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.     

High-resolution calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy of the Santonian/Campanian Stage boundary,Western Interior Basin,USA

The base of the Campanian Stage does not have a ratified Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP); however, several potential boundary markers have been proposed including the base of the Scaphites leei III ammonite Zone and the base of the paleomagnetic Chron C33r. Calcareous nannofossil assemblages from the Smoky Hill Member of the Niobrara Formation in the central Western Interior Seaway, USA were analyzed from two localities to determine relevant biohorizons and their relationships to these potential boundary markers. In a previous study, the Aristocrat Angus 12-8 core (Colorado) was astrochronologically dated and constrained using macrofossil zonations and radiometric ages. The Smoky Hill Member type area (Kansas) provides an expanded interval with good to excellent nannofossil preservation.Five biohorizons are useful for recognition of the Santonian/Campanian transition within the Smoky Hill Member type area, and three are useful in the Aristocrat Angus 12-8 core. The first occurrences (FOs) of Aspidolithus parcus parcus and Aspidolithus parcus constrictus, as well as the last occurrences (LOs) of Zeugrhabdotus moulladei, Helicolithus trabeculatus specimens larger than 7 μm, and Zeugrhabdotus biperforatus are in close stratigraphic proximity to the base of the Scaphites leei III Zone and the base of Chron C33r.     

Late Cretaceous calcareous nannofossil and planktonic foraminiferal bioevents of the shallow-marine carbonate platform in the Mitla Pass, west central Sinai, Egypt

The first detailed biostratigraphic analyses of the Coniacian-middle Campanian shallow-marine carbonate successions exposed in the Mitla Pass, west central Sinai, Egypt have revealed the stratigraphic distribution of diverse calcareous nannofossil and planktonic foraminiferal species. Thirty-six calcareous nannofossils and thirty-two planktonic foraminifera are identified, indicating a Coniacian to middle Campanian age and four Tethyan planktonic foraminiferal and five calcareous nannofossil zones. A comparison of these bioevents from different palaeolatitudes shows considerable variation in age.Three sequence boundaries coincident with the Turonian/Coniacian, Coniacian/Santonian and Santonian/Campanian stage boundaries are recognized. A fourth sequence boundary is marked by a major upper Campanian to early Ypresian (early Eocene) unconformity. These sequence boundaries are primarily related to regional tectonism associated with the Syrian Arc Fold System and secondarily to eustatic sea-level fluctuations.     

The calcareous nannofossil record across the Late Cretaceous Turonian/Coniacian boundary,including new data from Germany,Poland, the Czech Republic and England

The proposed definition of the Turonian/Coniacian boundary, at the first occurrence of the inoceramid bivalve Cremnoceramus deformis erectus (Meek) (= Cremnoceramus rotundatus (sensu Tröger non Fiege)), prompted a rigorous study of the calcareous nannofossil events through this interval, both for calibration of the calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy, and to provide an assessment of the suitability, in calcareous nannofossil terms, of the proposed stratotype section. New calcareous nannofossil data are presented here, detailing the biostratigraphy of the boundary interval from four locations. These include the candidate boundary-stratotype, the Salzgitter-Salder Quarry section (northern Germany), as well as the Slupia Nadbrzezna outcrop (central Poland), a potential secondary reference section. Also included is the Brezno Pd-1 Borehole and outcrops in the Brezno Formation (= Priesener Schichten) type-area (north-western Czech Republic), which represents an original boundary candidate (Copenhagen Stage Boundaries Meeting, 1983), and the Langdon Stairs coastal section (south-eastern England), part of the British Chalk succession. The calcareous nannofossil events derived from each section provide a sequence across the boundary of (in stratigraphical order): below the boundary, the first occurrence of Lithastrinus septenarius followed by that of Broinsonia parca expansa; above the boundary, the last occurrence of Helicolithus turonicus followed by the first occurrence of Micula staurophora (= Micula decussata of some authors). This places the boundary within Nannofossil Subzone UC9c. A similar sequence of events has previously been determined from sections in north-eastern England and in the south-eastern Indian Ocean. The presented data and correlations suggest that either the Salzgitter-Salder Quarry section or the Slupia Nadbrzezna outcrop section would make a suitable Global Stratotype Section for the Turonian/Coniacian boundary, as far as calcareous nannofossils are concerned. The use of the calcareous nannofossil Marthasterites furcatus, widely quoted as an indicator of this boundary, is discussed and proved to be untenable.     

