Martinsonella,an early Late Cretaceous non-marine bivalve subgenus,and a new species from Kumamoto,Japan

The new non-marine bivalve species Nippononaia (Martinsonella) tamurai sp. nov. is described from the Upper Formation of the Mifune Group in Kumamoto Prefecture, Southwest Japan. The specimens originally were identified as Plicatounio (Plicatounio) B sp. by Tamura (1990). The subgenus Nippononaia (Martinsonella) previously was only reported from China, and this is the first record from Japan. The Upper Formation of the Mifune Group is of Late Cenomanian to Early Turonian age, as indicated by ammonites. “Nippononaia” (?) obsoleta Hase, 1960 from the Shiohama Formation of Yamaguchi, Japan, and Plicatounio (s.l.) A sp. of Tamura (1990) from strata northeast of Geoncheonri, South Korea, are re-assigned to Nippononaia (Martinsonella). These occurrences may be of significance for the inter-regional correlation of non-marine Cretaceous strata.     

Palynostratigraphy and palaeoenvironmental significance of the Cretaceous palynomorphs in the Qattara Rim-1X well,North Western Desert,Egypt

Palynological and palynofacies analyses were carried out on some Cretaceous samples from the Qattara Rim-1X borehole, north Western Desert, Egypt. The recorded palynoflora enabled the recognition of two informal miospore biozones arranged from oldest to youngest as Elaterosporites klaszii-Afropollis jardinus Assemblage Zone (mid Albian) and Elaterocolpites castelainii–Afropollis kahramanensis Assemblage Zone (late Albian–mid Cenomanian). A poorly fossiliferous but however, datable interval (late Cenomanian–Turonian to ?Campanian–Maastrichtian) representing the uppermost part of the studied section was also recorded. The palynofacies and visual thermal maturation analyses indicate a mature terrestrially derived organic matter (kerogen III) dominates the sediments of the Kharita and Bahariya formations and thus these two formations comprise potential mature gas source rocks. The sediments of the Abu Roash Formation are mostly dominated by mature amorphous organic matter (kerogen II) and the formation is regarded as a potential mature oil source rock in the well. The palynomorphs and palynofacies analyses suggest deposition of the clastics of the Kharita and Bahariya formations (middle Albian and upper Albian–middle Cenomanian) in a marginal marine setting under dysoxic–anoxic conditions. By contrast, the mixed clastic-carbonate sediments of the Abu Roash Formation (upper Cenomanian–Turonian) and the carbonates of the Khoman Formation (?Campanian–Maastrichtian) were mainly deposited in an inner shallow marine setting under prevailing suboxic–anoxic conditions as a result of the late Cenomanian and the Campanian marine transgressions. This environmental change from marginal to open (inner shelf) basins reflects the vertical change in the type of the organic matter and its corresponding hydrocarbon-prone types. A regional warm and semi-arid climate but with a local humid condition developed near/at the site of the well is thought to have prevailed.     

江苏白垩纪孢粉组合序列

根据近年来获得的孢粉化石材料和前人资料 ,建立了江苏白垩纪的孢粉组合序列 ,它们是 :　 1)贝里阿斯期至凡兰吟期 (Berriasian— Valanginian)的 Schizaeoisporites- Classopollis annulatus- Ginkgocycadophytus nitidus组合 (云合山组 ) ;　 2 )阿普特期至阿尔必期 (Aptian— Albian )的 Cicatricosisporites- Classopollis annulatus-Psilatricolpites组合 (葛村组 ) ;　 3)土伦期 (Turonian )的 Schizaeoisporites- Polycingulatisporites- Cycadopites-Cranwellia组合 (浦口组 ) ;　 4)科尼亚克期至桑顿期 (Coniacian— Santonian)的 Schizaeoisporites- Classopolisannulatus- Lytharites组合 (赤山组 ) ;　 5 )坎潘期 (Campanian )的 Schizaeoisporites- Tricolporopollenitesmicrocirculatus- Betpakdalina组合 (泰州组下部 ) ;　 6 )马斯特里赫特期 (Maastrichtian)的 Pterisisporites-Exesipollenites- K urtzipites组合 (泰州组上部 ) ;　欧特里沃期至巴列姆期 (Hauterivian— Barremian)和塞诺曼期(Cenom ainan)的暂缺。     

