Section of Permian deposits and fusulinids in the Halvan Mountains, Yazd province, Central Iran

The Permian section situated northwest of Tabas in the Halvan Mountains is studied and fusulinids occurring in the section are described. The Chili, Sartakht, and Hermez formations distinguished in the section are separated by horizons of bauxitic laterite and belong to the Khan Group formerly ranked as a synonymous formation. Fusulinids occur at two levels in the section. The lower one confined to the Chili Formation yields the so-called Kalaktash fusulinid assemblage of the late Sakmarian age. The second late Asselian assemblage has been discovered in pebbles from conglomerate-breccia in the basal laterite of the Sartakht Formation. A brief characterization of fusulinids is presented and three new species are described. The new Benshiella genus is discriminated from the Rugosofusulinidae family. As Skinner and Wilde (1965, 1966) changed the original diagnosis of the Pseudofusulina genus, we suggest, regarding all species, which have been attributed to this genus but do not satisfy the new diagnosis, as representing the new Nonpseudofusulina genus.     

The Kalaktash and Halvan assemblages of Permian fusulinids from the Padeh and Sang-Variz sections (Halvan Mountains, Yazd Province, Central Iran)

New Permian sections have been studied in the Halvan Mountains of Iran, northwestward of Tabas. In addition to the Chili, Sartakht, and Hermez formations established here earlier, the new Rizi Formation is distinguished, underlying deposits of the Triassic Sorkh Shale Formation. Conodonts, fusulinids, and smaller foraminifers found in the rocks date the formations. In particular, it is demonstrated that the Chili Formation bearing the Kalaktash fusulinid assemblage is of Sakmarian age. The age of the Halvan fusulinid assemblage from clasts in the breccia-conglomerate at the Sartakht Formation base is reevaluated, and it is shown to be late Sakmarian but not Asselian in age. The Bolorian-Kubergandian age is established for the greater part of the Sartakht Formation. Correlation of the sections studied with the other Permian sections in different regions of Iran showed their lithological and paleontological specifics as compared to the latter. On the other hand, the sections in question are surprisingly similar in both respects to sections in the Central Pamirs. Fusulinids of the Kalaktash and Halvan assemblages are figured in four plates, and five new species belonging to the genera Rugosochusenella, Benshiella, Parazellia, and Nonpseudofusulina are described.     

Towards an Aptian (Lower Cretaceous) ammonite biostratigraphy of the Mina Texali section,Central Atlantic province (Puebla State,Central Mexico)

This work is a study of the ammonite record of a new stratigraphic section of Aptian age, at the Mina Texali (Puebla State, Central Mexico). A detailed biostratigraphic analysis was carried out on 309 specimens systematically sampled on a bed-by-bed basis. An Aptian ammonite zonation is proposed for the Mina Texali (= MT) section with two interval zones, Dufrenoyia justinae and Caseyella sp., and one informal biostratigraphic unit represented by the Huastecoceras trispinosoides beds. We also analyze the taxonomic composition, paleoecology and some systematic issues of the ammonite record of the MT section. The first record in Mexico of the genera Pseudosaynella, Xerticeras and the nautiloid Heminautilus is identified in this section. The ammonite assemblage is assigned to the proximal part of the outer neritic region of the continental shelf. The ammonite record of the studied section is diagnostic in establishing the lower-upper Aptian transition, and the local zonation of the MT provides important data for the development of an Aptian standard ammonite zonation for the Central Atlantic province.     

Bolorian and Kubergandian stages of the Permian in the Sanandaj-Sirjan zone of Iran

Sections and fusulinids of the Bolorian (presumably) and Kubergandian (lower part) stages in the Sanandaj-Sirjan tectonic zone are described. Two fusulinid assemblages are distinguished in a most complete section near Sirjan. The lower one is represented by Skinnerella, Paraleeina, and relatively primitive Misellina forms, whereas Armenina, Kubergandella, and Yangchienia species appear in the upper assemblage and suggest its early Kubergandian age. Accordingly, the lower assemblage is attributed to the Bolorian Stage, although it is lacking fusulinids typical of this stage except for the primitive Misellina morphotypes. Fusulinids from the Tange-Darchaleh section near Qomsheh (Shahreza) are typical of the Kubergandian Stage. The described three new species of the genus Skinnerella are close to morphotypes known from younger (Murgabian) deposits and represent their ancestral forms most likely.     

