Sur les inocérames de Tercis (Landes,France) : le meilleur outil corrélatif entre Europe et Amérique du Nord autour de la limite Campanien–Maastrichtien

Four hundred inoceramids have been collected in the geological site at Tercis, where the Campanian–Maastrichtian boundary has been recently defined. At Tercis, a distinct drop of the adult size of inoceramids is observed between levels 111 and 117 and two turnovers of faunal composition were documented between levels 94 and 96 and between levels 111 and 117; the latter interval encompasses the stage boundary. The recognised inoceramid assemblages are very close to those known from North America, allowing better correlation than before between the two domains in the interval 77–70 Ma. The presence of these faunas perfectly located in the section leads to consider the Tercis section as the best known reference for this fossil group, the surprisingly good correlative potential of which has still to be considered in many areas.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Mesopithecus</Emphasis> (Primates: Cercopithecoidea) from Villafranca d’Asti (Early Villafranchian; NW Italy) and palaeoecological context of its extinction

Remains of the cercopithecid Mesopithecus monspessulanus are relatively rare. Two previously unpublished mandibles of M. monspessulanus (housed in the Basel Naturhistorisches Museum), from the Italian locality of Villafranca d’Asti are described. These remains belong to the assemblage of the Triversa Faunal Unit, dated to the Early Villafranchian, that is to the unit MN16a (Middle Pliocene) of the European mammal biochronology. According to this recently revised biochronological attribution, Villafranca d’Asti records the last Mesopithecus occurrence in Europe. The NOW (Neogene Old World) database has been used as a basis to evaluate both the mammalian faunal and the palaeoenvironmental context at the time surrounding this last occurrence of Mesopithecus. The comparison (taxonomical composition and ungulate hypsodonty), between the Villafranca d’Asti assemblage and other Plio-Pleistocene mammal communities of Europe, shows that the extinction of Mesopithecus is related to a faunal turnover and a change toward more open landscapes during the Early–Middle Villafranchian transition. This is consistent with the “Elephant-Equus event”, that occurred in Europe at 2.5 Ma. Furthermore, the co-occurring but more terrestrial cercopithecid Macaca crossed this faunal turnover. This strengthens the assumption that the latest Mesopithecus species, M. monspessulanus, had woodland-oriented adaptations. Editorial handling: J.-P. Billon-Bruyat & M. Chiari (Guest)     

Early Neogene Radiolarian faunal turnover in the northern Indian Ocean: Evidence from Andaman-Nicobar

Two intervals of faunal turnover are revealed by the study of radiolarians from the Early to Middle Miocene sequence of Andaman-Nicobar belonging to Stichocorys wolffii-Calocycletta costata-Dorcadospyris alata zones. These faunal changes are reflected in the values of species diversity, change in abundance of taxa, origination and extinction events and change in radiolarian assemblages. One such faunal change is identified in the latest Early Miocene. The time of this faunal change is marked by the extinction of species like Carpocanopsis cingulata and appearance of Calocycletta costata, Giraffospyris toxaria, Acrocubus octopylus and Liriospyris parkerae, an increasing trend in percentage of cold water species and a decreasing trend in species diversity upwards. The interval coincides with the time of initiation of cooling of sea surface water. Another, and the most prominent faunal turnover of radiolarians is recognized in the Middle Miocene Dorcadospyris alata Zone at about 14.8–12.7 Ma and is characterized by almost complete disappearance of an earlier dominant assemblage and an increase in abundance of an assemblage that was practically absent in the older sequence. The time of this turnover can be correlated with the time of Middle Miocene cooling identified in the examined sequence.     