Jurassic-Cretaceous (Bathonian to Cenomanian) palynology and stratigraphy of the West Tiba-1 borehole,northern Western Desert,Egypt

Land-derived pollen and spores and marine dinoflagellate cysts were extracted from the Jurassic and Cretaceous sediments of the West Tiba-1 borehole, northern Western Desert, Egypt, On the basis of the recovered palynomorphs, of known stratigraphical significance, the following stages were assessed: Bathonian-Oxfordian (Middle-Late Jurassic) and Hauterivian, Aptian-Early Albian, Late Albian-Early Cenomanian, Early Cenomanian and Late Cenomanian (Early-Middle Cretaceous). No palynomorphs diagnostic for the Berriasian, Valanginian and Barremian stages (Early Cretaceous) were depicted. Based on the nature and composition of the identified palynomorph content, five informal palynomorph assemblage zones were recognised. These are: the Gonyaulacysta jurassica-Korystocysta kettonensis Assemblage Zone (PI, Bathonian-Oxfordian), Ephedripites-Aequitriradites verrucosus Assemblage Zone (PII, Hauterivian), Afropollis jardinus-Duplexisporites generalis-Tricolpites Assemblage Zone (PIIl, Aptian-Early Albian), Nyssapollenites-Elaterosporites Assemblage Zone (PIV, Late Albian-Early Cenomanian) and Assemblage Zone PV (Early-Late Cenomanian). The latter zone was differentiated into two subzones, namely the Classopollis brasiliensis-Elaterosporites klaszii Assemblage Subzone (PVa, Early Cenomanian) and Afropollis kahramanensis-Triporates Assemblage Subzone (PVb, Late Cenomanian). The time stratigraphy of the studied interval was revised. The occurrences and types of the dinoflagellate cysts, extracted from the studied succession, reflect a general shallow (shelf) marine pal˦oenvironment.     

转换大陆边缘盆地深水浊积砂岩油气成藏差异性研究

深水浊积砂岩油气藏是当今世界油气勘探的热点领域。基于地震、钻井、地球化学等资料,系统分析了西非北段科特迪瓦盆地深水浊积砂岩油气成藏的差异性。研究表明,科特迪瓦盆地经历了裂陷期（早白垩世）和漂移期（晚白垩世—现今）两大构造演化阶段,漂移期发育塞诺曼—土伦阶优质海相烃源岩,裂陷期发育阿普特—阿尔布阶湖相烃源岩。漂移期层系为盆地的主力勘探层系,发育两种类型的浊积砂岩油气藏。塞诺曼—土伦阶浊积砂岩油气藏为典型的“砂体运移、自生自储、源内成藏”的油气成藏模式,其油气主要来源于塞诺曼—土伦阶烃源岩,广泛分布的浊积砂岩是油气运移的主要路径,烃源岩的生、排烃期决定了油气成藏时期,是否发育有效烃源岩是该类油气藏成藏的主控因素。圣通—马斯特里赫特阶浊积砂岩油气藏为典型的“断裂运移、下生上储、源外成藏”的油气成藏模式,其油气主要来源于深部裂陷期阿普特—阿尔布阶湖相烃源岩,断裂是油气运移的主要路径,断裂的活动控制了油气的运移和成藏时期,是否发育油源断裂是该类油气藏成藏的主控因素。     

Le Bassin lusitanien (Portugal) à l'Aptien supérieur–Albien : organisation séquentielle,proposition de corrélations, évolutionThe Lusitanian Basin (Portugal) during the late Aptian–Albian: sequential arrangement,proposal of correlations,evolution

. Three transgressive–regressive 2nd-order cycles were identified in the Upper Aptian–Albian fluvial and marine deposits of the Lusitanian Basin. Its widespread nature, probably including eustatic origin, allows correlation between the southern package, with precise stratigraphic positioning, and the northern series with a poorly constrained age. The main unconformities can be related to the onset of an oceanic crust, in the western margin of Galicia during the Late Aptian, in the bay of Biscay during the Early Albian, and, to the northwest of the Galicia triple point, during the Middle to Late Albian transition, and, at the Albian–Cenomanian boundary, to a probable compressive event with Africa due to the rotation of Iberia. To cite this article: J. Dinis et al., C. R. Geoscience 334 (2002) 757–764.     