Carbonate petrology of an Upper Ordovician—Silurian section at the Lone Mountain,Eureka County,Nevada

This preliminary petrographic study of a Paleozoic carbonate section (Upper Ordovician to Silurian) in the Lone Mountain district in east-central Nevada provides new information on its microfacies and dolomitization. The occurrence of diversified microfacies in rocks from this section reveals the complex nature of their depositional history, as well as the subsequent diagenesis. Most microfacies from these rocks fall into two general groups: (1) dolomite facies which predominates in the Hanson Creek Formation (Upper Ordovician to Lowest Silurian) and the Lone Mountain Unit 1; and (2) dolomitized limestone facies which is common in the Lone Mountain Formation (Upper Silurian).The dolomite in the mid-Paleozoic carbonate section of the Lone Mountain is overwhelmingly diagenetic in origin. The early diagenetic dolomite is characterized by its homogeneous texture, uniform medium-to-coarse grain size and poorly preserved fossil impressions. The fossil content in this type of dolomite indicates its original calcareous nature. On the other hand, the late-diagenetic dolomite is characterized by its heterogeneous texture, non-uniform grain-size, detrital-quartz content and the presence of partly or incompletely altered fossil structures.     

Radiolaria,planktonic foraminifera,and stratigraphy of Turonian-lower Coniacian in the Biyuk-Karasu section,Crimea

The first data on the distribution of Radiolaria and planktonic Foraminifera in the section at Biyuk-Karasu River in central part of the Crimean Mountains, are presented. Based on the study of radiolarian findings, the upper Cretaceous deposits of Biyuk-Karasu section are subdivided into the following biostratigraphic units: Alievium superbum-Phaseliforma turovi (middle Turonian), Dactylodiscus longispinus-Patulibracchium (?) quadroastrum (upper Turonian), and Orbiculiforma quadrata-Patellula sp. B (Turonian-Coniacian boundary deposits). The stratigraphic interval of Alievium superbum-Phaseliforma turovi has been previously characterized by the complex of Alievium superbum-Phaseliforma sp. A (middle Turonian, Mt. Chuku section, SW of the Crimean Mountains, and middle Turonian, Mt. Ak, central part of the Crimean Mountains). Based on the study of Foraminifera findings, the following biostratigraphic subdivisions were identified: Whiteinella paradubia (lower-lower part of the middle Turonian), Marginotruncana pseudolinneiana (uppermost middle Turonian), and Marginotruncana coronata (upper Turonian). The complex of beds with Marginotruncana pseudolinneiana and Marginotruncana coronata are comparable to the deposits of zones of same name in the Crimean-Caucasian region.     

Aptian (lower Cretaceous) ammonite biostratigraphy of the Francisco Zarco Dam stratigraphic section (Durango State,northeast Mexico)

This work deals with the study of the ammonoid record of a classical stratigraphic section of Aptian age, the Francisco Zarco Dam (Durango State, northeast Mexico). A detailed biostratigraphical analysis considered 1281 specimens systematically sampled on a bed-by-bed basis. Taphonomy, taxonomic composition and paleocology of the studied assemblage, were also stressed. We formally propose an ammonite zonation for this section, which consists of two interval zones, Dufrenoyia justinae and Gargasiceras? adkinsi, one taxon range zone Caseyella aguilerae, and one biohorizon Huastecoceras trispinosoides. Among those biostratigraphic units, three are of new definition. Another topic discussed herein concerns to the problematic definition of the Lower-Upper Aptian boundary using the first stratigraphical appearance of the genus Epicheloniceras. From a paleoecological point of view, we recognized the ammonoid assemblage of the Francisco Zarco Dam section, to be representative of a distal platform environment. Finally, we compared the zonation built for this section with that considered the standard zonation for the Tethyan Domain, concluding that the differences are so substantial that an independent zonation for the Central Atlantic is necessary.     

A revised ammonoid biostratigraphy for the Aptian of NW Africa: Essaouira-Agadir Basin,Morocco

A revised ammonoid biostratigraphy is presented for the Aptian of NW Africa, Essaouira-Agadir Basin (EAB), Morocco, based on detailed analysis of 5 key sections. A number of bio-events are documented and 26 genus and 43 species fully documented, forming the largest published Aptian ammonite collection made from NW Africa. The section at Tiskatine is documented as the type section, and 8 zones and subzones are defined, of which 5 are new. This work allows correlation of the Aptian of the EAB to the Standard Mediterranean Ammonite Scale (SMAS).Two main hiatuses are identified at the scale of the basin scale: a major one that includes most of the lower Aptian and the base of the upper Aptian and a second one encompass the top of the upper Aptian and the base of the lower Albian. The ammonite fauna displays a clear Tethyan palaeobiogeographic character affected by a fairly high degree of endemism at the genus and species level. The new genus and species Elsaisabellia tiskatinensis is introduced.     

