Ammonite assemblages from basal layers of the Ryazanian Stage (Lower Cretaceous) of Central Russia

Five successive ammonite assemblages are distinguished in the basal part (Riasanites rjasanensis Zone s. l.) of the Ryazanian Stage of the East European platform. These are (from the base upward) (1) Hectoroceras tolijense; (2) Hectoroceras kochi; (3) Riasanites swistowianus; (4) Riasanites rjasanensis; and (5) Transcaspiites transfigurabilis assemblages. Two lower assemblages consist entirely of boreal taxa, which occur in association with diverse ammonites of the Tethyan origin higher in the section. The data obtained show that three upper assemblages are correlative with the Berriasian Dalmasiceras tauricum, Riasanites rjasanensis-Spiticeras cautleyi, and Euthymiceras euthymi subzones of the northern Caucasus. The succession of five–six ammonite assemblages established in the East European platform above the top of the Craspedites nodiger Zone may correspond to the same number of ammonite assemblages characterizing lower subzones of the standard Berriasian. Berriasella rulevae Mitta, sp. nov. from the upper part of the Riasanites rjasanensis Zone (transfigurabilis biohorizon) is described.     

Ammonites and Stratigraphy of the Terminal Part of the Middle Volgian Substage (Upper Jurassic; Epivirgatites nikitini Zone and Its Equivalents) of the Panboreal Realm: 2. <Emphasis Type="Italic">Titanites</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Glaucolithites</Emphasis>

The genera Titanites and Glaucolithites, which were previously known only from the Portlandian of Northwestern Europe are now established in Epivirgatites nikitini Zone of European Russia. The Volgian species of Titanites are represented by both the endemic taxa Titanites (Paratitanites) manipulocostatus subgen. et sp. nov. and T. (Pseudogalbanites) triceps subgen. et sp. nov. and Titanites (Titanites) ex gr. titan Buckman of the Portland type. A new species Glaucolithites gardarikensis is described. It is likely that these ammonites migrated to the Central Russian Sea from northwestern Europe via the Norway-Greenland seaway and further to the Mezen-Pechora system of straits, which is supported by occurrences of Titanites in the north of Central Russia and Glaucolithites in East Greenland and on Spitsbergen. The direct and indirect correlations show that the middle part of the Nikitini Zone (Lahuseni Subzone) should at least partly be correlated with the Portlandian Kerbeus Zone.     

Stratigraphy of the Bathonian-Callovian boundary deposits in the Prosek section (Middle Volga Region). Article 1. Ammonites and infrazonal biostratigraphy

In European Russia, the most complete succession of Boreal sediments of the terminal Bathonian and lower Callovian is exposed near the Prosek Settlement. After its revision, the infrazonal division of the upper Bathonian and lower Callovian and position of the Bathonian-Callovian boundary are difined more carefully. The Calyx Zone and bodylevskyi Biohorizon are established in the upper Bathonian. The base of the lower Callovian is defined at the first occurrence level of Macrocephalites jacquoti. Based on four successive ammonite assemblages occurring in lower part of the Elatmae Zone, the breve, frearsi, quenstedti, and elatmae biohorizons are identified. The joint occurrence of Boreal, Subboreal, and Tethyan ammonites in the section facilitate its correlation with the other sections of the Panboreal paleobiogeographic superrealm.     

Ammonite <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fauriella boissieri</Emphasis> (Pictet), the index species of the Berriasian upper zone from the Crimean Mountains

Ammonite Fauriella boissieri (Pictet), the index species of the Berriasian upper zone, is described for the first time as taxon occurring in the Crimean Mountains. In the Berriasian sections of the central Crimea and Chatyr-Dag massif, species F. boissieri are encountered only in association with upper Berriasian ammonites. The Berriasian-Valanginian boundary has not been identified based on ammonites in the Crimean Mountains. Consequently, there is no reason to include the otopeta Zone into the boissieri Zone in the rank of its upper subzone.     

