The Campanian-Maastrichtian stage boundary in the Aktulagai section (North Caspian depression)

Distribution of belemnites and benthic foraminifers in the Campanian-Maastrichtian boundary layers of the Aktulagai section, one of Upper Cretaceous reference sections in the east of the European paleobiogeographic region (EPR) is discussed. The base of Lanceolata Beds defined by A.D. Arkhangelsky in 1912 is well-substantiated biostratigraphic level corresponding to boundary between the Campanian and Maastrichtian stages. In spacious outcrops of Upper Cretaceous deposits in the Aktulagai Plateau (Aktyubinsk region, Kazakhstan Republic), “primitive Belemnella forms” (two rostra plates) appearing above that base distinctly replace the genus Belemnitella dominant in the Campanian. Seven successive zonal assemblages of benthic foraminifers (one plate) are established in the boundary interval. The Aktulagai reference section of Upper Cretaceous sediments can be used to trace the Campanian-Maastrichtian boundary from the eastern EPR to Boreal regions of Russia based on abundant micro-and nannofossils.     

New data on Maastrichtian-Paleocene foraminifers from the Sinegorsk Horizon of Southern Sakhalin

Data on planktonic foraminifers first found in the reference section of the Sinegorsk Horizon outcropping along the Naiba River are discussed. The lower part of this stratigraphic unit yields an assemblage of upper Maastrichtian low-latitude thermophilic species, while its upper layers contain upper Paleocene (Thanetian) taxa. Beds with different benthic foraminifers are also defined in the unit.     

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.     

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.     

Biostratigraphy of Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary sediments in the Eastern Crimea

The Dvuyakornaya Formation section in the eastern Crimea is described and subdivided into biostratigraphic units based on ammonites, foraminifers, and ostracodes. The lower part of the formation contains first discovered ammonites of the upper Kimmeridgian (Lingulaticears cf. procurvum (Ziegler), Pseudowaagenia gemmellariana Olóriz, Euvirgalithacoceras cf. tantalus (Herbich), Subplanites sp.) and Tithonian (?(Lingulaticeras efimovi (Rogov), Phylloceras consaguineum Gemmellaro, Oloriziceras cf. schneidi Tavera, and Paraulacosphinctes cf. transitorius (Oppel)). Based on the assemblage of characteristic ammonite species, the upper part of the formation is attributed to the Berriasian Jacobi Zone. Five biostratigraphic units (zones and beds with fauna) distinguished based on foraminifers are the Epistomina ventriosa-Melathrokerion eospirialis Beds and Anchispirocyclina lusitanica-Melathrokerion spirialis Zone in the upper Kimmeridgian-Tithonian, the Protopeneroplis ultragranulatus-Siphoninella antiqua, Frondicularia cuspidiata-Saracenaria inflanta zones, and Textularia crimica Beds in the Berriasian. The Cyrherelloidea tortuosa-Palaeocytheridea grossi Beds of the Upper Jurassic and Raymoorea peculiaris-Eucytherura ardescae-Protocythere revili Beds of the Berriasian are defined based on ostracodes. A new biostratigraphic scale is proposed for the upper Kimmeridgian-Berriasian of the eastern Crimea. The Dvyyakornaya Formation sediments are considered as deepwater facies accumulated on the continental slope.     

A palynological biozonation for the Maastrichtian Stage (Upper Cretaceous) of South Carolina, USA

Three palynological biozones are proposed for the Maastrichtian Stage of South Carolina. In ascending stratigraphic order, the biozones are the Carolinapollis triangularis (Ct) Interval Biozone, the Holkopollenites chemardensis (Hc) Interval Biozone, and the Sparganiaceaepollenites uniformis (Su) Interval Biozone. Integration of the biostratigraphy with lithologic and geophysical log data suggests that within the study area, the upper and lower boundaries of each zone are bounded by regional unconformities, and that a three-fold subdivision of the Maastrichtian Stage is warranted. The biozonation is based on the analysis of 114 samples from 24 subsurface and three outcrop sections from the Coastal Plain of South Carolina; samples from an additional seven subsurface and 18 outcrop sections from North Carolina and Georgia were examined to evaluate the geographic extent of the biozones. One new genus and five new species of pollen are described, and emendations are presented for two genera and one species of pollen.     