Planktonic foraminiferal biostratigraphy and faunal turnover events during the Late Cretaceous-Early Tertiary along the Red Sea Coast, Egypt

Planktonic foraminiferal assemblages from the Late Cretaceous-Early Tertiary sedimentary sequence in Quseir (Hammadat section), Safaga (Wasif section) and Esh El-Mellaha (Esh El-Mellaha section) areas along the Red Sea Coast, provide a database for biostratigraphical subdivisions and marking of faunal changes. Ten planktonic foraminiferal zones were found. There are, from base to top, the Late Cretaceous Globotruncana ægyptiaca and Gansserina gansseri Zones and the Early Tertiary Parasubbotina pseudobulloides, Praemurica trinidadensis, P. uncinata, Morozovella angulata, Igorina pusilla, Globanomalina pseudomenardii, Morozovella velascoensis and M. edgari zones.Two intervals of non-deposition of sediments (hiatuses) in the study areas are recorded, indicating tectonic events. The first hiatus occurred all over the study areas near the Cretaceous/Tertiary boundary. The second hiatus is restricted to the Late Palæocene of the Safaga area.Two global planktonic foraminiferal faunal turnover events are identified, reflecting major palæoceanographic changes. The faunal turnover event I occurred near the M. angulata/I. pusilla boundary near the Palæocene/Eocene boundary. These turnovers are characterised by the appearance and disappearance of species and changes in relative abundance, diversity and richness of species. Oscillation in the mean sea level in the study areas during the Late Cretaceous-Early Tertiary may be related to a true eustatic change in addition to the evidence for local tectonic control.     

Dinoflagellate and foraminiferal biostratigraphy of the Gurpi Formation (upper Santonian–upper Maastrichtian), Zagros Mountains, Iran

A rich dinoflagellate cyst assemblage has been recovered from an outcrop of the Gurpi Formation, the hydrocarbon source rock in the South Iranian Basin. Key dinoflagellates recorded in the section studied provide a means of correlation with zonation schemes for Australasia and north-west Europe. These include Eucladinium kaikourense, Nelsoniella aceras, Odontochitina spp., Cannosphaeropsis utinensis, Palaeocystodinium denticulatum and Dinogymnium spp. The assemblage points to a late Santonian–late Maastrichtian age for the Gurpi Formation. Dinoflagellate and planktonic foraminiferal evidence indicates the presence of a hiatus spanning the uppermost Maastrichtian to at least the lowermost Danian at the base of a glaucony-rich layer separating the Gurpi Formation from the overlying Pabdeh Formation. Palynofacies and lithofacies profiles suggest that the sediments were deposited in an open, relatively deep marine outer ramp environment belonging to ramp facies 8 and 9.     

Reef development on a deepening platform: two Early Cretaceous coralgal patch reefs (Catí, Llàcova Formation, eastern Spain) compared

Two coralgal patch reefs of the Hauterivian Llàcova Formation (Maestrat Basin, eastern Spain), exposed at two consecutive stratigraphic levels within a single section, have been studied to document taxonomic implications of a changing environment. These two reefal palaeocommunities differ substantially in coral taxonomic composition, microbialite formation pattern and in abundance and composition of encrusters and bioeroders. Of a total of 14 coral species, just one (Stylina parvistella) occurs in both reefs, yet is abundant in the (lower) reef A and rare, occurring near the reef base, in the reef B assemblage. Reef A is dominated by a phototrophic fauna and coral species with small corallites and imperforate septa (a stylinid-thamnasteriid-heterocoeniid-actinastreid association), along with an encruster association dominated by Bacinella and Lithocodium. Reef B is characterised by a balanced phototrophic-heterotrophic fauna that gradually passes into a heterotrophic-dominated assemblage. During this latest growth stage, microsolenid corals dominated the assemblage. The encruster fauna is characterised by sponges, polychaetes and bryozoans. Moderate deepening during a transgressive systems tract (TST) depositional sequence and elevated nutrient supply are interpreted to represent the driving environmental parameters that caused faunal compositions to differ between these two reefal palaeocommunities. Nine coral taxa, previously known only from younger (Barremian–Cenomanian) strata, have been identified, namely Dimorphocoenia? rudis, Eocomoseris raueni, Eocomoseris sp., Holocoenia jaccardi, Latusastrea irregularis, Mesomorpha sp., Microsolena kugleri, Polyphylloseris mammillata and Polyphylloseris sp. This observation emphasises the importance of the Hauterivian Stage as a period of evolutionary transition in Late Jurassic–Cretaceous coral faunas.     

