Stratigraphic Range Research Articles

Large–leaved Annularia species (Equisetopsida) in Pennsylvanian Variscan Euramerica–a Preliminary Review

Seven fossil–species can be distinguished within the range of late Carboniferous and early Permian equisetopsid (“horsetail”) foliage formerly assigned to Annularia stellata. The shoots bearing this foliage also produced distinctive strobili often known as Calamostachys tuberculata. These foliage species can be differentiated by leaf and whorl morphology, and each species has a distinct geographical and stratigraphical range. The group first appeared in the intramontane basins of the Variscan Mountains in the late Duckmantian, and then expanded into the lowland paralic coal swamps in the Bolsovian–Asturian. The group continued to flourish in coal swamp refugia during the Stephanian but eventually disappeared during the early Permian.

NEW GEOGRAPHIC RECORD OF THE UAE PLANKTIC FORAMINIFERA TURBOROTALIA SEMICUNIALENSIS ANAN IN INDIA AND EGYPT

The Late Eocene planktic foraminiferal species Turborotalia semicunialensis Anan with its raised keel in the first two chambers of the last whorl, was recorded recently from the planktic foraminiferal zonation Globigerinatheca index Zone (E16) of Jabal Hafit, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Another forms of this species, but under another names from the Turborotalia cerroazulensis group, were recorded from Cambay Basin, northwest of India (to the east of UAE), and from Wadi Hitan, Fayum area, Western Desert of Egypt (to the west of UAE). This documentation expanded the stratigraphic range of T. semicunialensis from E15 to P16 zonation throughout the Late Eocene. In general, the planktic foraminifera is predominantly considered to be related to open marine environment, photic zone, middle-upper neritic environment (100-200 m water depth).

Late Paleocene–Early Eocene larger foraminifera from the Galala Plateaus, North Eastern Desert, Egypt: biostratigraphic, paleoenvironmental and paleoecological implications

Two stratigraphic sections are investigated, and a diverse larger benthic foraminiferal assemblage is recorded from the upper Paleocene–lower Eocene Southern Galala Formation at the Galala Plateaus, north Eastern Desert, Egypt. Twenty-eight larger foraminiferal species, belonging to thirteen genera, are identified and their comparative stratigraphic range with the Tethyan zonations of Hottinger (1960) and Serra-Kiel et al. (1998) is documented. Nine shallow benthic zones (SBZ3-6 and SBZ8-12) are designated in the studied interval, involving index zonal markers, e.g., Glomalveolina primaeva (Reichel), G. levis Hottinger, Nummulites atacicus (Leymerie), Alveolina vredenburgi Davies, and A. ellipsoidalis Schwager. Fifty-four thin sections are prepared and analyzed, yielding seven microfacies types in the present study, with larger benthic foraminifera as the dominant biotic components. These microfacies types indicate a deposition in restricted tidal flat inner ramp to open-marine middle ramp environments. The inner ramp environments are dominated by alveolinids, orbitolitids, and in part by miliolids and orthophragminids, reflecting euphotic to mesophotic, meso-oligotrophic, and normal to hyper salinity conditions. The middle ramp environment is characterized by nummulitids, implying meso-oligophotic, oligotrophic, and normal salinity conditions. The studied successions at the Galala Plateaus are devoid of corals in platform stages II and III, similar to the Pyrenean strata from middle latitudes at the northern Tethys, except for small coral patches in both stages in the latter due to the cooler temperature. The Early Eocene (Cuisian) Nummulites accumulations suggest a development on paleohighs in a distal inner ramp environment, and then a transportation by wave and current actions into the surrounding proximal middle ramp environment.