Evolutionary lineage of the Maastrichtian <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bolivinoides draco</Emphasis> group (benthic foraminifera) in Abu Zenima section,west central Sinai,Egypt

Three subspecies belong to middle-late Maastrichtian Bolivinoides draco group (B. draco aegyptiacus, B. d. draco, and B. d. dorreeni) are described of which one is new: Bolivinoides draco aegyptiacus from Abu Zenima section, west central Sinai, Egypt. This new subspecies differs from the other Bolivinoidid taxa in possessing well-developed two divergent medial longitudinal ribs along the smooth test surface, with another one rib in the central part between them. In this study, the early Maastrichtian B. miliaris is not related to this group. The other evolutionary trends are also distinguished and the paleogeographic distributions of Bolivinoides members in the Middle East are presented.     

Palaeoenvironmental reconstruction of the Oligocene Afales Basin, Ithaki island, western Greece

Assemblages of benthic foraminifera from one clastic succession in the Afales Basin (Ithaki Island, western Greece) were investigated to reconstruct palaeoenvironmental conditions during the Oligocene. The section consists of alternating hemipelagic marls and detrital deposits, designated as flysch-like beds, attributed to biostratigraphic Zones P20 and P21. Planktic percentages are mostly high (66–80%). Benthic foraminiferal assemblages comprise calcareous and agglutinated taxa (up to 15%). The prevalence of epifaunal foraminifera indicates good ventilation of the bottom water resulting from basin morphology, which enabled the undisturbed flow of water throughout the basin. Palaeodepth estimates imply bathyal deposition, from about 800 to 1200 m deep. The benthic foraminiferal fauna is of high diversity along the section, as is expected in deep marine environments. The abundances of the most common foraminiferal taxa (Cibicidoides spp., Oridorsalis umbonatus, Gyroidinoides spp., Stilostomella spp., Nodosariidae, Nuttallides umbonifera) are quite variable and imply generally oligotrophic to mesotrophic environmental conditions with variable organic flux.     

Systematics, biometry of the species Opsidiscus from the Middle Cambrian succession of the Spiti basin, India

The Middle Cambrian succession of the Parahio Valley in general and Debsakhad section in particular is dominated by trilobites. Genus Opsidiscus, along with other trilobite forms dominates the lower Middle Cambrian succession. In the present study two new species of Opsidiscus, Opsidiscus wadiai and Opsidiscus srikantiai are reported from the lower Middle Cambrian succession of Debsakhad section. The species were differentiated on their morphological features and their multivariate analysis. The multivariate analysis applied here is used as a supplement method to qualitative analysis in order to differentiate between the cranidial characters of Opsidiscus. The qualitative study of each species studied individually shows more or less close affiliation as is observed by different quantitative methods. The presence of Opsidiscus has a great stratigraphic significance in this region, as they first appear from informal Stage 5 of Series 3 and goes up to the Drumian Stage of Series 3 of the Cambrian System in the Debsakhad section, which helps to correlate this section with other well known sections of the Middle Cambrian.     

Additional late Middle Cambrian trilobites from Karsha Formation (Haimanta Group) Zanskar region of Zanskar-Spiti basin, Northwest Himalaya

Additional latest Middle Cambrian polymerid trilobites are recorded from the Teta Member (Karsha Formation) along the Tangze-Yogma-Kuru section, Kurgiakh Valley, southeastern Zanskar, Northwest Himalaya. It includes record of a new genus Pianspis Saito & Sakakuru, 1936 of family Lisianiidae and others associated fauna comprises of Neoanomocarella asiatica (Lisianiidae), Parablackwelderia sp., (Damesellidae) and two undetermined pygidium and one unidentified cranidia. All these specimens are collected from the level representing the Lejopyge acantha Zone of Guzhangian Stage (Cambrian Series 3) of the Middle Cambrian. The fauna is mainly correlated with the South China, North Korea, Kazakhastan, Uzbekistan, Siberia and Australia.     