Paleogene biostratigraphy of the North Circum-Caspian region (implication of the dinocysts and nannoplankton from the Novouzensk reference borehole), Part 1: Age substantiation and correlation of deposits

Eight zonal dinocyst assemblages and three bio stratigraphic units ranked as “beds with flora” are first distinguished in the Danian—lower Lutetian interval of the Paleogene succession, penetrated by the reference borehole Novousensk no. 1, where eight standard and one local nannoplankton zones are simultaneously recognized. The direct correlation of nannoplankton and dinocyst zones is used to refine the paleon-tological substantiation and stratigraphic position of regional lithostratigraphic units, ranges of hiatuses, and the correlation with the general stratigraphie scale. The nannoplankton of the Danian NP2 Cruciplacolithus tenuis and NP3 Chiasmolithus danicus zones is characteristic of the Algai Formation (Fm). The nannoplankton of the NP4 Coccolithus robustus Zone and dinocysts of the D3a Alterbidinium circulum Zone from the Tsyganovo Fm characterizes the Danian top. The Lower Syzran Subformation (Subfm) corresponds to the upper part of the NP4 Coccolithus robustus Zone (Neochiastizygus junctus local zone) and to the D3b (part) Cerodinium depressum Zone of the Selandian dinocysts. The latter spans part of the Upper Syzran Subformation, whose characteristic nannofossils are the nannoplankton of the NP5 Fasciculithus tympaniformis Zone and the dinocysts of the D3b (part) Isabelidinium? viborgense Zone of the Selandian. The Novouzensk Fm is represented by a succession of the dinocyst Cerodinium markovae Beds and the standard D4c Apectodinium hyperacanthum Zone of the upper Thanetian. The coccolitophorids of the lower Thanetian NP6 Heliolithus kleinpelli Zone occur at the formation base. The Bostandyk Fm includes successive bio stratigraphie units of the Ypresian. In the dinocyst scale, these are the D5a Apectodinium augustum Zone, the Pterospermella Beds (DEla Zone of the North Sea scale), and zones DBlb-c Deflandrea oebisfeldensis, D7c Dracodinium varielon-gitudum, and D8 Dracodinium politum—Charlesdowniea coleothrypta, while units of the nannoplankton scale correspond to the NP12 Martasterites tribrachiatus and NP13 Discoaster lodoensis zones. The Kopterek Fm yields Lutetian nannofossils: the nannoplankton of the NP14 Discoaster sublodoensis Zone and the dinocysts of the Wetzeliella coronata—Areosphaeridium diktyoplokum Beds. Three meaningful hiatuses are established at the Danian base, Selandian top, and in the lower Ypresian.     

Ammonites and stratigraphy of the terminal part of the Middle Volgian Substage (Upper Jurassic; Epivirgatites nikitini zone and its equivalents) of the Panboreal Realm: 1. Late morphogenesis and systematics of Dorsoplanitinae

Problems of correlation of the upper part of the middle Volgian beds of European Russia and Arctic regions with the Portlandian of England and northern France largely result from existing uncertainties in the taxonomy of the ammonite subfamily Dorsoplanitinae. The poor knowledge of the morphogenesis of this group precludes effective and stable taxonomy and recognition of parallelisms, thereby decreasing the group’s correlative-biostratigraphic potential. In Dorsoplanitinae, dimorphism is revealed in the differences in the terminal shell diameter and, to a lesser extent, in the sculpture, whereas apertural modifications characteristic of many Perisphinctoidea are not observed in members of this group. The middle Volgian Dorsoplanitinae are represented by minimorphs and macromorphs, taxonomically different at the species or genus level. The Volgian minimorphs are mainly represented by the genera Epivirgatites and Lomonossovella, whereas macromorphs are represented by Titanites s.l.; in the genus Taimyrosphinctes, micro- and macromorphs belong to different subgenera. All morphological types of Volgian Dorsoplanitinae have vicariate equivalents in the Portlandian, which can be used for the interregional correlations.     

