna and several rudist-rich levels. These marine deposits are directly overlain by the continental facies of the Arén and Tremp Formations, which are famous for their fossil dinosaur remains. Larger benthic foraminiferal distribution documents an important faunal turnover in all the carbonate platform environments within the photic zone, from open marine to littoral areas. Biostratigraphy indicates that this turnover occurred close to the Campanian-Maastrichtian boundary. This is also confirmed by strontium isotope stratigraphy which indicates an earliest Maastrichtian age for the appearance of the larger benthic foraminiferal assemblage constituted by Lepidorbitoides socialis, Clypeorbis mammillata, Wannierina cataluniensis, Orbitoides gruenbachensis, Siderolites aff. calcitrapoides, Fascispira colomi, Omphalocyclus macroporus and Laffiteina mengaudi. In particular, a numerical age of 71 Ma is obtained for the Hippurites radiosus level, just a few meters below the first continental deposits of the Arén sensu stricto Formation. The youngest marine sediments of the central south Pyrenees are early Maastrichtian in age. This is also an important constraint for the age of the end-Cretaceous dinosaur fossil localities of the Tremp basin.

Biostratigraphy study of Tarbur Formation (upper cretaceous) in Tang-E Kushk and east of Sarvestan (SW of Iran)

In this study, 465 m of Tarbur Formation in Tang-e Kushk and east of Sarvestan area stratigraphic sections are studied and 185 thin sections are provided and analyzed. Based on lithostratigraphic studies, Tarbur Formation in these two stratigraphic sections is divided into upper and lower parts. Lower part includes medium-bedded rudist limestones which is consist of iron nodules with Gastropoda. Upper part is made of light grey massive organodetrital limestone. Identified foraminifers of both studied sections are comprised of: Orbitoides media, Orbitoides triangularis, Orbitoides tissoti, Orbitoides orientalis, Orbitoides apiculata, Antalyna korayi, Rotalia skourensis, Dicyclina schlumbergeri, Nezzazatinella sp., Omphalocyclus macroporus, Trochospira sp., Siderolites calcitrapoides, Broeckinella sp., Lepidorbitoides socialis, Gavelinella pertusa, are detected, and also it has Dasycladacea of Salpingoporella dinarica, Salpingoporella turgida, Salpingoporella sp.. According to diagnosed foraminifera, the age determination of Tarbur Formation is assigned to Upper Maastrichtian.

PALEOENVIRONMENTAL DISTRIBUTION OF LARGER FORAMINIFERA IN UPPER CRETACEOUS SILICICLASTIC-CARBONATE DEPOSITS (AREN SANDSTONE FORMATION, SOUTH PYRENEES, NORTHEASTERN SPAIN)

ABSTRACT This study examines the distribution of larger foraminifera in an upper Campanian–lower Maastrichtian siliciclastic–carbonate depositional environment within the Aren Sandstone Formation. Three assemblages have been identified, which refer to prodelta, reef, and lagoon depositional facies. Prodelta deposits are characterized by Lepidorbitoides socialis, Lepidorbitoides aff. minor, Clypeorbis mammillata, and Siderolites cataluniensis. The reef deposit assemblage contains Siderolites calcitrapoides, Siderolites cataluniensis, Orbitoides gruenbachensis, “Orbitoides” aff. concavatus, Lepidorbitoides aff. minor, and Fallotia jacquoti. They are associated with the encrusting foraminifera Solenomeris and Haddonia. The lagoonal assemblage contains Fascispira colomi and Omphalocyclus macroporus. Among the siderolitids, the keeled saucer-shaped Siderolites cataluniensis colonized the deepest environments at the lower photic zone, whereas the canaliculate spine-bearing Siderolites calcitrapoides characteriz...

Presence of Frambocythere COLIN, 1980, (limnic ostracode) in the Maastrichtian of the Zagros Mountains, Iran: a newly recognized link between southern Europe and the Far East

The limnic ostracode Frambocythere tumiensis zagrosensis subsp. nov. (Limnocytheridae, Timiriaseviinae), has been found for the first time in Iran. The strata containing this species are in the lower part of the Tarbur Formation in the interior Fars of the Zagros Mountains. The Late Maastrichtian age is indicated by rudists, larger foraminifers (Omphalocyclus macroporus, Loftusia spp.) and planktonic foraminifers (Contusotruncana contusa-Racemiguembelina fructicosa Zone) present in the upper part of the Tarbur Formation. The Maastrichtian age is confirmed by the occurrence in the same strata of the charophytes Platychara shanii, Peckichara cristellata and Stephanochara cf. producta. The genus Frambocythere Colin, 1980, was until now known mostly from the Upper Maastrichtian to Middle Eocene of southern Europe, India and China, as well as the Albian of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The presence of Frambocythere gr. tumiensis in Iran is therefore a newly recognized link between southern Europe and the Far East (China).