First findings of dinocysts in the upper Oligocene Turtas formation in Southern Tyumen oblast (West Siberia)

A new occurrence of dinocysts Pseudokomewuia in continental Cenosoic (Oligocene–Miocene) rocks of the West Siberian plain is identified. A complex of palynomorphs with dominant microphytoplankton (dinocysts) was found for the first time in the lacustrine-marsh sediments of the south of Tyumen oblast. The variable composition of the complex with Pseudokomewuia aff. laevigata He and Pseudokomewuia aff. granulata He species is traced upward through the section. The layers that correspond to the maximum abundance of Pseudokomewuia (akme) are distinguished and correlated with sections studied previously, which are located in the Barabinsk lithofacial region. Sediments with dinocysts are compared with sediments of the same age from North America, Northern Europe, and Southern China.     

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.     

Integrated biostratigraphy and palaeoenvironmental interpretation of the Upper Cretaceous to Paleocene succession in the northern Moldavidian Domain (Eastern Carpathians,Romania)

This study of the upper Maastrichtian to Danian sedimentary succession from the northern part of the Romanian Eastern Carpathians (Varniţa section) aims to establish an integrated biostratigraphy based on calcareous nannofossils, organic-walled dinoflagellate cysts (dinocysts) and foraminiferal assemblages, and to reconstruct the depositional environments of the interval. The stratigraphic record across the studied section is incomplete, considering that an approximately 16 m thick strata interval from the top of the Maastrichtian to lowermost Danian cannot be analyzed due to a landslide covering the outcrop. The upper Maastrichtian is marked by a succession of biostratigraphic events, such as the First Appearance Datum (FAD) of the nannoplankton taxon Nephrolithus frequens and FAD of the dinocyst species Deflandrea galeata and Disphaerogena carposphaeropsis, and the Last Appearance Datum (LAD) of Isabelidinium cooksoniae in the lower part of the section. These bioevents are followed by the LAD of the Dinogymnium spp. and Palynodinium grallator dinocyst markers in the top of the Maastrichtian deposits analyzed. In terms of foraminiferal biostratigraphy, the upper Maastrichtian Abathomphalus mayaroensis Zone is documented in the lower part of the studied section. Some bioevents, such as the bloom of the calcareous dinoflagellate genus Thoracosphaera and the FAD of the organic-walled dinocysts Damassadinium californicum, Senoniasphaera inornata, Xenicodinium lubricum and X. reticulatum suggest an early Danian age for the middle part of the section. From the Danian deposits in the Varniţa section, we describe a new organic-walled dinocyst species, Pentadinium darmirae sp. nov., which is until now the only species of the Pentadinium genus discovered in the Paleocene. The occurrence of the global Danian dinocyst marker Senoniasphaera inornata in the top of the section, suggests an age not younger than middle Danian (62.6 Ma) for the analyzed deposits.The palynofacies constituents, as well as the agglutinated foraminiferal morphogroups, used to reconstruct the depositional environments, show that the late Maastrichtian sediments were deposited in an outer shelf to distal (bathyal) environment, followed by a marine transgression during the Danian.     

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.     

Stratigraphy and facies development of the marine Late Devonian near the Boulongour Reservoir,northwest Xinjiang,China

Late Devonian to Early Carboniferous stratigraphic units within the ‘Zhulumute’ Formation, Hongguleleng Formation (stratotype), ‘Hebukehe’ Formation and the Heishantou Formation near the Boulongour Reservoir in northwestern Xinjiang are fossil-rich. The Hongguleleng and ‘Hebukehe’ formations are biostratigraphically well constrained by microfossils from the latest Frasnian linguiformis to mid-Famennian trachytera conodont biozones. The Hongguleleng Formation (96.8 m) is characterized by bioclastic argillaceous limestones and marls (the dominant facies) intercalated with green spiculitic calcareous shales. It yields abundant and highly diverse faunas of bryozoans, brachiopods and crinoids with subordinate solitary rugose corals, ostracods, trilobites, conodonts and other fish teeth. The succeeding ‘Hebukehe’ Formation (95.7 m) consists of siltstones, mudstones, arenites and intervals of bioclastic limestone (e.g. ‘Blastoid Hill’) and cherts with radiolarians. A diverse ichnofauna, phacopid trilobites, echinoderms (crinoids and blastoids) together with brachiopods, ostracods, bryozoans and rare cephalopods have been collected from this interval. Analysis of geochemical data, microfacies and especially the distribution of marine organisms, which are not described in detail here, but used for facies analysis, indicate a deepening of the depositional environment at the Boulongour Reservoir section. Results presented here concern mainly the sedimentological and stratigraphical context of the investigated section. Additionally, one Late Devonian palaeo-oceanic and biotic event, the Upper Kellwasser Event is recognized near the section base.     