Bridging the extant and fossil record of planktonic foraminifera: implications for the Globigerina lineage

AbstractWe conducted a morphometric study and wall texture analysis on extant and fossil specimens of the planktonic foraminifera Globigerina falconensis plexus. Our global data reveal morphological inconsistencies between fossil and extant populations. Our results are significant as G. falconensis is widely used in palaeoceanographic studies in conjunction with its sister taxon G. bulloides. Morphologically these two species are similar, with the main difference being the distinctive apertural lip present in G. falconensis. We selected cores covering the entire stratigraphic range of G. falconensis, from the early Miocene to current day, spanning sites from high latitudes in the North Atlantic Ocean and the southern Indian Ocean to sites in equatorial regions. The morphology found in the modern ocean is not consistent with the Miocene holotype of Globigerina falconensis Blow described from lower Miocene sediments in Venezuela. A more lobate morphology evolved in the late Miocene, thus, a new name is required for this morphotype, coexisting in the modern oceans with G. falconensis s.s. We thus describe the new morphospecies, G. neofalconensis for the more lobate forms which evolved in the late Miocene and inhabit the modern oceans. Additionally, we report a pseudocancellate wall texture present in the G. falconensis plexus. We use the molecular sequences from the PR2 database to explore the generic attribution of the G. falconensis lineage, confirming its close relationship with G. bulloides and its retention in the genus Globigerina.

A new mid-Cretaceous hermit crab (Crustacea, Anomura) from Central Russia sheds new light on paguroid evolution

Paguroid anomurans constitute a large portion of modern-day decapod crustacean assemblages in all oceans and seas across the globe. However, their palaeontological record is still rather patchy, which partly explains why their phylogeny remains poorly understood. A newly collected specimen of an extinct paguroid is here shown to have a major impact on the evolutionary history of this group of anomurans. A new genus and species, Mutotylaspis tripudium, are here erected to accommodate a well-preserved, extraordinarily crab-like hermit crab from the lower Albian (mid-Cretaceous) of Vladimir Oblast (Central Russia) that appears closely related to the extant enigmatic deep-sea taxon Tylaspis anomala Henderson, 1885, as well as to other members of the extant family Probeebeidae Boone, 1926. Ongoing palaeontological research during the last two decades has provided ample evidence that paguroid evolution was much more intricate and complex than gleaned solely from extant hermit crabs. The newly collected specimen named herein is the first fossil member of the family Probeebeidae and constitutes an additional key species for unravelling paguroid evolution and extending the stratigraphical range of the family downwards into the mid-Cretaceous.

LATE PALEOZOIC – MESOZOIC TECTONIC EVOLUTION AND PROSPECTS OF HYDROCARBON EXPLORATION IN THE ALAKOL SEDIMENTARY BASIN (KAZAKHSTAN)

Based on the analysis of stratigraphic, lithofacies, and geological and geophysical data, consideration is being given to the main stages in the formation of the basement and cover structures of the Alakol sedimentary basin. For this region, there was developed the substantiation of a scheme of tectonic zoning and there were proposed structural characteristics of faults and lithofacies features of the section. Evidence was found of a complex, multi-stage tectonic evolution. There were discovered potentially promising stratigraphic oil and gas complexes of the Late Paleozoic and Mesozoic. The deep-seated structure of the region is illustrated by a geological and geophysical section, spatially coincident with the "Turkestan" seismic profile. Based on the lithological and paleogeographic reconstructions, there were identified four major tectonic boundaries: Cambrian-Ordovician, Devonian-Carboniferous, Permian-Early Triassic, and Middle Triassic-Cretaceous. The correlation of the stratigraphic range of the hydrocarbon potential of the Alakol basin has been carried out. The criteria for forecasting hydrocarbon accumulations were substantiated.

Taxonomic review of Berriasian and Valanginian ammonites from Zacatecas State (north-central Mexico) studied by Burckhardt in 1906

A review of sixteen ammonoid specimens of the Berriasian and Valanginian age from Zacatecas, as recorded by Burckhardt in 1906, is presented as part of a larger-scale study of Valanginian ammonoid faunas from Mexico. The present update includes also museographic information and new images of Burckhardt's ammonites, as well as nine 3D models for better display of specimens. Six taxa have been identified to the species and two to generic level. In comparison to the original identifications of Burckhardt, four taxa have been transferred at the generic and four at the specific levels. Using stratigraphic range data from the literature, we assign the present ammonoid specimens to the uppermost upper Berriasian to lower Valanginian interval. The following biozones have been recognized: Tirnovella alpillensis, ‘Thurmanniceras’ pertransiens and Neocomites neocomiensiformis; with two subzones: ‘Thurmanniceras’ otopeta and Neocomites premolicus. Furthermore, a paleobiogeographic analysis of the taxa revised here indicates a clear affinity with contemporaneous ammonoid assemblages from the Mediterranean region.

