Upper Campanian-lower Maastrichtian sections of the northwestern Rostov region. Article 1. Description, paleontological assemblages, and lithobiostratigraphy

Four upper Campanian-lower Maastrichtian reference sections are described in the Glubokaya and Kalitva river basins and in the Znamenka 1-A Borehole located in the northwestern Rostov region. The sections are composed of the upper Campanian Kagal??nik, Belgorod, Pavlovka, Sukhodol and lower Maastrichtian Efremovo-Stepanovka formations. They are characterized by successive stratigraphically significant macro- and microfossil assemblages: belemnites, calcareous nannoplankton, benthic foraminifers, and radiolarians. The Pavlovka and, particularly, Sukhodol formations contain a specific assemblage of coarsely-agglutinated benthic foraminifers. The first data obtained on radiolarians in upper Campanian-lower Maastrichtian sections of the northwestern Rostov region revealed four assemblages, two of which were previously unknown from Upper Cretaceous sediments of the East European Platform. Most sections enclose a hiatus at the base of the Sukhodol Formation, which comprises two upper Campanian benthic foraminiferal zones. The problem of recognition of the lower Maastrichtian boundary on the East European Platform is considered in accordance with international GSSP requirements.     

New data on upper cretaceous biostratigraphy of the lower Volga region

This work discusses the complex characteristic of the Upper Cretaceous (Turonian-Lower Maastrichtian) section recovered by two boreholes in the southern part of the Volgograd region (right side of the Volga River) in the Gremyach??e potash deposit. Lithological and paleontological data (benthic foraminifers, radiolarians, and dinocysts) suggest several lithological-facies and biotic reorganizations. The analysis of the distribution of these microfossils through the section allowed the ages of the Zakharovo Group, Mozhzhevelovyi Ovrag, Mezino-Lapshinovka, Pudovkino, Zarya, Nalitovo, and Bereslavka Formations to be specified. Benthic foraminifers characterize zones of the Upper Cretaceous high-resolution scale available for the East European Platform and local (facies) units, while radiolarians and dinocysts reveal stratigraphic units in a bed rank. Using complex paleontological characteristics (benthic foraminifers, radiolarians, dinocysts), the defined biostratigraphic units are correlated between each other and with their counterparts in neighboring and remote regions of different paleobiogeographic regions and provinces. The Upper Cretaceous biostratigraphic scale is supplemented by the first defined dinocyst and radiolarian biostratigraphic units of the East European Platform. The new data provides evidence in favor of a three-substage division of the Campanian Stage instead the two-substage system presently accepted in Russia. It is shown that the traditional position of the lower boundary of the Maastrichtian Stage in the East European Platform is close to that of this boundary in the Standard Stratigraphic Scale. Some aspects of environmental and biotic evolution in the Volgograd region through the Late Cretaceous Epoch are considered.     

Radiolarians,foraminifers, and biostratigraphy of the Coniacian–Campanian deposits of the Alan-Kyr Section,Crimean Mountains

Data on the distribution of radiolarians and planktonic and benthic foraminifers are obtained for the first time from the Alan-Kyr Section (Coniacian–Campanian), in the central regions of the Crimean Mountains. Radiolarian biostrata, previously established from Ak-Kaya Mountain (central regions of the Crimean Mountains) were traced: Alievium praegallowayi–Crucella plana (upper Coniacian–lower Santonian), Alievium gallowayi–Crucella espartoensis (upper Santonian without the topmost part), and Dictyocephalus (Dictyocryphalus) (?) legumen–Spongosaturninus parvulus (upper part of the upper Santonian). Radiolarians from the Santonian–Campanian boundary beds of the Crimean Mountains are studied for the first time, and Prunobrachium sp. ex gr. crassum–Diacanthocapsa acanthica Beds (uppermost Santonian–lower Campanian) are recognized. Bolivinoides strigillatus Beds (upper Santonian) and Stensioeina pommerana–Anomalinoides (?) insignis Beds (upper part of the upper Santonian–lower part of the lower Campanian) are recognized. Eouvigerina aspera denticulocarinata Beds (middle and upper parts of the lower Campanian) and Angulogavelinella gracilis Beds (upper part of the upper Campanian are recognized on the basis of benthic foraminifers. These beds correspond to the synchronous biostrata of the East European Platform and Mangyshlak. Marginotruncana coronata-Concavatotruncana concavata Beds (Coniacian–upper Santonian), Globotruncanita elevata Beds (terminal Santonian), and Globotruncana arca Beds (lower Campanian) are recognized on the basis of planktonic foraminifers. Radiolarian and planktonic and benthic foraminiferal data agree with one another. The position of the Santonian–Campanian boundary in the Alan-Kyr Section, which is located stratigraphically above the levels of the latest occurrence of Concavatotruncana concavata and representatives of the genus Marginotruncana, is refined, i.e., at the level of the first appearance of Globotruncana arca. A gap in the Middle Campanian–lower part of the upper Campanian is established on the basis of planktonic and benthic foraminifers. The Santonian–Campanian beds of the Alan-Kyr Section, on the basis of planktonic foraminifers and radiolarians, positively correlate with synchronous beds of the Crimean-Caucasian region, and beyond. Benthic foraminifers suggest a connection with the basins of the East European Platform.     