Biostratigraphy of the Bajocian–Bathonian boundary beds in the basin of the Bolshoi Zelenchuk River (Northern Caucasus)

The study of ammonites from the upper part of the upper Bajocian and lower part of the lower Bathonian in the sections of the basin of the Bolshoi Zelenchuk (Karachay-Cherkessia) allowed the recognition of Beds with Parkinsonia djanelidzei (approximate equivalent of the middle part of the Parkinsonia parkinsoni Chronozone) and Beds with Oraniceras scythicum (lower part of the Zigzagiceras zigzag Chronozone). The taxonomic composition and distribution of foraminifers, ostracodes, dinoflagellate cysts, and miospores were studied in the samples from these deposits (upper part of the upper member of Djangura Formation). The recognized characteristic assemblages of microfauna and palynomorphs allowed ostracode and dinocyst subdivisions to be proposed for the Bajocian–Bathonian boundary beds of the Northern Caucasus for the first time. The most important taxa, including ammonites, foraminifers, ostracodes, and dinocysts, are illustrated.     

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.     

“Sub-Triticites Beds” of the Donskaya Luka and lower boundary of the Kasimovian Stage

Micro- and macrofauna remains were studied from transitional deposits of Moscovian and Kasimovian Stages in the Donskaya Luka (Volgograd Region). The preliminary analysis of microfauna showed that “sub-Triticites Beds” of the Donskaya Luka contain fusulinid and conodont assemblages enabling correlation of the Middle and Upper Carboniferous deposits in the study region with the type sections of Moscow area and Donbass. Conodonts from the “sub-Triticites Beds” stratotype were studied for the first time. As is established, upper part of the Sukhov Fm. and the base of the Seleznev Fm. belong to the Protriticites pseudomontiparus-Obsoletes obsoletus Zone. Based on fusulinids, higher parts of the Seleznev Fm. belong to the Montiparus Zone of the Khamovnikian Substage, whereas conodonts suggest their correlation with lower part of the Khamovnikian Substage, i.e., with the Ratmirovo Fm. or a basal part of the Neverovo Fm. Middle part of the Seleznev Fm. is correlated to middle cycle of the Neverovo Fm. of the Khamovnikian Substage in Moscow area. The Middle-Upper Carboniferous boundary deposits of the Donskaya Luka are represented by deposits of extremely shallow-water settings and contain only sporadic microfauna. These sections cannot be considered as possible candidates for the GSSP of the Kasimovian Stage base.     

The distribution of calcareous nannofossils and foraminifers in the Callovian, Oxfordian, and Volgian deposits in the southwest of Moscow

The distribution of calcareous nannofossils and foraminifers occurring in the Callovian-Oxfordian deposits in the southwest of Moscow is studied. Nannoplankton-bearing beds and foraminiferal zones are distinguished. The Retecapsa incompta Beds correspond in range to the Ophthalmidium sagittum-Epistomina volgensis and Ophthalmidium strumosum-Lenticulina brestica foraminiferal zones as well as the lower part of Epistomina uhligi-Lenticulina russiensis Zone. The Watznaueria manivitae, Crepidolithus perforata, and Watznaueria fossacincta (lowermost part) beds span interval of the Epistomina uhligi-Lenticulina russiensis Zone. The Watznaueria fossacincta Beds are concurrent to the Lenticulina ponderosa-Flabellamina lidiae Zone of the foraminiferal scale.     

Planktonic foraminiferal biostratigraphy of the Upper Barremian and Aptian of Crimea

Reexamination of the Barremian–Aptian planktonic foraminifers from three sections (Verkhoirechie, mountain Krasnaya, and Marino) allowed the biostratigraphic scheme for Southwest and Central Crimea to be refined and updated. The following standard zones are recognized in the studied sections: Blowiella blowi (upper Barremian), Hedbergella excelsa (upper Barremian–lower Aptian), Leupoldina cabri (lower Aptian), H. luterbacheri, Globigerinelloides ferreolensis, Gl. barri, Gl. algerianus, Hedbergella trocoidea, Paraticinella rohri (upper Aptian). Beds with Hedbergella ruka are recognized in the B. blowi Zone. Foraminifers from the Partizanskoe section, representing the lower Aptian L. cabri and H. luterbacheri zones, are studied. The recognized strata are correlated with ammonite and nannoplankton zones and paleomagnetic data.     