New remains of Dinocrocuta (Percrocutidae; Carnivora) from Markhal, Dhok Pathan Formation, Pakistan

ABSTRACT This paper describes a well-preserved left mandible of Dinocrocuta from a new fossil locality of Markhal area, Dhok Pathan Formation (Middle Siwaliks), Pakistan. The morphometric analysis of the studied materials with already known species of family Percrocutidae allows to attribute this specimen to Dinocrocuta grandis. The representation of this species exists in literature based on the already described materials, but it is the first description based on new fossil materials from the Siwaliks. In this regard, the discovery of a new material from the study area is important to resolve the generic attribution, stratigraphic range as well as the diversification of percrocutids in the Dhok Pathan Formation of the Siwaliks. Description of a new and rare fossil material from the Siwalik continental deposits is thus important to provide more information on percrocutids and to discuss its relationships with other species of genus Dinocrocuta, family Percrocutidae.

Turga Lagerstätte (Middendorf’s Outcrop, Eastern Transbaikalia, Barremian–Aptian): Stratigraphic Range and Palaeoenvironments

Abstract —The age of the Turga Formation in the Middendorf’s outcrop is determined as latest Barremian–earliest Aptian based on fauna and microfossil assemblages. The composition of the fauna and palynomorph assemblages allows correlations between the Turga Formation and the Yixian Formation and lower part of the Jiufotang Formation of Northeast China. Results of the petrographic and geochemical analysis as well as microfossil studies showed that sediments accumulated in a shallow lake with low-energy hydrodynamics, sometimes under low-oxygen conditions. Climate features (warm temperate climate transitional to subtropical) and type of vegetation (coniferous forests with admixture of hardwoods) are reconstructed taking into consideration the composition of spore-pollen assemblages.

Stratigraphic distribution and importance of some imperforate benthic foraminifera from the upper Campanian–Maastrichtian of the Tauride Carbonate Platform, Türkiye

Many parts of the Tauride Carbonate Platform were exposed to subaerial exposure from the Turonian to the Santonian. However, the record of the upper Campanian–Maastrichtian in shallow-marine facies is relatively continuous, except for short-term platform emergences. The present study focuses on the stratigraphic distribution and importance of some selected benthic foraminifera from the upper Campanian–Maastrichtian of the Tauride Carbonate Platform. Mainly Accordiella conica, Moncharmontia apenninica, Fleuryana adriatica, Murciella cuvillieri, Pseudocyclammina sphaeroidea, Rhapydionina liburnica and Pachycolumella acuta recorded from different parts of the TCP were studied. On a local and/or regional scale, some of these benthic foraminifera can be regarded as chronostratigraphically significant. Murciella cuvillieri, whose first occurrence is in the upper Campanian, and Rhapydionina liburnica, which has a narrow stratigraphic range (upper Maastrichtian), are two examples. Their occurrences and abundance vary throughout the upper Campanian–Maastrichtian. The presence of Accordiella conica, which is represented by a small number of specimens, and Moncharmontia apenninica, of which numerous characteristic specimens have been found, characterizes the upper Campanian strata. The upper Maastrichtian is marked by Rhapydionina liburnica, which co-exists with Pachycolumella acuta, known from the upper Maastrichtian–Paleocene interval. Murciella cuvillieri, Fleuryana adriatica, and Pseudocyclammina sphaeroidea occur throughout the upper Campanian–Maastrichtian strata. Fleuryana adriatica is represented by larger, typical specimens in the upper Maastrichtian but by smaller, atypical ones in the older strata. The stratigraphical importance of these species for the Campanian–Maastrichtian intervals in the Tauride Carbonate Platform is discussed.

Taxonomy and palaeoecology of the fossil anamorphic fungus Mycoenterolobium eccentricum (R.K. Kar) G. Worobiec, n. comb.