Carbon and oxygen-isotope stratigraphy of the Early Cretaceous carbonate platform of Pădurea Craiului (Apuseni Mountains,Romania): A chemostratigraphic correlation and paleoenvironmental tool

Stable C and O isotope records were obtained from carbonate rocks spanning the Hauterivian to Cenomanian interval collected in several sections from the carbonate platform of Pădurea Craiului (Apuseni Mountains, Romania). In the absence of some key biostratigraphic marker species, stable isotopes were applied as a tool for stratigraphic correlation and dating. The composite δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O curves for the Early Cretaceous shows variable conditions with large positive and negative excursions and provide information on past environmental changes. The Hauterivian and the Barremian limestones (Blid Formation) display lower δ¹³C values (−2.8‰ to +2.9‰) relative to the Aptian–Albian deposits (−2.6‰ to +5.4‰) (Ecleja, Valea Măgurii and Vârciorog Formations). The red detrital formation (Albian–Cenomanian) is characterized by a highly variable distribution of the δ¹³C values (−3.5‰ to +3.9‰). Based on the similarities between the C-isotope curve established in Pădurea Craiului and from other sections in the Tethyan and the Pacific regions, two major oceanic anoxic events characterized by δ¹³C positive excursions were clearly recognized. The first is the OAE1a event (Early Aptian) in the upper part of the Ecleja Formation and the Valea Măgurii Formation. The second is the OAE1b event (Late Aptian–Albian) in the upper part of the Vârciorog Formation and in the Subpiatră Member. The position of the Aptian/Albian boundary is estimated to be at the upper part of the Vârciorog Formation, immediately after the beginning of the δ¹³C positive excursion. The δ¹³C data show major negative excursions during the Barremian (Blid Formation), Early Aptian (Ecleja Formation), and Late Aptian (Vârciorog Formation). The O isotope variation pattern (−10.2‰ to −2.1‰) is consistent with progressively warming temperatures during the Early Barremian followed by a cooling period. A subsequent warming period culminated in the Early Aptian. A significant cooling phase corresponds to the Late Aptian and Early Albian and the climate cooled again during the Late Albian and into the Early Cenomanian stage. The data provide a better understanding of the Early Cretaceous sedimentation cycles in Pădurea Craiului and create a more reliable framework for regional correlations.     

Kumamotoa, an early Late Cretaceous non-marine bivalve, from Fujian, south China

The non-marine bivalve species Trigonioides (Kumamotoa) quadratus Gu and Ma is described from the Fourth Member of the Hekou Formation in western Fujian, southeastern China. This species previously was regarded to belong to the subgenus Trigonioides (s.s.), which is restricted to the Early Cretaceous. Herein, it is included into the subgenus Kumamotoa. It is compared to Cenomanian (early Late Cretaceous) species from Japan and Korea such as Trigonioides (Kumamotoa) mifunensis Tamura, Trigonioides (Kumamotoa) matsumotoi Kobayashi and Suzuki and Trigonioides (Kumamotoa) paucisulcatus Suzuki. The age of the Fourth Member of the Hekou Formation is discussed.     

Relative sea-level, tectono-eustasy, geoidal-eustasy and geodynamics during the Cretaceous

A priori, the recorded relative sea-level changes during the Cretaceous must be the combined effect of tectono-eustasy, geoidal-eustasy and various crustal level changes. To this we must add the human factor of differences and errors in interpretations.A posteriori, it is claimed that geoidal-eustasy dominated during the Hauterivian, Barremian, Turonian, Santonian and Maastrichtian, that tectono-eustasy dominated during the Albian, Cenomanian, Campanian and at the Maastrichtian/Danian boundary, and that local influences of sea-floor spreading are identified from the Albian/Cenomanian boundary onwards. To this we must add the local differential crustal movements modulating the global and regional ocean level changes. Geoidal-eustasy is mainly expressed as a latitudinal differentiation of the sea-level with out-of-phase changes between the hemispheres or the both high latitude regions. Furthermore, sedimentological records seem to record short-period geoidal-eustatic cycles.     