Planktonic foraminifers and radiolarians from the Coniacian-santonian deposits of the Mt. Ak-Kaya,Crimean Mountains,Ukraine

The first data on the distribution of planktonic foraminifers and radiolarians in the Mt. Ak-Kaya section, the central Crimean Mountains, are considered. According to the analyzed distribution of foraminifers, the Upper Cretaceous deposits of the section are subdivided into three biostratigraphic units: the Marginotruncana austinensis-Globotruncana desioi (presumably upper Coniacian), Sigalia carpatica (uppermost Coniacian-lower Santonian), and Contusotruncana fornicata-Marginotruncana marginata (upper Santonian) beds. Subdivisions substantiated by distribution of radiolarians are the Alievium praegallowayi-Crucella plana (upper Coniacian-lower Santonian), Alievium gallowayi-Crucella espartoensis (the upper Santonian excluding its uppermost part), and Dictyocephalus (Dictyocryphalus) (?) legumen-Spongosaturninus parvulus (the uppermost Santonian) beds. The Contusotruncana fornicata-Marginotruncana marginata Beds are concurrent to the middle part of the Marsupites laevigatus Zone coupled with the Marsupites testudinarius Zone (the uppermost Santonian). The Alievium gallowayi-Crucella espartoensis Beds are correlative with the upper part of the Alievium gallowayi Zone in the Californian radiolarian zonation. The cooccurring assemblages of planktonic foraminifers and radiolarians provide a possibility to correlate the Coniacian-Santonian deposits within the Crimea-Caucasus region.     

Contribution to knowledge of the last dinosaur footprints in Europe. Persistence of ornithopods in the upper Maastrichtian of SE Spain

In the locality of Rambla de los Gavilanes (Betic Chain Murcia, Spain), six new outcrops with dinosaur footprints are reported from an uppermost Cretaceous succession of coastal marine deposits. Four of these sites are found in the upper part of the lower Maastrichtian and the other two in the upper Maastrichtian, these latter located only a few meters below the Cretaceous-Paleocene boundary (K/Pg). Traces appear as impressions or as natural casts, on tabular limestone beds consisting of micritic carbonate facies, these deposited in coastal marine areas that include a variety of environments (coastal lakes, tidal flats, salt marshes, and shallow coastal lakes). Two main types of traces have been recognized, respectively attributed to sauropod footprints and large ornithopod footprints with remarkable pointed hoof marks. The Maastrichtian sites with large ornithopod footprints in Europe are reported from Spain, Poland and Romania. Sauropod (titanosaurian), theropod (Irenesauripus and other undetermined theropods), and ornithopod footprints have been found at sites located up to 20 m below the K/Pg boundary. The Spanish dinosaur ichnites known closest to the K/Pg boundary are in the Pyrenean upper Maastrichtian, and are tridactyl, theropod and ornithopod (Hadrosauropodus and Amblydactylus) footprints. In this work, the assignation of the Rambla de los Gavilanes ornithopod footprints has been made following the recommended synthesis in several recent papers which reduce the large ornithopod ichnogenus to four.     

First carbon isotope chemostratigraphy of the Ouled Abdoun phosphate Basin,Morocco; implications for dating and evolution of earliest African placental mammals