Palynoassemblages associated with a theropod dinosaur from the Snow Hill Island Formation (lower Maastrichtian) at the Naze,James Ross Island,Antarctica

The Cape Lamb Member of the Snow Hill Island Formation at The Naze on the northern margin of James Ross Island, east of the Antarctic Peninsula, yielded a theropod dinosaur recovered near the middle of a 90 m thick section that begins at sea level, ends below a basalt sill, and is composed of interbedded green–gray massive and laminated fine-grained sandstones and mudstones. Sixteen palynoassemblages were recovered from this section, which yielded moderately diverse assemblages with a total of 100 relatively well-preserved species. The principal terrestrial groups (32%) are represented by lycophytes (8 species), pteridophytes (15 species), gymnosperms (13 species), angiosperms (21 species) and freshwater chlorococcaleans (3 species). Marine palynomorphs (68%) belong to dinoflagellates (61 species), chlorococcaleans (6 species), and one acritarch. The vertical distribution of selected species allows the distinction of two informal assemblages, the lower Odontochitina porifera assemblage from the base to its disappearance in the lower part of the section, and the remaining section characterized by the Batiacasphaera grandis assemblage. The global stratigraphic ranges of selected palynomorphs suggest an early Maastrichtian age for this section and the entombed dinosaur that is also supported by the presence of the ammonoid Kitchinites darwinii. These assemblages share many species with latest Campanian–early Maastrichtian palynofloras from Vega and Humps Islands, New Zealand, and elsewhere in the Southern Ocean, establishing a good correlation among them. The dominance or frequent presence of dinoflagellates throughout the section supports the general interpretation of a shelf marine depocenter. The consistent presence of terrestrial palynomorphs suggests contributions from littoral/inland environments.     

The Ensenada and Buenos Aires formations (Pleistocene) in a quarry near La Plata,Argentina

An interdisciplinary study of a section in a quarry near La Plata sheds new light on the geologic, climatic, and biologic evolution of the northeastern Pampean area of Argentina. The stratigraphic succession is composed of seven mainly eolian levels, each one including a soil and separated by a disconformity. Two geosols defined in northern Buenos Aires Province (Hisisa and El Tala) are identified in the Ensenada Formation. The boundary between the Ensenada and Buenos Aires formations is defined by a conspicuous disconformity which overlies the El Tala Geosol. In the section, the boundary between the Tolypeutes pampaeus (Ensenadan) and Megatherium americanum (lower Lujanian) biozones coincides with that of Ensenada and Buenos Aires formations. The boundary between the Matuyama and Brunhes zones of polarity occurs in the upper part of the Ensenada Formation above the Hisisa Geosol. According to geologic evidence, most of the succession was deposited under semiarid to arid climate.     

Geochemistry of mafic rocks of the PGE-bearing Vurechuaivench Massif (Monchegorsk Complex,Kola region)

The platinum-bearing Paleoproterozoic Vurechuaivench Massif in the Monchegorsk Pluton is made up of amphibolized and saussuritized gabbronorites, anorthosites, and norites. The geochemical features of the massif rocks are considered at four detailed areas. It was confirmed that the Vurechuaivench and Nyud-Poaz massifs are geochemically similar. The rare-earth element (REE) distribution in the rocks of the Vurechuaivench Massif is peculiar in the low total REE content (9.4–27.6 ppm), negative REE slope, significant LREE enrichment [La/Yb] _n = 3.7–8.7), and distinctly expressed positive Eu anomaly ([Eu/Eu*] _n = 1.2–2.2). The REE distribution pattern remains unchangeable throughout the entire section, including the rocks of the Pt reef, with a gradual upsection REE increase. It is suggested that the PGE reef of the Vurechuaivench Massif, as the Platinova Reef (Skaergaard massif) and Sonju-Lake Intrusion (Duluth complex), was formed during fractional crystallization in a large magma chamber without new magma influx. It is conceivable that the Vurechuaivench Massif is the allochthonous fragment of a large loppolith-like body, the lower portions of which compose the Nyud-Poaz Massif, while the middle part was almost completely eroded.