The Alan-Kyr Coniacian–Campanian section (Crimean Mountains): Biostratigraphy and paleobiogeography aspects

This investigation continues the study of the Alan-Kyr reference section (Central Crimea, Belogorsk Region). The zoned age difference in the stratigraphic scheme of the Upper Cretaceous in the Eastern European Platform is considered according to benthic and planktonic foraminifers, as well as radiolarians in the Alan-Kyr section. This fact can be explained based on the suggestion that stratigraphically important taxa could have appeared in Crimea several million years earlier than on the platform, where they could migrate under the great global eustatic transgression in the Early Campanian. We also considered the influence of paleobiogeographic conditions on the taxonomic composition of the zoned foraminifer complexes, both benthic and planktonic.     

An integrated stratigraphic study across the Santonian/Campanian boundary at Bocieniec,southern Poland: A new boundary stratotype candidate

An integrated biostratigraphic (foraminifera, calcareous nannofossils, crinoids), chemostratigraphic (stable carbon isotopes) and magnetostratigraphic study of the Bocieniec section (southern Poland) is presented here. The section presents a continuous and lithologically monotonous sedimentary record across the Santonian–Campanian boundary transition. A large number of macrofossil, foraminiferal and calcareous nannofossil bioevents along with several well-identified carbon-isotope excursions of the upper Santonian and lowermost Campanian are documented. The base of the Campanian is well-constrained by the last occurrence (LO) of the crinoid Marsupites testudinarius, and correlates to the onset of the first δ¹³C positive peak of the Santonian–Campanian Boundary Event (SCBE peak a). A presumable primary Cretaceous paleomagnetic signal highlights the potential presence of the C34N/C33R magnetic reversal although its exact position remains uncertain between peaks a and b of the SCBE. The planktic foraminifer Dicarinella asymetrica is very rare at Bocieniec but a potential LO of this important marker may be recorded in coincidence with peak b of the SCBE. The first occurrence (FO) of calcareous nannofossil Broinsonia parca parca coincides with the lower part of chron C33R and with the early Campanian pilula zone event. A large set of additional nannofossil events and benthic foraminifer events further constrain the stratigraphy of the section and along with the carbon isotopes, allows for correlation with other important sections of the Boreal realm. Although the Bocieniec section is relatively thin and condensed (5.5 m), the successive order of events and presence of all past proposed stratigraphic criteria for the Santonian-Campanian boundary makes it the most complete reference section for this interval at the European and at the global scale. Moreover, this section allows for a precise correlation of the Tethyan and Boreal domains. The Bocieniec section fulfils the geological criteria to be a potential boundary stratotype candidate for the base of the Campanian Stage.     

A new species of Pluridens (Mosasauridae: Halisaurinae) from the upper Campanian of Southern Nigeria

The Upper Cretaceous of Africa has produced a diverse fauna of mosasaurs, including the highly specialized, long-jawed Pluridens. The type of Pluridens walkeri comes from the Maastrichtian Farin-Doutchi Formation of Niger, with a second, referred specimen coming from the Campanian section of the Campanian-Maastrichtian Nkporo Shale near Calabar, in southern Nigeria. Comparisons of this referred specimen with the holotype suggest that it represents a distinct and more primitive species. The Calabar jaw resembles P. walkeri in being long and narrow anteriorly with a shallow subdental shelf, and in having small, numerous, recurved teeth with medially positioned replacement pits. However, it lacks many of the derived features that characterize Pluridens walkeri, such as the extremely long and straight jaw, the extreme lateral protrusion and subcircular section of the dentary, strong transverse expansion of the dental thecae, and extreme reduction and increase in number of the teeth. The Calabar Pluridens is therefore referred to a new species, Pluridens calabaria. Following recent studies, Pluridens is considered to represent a highly derived member of the Halisaurinae. The marked differences between the Campanian and Maastrichtian species of the genus underscore the rapid pace of mosasaur evolution during the Cretaceous.     