New data on microbiota of the Middle Volgian substage in the Loino Section (Kirov oblast)

The calcareous nannoplankton was established for the first time in Upper Volgian deposits of the Loino Section (Kirov oblast). Here, single coccolites of representatives of genus Watznaueria of wide stratigraphic and geographic distributions dominate. Representatives of genus Zuegrhabdotus are less common, whereas species of genus Polypodorhabdus are rare. The taxonomic composition of the calcareous nannoplankton assemblage does not allow us to distinguish the nannoplankton zone in the Loino Section, but it gives us an idea about its distribution at the Volgian Stage in the Russian Plate. As corresponding microfauna, foraminifers, assigned to the Lenticulina infravolgaensis–Saracenaria pravoslavlevi Zone, and ostracods were identified to substantiate the age of host deposits. The ostracod assemblage is assigned to the Macrodentina (Polydentina) subtriangularis Beds established on the Volga River left bank in deposits corresponding to the ammonite zones Panderi and Virgatus assigned to the middle Volgian substage. On the basis of ostracods, the warm-water well-aerating environment of the upper sublittoral (as deep as 50 m) was reconstructed.     

Boreal-tethyan correlation of the Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary interval by magneto- and biostratigraphy

As a result of detail sampling and paleomagnetic study of the 27-m-thick section of Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary beds in the Nordvik Peninsula (Anabar Bay, Laptev Sea), a succession of M-zones correlative with chrons M20n-M17r is established for the first time in the Boreal deposits. Inside the normal polarity zone corresponding to Chron M20n, a thin interval of reversed polarity, presumably an equivalent of the Kysuca Subzone (M20n.1r), is discovered. The other thin interval of reversed polarity established within the next normal polarity zone (M19n) is correlated with the Brodno Subzone (M19n.1r). The same succession of normal and reversed polarity zones has been discovered recently in the Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary beds of the Tethyan sections: in the Bosso Valley (Italy), at the Brodno (Slovak Republic) and Puerto Escaño (Spain) sites. Correlation of successions established lead us to conclusion, that the Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary corresponds in the Panboreal Superrealm to a level within the Craspedites taimyrensis Zone of the upper Volgian Substage. Hence, the greatest part of Volgian Stage should be included into the Jurassic System. Biostratigraphic data do not contradict this conclusion.     

A candidate for the Global Stratotype Section and Point at the base of the Serpukhovian in the South Urals,Russia

The Verkhnyaya Kardailovka section is one of the best candidates for the GSSP (Global Stratotype Section and Point) at the base of the Stage (Mississippian). For boundary definition, the first appearance of the conodont Lochriea ziegleri Nemirovskaya, Perret et Meischner, 1994 in the lineage Lochriea nodosa (Bischoff, 1957)?L. ziegleri is used. L. ziegleri appears in the Venevian Substage somewhat below the base of the Serpukhovian in the Moscow Basin. The position of the FAD of L. ziegleri within the Hypergoniatites?Ferganoceras Genozone is confirmed and lies between 19.53 and 19.63 m above the section’s base. Before 2010, deep-water stylonodular limestone containing the boundary in unnamed formation C at Kardailovka was well exposed but only 3 m of Viséan strata cropped out immediately below. Recent trenching exposed another 10 m of underlying Viséan carbonates in formation C and older Viséan siliciclastics and volcanics in unnamed formation B. The contact between formation B and underlying crinoidal limestones in unnamed formation A representing the middle Viséan Zhukovian (Tulian) regional Substage was excavated. The boundary succession, situated in the Magnitogorsk tectonic zone above the Devonian Magnitogorsk arc and Mississippian magmatic and sedimentary rift succession, was deposited west of the Kazakhstanian continent during closure of the Ural Ocean. In the lower part of the section, Viséan tuffaceous siliciclastics and volcanics of formation B record rapid deepening after deposition of neritic middle Viséan crinoid lime grainstone of formation A and subsequent subaerial exposure. The overlying condensed upper Viséan to Serpukhovian succession in formation C comprises deep-water limestone deposited in a sediment-starved basin recording minor turbidite influx and carbonate-mound development. The δ¹³C_carb plot shows a positive shift of 1‰ V-PDB (from +2 to +3‰) between 17.0 and 17.75 m (3.05 and 1.97 m below FAD L. ziegleri). The δ¹⁸O_apatite graph displays a prominent upward shift from 19.9 to 21.1‰ V-SMOW (at 19.15 to 19.51 m) in the nodosa Zone below FAD of Lochriea ziegleri.     