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.     

藏南贡扎剖面赛诺曼阶/土伦阶与三冬阶/坎潘阶界线 附近地层的岩石磁学对比研究

为了研究白垩纪中期大洋缺氧事件及其后古海洋环境的变化,对藏南贡扎剖面白垩纪赛诺曼阶/土伦阶和三冬阶/坎 潘阶界线附近的浅海相沉积地层开展了详细的岩石磁学对比研究。 结果显示,这两个时间段的沉积物中磁性矿物含量和粒 度无显著区别,但赛诺曼阶/土伦阶地层中含有高矫顽力磁性矿物,如赤铁矿和针铁矿,而三冬阶/坎潘阶地层中则主要为 低矫顽力磁性矿物,如磁铁矿。 由于海平面位置在这两个时间段相近,海面变化对沉积物的磁学特征的影响很小。 磁性矿 物种类的变化可能主要是由于海洋沉积环境的变化所引起的。 高矫顽力磁性矿物在赛诺曼阶/土伦阶的出现及其在三冬阶/ 坎潘阶的缺失,表明赛诺曼阶/土伦阶氧化程度可能比三冬阶/坎潘阶更高。 这与深海沉积所记录的赛诺曼阶/土伦阶为缺氧 以及三冬阶/坎潘阶为富氧的特征明显不同。 这说明以江孜地区为代表的深海-半深海环境和以岗巴定日地区为代表的浅海 环境对白垩纪中期气候变化有着不同的响应。 深水和浅水环境的演化在这两个时间段的显著差异表明相应时期的大洋环流 也可能比以往所认识的更复杂。     

Calcareous nannofossils from chalky limestone of upper Abderaz Formation and lower part of Abtalkh Formation in the Kopet-Dogh range NE Iran

For the first time, the calcareous nannofossils of the chalky limestone of upper Abderaz Formation and lower part of Abtalkh Formation have been studied. In this study, 83 nannoplanktonic species of 45 genera were identified and presented. A biostratigraphic study of calcareous nannofossils from this section has allowed the recognition of five calcareous nannofossil biozones of Sissingh (Geol Mijnbouw 56:37–65, 1977) CC17–CC21. On the obtained calcareous nannofossils, the age of this section is Late Santonian/Early Campanian–Early Late Campanian.     

Biostratigraphical correlations of the calcareous nannofossil Marthasterites furcatus in the Bohemian Cretaceous Basin and Outer Flysch Carpathians,Czech Republic

The first occurrence (FO) of Marthasterites furcatus was correlated with the FOs of other nannofossils, inoceramid bivalves and foraminifers in the Bohemian Cretaceous Basin and Outer Flysch Carpathians. The correlation showed that the FO of M. furcatus was diachronous, becoming younger from east to west. In the Silesian Unit it appears in the lower Turonian in association with Eprolithus moratus (UC6b nannofossil Zone). In the Pavlovské vrchy klippes it appears in the upper middle Turonian together with Lithastrinus septenarius (UC9 Zone). In the Bohemian Cretaceous Basin, the FO of M. furcatus was observed in the lower upper Turonian just above the FO of Liliasterites angularis. The presence of M. furcatus in Turonian strata is scarce and discontinuous up to its sudden quantitative increase (represented by 5–27% in assemblages) below the FO of the inoceramid bivalve species Cremnoceramus waltersdorfensis and C. deformis erectus in the Turonian–Coniacian boundary interval. The top of the M. furcatus acme was recorded below the FO of Micula staurophora. The second quantitative rise of M. furcatus (12% in assemblage) was found in the lower lower Campanian of the Pavlovské vrchy klippes above the FO of Broinsonia parca parca in the UC14a Zone and the last occurrence of the planktonic foraminifer Whiteinella baltica. Above this second acme M. furcatus disappears. The significantly earlier appearance of M. furcatus in the Silesian Basin may be connected with a southeast-heading surface current from the North European epicontinental sea where the species appeared in the early Turonian too.     