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.     

Infrazonal biostratigraphy of the Upper Cretaceous in the East European province based on benthic foraminifers,Part 2: Santonian-Maastrichtian

A chart of infrazonal biostratigraphic subdivisions in the Cenomanian-Coniacian succession of the East European paleobiogeographic province is substantiated based on distribution of benthic foraminifers. The suggested chart characterizes successive trend of changes in ecologic assemblages of benthic foraminifers and morphologic evolution of certain agglutinated (Gaudryina, Ataxophragmium, Ataxoorbignyina, Arenobulimina, Novatrix, Voloshinovella, Orbignyina, Bolivinopsis) and secretory (Neoflabellina, Globorotalites, Stensioeina, Osangularia, Eponides, Gavelinella, Pseudovalvulineria, Pseudogavelinella, Brotzenella, Cibicides, Cibicidoides, Angulogavelinella, Falsoplanulina, Anomalinoides, Coryphostoma, Bolivinoides, Praebulimina) foraminiferal genera. The chart includes 23 biostratigraphic units (zones and subzones), most of which are recognizable over the vast territory from the Mangyshlak to southern Baltic areas. It is correlated with the acknowledged belemnite, inoceramid, ammonoid and echinoid zonations. Eight stadia of taxonomic changes in foraminiferal assemblages, which are distinguished in this work, show that principal biotic events took place across the middle-late Santonian and Santonian-Campanian boundaries, in the earliest Campanian, at the early-late Campanian boundary time, during the late and terminal Campanian, and in the mid-early Maastrichtian.     

New biostratigraphic data for the Chikkim Formation (Cretaceous, Tethyan Himalaya, India)

The Chikkim Formation as exposed in the Tethyan Himalaya (India) has been studied at its type locality, using planktonic foraminifera for a detailed biostratigraphic elaboration. Divided into two members, the Lower and Upper Chikkim members, this formation ranges in age from Albian to early Maastrichtian(?), and reaches a maximum thickness of 150 m. Examination of thin sections has yielded 34 species of foraminifera in five genus-level assemblages. The Lower Chikkim Member is about 55 m thick; its basal portion is of Albian age based on the presence of Biticinella breggiensis and Planomalina buxtorfi. At 26 m above the base, Whiteinella archaeocretacaea documents OAE 2 (Oceanic Anoxic Event 2), and thus the Cenomanian/Turonian boundary in this section. The carbonate sequence is capped by a Santonian-age hardground with iron oxide crusts and bioturbation. Macrofossils, including belemnites (at the base) and irregular echinoids (upper part), are present. The basal carbonaceous marls of the Upper Chikkim Member yield both large (benthic) rotaliid as well as planktonic foraminifera (Globotruncanita elevata, Gl. stuartiformis, Gl. stuarti, Gansserina gansseri and others), indicating a Campanian age. The co-occurrence of Gl. elevata and G. gansseri in a single thin section results either from condensation or reworking in the basal part of the Upper Chikkim Member. Late Cretaceous index foraminifera such as Gl. elevata document deposition within the Tethyan Realm. The original thickness of the Upper Chikkim Member is uncertain, but would have been around 100 m; the unit appears markedly reduced through weathering at a height of about 5000 m above sea level. Equivalent sediments are exposed in the Zanskar area to the northwest, and in Nepal and Tibet. Cretaceous Oceanic Red Beds (CORBs) are probably missing due to the proximality of these pelagic settings.     