中亚与亚洲中部晚白垩世的陆生脊椎动物组合对比

通过对前人建议的26个生物地层标志化石存在与否的简约分析,中亚与亚洲中部晚白垩世的陆生脊椎动物组合的相对层位得到了更清楚的揭示。此区最古老的组合是乌兹别克斯坦克孜勒库姆沙漠的Khodzhakul组合(早塞诺曼期),其次为蒙古戈壁沙漠东部BaynShire组的下部和上部的组合(塞诺曼期至桑顿期)。中国内蒙古二连达布苏动物群与中亚的土伦期—桑顿期动物群属于同一类群,因为它们均具龟鳖类Khunnuchelys,前者时代可能为桑顿期。三个中亚的组合(Bissekty、Yalovach和Bostobe组合)中有两个地方性的鳄形类(Kansajsuchus和Tadzhikosuchus)和一个出现于戈壁沙漠的鳄形类(Shamosuchus)化石。戈壁沙漠的坎潘期至马斯特里赫特期组合与北美同期动物群为同一类群。Djadokhta组与BarunGoyot组的坎潘期脊椎动物组合具有高度的地方性,并反应了半干旱的古环境。产自Nemegt组的组合生存于比较潮湿的环境。在组成上,这一组合与其他河流相沉积环境(Bissekty、二连达布苏以及北美Judithian期和Lancian期的组合)相似。具顶饰的鸭嘴龙Saurolophus的存在,支持了Nemegt组合为马斯特里赫特期时代。戈壁沙漠的这三个组合(Djadokhta、Barun Goyot和Nemegt组合)被归为一类,因为它们共同拥有地方性的龟类Mongolemys和兽脚亚目的小驰龙类。亚洲中部和北美的坎潘期至马斯特里赫特期组合与亚洲更加古老的组合不同在于存有暴龙科、肿头龙亚目和鸭嘴龙科。在中亚,由于地区性的海侵,这一时间段内的陆生脊椎动物组合多不清楚。     

中国非海相白垩纪腹足类组合序列和分布

中国白垩纪非海相腹足类可划分为4个组合:1)早白垩世凡兰吟期巴列姆期Probaicalia vitimensis-Ptychostylus-口盖化石Reesidella robusta组合;2)早白垩世阿普特期阿尔必期Bellamya clavilithiformis-Mesocoshliopa cretacea-Zaptychius costatus-Brotiopsis组合,由于环境的不同,这一组合可分为2个亚组合:Brotiopsis亚组合和Bellamya clavilithiformis-Mesocoshliopacretacea-Zaptychius costatus亚组合;3)晚白垩世科尼亚克期中马斯特里赫特晚期Mesolanistes nanxiongensis组合,由于产出的层位不同,这一组合又可分为2个亚组合,Mesolanistes ziziformis亚组合和Mesolanistes-nanxiongensis亚组合;4)晚白垩世马斯特里赫特期最晚期Palaeoancylusna nxiongensi组合。     

Radiolarian-Based zonal scheme of the cretaceous (Albian–Santonain) of the Tethyan regions of Eurasia

A scheme of radiolarian zonal subdivision is proposed for the upper Albian–Santonian of the Tethyan regions of Eurasia. The upper Albian contains one zone: Crolanium triangulare; the Cenomanian contains three zones: Patellula spica (lower Cenomanian), Pseudoaulophacus lenticulatus (middle Cenomanian), and Triactoma parva (upper Cenomanian); the Turonian contains four zones: Acanthocircus tympanum (lower Turonian (with no upper part)), Patellula selbukhraensis (upper part of the lower Turonian), Phaseliforma turovi (middle Turonian (with no upper part)), and Actinomma (?) belbekense (upper part of the middle Turonian–upper Turonian); the Coniacian contains two zones: Alievium praegallowayi (lower part of the Coniacian) and Cyprodictyomitra longa (upper part of the Coniacian); the Santonian contains three zones: Theocampe urna (lower Santonian), Crucella robusta (middle Santonian–lower part of the upper(?) Santonian), and Afens perapediensis (upper part of the upper Santonian). The biostratigraphic subdivisions are correlated with biostrata in the schemes proposed previously for the Tethys and Pacific. A new species Patellula selbukhraensis Bragina sp. nov. is described.     