Microremains of fungi from Neogene deposits from the Gray Fossil Site (Tennessee, United States) and the Bełchatów Lignite Mine (Poland), similar to the enigmatic fossil-species Kutchiathyrites eccentricus R.K. Kar, 1979, were reconsidered as representatives of the modern mitosporic genus Mycoenterolobium Goos, 1970. A new combination, Mycoenterolobium eccentricum (R.K. Kar) G. Worobiec, n. comb., is proposed. The geographical and stratigraphical range and ecology of the fossil and modern Mycoenterolobium species are discussed. Investigated remains of Mycoenterolobium eccentricum (R.K. Kar) G. Worobiec, n. comb. document the first fossil record of this fungus from both Northern America and Europe, while the Bełchatów mine represents the northernmost known fossil and modern occurrence of the Mycoenterolobium genus. Both modern and fossil species of Mycoenterolobium seem to prefer warm (tropical to warm temperate), usually humid climates. They are associated with plant debris (mainly wood) decaying in a damp or aquatic environment. Mycoenterolobium eccentricum (R.K. Kar) G. Worobiec, n. comb. is suggested to be used as a non-pollen palynomorph proxy for palaeoclimatic and palaeoenvironmental reconstructions.

The utility of the Upper Triassic conodont Primatella in Tethyan-Panthalassan correlation around the Carnian-Norian boundary

The Upper Triassic conodont genus Primatella is important for recognizing the Carnian-Norian stage boundary in Panthalassan and Tethyan domains. Originally based on Canadian material from Black Bear Ridge in the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin, two key species are highlighted, and their occurrence is documented in the allochthonous Wrangellia and Alexander terranes in the North American Cordillera; in the Great Basin in Nevada, western United States; at Pizzo Mondello, Sicily, in western Tethys; and in Timor-Leste on the southeastern margin of the Meso-Tethys Ocean (northeastern Gondwana). The correlation potential of Primatella species is compromised by a differing nomenclature employed in Tethyan regions of Europe where Primatella species have been assigned to other genera, namely, Ancyrogondolella (formerly Epigondolella), Carnepigondolella, and Metapolygnathus. This has obscured phyletic relationships and impacted the stratigraphic utility of two demonstrably cosmopolitan species, P. asymmetrica and P. bifida. These species are shown to occur widely in a variety of paleoenvironments and have a restricted stratigraphic range around the CNB for which they can be adopted as useful indices.

An oversized, late-surviving reticulosan sponge from the Carboniferous of Ireland

Cyathophycus is one of the most widespread reticulosan sponges in Ordovician to Devonian rocks, but was mostly limited to the Iapetus region during the Ordovician and Silurian periods. Having an unfused skeleton, these sponges require an element of exceptional preservation (abrupt burial as a minimum) to enter the fossil record. Most species are a few centimetres in size, and found in muddy offshore environments. A new species of Cyathophycus, C. balori nov. sp., from the Kilkee Cyclothem of the Namurian Central Clare Group of County Clare, Ireland, substantially extends the stratigraphic range of the genus into the upper Palaeozoic. At more than 50 cm in height, the new species is the largest known Cyathophycus, and one of the largest reticulosan sponges. The sponges are found abundantly as monospecific assemblages in a particular band of laminated mudstone in prodelta cyclothem deposits. This unexpected discovery reveals a new component to Carboniferous prodeltaic ecosystems, and is further evidence that early sponge groups persisted in some unusual and marginal environments.

Youngest occurrence of a plethodid fish (Teleostei: Tselfatiiformes: Plethodidae) from the Maastrichtian of North Africa

An isolated dermobasihyal bone belonging to an indeterminate plethodid fish (Tselfatiiformes) is described from Upper Cretaceous strata of the Plateau des Phosphates of central Morocco. The morphology of the new dermobasihyal bone is highly diagnostic of the family Plethodidae and has affinities with the genera Pentanogmius, Bananogmius, and Martinichthys. Despite these close similarities, its exact generic assignment remains ambiguous. The specimen is significant as it represents the first record of Plethodidae in the Maastrichtian – thereby extending the family's stratigraphic range into the uppermost stage of the Cretaceous. Previous assumptions that plethodids went extinct during the Campanian is proven to be false, with Plethodidae now demonstrated to have survived into the late Maastrichtian, likely becoming extinct along with the non-avian dinosaurs and pterosaurs at the K-Pg Mass Extinction.