The Correlation of the Upper Cretaceous Zonal Schemes of the Eastern European Platform Based on Foraminifera,Radiolaria, and Nannoplankton

This article proposes a biostratigraphic scheme for the Upper Cretaceous of the East European Platform on the basis of the distribution in the sections of three groups of microfossils: foraminifera (both planktonic and benthic), radiolarians, and nannoplankton. Most of the stage and substage boundaries are confirmed by macropaleontological data. The most divided units are those distinguished based on benthic foraminifers and nannoplankton. The diversity of these microfossils and their constant presence allowed us to identify zones and subzones, while it is possible to subdivide only the beds by planktonic foraminifers and radiolarians. The most favorable stages in the development of plankton biota can be considered the Turonian–Coniacian interval when the basins of the East European Platform experienced an intensive influence from warm waters of the Tethys Ocean. The global Campanian cooling is clearly recorded, which affected the taxonomic diversity of all microfossil groups.     

An integrated study (geochemistry,stable oxygen and carbon isotopes,nannofossils, planktonic foraminifera,inoceramid bivalves,ammonites and crinoids) of the Waxahachie Dam Spillway section,north Texas: a possible boundary stratotype for the base of the Campanian Stage

The spillway of Lake Waxahachie, Ellis County (Texas), exposes a >17 m section of the Hutchins Member of the Austin Chalk Group, unconformably overlain by Taylor Clay. The Austin sequence was regarded as a potential Global Stratotype Section for the base of the Campanian Stage at the 1995 Brussels meeting on Cretaceous Stage boundaries, with the last occurrence of the crinoid Marsupites testudinarius (von Schlotheim, 1820) as the potential boundary marker. An integrated study of the geochemistry, stable carbon and oxgen isotopes, nannofossils, planktonic foraminifera, inoceramid bivalves, ammonites and crinoids of this section place the last occurrence of M. testudinarius in a matrix of eighteen ancillary biostratigraphic markers, while the boundary can also be recognised on the basis of a δ¹³C excursion that can, in principle, be detected globally in marine sediments. A new forma of the crinoid Marsupites testudinarius is introduced. The Waxahachie section fulfils sufficient geological criteria as to be an excellent candidate GSSP for the base of the Campanian Stage, if problems of ownership and access to the section can be resolved.     

Dinoflagellate biostratigraphy at the Campanian-Maastrichtian boundary in Zumaia,northern Spain

Dinoflagellate cyst assemblages from a well-exposed uppermost Cretaceous section at Zumaia (northern Spain) provide a basis for comparison with previous biostratigraphic and magnetostratigraphic studies on the problematic location of the Campanian-Maastrichtian boundary in the section. The position of the last occurrence of Corradinisphaeridium horridum and first common occurrence of Alterbidinium acutulum, correspond well with the bioevents defining the Campanian-Maastrichtian boundary in the Global boundary Stratotype Section and Point of Tercis les Bains (130 km to the North). Together with other age-diagnostic dinoflagellate cyst bioevents, we suggest that the boundary should be placed between 239.75 and 224.75 m below the Cretaceous-Palaeogene boundary, about 46 m lower than an interpretation based on the first occurrence of the planktonic foraminifer Pseudoguembelina palpebra and the last occurrence of the nannofossil Broinsonia parca subsp. constricta. A conspicuous acme of the dinoflagellate cyst Thalassiphora cf. delicata is encountered around the lower-upper Maastrichtian boundary (calibrated by foraminiferal, calcareous nannoplankton and magnetic polarity data), which may prove to be a useful correlatable event.     

Upper Campanian-lower Maastrichtian planktonic foraminifers and biostratigraphy of the Moni Formation,southern Cyprus

The first data on the taxonomic composition and stratigraphic range of the late Campanian planktonic foraminifers encountered in the middle and upper parts of the Moni Formation, southern Cyprus, are reported. Finds of planktonic foraminifers are associated with the bentonitic clay that composes the matrix of the Moni Formation. The planktonic foraminiferal assemblages revealed are very similar to those from the Kannaviou Formation, western Cyprus, but they are more diverse and yield several key species missing in the Kannaviou sediments. The planktonic foraminiferal assemblages discussed are referred to the Globotruncana aegyptiaca Zone and to the lowermost Gansserina gansseri Zone of the upper upper Campanian of the standard scale. The intraregional correlation of the Moni sections, depth of erosion of the upper part of the formation, and its relationship with the Kannaviou Formation have been refined. When subdividing the upper Campanian sediments based on planktonic foraminifers it is suggested that additional datum planes are used, such as the FADs of Globotruncanella citae and Trinitella scotti. For tracing the Campanian-Maastrichtian boundary (GSSP), attention should be paid to the LADs of Globotruncana bulloides and Contusotruncana fornicata and the potential use of Globotruncanita (Elevatotruncana) eolita sp. nov. should be assessed. It is shown that subfamily Archaeoglobigerininae Salaj, 1987, emend. O. Korchagin is the older synonym of subfamily Archaeoglobigerininae Georgescu, 2005. Two poorly known and three new planktonic foraminiferal species are described.     