Notes on non-marine bivalve Trigonioides (Trigonioides?) from the mid-Cretaceous Goshoura Group, Kyushu, Japan

Trigonioides goshourensis n. sp. and Trigonioides amakusensis Kikuchi and Tashiro occur in the late Albian Eboshi Formation of the Goshoura Group in Kyushu, Japan. These Albian species are characterized by three radial pseudocardinal teeth on the thick and wide hinge plate, and are probably ancestors of Cenomanian species of Trigonioides (Kumamotoa) with four radial pseudocardinal teeth. This chronological relation may be important for the correlation of non-marine Cretaceous strata in East Asia. In addition, the habitat of T. amakusensis is interpreted as estuarine tidal flats under brackish water conditions, although Trigonioides is generally a freshwater bivalve genus.     

Cretaceous stratigraphy of the Ionian Zone,Hellenides, western Greece

The Cretaceous sedimentary successions of the Ionian Zone, Hellenides, western Greece, are composed of pelagic limestones intercalated with cherty layers. The micritic and biomicritic beds with abundant chert nodules and cherty horizons, which were deposited during late Tithonian to early Santonian times, belong to the Vigla Limestone Formation, while the sediments deposited during the late Santonian to Maastrichtian, formed clastic limestone beds in which chert nodules also occur sparsely.In the Cretaceous beds calpionellids, planktonic and benthonic foraminifera characteristics of the Tethyan realm, and radiolaria have been recorded. The calpionellids, together with radiolaria, colonized the entire basin during the Berriasian to early Valanginian, the latter becoming dominant during the Hauterivian to early Albian as a result of anoxia. Planktonic foraminifera first appeared in the basin during the late Albian and persisted until the Maastrichtian. The numbers decreased, however, during the Cenomanian-early Turonian interval, when radiolaria increased owing to anoxic conditions, and during the Campanian-Maastrichtian interval because the basin became shallow. During this interval larger benthonic foraminifera colonized the basin. Zonal markers have been recognized in calpionellid and planktonic foraminiferal assemblages on the basis of which two calpionellid zones are distinguished, viz. the Calpionella alpina and Calpionellopsis Zones (Berriasian-early Valanginian) along with seven planktonic foraminiferal zones, viz. the Rotalipora ticinensis, Rotalipora appenninica (late Albian), Rotalipora brotzeni (early Cenomanian), Helvetoglobotruncana helvetica (early to middle Turonian), Marginotruncana sigali(late Turonian to early Coniacian), Dicarinella concavata (late Coniacian to early Santonian) and Dicarinella asymetrica (late early-late Santonian) Zones.The anoxic conditions that prevailed in the Ionian basin during the Barremian-early Albian, Cenomanian-early Turonian and Coniacian-Santonian intervals probably arose as a result of (a) the accumulation of large amounts of organic matter because the palaeotopography of the basin periodically hindered the circulation of water from the ocean and (b) the oxygen content of the intruding oceanic waters was low.     

First elaphrosaurine theropod dinosaur (Ceratosauria: Noasauridae) from Australia — A cervical vertebra from the Early Cretaceous of Victoria

Elaphrosaurinae is an enigmatic clade of gracile ceratosaurian theropod dinosaurs known from the Late Jurassic of Africa (Elaphrosaurus bambergi) and Asia (e.g., Limusaurus inextricabilis), and the early Late Cretaceous of Argentina (Huinculsaurus montesi). Elaphrosaurinae is often placed within Noasauridae as the sister taxon to Noasaurinae, a clade of small-bodied theropods that lived in South America, Africa, Madagascar and India throughout much of the Cretaceous. Herein, we report the first evidence of Elaphrosaurinae from Australia: a nearly complete middle cervical vertebra from the upper Lower Cretaceous (lower Albian) Eumeralla Formation of Cape Otway, Victoria, Australia. The fact that this site would have been situated at ~76°S towards the end of the Early Cretaceous (~110–107 Ma) implies that elaphrosaurines were capable of tolerating near-polar palaeoenvironments, whereas its age indicates that elaphrosaurines persisted in Australia until at least the late Early Cretaceous. The new Australian elaphrosaurine, in tandem with the recently described Huinculsaurus montesi from the Cenomanian–Turonian of Argentina, implies that the spatiotemporal distribution of Elaphrosaurinae has heretofore been greatly underestimated. Historic confusion of elaphrosaurines with coelurosaurs, especially ornithomimosaurs, coupled with our generally poor understanding of noasaurid evolution, might explain the apparent dearth of fossils of this theropod clade worldwide.     

