Rhenish Mountains Research Articles

Organic carbon isotope stratigraphy of Devonian-Carboniferous boundary sections in the Rhenish Mountains

The boundary between the Devonian and the Carboniferous has been drawn using ammonoids, conodonts and miospores, while geochemical data have only rarely been used. The sampling of eight sections (Aprath, Apricke, Effenberg, Wocklum, Stockum, Drewer WJ, Drewer WA, Marsberg) at the northern margin of the Rhenish Mountains demonstrates the potential of the isotope ratio of organic carbon to regionally correlate sections in different facies areas. With the help of the carbon isotopes, a distinct stratigraphic succession is documented, which is characterised by several positive and negative excursions; this succession was recorded in all examined sections. The carbon isotopes can therefore make a significant contribution to the stratigraphic subdivision of sections and complement the biostratigraphic methods.

The tornoceratid ammonoids from the Roteisenstein Formation of Dillenburg (Cephalopoda, Ammonoidea)

The ammonoids of the suborder Tornoceratina from the Middle to Late Devonian Red Ironstone Formation of the area around Dillenburg (eastern Rhenish Mountains) are revised, mainly based on historical collections stored in the Museum für Naturkunde, Berlin. The species Tornoceras typus (Sandberger & Sandberger, 1851), Tornoceras frechi Wedekind, 1918 and Epitornoceras mithracoides (Frech, 1888) are re-described based on the original material from the Red Ironstone. The new genus Lentitornoceras gen. nov. is proposed for the new species L. materni gen. et sp. nov.; the new genus Paucitornoceras gen. nov. is proposed with the type species Goniatites paucistriatus. Epitornoceras transmediterraneum sp. nov. is described from the Anti-Atlas of Morocco and compared with E. mithracoides.

The pharciceratid ammonoids from the Roteisenstein Formation of Dillenburg (Cephalopoda, Ammonoidea)

The ammonoids of the suborder Pharciceratina from the Red Ironstone Formation of the area around Dillenburg (eastern Rhenish Mountains) are revised, mainly based on historical collections stored in the Museum für Naturkunde, Berlin. The genus Evopharciceras gen. nov. and the following species are newly described: Maenioceras ornatum sp. nov., Pharciceras beyrichi sp. nov., Pharciceras kruegeri sp. nov., Pharciceras ferrum sp. nov., Evopharciceras formosum gen. et sp. nov., Extropharciceras metallicum sp. nov., Lunupharciceras kochi sp. nov., Stenopharciceras lotzi sp. nov., Pluripharciceras ahlburgi sp. nov. and Sandbergeroceras archiaci sp. nov. Neotypes are proposed for the species Extropharciceras becheri (von Buch, 1832) and Sandbergeroceras costatum (d’Archiac & de Verneuil, 1842). The stratigraphic distribution of the genera is discussed; they are assigned to three assemblages: (1) Maenioceras terebratum Zone (early Givetian; two species), (2) Pseudoprobeloceras pernai Zone (latest Givetian; fifteen species) and (3) Sandbergeroceras costatum Zone (early Frasnian; three species).

Rare representatives of new Late Devonian ammonoids from the Rhenish Mountains and the Montagne Noire

The new genera and species of the early late Famennian (Late Devonian) ammonoids Hoevelia schindewolfi n. gen. n. sp. and Beulia wunderlichi n. gen. n. sp. are described from material collected in the Rhenish Mountains and attributed to the new family Hoeveliidae. The genus Falciclymenia Schindewolf, 1923 is revised with the description of the proposed new type species Falciclymenia cabrierensis n. sp. from the Montagne Noire.

Sporadoceratid ammonoids from the Shotori Range (east-central Iran) – a case of putative gigantism caused by hydraulic sorting?

The Shotori Range of east-central Iran (east of Tabas) has yielded Famennian ammonoid assemblages dominated by the family Sporadoceratidae. Four genera Maeneceras Hyatt, 1884, Iranoceras Walliser, 1966, Sporadoceras Hyatt, 1884 and Erfoudites Korn, 1999 are represented. The conodont assemblage of one sample containing Iranoceras revealed an Upper marginifera Zone age. The ammonoid assemblages are characterised by comparatively large specimens; they reach conch diameters of 300 mm (including the body chamber) and the mean size is larger than 100 mm. The preservation of the material from the Shotori Range and size comparison with sporadoceratid assemblages from the Anti-Atlas of Morocco and the Rhenish Mountains of Germany suggest that hydraulic sorting has resulted in a bias towards large conchs, explaining the size distribution, rather than latitudinal differences. The new species Maeneceras tabasense is described; the genus Iranoceras is revised with a new description of the two species Iranoceras pachydiscus (Walliser, 1966) and Iranoceras pingue (Walliser, 1966).