东西特提斯晚白垩世深水底栖有孔虫生物相和岩相

白垩纪深水古海洋学研究仍处于早期发展阶段,一方面是由于来自钙质底栖有孔虫的稳定同位素和地球化学数据的缺乏,其原因在于白垩纪高碳酸盐补偿深度;另一方面在于深水有机质胶结有孔虫示踪古海洋还没有充分发展起来。深海环境深水胶结有孔虫的分布主要取决于碳酸盐可利用状况、原始生产的输入通量、深水交换、环境波动(深海洋流、浊流和快速沉积事件)和底层沉积类型,因此对于重建深海环境具有非常巨大的潜力。东、西特提斯Campanian Maastrichtian深水底栖有孔虫组合的统计分析揭示出6个生物相,代表着明显不同的沉积环境。包括:深海红色泥岩与矮小深海生物组合(生物相1);红色深海泥灰岩(“Couches Rouges”相),含钙质胶结有孔虫组合(生物相3);深水远洋灰岩(“Scaglia Rossa”相),含易碎的Rhizammina组合(生物相2);绿色灰色半远洋泥灰岩,含适应高输出通量生物组合(生物相4);半远洋泥岩和粉砂岩,含Aschemocella Nothia 组合(生物相5);陆源浊积层序,含“复理石型”Rhabdammina组合(生物相6)。Campanian Maastrichtian红色氧化深水环境动物组合与现今深海类似,而白垩纪贫氧深海环境胶结组合在现今无法找到相类似物。随着古生态信息的增加和数据库的扩展,深水胶结有孔虫有望成为揭示古海洋条件的重要工具,尤?     

The fossil record (calcareous nannofossils and foraminifers) in single intervals of the Upper Cretaceous flysch sequence of the West Carpathians, Czechoslovakia

Studies of calcareous nannofossils and microfossils and their distribution in different intervals of the flysch rhythms in the Kloko ník brook in the Bílé Karpaty Unit of the Magura Group of nappes in the West Carpathians gave the following results. The highest species diversity of calcareous nannofossils was found in the lower parts of the Bouma Te hemipelagic intervals. The Campanian marker species Ceratolithoides aculeus and Aspidolithus parcus were found in practically all layers studied. A stratigraphically important foraminiferal fauna was obtained from the upper parts of the Bouma Te intervals, including the Campanian-Maastrichtian planktic foraminifers Globotruncana arca and Globotruncanita stuartiformis. In the non-calcareous pelagites, agglutinated species with a range from the Late Cretaceous to the Paleogene dominate.     

The Campanian-Maastrichtian rudist bivalves succession in the Chiapas Central Depression,Mexico

The restudy of the Late Cretaceous rudist fauna of the Chiapas Central Depression, considered Campanian-Maastrichtian with no more precisions in literature, reveals that, in fact, three successive rudist assemblages occur: (1) a lower one, early and middle Campanian, in the uppermost part of the Sierra Madre Formation (distinguished as Suchiapa Formation); (2) a middle one, early Maastrichtian, in the upper part of the Ocozocoautla Formation; and (3) an upper one, late Maastrichtian, in several horizons within the Angostura Formation. Published data on planktic and benthic foraminifers and inoceramid bivalves, as well as new findings of ammonites, helped bracketing the age of the three rudist assemblages. Their stratigraphic position fits with a depositional model assuming a basal carbonate platform fragmented into blocks each following a different tecto-sedimentary evolution: (1) a drowned block constituting the Tuxtla Gutiérrez Basin, deepening towards the neighbor raised block and receiving terrigenous material from the emerged Sierra Madre de Chiapas, that, after a long hiatus, was filled up and, subsequently, a marginal shallow carbonate platform, surrounded by a detritic belt and prograding towards the basin, installed on top; (2) a raised block constituting a high where, after a long hiatus, an insular shallow carbonate platform installed.     