The Yakutosirenites armiger Ammonoid Zone of Northeast Asia as a Reference Level of the Boreal-Tethyan Correlation of the Lower Carnian

Problems of the Boreal-Tethyan correlation of the lower Carnian and their potential solutions are discussed. The composition and distribution of ammonoids in the most representative sections of the upper part of the lower Carnian Substage in Northeast Asia, including the northern Okhotsk Region, northern Verkhoyansk Region, and the central part of Kotelnyi Island, are considered. For the first time, the Yakutosirenites armiger ammonoid zone is paleontologically substantiated, and its boundaries in the lower Carnian section in the basin of the Tikhaya River of Kotelnyi Island are defined. The composition of the ammonoid assemblage of the armiger Zone in the studied region is emended and supplemented. It contains, along with the local ammonoid taxa (Yakutosirenites armiger (Vozin), Arctophyllites okhotensis Konstantinov) and rare exotic species of southern origin (Siberioklipsteinia dagysi Konstantinov), the cosmopolitan genus Sirenites. The history of the study and the morphology of the genus Sirenites are considered, and data on its stratigraphic and geographic distribution are summarized. The presence of Sirenites senticosus (Dittmar) and S. ovinus Tozer in the ammonoid assemblage of the armiger Zone of Northeast Asia enables its direct correlation with Tethyan sections, i.e., with the Austrotrachyceras obesum and Sirenites nanseni zones of British Columbia and with the Austrotrachyceras austriacum Zone of the Alpian scale and their equivalents, widespread in many Tethyan regions. This makes it possible to consider the armiger Zone of Northeast Asia as a reference level of the Boreal-Tethyan correlation of the lower Carnian.     

Ammonites from the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Deshayesites</Emphasis> genus from Aptian (Lower Cretaceous) sediments in the Mountainous Crimea

Stratigraphically important ammonites Deshayesites ex gr. deshayesi (d’Orbigny, 1840), Deshayesites sp. juv., and Paradeshayesites aff. callidiscus [Casey, 1961] from lower Aptian pelagic sediments at the Verkhorech’e Village have been described and depicted. The new finds and revision of previously found ammonites allow the recognition of ammonite zones Deshayesites volgensis and Deshayesites deshayesi in the Southwestern Crimea.     

Planktic foraminiferal biostratigraphy of the Maastrichtian-Paleocene succession at the north Farafra Oasis,Western Desert,Egypt

Seven planktic foraminiferal zones are distinguished in the Maastrichtian-Paleocene succession at the north Farafra Oasis. These are the Rugoglobigerina hexacamerata (CF8b), Gansserina gansseri, and Contusotruncana contusa zones in the Maastrichtian topped by a well-known unconformity across the Cretaceous/Paleogene (K/Pg) boundary. The Danian is subdivided into two biozones: Globanomalina compressa/Praemurica inconstans-Praemurica uncinata Subzone (P1c) and Praemurica uncinata–Morozovella angulata (P2) Zone. The Late Paleocene is divided into two zones: Morozovella angulata-Globanomalina pseudomenardii (P3) and Globanomalina pseudomenardii (P4). A minor hiatus between the Danian/Selandian and Selandian/Thanetian boundaries are also recorded. These time gaps across the stage boundaries may be related to the tectonic events that affected the sedimentation regime throughout the Upper Cretaceous–Lower Paleogene interval in the Farafra Oasis.     