Effect of the Red Sea brine-filled deeps (Shaban and Kebrit) on the composition and abundance of benthic and planktonic foraminifera

Composition and abundance of benthic and planktonic foraminifera in surface sediments of the brine-filled Shaban and Kebrit Deeps and some bathyal-slope environments in the northern Red Sea were examined for correlation with environmental conditions (e.g., bathymetry, sediment grain-size, organic matter, and carbonates) of the brine-filled deeps and normal Red Sea water. About 67 benthic foraminiferal species were recorded in these sediments. The lowest faunal density and diversity were recorded in the Shaban and Kebrit Deeps, whereas the highest density and diversity were recorded in the bathyal-slope sediments. Cluster analysis divided the benthic foraminiferal species into three major faunal assemblages. Buccella granulata–Gyroidinoides soldanii–Bolivina persiensis assemblage dominated the 650–1,300 m depth due to predominance of oligotrophic, highly oxygenated bottom waters. The Melonis novozealandicum–Spirophthalmidium acutimargo assemblage was recorded in the deep and bathyal-slope sediments indicating its tolerance for wider ranges of environmental conditions. The deeps were only dominated by the Brizalina spathulata assemblage indicating existence of un-totally anoxic conditions. The deeps yielded also very low planktonic foraminiferal density that may be attributed to occurrence of the seawater–brine interface which not only minimized the deposition of high buoyancy, large-test species (Globigerinoides sacculifer, Globigerinella siphonifera, and Orbulina universa), but also overestimated the small-test species (Globigerinoides ruber, Globoturborotalita rubescens, and Globigerinita glutinata) in the sediments. These findings should be taken into consideration when reconstructing paleoceanographic conditions of the Red Sea using core sediments from the brine-filled deeps.     

湖南汝城盆地原定中侏罗世地层发现早白垩世孢粉组合

通过对湖南汝城盆地原定为中侏罗统的李家洞水库剖面28个孢粉样品的分析处理,发现24个样品有孢粉化石,化石呈现早白垩世孢粉化石组合特征。发现的早白垩世特征分子有高含量的无突肋纹孢Cicatricosisporites,徐氏孢Hsuisporites,刺毛孢Pilosisporites,膜环弱缝孢Aequitriradites,二连粉Erlianpollis,有突肋纹孢Appendicisporites,微囊粉Parvisaccites,以及少量被子植物花粉。依据孢粉化石组合特征,建议将本剖面时代重新厘定为早白垩世。     

Late Pliocene and Pleistocene small mammal chronology in the Italian peninsula

The abundant documentation of small mammals in the Italian peninsula, collected over recent years, furnishes a detailed biochronological sequence mainly from the Late Pliocene onwards. An updated stratigraphic framework is here presented, based on the European small mammal biozonation. The Early Villanyian is characterized by Mimomys hassiacus, M. stehlini, and, later, poorly documented M. polonicus. The Late Villanyian localities are well characterized with M. pliocaenicus, M. pitymyoides and M. tigliensis. The older part of the Early Biharian is documented by assemblages containing Microtus (Allophaiomys) ex gr. pliocaenicus, M. pusillus, M. cf. ostramosensis and M. tornensis, while the later part of the Early Biharian, is characterized by advanced Microtus (Allophaiomys) species occurring together with M. pusillus or M. blanci. In the Late Biharian M. savini, Microtus hintoni-gregaloides, Microtus (Iberomys) ex gr. huescarensis-brecciensis and Terricola arvalidens occur. The Early Toringian with A. mosbachensis, Allocricetus bursae, Pliomys episcopalis and small-sized Microtus brecciensis, and the Late Toringian with A. terrestris in diversified associations are quoted. The most important faunal events are calibrated by independent chronological controls, thanks to the record of small mammals from lacustrine deposits. Several figures illustrate the most significant rodent species occurring in the succession of selected Italian localities.     