北美西部内陆海盆Niobrara组的钙质超微化石及其环境意义——Ⅰ：钙质超微化石及其分带

北美西部内陆海盆上白垩统Niobrara组中的钙质超微化石十分丰富,且多保存良好,呈现典型的晚白垩世远洋钙质超微化石组合面貌,经系统鉴定,计有60属100余种和亚种。为适应不同的环境,Kansas西部和South Dakota东部的钙质超微化石组合面貌稍有不同。经与白垩纪颗石藻化石带对比,可将Kansas西部的Niobrara组划分为6个化石带(CC13～CC18)和8个亚带,其中,根据本文研究地区的化石序列,CC15和CC16带被进一步划分。根据与同一剖面所建立的无脊椎动物化石带对比,钙质超微化石CC17带的时代被重新厘定,即该带应始于中Santonian的晚期,结束于晚Santonian的早期,并据此将Santoniatr／Campanian的界线划在CC18带之内。     

Late Cretaceous planktonic foraminifera from Kerguelen Plateau (ODP Leg 183): new data to improve the Southern Ocean biozonation

An almost complete Upper Cretaceous sedimentary sequence recently recovered on the Kerguelen Plateau (southern Indian Ocean) during ODP Leg 183 was analysed for planktonic foraminifera in order to refine and integrate the zonal schemes previously proposed for the Southern Ocean area. Detailed biostratigraphic analysis carried out on holes 1135A, 1136A and 1138A (poleward of 50°S palaeolatitude during Late Cretaceous time) has allowed recognition of low and mid–high latitude bioevents, useful for correlation across latitudes, in addition to known Austral bioevents. The low latitude biozonation can be applied to Turonian sediments, because of the occurrence of Helvetoglobotruncana helvetica, which marks the boundary between Whiteinella archaeocretacea and Helvetoglobotruncana helvetica zones. The base of the Whiteinella archeocretacea Zone falls within the uppermost Cenomanian–Turonian black shale level in Hole 1138A. The stratigraphic interval from upper Turonian to uppermost Santonian can be resolved using bioevents recognized in the mid–high latitude sections. They are, in stratigraphic order: the last occurrence of Falsotruncana maslakovae in the Coniacian, the first occurrence of Heterohelix papula at the Coniacian/Santonian boundary, the extinction of the marginotruncanids in the late Santonian, and the first occurrence of Globigerinelloides impensus in the latest (?) Santonian. The remainder of the Late Cretaceous fits rather well in the Austral zonal scheme, except that Globigerinelloides impensus exhibits a stratigraphic range in agreement with its record at the mid–high latitude sections and extends further downwards than previously recorded at southern sites. Therefore, despite the poor recovery in certain intervals and the presence of several hiatuses of local and regional importance as revealed by correlation among holes, a more detailed zonal scheme has been obtained (mainly for the less resolved Turonian–Santonian interval). Remarks on some species often overlooked in literature are also provided.     

Correlation of late Cretaceous calcareous nannofossil zones with ammonite zones and planktonic Foraminifera: the Austrian Gosau sections

The late Turonian to early Campanian calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy of the Austrian Gosau Group is correlated with ammonite and planktonic foraminiferal zones. The standard Tethyan zonations for nannofossils and planktonic foraminifers are applied with only minor modifications. The basal marine sediments of the Gosau Group, bearing late Turonian-early Coniacian macrofossils, belong to the Marthasterites furcatus nannofossil Zone (CC13). The Micula decussata Zone (middle Coniacian to early Santonian) is combined with the Reinhardtites anthophorus Zone because of the rare occurrence of Renhardtites cf. R. anthophorus already in the Coniacian and taxonomic problems concerning the correct identification of this species. The Santonian-Campanian boundary lies within the Calculites obscures Zone (CCl7).     