An Upper Cretaceous (Campanian-Maastrichtian) actinopterygian fish assemblage from the marginal marine Adaffa Formation of Saudi Arabia

Actinopterygian remains have been recovered from Upper Cretaceous (lower Campanian to lower Maastrichtian) marginal marine deposits of the Adaffa Formation in northwestern Saudi Arabia. The fossils comprise gars (Lepisosteidae), pachycormids (cf. Protosphyraena sp.), indeterminate pycnodontiforms, enchodontid teleosts (cf. Enchodus sp.) and other indeterminate Teleostei. This assemblage is significant because it includes a novel occurrence for the Middle East (Pachycormidae) together with taxa (Lepisosteidae, Pycnodontiformes, Enchodontidae) that have been previously recorded from Late Cretaceous faunas elsewhere in the Mediterranean Tethyan region.     

An integrated study of upper Campanian-lower Maastrichtian carbon isotopes and calcareous plankton biostratigraphy of the Kurdistan Region,northeastern Iraq

New carbon (δ¹³C) isotope records calibrated by planktonic bioevents provide general support for a late Campanian age assignment of the Shiranish Formation (Fm.) and its boundaries in the Dokan section (NE Iraq). The Shiranish Fm. is characterised at the base by a mid-Campanian unconformity as can be interpreted by absences of nannofossil zones CC20-21. The Shiranish Fm. then spans nannofossil biozones CC22-CC23a (UC15d-e^TP to UC16a^TP). Results obtained on carbon isotopes suggest that diagenesis affected and compromised a few carbonate samples in the uppermost 50 m of the section. However, once these samples are discarded, pristine trends suggest that the top of the section records a negative carbon isotope excursion that is interpreted as CMBa-c events that straddle the Campanian–Maastrichtian boundary. This interpretation is supported by the lowermost occurrence of planktic foraminifers Rugoglobigerina scotti and Contusotruncana contusa some 30 m above the base of the negative excursion and 10 m below a positive excursion identified as the Maastrichtian M1+ event. Discrepancies in the stratigraphic range of several planktic foraminifer bioevents are highlighted and advocate for the need of many more integrated records of planktic foraminifer and nannofossil biostratigraphy alongside carbon isotope stratigraphy in the eastern Tethys in order to improve regional and global schemes.     

Late Cretaceous (Santonian) Atractosteus (Actinopterygii,Lepisosteidae) remains from Hungary (Iharkút,Bakony Mountains)

Lepisosteid fishes are well known from the Upper Cretaceous of Europe, but only by fragmentary remains from some Cenomanian and Campanian–Maastrichtian deposits. Here we report various cranial and postcranial remains of gars, discovered in the Upper Cretaceous (Santonian) Csehbánya Formation of Iharkút (Bakony Mountains, Hungary). These remains represent one of the most diverse assemblages of lepisosteid fish material from Upper Cretaceous continental deposits of Europe. Based on tooth morphology, scale-microstructure and the features of the supracleithrum we refer these remains to the genus Atractosteus. Besides some uncertain remains from the Cenomanian of France and Spain, the Santonian aged fossils from Iharkút represent the oldest undisputable occurrence of the family Lepisosteidae in the European continental Cretaceous. Using tooth crown morphology, the surface microstructure of the ganoid scales and the anatomy of the supracleithrum a review of the Late Cretaceous lepisosteid record suggests the occurrence of both Atractosteus and Lepisosteus in the European archipelago.     

Hesperornithiformes (Aves: Ornithurae) from the Upper Cretaceous Pierre Shale,Southern Manitoba,Canada

A historical collection of hesperornithiform fossils from the Gammon Ferruginous, Pembina, and Millwood members of the Pierre Shale (Campanian, Upper Cretaceous) in southern Manitoba, Canada, was examined to revise their taxonomy. Only two species of Hesperornis have been recognized in previous studies on the Pierre Shale in Manitoba, but our study recognizes six species of two genera, including H. lumgairi sp. nov. H. regalis is the most common species but absent in the uppermost unit within the studied sequence. The result of this study supports the paleobiogeographic subdivision of the Campanian vertebrate fauna within the Western Interior Seaway, but not the faunal boundary that distinguishes the avian fauna of Manitoba from that of South Dakota and Kansas.