Evolution of radiolarians in the late Albian–Campanian

The dynamics of radiolarian evolution in the late Albian–Campanian is analyzed, and several stages are recognized. The first stage (late Albian–middle Cenomanian), related to the MCE regional anoxic event, showed low evolutionary tempos and hence lacked structural change in radiolarian communities. The second stage (late Cenomanian–early Turonian), corresponding to ОАЕ 2, which was a global anoxic event, is characterized by a decrease in the number of genera, while many genera showed increased diversification of species composition. At this stage, a considerable number of genera became extinct and appeared, suggesting an increased rate of the radiolarian evolution. The third stage (middle Turonian–early Coniacian), including the beginning of ОАЕ 3, is characterized by a stabilized number of genera. The fourth stage (late Coniacian–Santonian) completely encompasses ОАЕ 3 except for its very beginning. At this stage, the radiolarian communities underwent a significant structural change, while their rate of evolution increased considerably. Nevertheless, during the ОАЕ 3 stage, a distinct trend toward a decrease in generic diversity continued from the late Cenomanian to the middle Turonian. The fifth stage (Campanian) is characterized by quite significant changes in the assemblage composition, while the trend toward a gradual decrease in the number of genera steadily continued. At this stage, which coincided with a considerable cooling, twice as many genera became extinct as during ОАЕ 2. The analysis of the dynamics of radiolarian evolution showed that the anoxic MCE, ОАЕ 2, and ОАЕ 3 events did not result in degradation of radiolarian assemblages. This suggests that this group has significant stratigraphic potential. In general, the evolution of radiolarians in the Late Cretaceous was gradual. By the end of the Campanian, nearly half of the generic diversity was composed of genera which appeared at the beginning of the Cretaceous and earlier.     

New Cretaceous paleomagnetic results from the foreland of the Southern Alps and the refined apparent polar wander path for stable Adria

The central-western and the eastern Southern Alps are separated by the triangular shaped Adige embayment, which belongs to stable Adria and was the site of pelagic sedimentation from the Tithonian through Maastrichtian. The first part of this study presents paleomagnetic results from the Tithonian–Cenomanian Biancone and Turonian–Maastrichtian Scaglia Rossa formations sampled at 33 geographically distributed and biostratigraphically dated localities.The new and high quality paleomagnetic results from the Adige embayment are then combined with coeval paleomagnetic directions from autochthonous Istria (Márton et al., 2008), which also belongs to stable Adria. The combined data set (which for the Late Albian–Maastrichtian time period is constructed similarly to the synthetic African curve by Besse and Courtillot, 2002, 2003) reveals an important tectonic event (Late Aptian–Early Albian) characterized by 20° CCW rotation and sedimentary hiatus.Comparison between paleomagnetic declinations/inclinations expected in an African framework (i.e. with the assumption that Adria is still an African promontory) leads to the following conclusions. The time-distributed Tithonian and Berriasian (150–135 Ma) paleomagnetic directions exhibit the “African hairpin” with an inclination minimum and a sudden change from CW to CCW rotation at 145 Ma. Concerning the younger ages, the declinations for Adria continue to follow the African trend of CCW rotation till the end of Cretaceous. However, the Tithonian–Maastrichtian declination curve for stable Adria is displaced by 10° from the “African” curve as a result of two rotations. The first, an about 20° CW rotation of Adria with respect to Africa took place between the Maastrichtian and the mid-Eocene. During this time the orientation of Adria remained the same, while Africa continued its CCW rotation. The younger rotation (30°CCW) changed the orientation of Adria relative to Africa as well as to the present North.     