Calcareous nannofossils biostratigraphy of the Late Campanian–Early Maastrichtian Age, Block 16, Jiza’-Qamar Basin, Eastern Yemen

One hundred and thirty nine samples have been studied from the Late Campanian–Early Maastrichtian of three deep wells drilled in Jiza’-Qamar Basin, Eastern Yemen to determine the calcareous nannofossil zones and the age of the sediments. Forty-seven calcareous nannofossil species were identified and four biozones were determined in the present study (CC21–CC24). These biozones are assigned to the Late Campanian–Early Maastrichtian ages. Most of the studied species in this work refer to tropical–subtropical environment. The Campanian–Maastrichtian Boundary was determined in Al-Fatk well based on the last occurrence of Eiffelithus eximus and the last occurrences of Uniplanarius sissinghii and Uniplanarius trifidus.     

Calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy of Campanian strata (Abtalkh Formation) from the eastern Koppeh-Dagh Basin,NE Iran

The Campanian of the eastern Koppeh-Dagh Basin (NE Iran) is generally considered to be represented by the upper part of the Abderaz and the Abtalkh formations. The Abtalkh Formation, which is studied here, reaches thicknesses of up to 1750 m in the area. The formation is characterized by abundant, diverse, and poor to moderately well preserved calcareous nannofossil assemblages of Tethyan affinity. The assemblages were studied in detail in two sections in eastern Koppeh-Dagh, allowing construction of a precise biozonation for this stage. The Abtalkh Formation at sections in Abtalkh village and Padeha spans biozones CC20 to CC23a (UC15b^TP to UC16). The results of this study indicate a late early to late Campanian age for the formation in the area. The most complete Campanian sequence is in the southeast, where the Padeha section is located. Nannofossil abundance and diversity decreases upwards, showing a trend from the base to top of the formation. Dominance of warm water taxa, and low abundance of high latitude taxa, confirm placement of the basin in low to mid palaeolatitudes during deposition of the formation.     

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.     

Nannostratigraphy and investigation of sedimentation conditions of the lower boundary and the upper boundary of the Aitamir Formation in the east and west Kopet Dagh,northeast of Iran

By attention to the stratigraphic value of calcareous nannoplanktons for the age determination of sedimentary beds, for the first time Late Cretaceous calcareous nannofossil taxa, their distributions and relative abundances were recorded from the lower and the upper boundary of Aitamir Formation located in northeast Iran. In the present study, biostratigraphy and paleoecological conditions were reconstructed. The Aitamir Formation comprises glauconitic sandstones and olive-green shales. In this work, samples were prepared with smear slides, and nannofossils of these boundaries are listed and figured. They were photographed under a light microscope. Based on nannoplanktons and as a result of biostratigraphic studies, the age of the lower boundary of the Aitamir Formation in the east Kopet Dagh is Early/Middle Turonian, the age of the lower boundary in the west Kopet Dagh is Late Turonian/Early Coniacian, the age of the upper boundary of the Aitamir Formation in the east Kopet Dagh is Late Santonian, and the age of the upper boundary of this Formation in the west Kopet Dagh is Early Campanian. Based on paleoecological interpretation, the Aitamir Formation was deposited in a shallow marine environment, at relatively low latitude. A deepening trend of the sedimentary basin is recognized passing from Aitamir Formation to the overlying Abderaz Formation while in the lower boundary from Sanganeh to Aitamir Formation depth decreased.     

Integrated biostratigraphy and palaeoenvironments of an upper Santonian - upper Campanian succession from the southern part of the Eastern Carpathians, Romania

Study of an upper Santonian to upper Campanian hemipelagic succession from the southern part of the Romanian Eastern Carpathians enables us to establish an integrated biostratigraphy based on planktonic foraminifera and calcareous nannofossils and to compare this record with the agglutinated foraminiferal biozonation used for the Carpathians.Benthic foraminiferal assemblages were investigated using several methods, such as agglutinated and calcareous benthic foraminiferal morphogroups, and the benthic foraminiferal oxygen index in order to determine their response to environmental parameters in the basin (correlated with sea-level maxima documented by regional sea-level curves for the Tethys). A pattern of changes in benthic foraminiferal communities associated with increased organic carbon flux and rising sea-levels can be summarized as follows in the studied succession. As sea-level begins to rise there is an increase in the proportion of calcareous benthic foraminifera at the expense of agglutinated foraminifera within the benthic assemblages (earliest Campanian, mid-late Campanian). Once sea-level rises, an increase in the elongate keeled morphotype of agglutinated foraminifera (shallower water forms) can be observed, and if sea-level remains high for an extended period (as in the early Campanian) then an invasion of both agglutinated and benthic calcareous foraminifera characteristic of outer shelf-upper slope environments take place in the basin. The variations in tubular and deep infaunal morphotypes of agglutinated foraminifera are ascribed to varying levels of organic carbon flux.     