Lithostratigraphical correlation of micromammal sites and biostratigraphy of the Upper Pliocene to Lower Pleistocene in the Northeast Guadix‐Baza Basin (southern Spain)

The Plio‐Pleistocene non‐marine sequence in the northeast Guadix–Baza Basin (southern Spain) comprises alluvial and lacustrine deposits (Baza Formation). The results of a revised lithostratigraphical correlation between sections from the middle and upper members of the Baza Formation in the northeast part of the basin, supported by detailed mapping, is presented. The position of micromammal sites in the lithostratigraphical scheme, together with the results of intensive palaeontological sampling for small mammal remains, has allowed us to develop a high‐resolution biostratigraphical framework for the area. This provides an opportunity to refine the biozonation for the Plio‐Pleistocene micromammal faunas, and to define faunal events from the late Villanyian (late Pliocene) to the early Pleistocene. On the basis of the lithostratigraphical and biostratigraphical approaches we obtain the following sequence of biozones for the late Pliocene to early Pleistocene: Kislangia gusii, Mimomys cf. reidi, M. oswaldoreigi, Allophaiomys pliocaenicus and A. burgondiae. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Larger foraminifera distribution and strontium isotope stratigraphy of the La Cova limestones (Coniacian–Santonian, “Serra del Montsec”, Pyrenees, NE Spain)

The Upper Cretaceous La Cova limestones (southern Pyrenees, Spain) host a rich and diverse larger foraminiferal fauna, which represents the first diversification of K-strategists after the mass extinction at the Cenomanian–Turonian boundary.The stratigraphic distribution of the main taxa of larger foraminifera defines two assemblages. The first assemblage is characterised by the first appearance of lacazinids (Pseudolacazina loeblichi) and meandropsinids (Eofallotia simplex), by the large agglutinated Montsechiana montsechiensis, and by several species of complex rotalids (Rotorbinella campaniola, Iberorotalia reicheli, Orbitokhatina wondersmitti and Calcarinella schaubi). The second assemblage is defined by the appearance of Lacazina pyrenaica, Palandrosina taxyae and Martiguesia cyclamminiformis.A late Coniacian-early Santonian age was so far accepted for the La Cova limestones, based on indirect correlation with deep-water facies bearing planktic foraminifers of the Dicarinella concavata zone. Strontium isotope stratigraphy, based on many samples of pristine biotic calcite of rudists and ostreids, indicates that the La Cova limestones span from the early Coniacian to the early-middle Santonian boundary. The first assemblage of larger foraminifera appears very close to the early-middle Coniacian boundary and reaches its full diversity by the middle Coniacian. The originations defining the second assemblage are dated as earliest Santonian: they represent important bioevents to define the Coniacian-Santonian boundary in the shallow-water facies of the South Pyrenean province.By means of the calibration of strontium isotope stratigraphy to the Geological Time Scale, the larger foraminiferal assemblages of the La Cova limestones can be correlated to the standard biozonal scheme of ammonites, planktonic foraminifers and calcareous nannoplankton. This correlation is a first step toward a larger foraminifera standard biozonation for Upper Cretaceous carbonate platform facies.     

A new site from the Spanish Middle Pleistocene with cold-resistant faunal elements: La Parte (Asturias,Spain)

The La Parte (Asturias) northern Spain site contains a cold-adapted mammal faunal assemblage that corresponds to a level radiometrically dated to a minimum age of 150 ka. It represents the most ancient site with cold resistant fauna in the Iberian Peninsula.Among the species recorded in La Parte, Coelodonta antiquitatis and Rangifer tarandus represent the typical cold-adapted large mammal association.The presence of the woolly rhino at La Parte provides relevant environmental information about the Mammoth Steppe. This species was not as abundant in the Middle Pleistocene as during the Late Pleistocene, when its cold-adapted features can be studied from an evolutionary perspective. The remains attributed to R. tarandus suggest an open steppe ecosystem.The presence of Marmota sp. is also confirmed in La Parte. A first interpretation would suggest an alpine or periglacial ecosystem, but based on recent results which do not support the correlation between phylogeny and climatic tolerance for extant species of Marmota (López and Cuenca, 2002. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 186, 311), we propose the presence of this rodent suggests an open landscape with cold conditions.The rest of the taxa included in the La Parte assemblage (Crocuta crocuta, Panthera leo, Cervus elaphus, Megaloceros cf. giganteus, Bison priscus and Equus caballus) are usually associated with typical cold-adapted faunas, but they are also found in woody temperate zones so they do not characterize by themselves a cold period. The faunal association from La Parte suggests a combination of steppic and open woodland ecological conditions.     