The well-known Maastrichtian–Ypresian vertebrate-bearing phosphate series, in the Ouled Abdoun Basin, Morocco, is classically dated using regional selachian biostratigraphic zonation. These marine sediments yielded Paleocene and Eocene mammals comprising the earliest known placentals from Africa. This study provides the first insight into the organic carbon isotope chemostratigraphy (δ¹³C_org) of the Moroccan phosphate series and a refined dating of its vertebrate-bearing levels. Four Paleocene–Eocene sections in the NE Ouled Abdoun quarries show consistent δ¹³C_org long term evolutions, from the base to the top: 1) positive trend in phosphorite Bed IIa, beginning with the lower Bone Bed yielding mammals such as Eritherium, Ocepeia, Abdounodus, Lahimia, of early Thanetian and Selandian age; 2) transitional negative trend in the Intercalary phosphorite Beds II/I that includes the Otodus obliquus and Phosphatherium escuilliei Bone Bed of earliest Ypresian age; 3) negative trend to the lowermost δ¹³C_org values that are correlative to the early–middle Ypresian interval including ETM 2 and ETM 3 hyperthermal events in the global record; 4) positive trend in chert-enriched facies containing the middle Ypresian EECO global climatic event. Our chemostratigraphic study of the Ouled Abdoun phosphate series provides a new chronostratigraphic framework for calibrating the beginning of the evolution of placental mammals in Africa. The lower Bone Bed level from the Paleocene phosphorite Bed IIa yielding Eritherium is not younger than early Thanetian, and is most likely Selandian. The Phosphatherium Bone Bed in the Intercalary Beds II/I is earliest Ypresian. The phosphorite Bed 0, from which Daouitherium probably came, is early–middle Ypresian, just below the EECO. This suggests that the first large proboscideans evolved after the PETM, during mid-Ypresian warming events. The δ¹³C_org study does not support the presence of Lutetian in the NE Ouled Abdoun phosphate series and suggests that a noticeable part of the upper Thanetian is absent.     

Berriasian Stage of the Crimean Mountains: Zonal subdivisions and correlation

Biostratigraphy of the Berriasian Stage in the Crimean Mountains is specified and substantiated. Fragments of all the standard stage zones (jacobi, occitanica, and boissieri) are distinguished based on the found index species, and position of the Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary is targeted. According to verified distribution of ammonites, the jacobi Zone is divided into the jacobi and grandis subzones crowned by the Malbosiceras chaperi Beds. The Tirnovella occitanica-Retowskiceras retowskyi Beds and overlying Dalmasiceras tauricum Subzone are recognized in deposits of the occitanica Zone. The upward succession of biostratigraphic units established in the boissieri Zone includes the Euthymiceras-Neocosmoceras Beds, Riasanites crassicostatus Subzone, Symphythyris arguinensis and Jabronella sf. paquieri-Berriasella callisto Beds. The last biostratigraphic unit is suggested in this work instead the former Zeillerina baksanensis Beds. Except for the jacobi Zone, the substantiated ammonoid zonation is practically identical to the Berriasian biostratigraphic scale of the northern Caucasus, although the Berriasian-Valanginian boundary has not been defined in the Crimean Mountains based on ammonites. Several marker levels of bivalve mollusks and four biostratigraphic subdivisions of brachiopod scale are distinguishable here. As for the latter, these are (from the base upward) the Tonasirhynchia janini, Belbekella airgulensis-Sellithyris uniplicata, Symphythyris arguinensis, and Zeillerina baksanensis beds.     

First pachycephalosaurid (Dinosauria: Ornithischia) from the Frenchman Formation (upper Maastrichtian) of Saskatchewan,Canada

Compared to earlier representatives of the family, pachycephalosaurids are less well known from upper Maastrichtian deposits around the world. Here, we report on a nearly complete left postorbital attributable to the pachycephalosaurid Sphaerotholus cf. Sphaerotholus buchholtzae from the upper Maastrichtian Frenchman Formation of Saskatchewan. This marks a probable northern range extension for the species into Canada, and the first occurrence of a pachycephalosaurid from this formation. We further demonstrate the taxonomic distinction between Stegoceras edmontonense and S. buchholtzae, which has been debated, based on postorbital sutural proportions. The northerly occurrence of Sphaerotholus cf. S. buchholtzae is consistent with the hypothesis of low beta diversity during the late Maastrichtian of North America, and its high stratigraphic incidence documents the persistence of non-pachycephalosaurin pachycephalosaurines in a critical interval for understanding the end-Cretaceous mass extinction event.     