New zonal and infrazonal scales for the Kimmeridgian in Westarn Siberia based on cardioceratid ammonites

It is proposed to use a Boreal scale based on the succession of cardioceratids (with the Bauhini, Kitchini, Sokolovi, and Decipiens zones) for the subdivision of the Kimmeridgian of Western Siberia instead of the aulacospephanid-based Subpolar Urals scale which was traditionally used in this region. It is shown that the use of the Boreal scale allows a finer subdivision and correlation of the Kimmeridgian of Western Siberia. A complete succession of zones and subzones based on cardioceratids and several biohorizons previously established in western Arctic are confirmed. The infrazonal Kimmeridgian scale of Western Siberia is correlated with the scales of Franz Josef Land, Spitsbergen, and northern Central Siberia. The diagnosis and ranges of Plasmatites zieteni (Rouill.), characteristic of the basal part of the Kimmeridgian (zieteni biohorizon), are given. The new species Amoeboceras (?) klimovae Rogov, sp. nov. and Amoebites peregrinator Rogov, sp. nov. (index species of the biohorizons recognized by the present author) are described.     

Middle Pleistocene-Holocene calcareous plankton and benthos biostratigraphy of the Markova Depression,equatorial atlantic

The analysis of nannoplankton, planktonic and benthic foraminifer assemblages provided detailed biostratigraphic characteristics of the upper part of sedimentary cover in the Markova Depression, rift valley of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The Gephyrocapsa oceanica and Emiliania huxleyi nannofossil zones, (LO) Helicosphaera inversa biohorizon, Emiliania huxleyi Acme Zone, and planktonic foraminiferal Globigerina calida calida, Globigerina bermudezi and Globorotalia fimbriata subzones were recognized. The compiled paleotemperature curve is correlated with the upper 10 oxygen isotope stages. The recovered deposits were accumulated during 400 ka. Changes in abundance and species composition of benthic foraminifer assemblages are suggested to be correlative with hydrothermal activity outbreaks in the rift zone.     

Terminal paleocene of the Volga middle reaches: Biostratigraphy and paleosettings

Diatoms and marine palynomorphs from several sections of the Kamyshin Formation (Sengilei-1, Sengilei-2, Balasheika, Kuz’kino, boreholes 38 and 50) are jointly studied for the first time in the Volga middle reaches. According to results, the formation lower part corresponds here to Viborg Zone 4-Viborg Zone 5 (Heilmann-Clausen, 1985)/Alisocysta margarita (part)-Apectodinium hyperacanthum (Powell, 1992) diatom zones of Northern Europe. Higher levels of the formation are correlative with Trinacria ventriculosa and Hemiaulus proteus dinocyst zones (Strelnikova, 1992). Thus, the Kamyshin sedimentary cycle in the Volga middle reaches corresponds to the interval of NP8 (part) and NP9 zones of the general scale. As is established, different terrigenous to siliceous facies of that cycle (sands, diatomites, opokas and clay) are mostly confined to eastern and southeastern areas of the study region. Judging from taxonomic composition, assemblages of diatoms and marine palynomorphs originated in coastal paleosettings with active hydrodynamics and high productivity of water mass. Diatom assemblages from different facies are dissimilar. Three phases of Thanetian transgression are distinguished based on quantitative proportions of different ecologic groups (Paralia/Pyxidicula ratio variations). Within transition from the Trinacria ventriculosa to Hemiaulus proteus Zone, there are recorded considerable changes in composition of diatom assemblages: the appearance of new genera with considerable morphologic innovations (Podosira, Craspedodiscus, Fenestrella, Moisseevia, Solium, Gyrocylindrus) and compositional renewals of genera Pyxidicula, Trinacria, and Hemiaulus. These changes are indicative of a global biotic crisis in the Paleocene-Eocene transition related with thermal maximum and negative C-isotope excursion and extinction of benthic fauna groups.     