“LARGER” BENTHIC FORAMINIFERA OF THE CENOMANIAN. A REVIEW OF THE IDENTITY AND THE STRATIGRAPHIC AND PALAEOGEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF NON-FUSIFORM PLANISPIRAL (OR NEAR-PLANISPIRAL) FORMS

A key but challenging task for biostratigraphers is to provide a biozonal/bioevent framework for geological correlation. Species of Larger Benthic Foraminifera (LBF) are important biostratigraphic markers in depositional environments where classical biostratigraphic fossils such as planktonic micro- and macrofossils are rare or absent – e.g., tropical-subtropical shallow water platforms. However, a lack of taxonomic rigour in identifying some LBF species, together with a lack of good age-calibration of their occurrences, has given rise to artificially extended biostratigraphic and paleogeographic ranges for many taxa, diluting their usefulness. In this study, the occurrences of Cenomanian LBF belonging to a “planispiral morphogroup”, both agglutinated and calcareous, have been critically evaluated to determine (i) identity; (ii) stratigraphic range; and (iii) palaeogeographic distribution. Since the last major review of the group in 1985, a voluminous literature has appeared reporting occurrences and adding new taxa. An extensive review of some 600+ published items on Cenomanian planispiral LBF – mostly published after 1985 – and a critical review of the confidence in species identification and age-calibrations therein, has led us to identify 39 taxa (three in “open” status) which appear to have distinct identity. The vast majority of these records are from Neotethys although some also occur in (or are endemic to) the Caribbean/West Atlantic and the Eastern Pacific. The quality of the published taxonomic data is variable and many published records based on identity can be discounted or termed “unconfirmed”. Likewise, many records (confirmed or otherwise) are poorly age-calibrated due to lack of corroborating biostratigraphy or chemostratigraphy, or by using circular reasoning. We summarise and illustrate the main defining characteristics of each taxon and their possible confusion species, including new taxa described since the mid-1980s. We publish new, more confident, age-ranges for these taxa – confirmed by identity and/or age-calibration – and identify where published range data may be unreliable. Paleogeographic distribution maps for each taxon are also provided. Particular stratigraphic issues around the Cenomanian- Turonian boundary are observed due to the difficulty of identifying that boundary, or its preservation, in shallow marine carbonate settings. Although most Cenomanian planispiral LBF are somewhat long-ranging, an increase in diversity throughout the middle – late Cenomanian has shown potential for biostratigraphic resolution to at least substage level using this group. Integration of the planispiral taxa with other LBF morphogroups, after similar treatment, will yield even higher biostratigraphic resolution of Cenomanian LBF and provide a sound basis for biozonation (both local and global), correlation, and age calibration.

Vernaricum ‒ regional distribution, lithostratigraphy, tectonics and paleogeography

The Vernaricum is the highest partial unit belonging to the Hronic nappe system of the Internal Western Carpathians. The stratigraphic range of the Vernaricum sediments is from the Lower Triassic to the Lower Jurassic. The Permian rhyolites and volcaniclastics are tectonically incorporated into the Lower Triassic sediments. The Vernaricum overlies tectonic units of the Northern Veporicum, Fatricum, lower partial nappes of Hronicum and Southern Veporicum. The Gemeric, Meliatic and Silicic rock complexes are located in the tectonic overburden. The paleogeographic position of the Vernaricum is interpreted between the Veporic and Gemeric zones.

UPPER CRETACEOUS FORAMINIFERA MURGEINA APULA (LUPERTO SINNI, 1968): A METHUSALEM AND CENOMANIAN-TURONIAN BOUNDARY SURVIVOR TAXON