An assemblage of pyritized middle Famennian ammonoids from the Velbert Anticline (Rhenish Mountains)

An assemblage of pyritized middle Famennian ammonoids from the Velbert Anticline (Rhenish Mountains)

The Wenne river bank section– an excellent section for the Viséan – Serpukhovian boundary based on conodonts and ammonoids (Mississippian; Rhenish Mountains, Germany)

The Wenne river bank section– an excellent section for the Viséan – Serpukhovian boundary based on conodonts and ammonoids (Mississippian; Rhenish Mountains, Germany)

Late Givetian ammonoids from Iserlohn and Neuenrade (northern Rhenish Mountains)

Late Givetian ammonoids from Iserlohn and Neuenrade (northern Rhenish Mountains)

Late Givetian ammonoids from Oberberge (Middle Devonian; Rhenish Mountains)

Late Givetian ammonoids from Oberberge (Middle Devonian; Rhenish Mountains)

Facies and palaeoecology of the late Viséan Actinopteria Black Shale Event in the Rhenish Mountains (Germany, Mississippian)

The isochronous, mid-Brigantian (latest Visean) Actinopteria Black Shale is intercalated in between upper Visean calciturbidites within the northern part of the Rhenish Mountains (Germany). It shows characteristic mass-occurrences of the eponymous bivalve Ptychopteria (Actinopteria) lepida (Goldfuss). The case study of a classical, exceptionally well-preserved outcrop in the Ludenscheid Syncline documents the facies and palaeoecology of this event horizon. Hitherto, sediments had been regarded as deep-marine anoxic deposits, resulting from pelagic rain. Now, microfacies analysis of the mostly silicified mudstones revealed a heterogeneous sedimentary facies, showing ample evidence of current-driven micro-event deposits regarded as mud turbidites. Various but simple ichnofabrics indicate mostly dysoxic conditions of the soupy sediment. Discussion of palaeobiological constraints proves the earlier assumed pseudoplanktic mode of life for Ptychopteria (Actinopteria) lepida and contradicts epibenthic colonisation by that bivalve. Mass-occurrence might be a compaction artefact, but occurrence on few distinct bedding planes in an interval several centimetres thick is related to an extraordinary complete sedimentary record that protected the paper pectens from erosion. This variant of a taphonomic epibole is termed maximum completeness epibole. In the case of the Actinopteria Shale, in sequence stratigraphic terms a transgressive systems tract, this bioevent is postulated to represent the maximum flooding surface with minimum sedimentary input and reworking.

Facies, origin, and palaeontological inventory of an Early Carboniferous neptunian dyke in the Devonian reef limestone near Rösenbeck (Brilon Anticline, Rhenish Mountains)

Abstract. The Devonian reef limestone complex of Rösenbeck near Brilon (Rhenish Mountains) shows numerous neptunian dykes and other hollows which have been filled with Carboniferous siliciclastic as well as fossil-rich carbonate sediments with ammonoids, conodonts, and chondrichthyan fish. While the shales of the infill can be interpreted as autochthonous sediments, the carbonates represent erratic blocks of sediments which were deposited in elevated areas but subsequently eroded and transported as erratic blocks into the karstic cavities. The biota of the carbonates demonstrates that two stratigraphic intervals are represented: (1) the Tournaisian–Viséan boundary interval, which can be identified by the presence of trilobites, and (2) the late Viséan (Asbian–Brigantian), proven by the presence of ammonoids and conodonts embedded in shales that probably have an early Serpukhovian age. Two carbonate facies can be distinguished in the Late Viséan blocks: (1) low-energy micritic sediments with Goniatites crenistria, which are probably equivalent to the crenistria Limestone and (2) high-energy (tempestite) sediments with numerous ammonoid specimens and in a more subordinate role other to fossil groups.

Late Viséan pelagic chondrichthyans from northern Europe

The relatively rich assemblages of shark teeth from pelagic limestone (Mississippian, late Visean, late Asbian—middle Brigantian) of three northern European regions: the Rhenish Mountains (Westenfeld Quarry, Germany), the Holy Cross Mountains (Todowa Grząba at the edge of Ostrowka Quarry, Poland), and Derbyshire (Cawdor Quarry, Matlock, England, UK) display certain similarities, with the absolute predominance of the teeth of Falcatidae (small Symmoriiformes) and the constant presence of Thrinacodus spp. The largest and most diverse assemblage from Todowa Grząba contains at least three species of a falcatid Denaea, a xenacanthimorph Bransonella nebraskensis, a newly described phoebodontid Thrinacodus dziki sp. nov., a few ctenacanthiform and euselachian teeth, and two abraded euchondrocephalan dental elements. Anachronistidae, common in the most of late Visean pelagic faunas, are absent from Todowa Grząba and Westenfeld. The material under study differs from the shallow-water chondrichthyan fauna, hitherto...