Conodonts from the Upper Cambrian Sesong and Hwajeol Formations in the Sabuk Area, South Korea

This paper presents a conodont biostratigraphic study on the Upper Cambrian Sesong and Hwajeol Formations in the Sabuk area, Korea. Two samples near the base of the Sesong Slate at the Pukil section contain lower Upper Cambrian conodonts, comprising Furnishina furnishi, F. kranzae, F. pernical, F. triangulate, Hertzina elongata, Laiwugnathus doidyxus?, Phakelodus elongatus, Muellerodus? obliquus, Westergaardodina matsushitai and W. moessebergensis. This is the first conodont record of the Upper Cambrian formations recovered yet in the northern limb of the Paekunsan syncline. The faunal assemblage is correctable with the lower Upper Cambrian W. matsushitai Zone of North China. Four local biozones are recognized in the Hwajeol Formation, i.e. the Proconodontus, Eoconodontus notchpeakensis, Cambrooistodus minutus and Cordylodus proavus Zones in ascending order. This zonal scheme is essentially equivalent to that of the southern limb of the Paekunsan syncline and they are correlatable with zones in other pa     

Rugose corals from the Upper Ordovician Sholeshook Limestone of southwest Wales with an assessment of the coral affinities and biofacies

Limestone horizons of Upper Ordovician (Katian) age in southwest Wales contain diverse fossil faunas including rugose corals. The existence of Ordovician Rugosa in Wales was first reported by Murchison in the 1830s, but since then hardly any specimens have been documented systematically until this present study. Newly collected material from the area around Llanddowror (Carmarthenshire) has now confirmed the diversity of rugose corals in the Sholeshook Limestone (Katian age), an arenaceous limestone originating from the shelf edge of the palaeocontinent Avalonia. The majority of the specimens are preserved as moulds. This means that in many instances preservation of the fossils was insufficient for specific identification; nevertheless, it was possible to document a diverse rugose coral fauna, including Helicelasma, probable Grewingkia and Kenophyllum, and a potential early mucophyllid. While associated with considerable difficulties, as some diagnostic features of Rugosa are not visible in moulds, it is demonstrated here that the work with such specimens can result in faunal information which would otherwise be unobtainable. An assemblage of rugose and tabulate corals in the Sholeshook Limestone can be differentiated from a similar assemblage in the neighbouring Robeston Wathen Limestone which has a slightly different lithology. The fauna has strong similarities with other Avalonian (Irish, English, Belgian) as well as Baltic (Estonian and Norwegian) rugose coral faunas. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Cretaceous foraminifera from the Turonian succession at Beer, southeastern Devon, England

During Winter 2000/2001 a major cliff fall occurred at the back of the bay in Beer, southeastern Devon. In the subsequent remedial works the cliff was cleared of loose material prior to stabilisation works. This process provided a suite of samples from previously inaccessible parts of the cliff succession. By adding these samples to earlier suites of samples collected over the last 30 years it has been possible to improve our knowledge of the foraminifera of Turonian age in southwestern England.The planktic foraminifera are, perhaps, the most significant component of the assemblages as many of the taxa recorded in Devon are of southern aspect and are relatively rare in others parts of the U.K. The planktic zonation recognised in this section is, therefore, almost identical with that recorded in Tethyan areas and a precise correlation can be generated. There are relatively large numbers of important taxa such as Helvetoglobotruncana helvetica, Dicarinella imbricata, Marginotruncana sigali, M. pseudolinneiana, M. coronata and M. schneegansi. The benthic foraminifera, by comparison, are relatively rare and are represented by a low diversity assemblage. This is typical of northwestern European chalk successions of Turonian age and is coincident with the highest sea levels of the Cretaceous. In the middle to late Turonian there is a dramatic shallowing event that is recorded world-wide at this level. The assemblage changes towards the top of the accessible succession at Beer record this significant, world-wide event.     