Braarudosphaera -rich sediments in the Turonian of the Bohemian Cretaceous Basin, Czech Republic

Braarudosphaera -rich sediments occur in the Turonian (nannofossil zones CC13 and UC9a) epicontinental marine sediments of the Bohemian Cretaceous Basin. This phenomenon is linked to the input of terrigenous material during deceleration of sea-level rise, or stillstand in sea level, which possibly both triggered the Braarudosphaera bigelowii bloom and reduced the diversity of the nannoplankton assemblages. The occurrence of Marthasterites furcatus and Lithastrinus septenarius probably reflects depositional conditions that were suitable for their preservation. Hence, the resultant limitations to their use as local zonal markers in the Bohemian Cretaceous Basin are discussed. The influence of the Tethyan Bioprovince is documented by the coincident first occurrences of L. septenarius and M. furcatus. The presence of the high-latitude species Thiersteinia ecclesiastica indicates penetration of Boreal biota into this depositional area within the Turonian.     

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.     

Calcareous Nannoplankton Biostratigraphy of the Bartin Province,Western Black Sea,Turkey

Calcareous nannoplankton biostratigraphy has been performed on five sedimentary sections through the marine Akveren Formation from the Bartin region of northern Turkey, on the southern Black Sea coast. This new biostratigraphy provides an age for the formation of the Early Campanian (nannofossil zone UC15aTP) to Early Selandian (nannofossil zone NP5), and highlights the presence of the Campanian/Maastrichtian, Cretaceous/Tertiary (K/T), and Danian/Selandian boundaries in this intermediate palaeolatitude location. Micula murus was identified below the K/T boundary, but Micula prinsii and Nephrolithus frequens were not, which implies that the K/T boundary interval is not complete in the study area. These dates are in agreement with previous micropaleontological studies.     

Evolution of the Cretaceous calcareous nannofossil genus Eiffellithus and its biostratigraphic significance

The calcareous nannofossil genus Eiffellithus is an important taxon of mid- to Upper Cretaceous marine sediments in biostratigraphy and paleoceanography. The definition of species within Eiffellithus have been both broadly interpreted and variably applied by nannofossil workers. This is particularly true for the Eiffellithus eximius plexus. While the taxonomy of mid-Cretaceous Eiffellithus species has recently been well-defined, the remaining 35 m.y. history of the genus has not been closely examined. Our investigation of Cenomanian to Maastrichtian sediments from the Western Interior Seaway, Gulf of Mexico, and Western Atlantic gives rise to six new species of Eiffellithus that can be reliably differentiated. In this paper the hitherto used biostratigraphic markers (E. turriseiffelii and E. eximius) have been redefined in a more restricted sense to increase their utility. These refinements in taxonomy reveal an obvious shift in abundance both within the genus and within the nannofossil assemblage as a whole through the Late Cretaceous. In the Cenomanian and Maastrichtian the genus is composed exclusively of coccoliths bearing an X-shaped central cross, such as E. turriseiffelii, while in the Coniacian through Campanian axial-cross forms such as E. eximius comprise more than 60% of the genus. Within the nannofossil assemblage the genus has low abundances in the Cenomanian but increases to >15% of the assemblage in well-preserved samples in the Santonian. In addition, the pattern of diversification of this genus, whereby a x-shaped, diagonal cross repeatedly gives rise to an axial cross by rotation about the central axis, is an excellent example of iterative evolution that may be related to repetitive shifts in Late Cretaceous climatic and paleoceanographic regimes.