Systematic paleontology,biostratigraphy, paleobiogeography of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Loftusia</Emphasis> (foraminifera) and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rudist</Emphasis> assemblages in a regressive sequence in the Hekimhan-Malatya area (Eastern Anatolia) Turkey

The Maastrichtian regressive sequence of the Hekimhan-Malatya area in Eastern Turkey consists of dolomitic limestones, limestones and calcareous mudstones which are dominated by rudists and Loftusia (foraminifera) assemblages. Several Loftusia species indicating middle to late Maastrichtian age such as Loftusia anatolica Meriç, L. baykali Meriç, L. coxi Henson, L. harrisoni Cox, L. minor Cox and L. morgani Douvillé have been recorded. Other benthic foraminifers present include Orbitoides medius d’ Archiac, Omphalocyclus macroporus (Lamarck), Laffitteina conica Drooger, Laffitteina mengaudi (Astre) and Laffitteina oeztuerki Inan. The rudists are abundant in the dolomitic limestones in the study area. The genus Miseia Patrulius is dominant and represented by Miseia bilacunosa Özer and Miseia hekimhanensis Karacabey-Öztemür. The Loftusia species and the Rudists assemblage indicates middle to late Maastrichtian age for the formation. The paleobiogeographic distribution of the assemblage has been discussed taking this find into account.     

Stage boundaries of the Triassic in Northeast Asia

The International Union of Geological Science approved the stage boundaries suggested by the international working groups for the Tethyan Triassic. In this work we estimate the possibility of their establishment and correlation in the Boreal sections of Northeast Asia, based on the analyzed distribution of ammonoids and conodonts. As the conodonts of the Induan Stage have not been identified for sure in the region under study, the lower boundary of the Triassic System is defined here at the base of the Otoceras concavum Zone of the ammonoid scale. In addition to the ammonoids Hedenstroemia hedenstroemi (Keyserling), the first occurrence of the conodonts Pseudogondolella nepalensis (Kozur et Mostler) is suggested to be the biomarker of the Olenekian Stage base. The lower boundaries of the Anisian and Ladinian stages, defined respectively at the basal levels of the Paracrochordiceras-Japonites Beds in Northern Dobrogea and the Eoprotrachyceras curionii Zone in the Brescian Prealps are recognizable, though with some reservations, at the base of the Grambergia taimyrensis and Eonathorstites oleshkoi zones in Northeast Asia. According to the priority principle and similarity between the ammonoid faunas of the Daxatina cf. canadensis Subzone and Frankites regoledanus Zone, the lower boundary of the Carnian Stage is defined at the base of the Alpine Trachyceras aon Zone. In Northeast Asia, this boundary is established at the base of the “Protrachyceras” omkutchanicum Zone, as we take into account the fact that the Daxatina and Stolleyites ammonoid genera occur in sections of British Columbia below the stratigraphic level of the Trachyceras forms. The lower boundary of the Norian Stage is concurrent with the base of the Guembelites jandianus Zone in the Alps and equivalent Stikinoceras kerri Zone in North America and Striatosirenites kinasovi Zone in Northeast Asia. The conodont species Norigondolella navicula (Huckriede) that is most important for the Boreal-Tethyan correlation cannot be used as a biomarker of the Norian lower boundary because of its problematic diagnosis and rare occurrence in the Boreal sections. The Rhaetian Stage base is defined at the appearance level of the Misikella conodont genus in the Hallstatt region, Austria, that is simultaneously the disappearance level of the characteristic Norian bivalves (Monotis) and ammonoids (Metasibirites). In Northeast Asia, this boundary is established at the top of the Monotis ochotica Zone. The correlation between the biostratigraphic units of the Middle-Upper Triassic conodont scale established in Northeast Asia and standard ammonoid zonation is verified.     

Local Bryozoan biostratigraphic zones of the Eifelian stage (Middle Devonian) of the western Altai-Sayan Folded Area

Bryozoan assemblages from the lower part of the Middle Devonian of the western Altai-Sayan Folded Area are studied because of the recent discovery of Eifelian ammonoids (Cabrieroceras crispiforme Zone) in the Safonovo Formation, which had been previously dated as Givetian. The bryozoan collection (21 species) was sampled from six sections of the Mamontovo Regional Substage (“Horizon”) of the Eifelian Stage, seven sections of the Safonovo formation of Salair, and one section of the upper part of the Melnichnaya Formation of Rudnyi Altai. Two groups of bryozoans with different species composition are recognized, one of which occurs in the Malaya Salairka Beds of the Mamontovo Horizon, whereas the other occurs in the Safonovo Formation immediately below the Cabrieroceras crispiforme Zone. Two local biostratigraphic zones are recognized on the basis of these groups (Eridotrypella distributa and Leptotrypa spinosa zones), characterizing the lower and upper parts of the Eifelian Stage of the western Altai-Sayan Folded Area.