The benthic foraminifera Murgeina apula (Luperto Sinni), originally described as Nummofallotia apula from the Upper Cretaceous of southern Italy, represents a common taxon in the middle-upper Cenomanian Sarvak Formation of southwestern Iran as well as the Campanian-early Maastrichtian of Croatia. The specific identity of the Iranian and Italian as well as Croatian specimens is confirmed by equivalent biometric data and identical test structure. The agglutinated wall (inner part) of M. apula excludes its assignment to the porcelaneous Nummofallotia Barrier & Neumann. Nummofallotia is currently placed in the family Meandropsinidae Henson, while for Murgeina with its bilamellar wall inclusion in the Ventrolaminidae Weynschenk is favoured. Nummofallotia cenomana Luperto Sinnni, described from the Cenomanian of southern Italy and lacking any hard facts for species discrimination (e.g., dimensions, inner structure) is herein considered tentatively a junior synonym of Murgeina apula requiring re-examination of the type-material. M. apula represents another survivor of the Cenomanian–Turonian boundary extinction event and, with a long stratigraphic range from the middle Cenomanian to the (early) Maastrichtian, is similar to another Methusalem taxon such as Moncharmontia apenninica (De Castro) with a comparable range.

Late Miocene ‘Martes’ lydekkeri (Mammalia: Carnivora: Mustelidae) from the Hasnot outcrops Punjab, Pakistan

ABSTRACT Two carnivoran mandibles were recovered from the Late Miocene Dhok Pathan Formation outcrops of Hasnot village of northern Pakistan. Thorough morphometric comparison of the specimens verifies an assignment to ‘Martes’ lydekkeri. The present specimens represent new records of this rare mustelid species and confirm the extension of its stratigraphic range from the Chinji Formation to the Dhok Pathan Formation.

First Report of Small Skeletal Fossils from the Upper Guojiaba Formation (Series 2, Cambrian), Southern Shaanxi, South China.

A small skeletal fossil assemblage is described for the first time from the bioclastic limestone interbeds of the siltstone-dominated Guojiaba Formation, southern Shaanxi, China. The carbonate-hosted fossils include brachiopods (Eohadrotreta zhujiahensis, Eohadrotreta zhenbaensis, Spinobolus sp., Kuangshanotreta malungensis, Kyrshabaktella sp., Lingulellotreta yuanshanensis, Eoobolus incipiens, and Eoobolus sp.), sphenothallids (Sphenothallus sp.), archaeocyaths (Robustocyathus sp. and Yukonocyathus sp.), bradoriids (Kunmingella douvillei), chancelloriids sclerites (Onychia sp., Allonnia sp., Diminia sp., Archiasterella pentactina, and Chancelloria cf. eros), echinoderm plates, fragments of trilobites (Eoredlichia sp.), and hyolithelminths. The discovery of archaeocyaths in the Guojiaba Formation significantly extends their stratigraphic range in South China from the early Tsanglangpuian at least to the late Chiungchussuan. Thus, the Guojiaba Formation now represents the lowest known stratigraphic horizon where archaeocyath fossils have been found in the southern Shaanxi area. The overall assemblage is most comparable, in terms of composition, to Small skeletal fossil (SSF) assemblages from the early Cambrian Chengjiang fauna recovered from the Yu'anshan Formation in eastern Yunnan Province. The existing position that the Guojiaba Formation is correlated with Stage 3 in Cambrian Series 2 is strongly upheld based on the fossil assemblage recovered in this study.

The first galeaspid fish (stem-gnathostomata) from the Silurian Xiushan formation of Hunan Province, China

ABSTRACT A new species of Dayongaspidae, Dayongaspis colubra sp. nov., is described from the Telychian (Llandovery, Silurian) Xiushan Formation at Maoyanhe Town, Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province, China. The new species is distinguished from the type species D. hunanensis by its larger-sized headshield, tiny and dense granular tubercles, and triangular-shaped inner cornual processes. Additionally, it reveals more galeaspid plesiomorphic characters than D. hunanensis, such as the inverted splayed posterior supraorbital canals (soc2) and the paired endolymphatic openings on the headshields. This new finding represents the first fossil record of galeaspids in the Xiushan Formation, thereby enriching the diversity of galeaspids. Furthermore, it extends the Wentang Vertebrate Assemblage upwards into the lower part of Xiushan Formation, indicating a broader stratigraphic range than previously assumed.urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:387EB969-03DA-4534-9265-4DCC69E6CF77 urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:2871FCD2-8D6C-40C3-86E1-99618D47485D