Emsian Ammonoidea and the age of the Hunsrück Slate (Rhenish Mountains, Western Germany)

Emsian Ammonoidea and the age of the Hunsrück Slate (Rhenish Mountains, Western Germany)

Early Carboniferous (Mississippian) ammonoid biogeography

Cluster analyses and non-metric multidimensional scaling of ammonoid assemblages from six successive Early Carboniferous time intervals (two Tournaisian, Viséan, and Serpukhovian) show that increasing provincialism is the main biogeographic trend through the period. While the assemblages from the Tournaisian to the early Late Viséan are globally similar in the tropical occurrences, dissimilarities appear in the middle Late Viséan and become pronounced in the latest Viséan, Pendleian, and Arnsbergian. From the latest Viséan, two major biogeographic realms are recognisable. A north-western realm consists of the four North Variscan regions (Rhenish Mountains, North England, South Portugal, and Moroccan Meseta) as well as the American Midcontinent and the Antler Foreland Basin. The second realm includes the South Urals, which is the most diverse region and thus has an isolated position, as well as the Jadar Block of Serbia, the Cantabrian Mountains of Spain, the Anti-Atlas of Morocco, and the Saoura Valley of Algeria.

Sublethal shell injuries in Late Devonian ammonoids (Cephalopoda) from Kattensiepen (Rhenish Mountains) doi: 10.1127/0077-7749/2011/0173

The ammonoids from the middle Famennian black limestone nodules at Kattensiepen (Rhenish Mountains) are known for their excellent preservation and show frequent sublethal shell damage of varying dimensions and of the finest detail. 76% of all specimens show traces of predation. This is the highest frequency of shell repairs known from the Palaezoic. While small individuals are less frequently affected, nearly all adult specimens of the species Platyclymenia annulata, Pl. subnautilina, Pleuroclymenia costata, and Prionoceras divisum display repaired injuries. Usually, the specimens show multiple areas of damage, which can be classified into several categories. Most of the points of damage are small, affecting only the margin of the aperture; they usually occur on both sides of the conch. Shell damage, which can be interpreted as bite marks are rare; the majority of shell injuries derive perhaps from arthropod attacks.

Lithostratigraphy and biostratigraphy of the Kulm succession in the Rhenish Mountains

Lithostratigraphy and biostratigraphy of the Kulm succession in the Rhenish Mountains

A juvenile Early Carboniferous (Viséan) coelacanth from Rösenbeck (Rhenish Mountains, Germany) with derived postcranial characters

Abstract. A small coelacanth specimen of Visean age from a newly described locality near Rosenbeck at the northern margin of the Rhenish Mountains (North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany) is described. The head and pectoral girdle are not preserved, however, the specimen can be distinguished from all other known Carboniferous coelacanths by derived characters of the articulated postcranial skeleton. Derived characters include: (1) The slender first and second dorsal fins that carry only seven to eight and six fin rays, respectively. (2) Both the pelvic and anal fin have a broad base and are unusually weakly lobed. (3) The fin rays of the second dorsal fin are much more robust than those of the first dorsal fin. (4) The second dorsal and anal fins are longer than the first dorsal and pelvic fins. The Rosenbeck coelacanth is interpreted as a juvenile specimen, since the basal plates that support the fins are not ossified. doi: 10.1002/mmng.201000004

A juvenile Early Carboniferous (Viséan) coelacanth from Rösenbeck (Rhenish Mountains, Germany) with derived postcranial characters

A small coelacanth specimen of Viséan age from a newly described locality near Rösenbeck at the northern margin of the Rhenish Mountains (North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany) is described. The head and pectoral girdle are not preserved, however, the specimen can be distinguished from all other known Carboniferous coelacanths by derived characters of the articulated postcranial skeleton. Derived characters include: (1) The slender first and second dorsal fins that carry only seven to eight and six fin rays, respectively. (2) Both the pelvic and anal fin have a broad base and are unusually weakly lobed. (3) The fin rays of the second dorsal fin are much more robust than those of the first dorsal fin. (4) The second dorsal and anal fins are longer than the first dorsal and pelvic fins. The Rösenbeck coelacanth is interpreted as a juvenile specimen, since the basal plates that support the fins are not ossified. <br><br> doi:<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/mmng.201000004" target="_blank">10.1002/mmng.201000004</a>

Field trip E7: Selected Geosites in the northern Rhenish Mountains

Field trip E7: Selected Geosites in the northern Rhenish Mountains

A high‐resolution relative time scale for the Viséan Stage (Carboniferous) of the Kulm Basin (Rhenish Mountains, Germany)

AbstractThe Viséan (Carboniferous) sedimentary succession of the basinal Kulm facies (Rhenish Mountains) was investigated in detail in order to achieve a high‐resolution stratigraphic subdivision and correlation. Additionally, the ranges of fossil index taxa (ammonoids), fossil marker beds, volcaniclastic horizons and sedimentary features (e.g. colour changes) were integrated in the correlation. As a result, a comprehensive database was compiled, which contains 190 stratigraphic events of the Viséan interval of this area.Several sections are almost completely composed of shales, which are regarded to represent a slow but constant basinal background sedimentation of the Kulm facies. The thickness of lithological homogeneous sections thus indicates an approximately linear record of time and the average thicknesses of biozones and positions of stratigraphic events can easily be calculated from the compiled database. The result is an approximately time‐linear biostratigraphic scale for the Viséan Stage of the Kulm Basin. Given a numerical length of the Viséan Stage of ca. 19 Ma, 190 stratigraphic events give a mean resolution of 100 000 years. This is unique in Palaeozoic stratigraphy. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.