Foraminifers and stratigraphy of the Karatash Group (lower Triassic-Middle Anisian), the southeastern Pamir

First data on Middle Triassic foraminifers of the southeastern Pamir are considered. The lower-middle Anisian sediments are reliably recognized within uniform limestone succession of the Karatash Group in the Southeastern Pamir based on found foraminiferal species Meandrospira deformata Salaj, Meandrospira cheni (Ho), Pilamminella ex gr. semiplana (Kochansky-Devide et Pantic), and Endotheba badouxi (Zaninetti et Bronnimann). The lower-middle Anisian Meandrospira deformata Zone is defined and the Karatash Group is subdivided into the Khan (lower) and Yulla (upper) formations. The foraminifers found imply their migration between the western (Alps, Carpathians, Balkans) and eastern (South China platform, Malaysia, Japan) Tethys across the southeastern Pamir region. Characteristic species of the genus Meandrospira recorded in the southeastern Pamirs are described with specifying their taxonomic scope.     

Detailed stratigraphy of the Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary beds of the Lena River lower reached based on ammonites and Buchiids

The Jurassic-Cretaceous (Volgian-Lower Valanginian) boundary deposits in the lower reaches of the Lena River (near the village of Chekurovka and on the Cape Chucha, North Yakutia) are described bed-by-bed. The taxonomic composition of ammonites and bivalves (mainly Buchia) is determined. The species assemblages are biostratigraphically analyzed and biostratigraphic units of the bed and zone ranks are recognized based on by Buchia and ammonites. Analogues of the Buchia Zones (buchiazones) Unschensis, Okensis, Tolmatschewi, Inflata and ammonite zones Exoticus, Okensis, Sibiricus, Analogus, Mesezhnikowi and ? Klimovskiensis are established in this region for the first time. A correlation of the distinguished buchiazones with the buchiazones of the Nordvik Peninsula, New Siberian Islands (Stolbovoy Island), the basin of the Anyuy River, and Northern California is proposed. The ammonite assemblages constantly contain phylloceratids; some stratigraphic intervals also contain lytoceratids; this is probably connected with a Paleo-Pacific influence. Unlike the ammonite assemblages of the same age of the Khatanga depression, the subzones cannot be distinguished in the Sibiricus and Kochi Zones of the Lower Lena due to differences in the stratigraphic ranges of some ammonite species. Hectoroceras in the Kochi zone is very rare and Praetollia predominates here.     

The Early Callovian genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Сadochamoussetia</Emphasis> (Ammonoidea,Cardioceratidae) in the lower reaches of the Anabar River,Northern Central Siberia

The species Cadochamoussetia aff. subpatruus (Nik.), Cadochamoussetia surensis (Nik.), and Cadoceras cf. simulans Spath are found for the first time in the lower reaches of the Anabar River. The first two species are characteristic of the Lower Callovian Cadochamoussetia subpatruus Subzone of Central Russia, which is equivalent to the Siberian Cadochamoussetia tschernyschewi Zone. Species of the genus Cadochamoussetia, found for the first time in the Arctic, are described. Shells of Siberian representatives of Cadochamoussetia are distinguished from the typical East European species by their larger umbilicus, which is similar to that of the ancestral genus Cadoceras. It is suggested that the Siberian taxa belong to the oldest representatives of this genus, which appeared in the early Callovian Arctic seas and later migrated to seas of Central Europe and England.     

Palynological characteristics of Upper Cretaceous and Paleogene deposits on the west of the Sambian Peninsula (Kaliningrad region), Part 1

The results of studying dinocysts in the Upper Cretaceous-Lower Paleogene succession of the Kaliningrad region are considered. Distinguished in the succession are seven biostratigraphic units in the rank of the Palaeohystrichophora infusorioides, Chatangiella vnigrii, Cerodinium diebelii, Alisocysta margarita, Deflandrea oebisfeldensis, Areosphaeridium diktyoplokum, and Rhombodinium perforatum beds and one Charlesdowniea clathrata angulosa Zone.