Palaeoecological significance of turritelline gastropod-dominated assemblages from the mid-Cretaceous (Albian-Cenomanian) of Texas and Oklahoma,USA

The faunas of three previously poorly known and highly fossiliferous limestones from the upper Lower Cretaceous of Texas are dominated by turritelline gastropods. These faunas consist of turritelline-dominated assemblages in the Whitestone Limestone Member of the Walnut Formation in Travis County (middle Albian), the Keys Valley Marl Member of the Walnut Formation in Coryell County (middle Albian), and the Fort Terrett Formation in Kimble County (middle Albian). A fourth high-spired gastropod assemblage in the Segovia Formation in Pecos County (upper Albian) is not dominated by turritellines. Two other turritelline-dominated assemblages in non-carbonate rocks from the Albian and Cenomanian of Texas and Oklahoma are also described. These turritelline-dominated assemblage occurrences add considerably to our knowledge of the facies occurrence of Cretaceous turritelline-dominated assemblages, and they are consistent with the global facies distribution of these assemblages: i.e., although they are widespread in siliciclastic facies from Cretaceous to Recent, turritelline-dominated assemblages in carbonate facies occur almost exclusively in the Cretaceous and Paleogene.     

Neptunian dykes along a drowned carbonate platform margin: an indication for recurrent extensional tectonic activity?

Three successive Mesozoic neptunian dyke generations and related unconformities suggest recurrent extensional fracturing and periods of relative sea-level rise along the NW Trento Plateau margin in the Southern Alps, Italy. The first neptunian dyke generation was induced by NNW–SSE directed extension of Early Jurassic skeletal oolitic periplatform deposits generating micritic early Middle Liassic neptunian dykes with orthogonal orientation. The second generation of neptunian dykes was possibly caused by marginal extension at the drowned platform edge penetrating Late Jurassic, red pelagic limestones with a pelagic matrix of Albian/Cenomanian age and nearly orthogonal fracture orientation. The third generation of neptunian dykes occurred after a prolonged period of submarine exposure and erosion (Aptian/Albian to Late Maastrichtian) during the rapid burial of the submarine Trento Plateau margin relief. The Late Maastrichtian neptunian dykes were caused by extension of Early to Middle Jurassic oolitic periplatform limestones along steep (inclination > 10°) submarine slopes. Generally successive neptunian dyke generations along drowned carbonate platform margins could be caused by repeated extensional brittle fracturing of lithified periplatform deposits and the filling of micritic matrix derived from overlying pelagic sediment sequences under substantial hydrostatic pressure. This would suggest that recurrent extensional fracturing is continuously recorded by neptunian dyke formation which could be used to indicate extensional tectonic activity at a foundering deep-marine carbonate platform edge.     

Dinosaur eggshells from the Santonian Milk River Formation of Alberta,Canada

The North American fossil record of dinosaur eggshells for the Cretaceous is primarily restricted to formations of the middle (Albian–Cenomanian) and uppermost (Campanian–Maastrichtian) stages, with a large gap in the record for intermediate stages. Here we describe a dinosaur eggshell assemblage from a formation that represents an intermediate and poorly fossiliferous stage of the Upper Cretaceous, the Santonian Milk River Formation of southern Alberta, Canada. The Milk River eggshell assemblage contains five eggshell taxa: Continuoolithus, Porituberoolithus, Prismatoolithus, Spheroolithus, and Triprismatoolithus. These ootaxa are most similar to those reported from younger Campanian–Maastrichtian formations of the northern Western Interior than they are to ootaxa reported from older middle Cretaceous formations (i.e., predominantly Macroelongatoolithus). Characteristics of the Milk River ootaxa indicate that they are ascribable to at least one ornithopod and four small theropod species. The taxonomic affinity of the eggshell assemblage is consistent with the dinosaur fauna known based on isolated teeth and fragmentary skeletal remains from the formation, although most ornithischians and large theropods are not represented by eggshell. Relative to the Milk River Formation eggshell, similar oospecies occurring in younger Cretaceous deposits tend to be somewhat thicker, which may reflect an increase in body size of various dinosaur lineages during the Late Cretaceous.