Macrobenthic communities from wetland impoundments and adjacent open marsh habitats in South Carolina

Forty-eight core and grab samples were taken from two impoundments and an adjacent tidal creek and salt marsh during each of six sampling periods (January, June and November 1983; and January, April and July 1984). Habitats sampled within the impoundments included the perimeter ditch and shallow vegeted areas dominated byRuppia maritima, Spartina alterniflora, andScirpus robustus. The adjacent tidal creek bottom and low marsh ofS. alterniflora were sampled for comparison with the impoundment sites. Major differences in faunal composition and density of macrobenthic invertebrates were observed between habitats in this study. Macrobenthic density was highest (475 individuals 0.05 m^?2) at the impoundment site dominated byScripus robustus, where oligochaetes were abundant. The open marsh site had a density of 254 individuals 0.05 m^?2. Among unvegetated sites, density for all sampling periods was higher in Chainey Creek than in the perimeter ditches of the impoundments. The total number of taxa was highest for the open marsh and tidal creek sites. The impoundments contained vegetated sites which were inhabited by fewer species than nonimpounded sites, while the perimeter ditch sites were comparatively depauperate. Cluster and nodal analyses identified four broad assemblages based on habitat: 1) an open marsh assemblage, 2) a creek assemblage, 3) a eurytopic assemblage, and 4) an impoundment assemblage. The separation of faunal assemblages by sampling site rather than sampling period suggests that physical differences between habitats were important factors determining distribution patterns.     

Newly Discovered Fish Faunas from the Early Triassic, Karoo Basin, South Africa, and their Correlative Implications

Recent collecting in exposures of the lowermost Burgersdorp Formation (Beaufort Group), of the Karoo Basin of South Africa, has revealed a previously unknown fish fauna from the Early Triassic (Scythian), lowermost Cynognathus Assemblage Zone (CAZ), which forms an important component of the total vertebrate assemblage. The newly discovered fish material includes lungfish, saurichthyids, and a large microfauna that includes numerous isolated chondrichthyan teeth, two fin spine fragments, and actinopterygian scales and teeth. The latest fish finds, together with the lowermost Cynognathus Assemblage Zone vertebrate faunas, make this Karoo Basin Assemblage Zone one of the most diverse Early Triassic faunal assemblages, comparable in faunal diversity to those from the Czatkowice Formation (Poland) and the Arcadia Formation (Australia). The presence of the lungfish Ptychoceratodus phillipsi in the early Middle Triassic Cynognathus Assemblage Zone (Subzone B), and in the underlying latest Early Triassic Cynognathus Assemblage Zone (Subzone A), indicates that these lungfish could serve as range index fossils within the CAZ, and thus are potentially useful biostratigraphic markers across the Early-Middle Triassic boundary. Furthermore the ‘new’ fish fauna provides a vital marine realm link in particular with the faunas of Madagascar and Australia, that is unavailable using the tetrapod faunal elements of the lower CAZ.     

New chitinozoans from the historical type area of the Hirnantian Stage and additional key sections in the Wye Valley,Wales, UK

The type locality for several core elements of the Hirnantia brachiopod fauna is a small disused quarry on the western slopes of Cwm Hirnant. There, the Hirnant Limestone Member of the Foel‐y‐Ddinas Mudstone Formation yields a new, well‐preserved chitinozoan assemblage, attributed to the Spinachitina taugourdeaui Biozone. This allows tight correlation with the Hirnantian of Baltica and Laurentia and neatly ties the chitinozoan zonation with the classical brachiopod fauna. Nearby, the chitinozoan assemblage from the Caradoc Cymerig Limestone Member at Gelli‐grîn belongs to the Spinachitina cervicornis Biozone?, and is identical to that recovered from the Burrellian in the Onny Valley, Welsh Borderland. A Silurian assemblage higher up section, discovered in the Cwm‐yr‐Aethnen Formation, is attributed to the globally recognized Eisenackitina dolioliformis Biozone. Attempts to integrate the chitinozoan and graptolite biozonation, in the central Welsh Rhayader area, were less successful. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Radiolarians of the Volgian and Berriasian stages of the North of Central Siberia

The stratigraphic distribution of radiolarians in the Nordvik reverence section of the Volgian Stage was studied and analyzed. The Arctocapsula magna Bragin assemblage of the middle Volgian and the Arctocapsula perforata Bragin assemblage of the late Volgian-early Berriasian are distinguished in the section. Both assemblages are dominated by nassellarian radiolarians of the family Echinocampidae Bragin, which are known at present only from the Arctic and Boreal regions.