Representatives of the Neocosmoceras (Neocomitidae, Ammonoidea) genus from the Berriasian of the Crimean Mountains and their stratigraphic significance

The genus Euthymiceras is considered as the junior synonym of the genus Neocosmoceras. Four species N. euthymi, N. cf. transfigurabilis, N. minutus sp. nov., and N. giganteus sp. nov. from the Berriasian deposits of the Crimean Mountains are described for the first time. The biostratigraphic unit formerly termed the “Euthymiceras-Neocosmoceras Beds” is ranked now as the Neocosmoceras euthymi Subzone with a synonymous index species. The subzone is correlated to the following biostratigraphic units: the synonymous subzone of the northern Caucasus, the Neocosmoceras-Septaliphoria semenovi (upper part) and Buchia volgensis local zones of Mangyshlak, the upper part of the Riasanites rjasanensis Zone in the East European platform, and the paramimounum Subzone of the boissieri Zone in the standard zonation of the Tethyan ammonites.     

Ammonite <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fauriella boissieri</Emphasis> (Pictet), the index species of the Berriasian upper zone from the Crimean Mountains

Ammonite Fauriella boissieri (Pictet), the index species of the Berriasian upper zone, is described for the first time as taxon occurring in the Crimean Mountains. In the Berriasian sections of the central Crimea and Chatyr-Dag massif, species F. boissieri are encountered only in association with upper Berriasian ammonites. The Berriasian-Valanginian boundary has not been identified based on ammonites in the Crimean Mountains. Consequently, there is no reason to include the otopeta Zone into the boissieri Zone in the rank of its upper subzone.     

Biostratigraphy of Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary sediments in the Eastern Crimea

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

Early Berriasian ammonites from Shal, Talesh region (NW Alborz Mountains, Iran)

An early Berriasian (Berriasella jacobi Zone) ammonite fauna is described for the first time from the Alborz Mountains in northwest Iran. It has been collected from a section located near the village of Shal (Talesh region); in addition to rare phylloceratids, lytoceratids and Neolissoceras, the majority of ammonites belong to the neocomitid subfamily Berriasellinae. With the exception of a new genus and species, Taleshites fuersichi, these taxa are common in European and North African Tethyan successions. Associated calpionellids confirm the early Berriasian age of the ammonite-bearing levels.     

New data on Upper Kimmeridgian-Tithonian biostratigraphy and ammonites of the eastern Crimea

Based on ammonites, Upper Kimmeridgian sediments are first established in the Crimean Mountains. The Kimmeridgian-Tithonian boundary recognizable in a continuous section is placed inside the Dvuyakomaya Formation of uniform largely clayey sediments. Assemblages of Kimmeridgian ammonites Lingulaticeras cf. procurvum (Ziegler), Pseudowaagenia gemmellariana Oloriz, Euvirgalithacoceras cf. tantalus (Herbich), Subplanites sp.) and Tithonian forms (?Lingulaticeras efimovi (Rogov), Phylloceras consaguineum Gemmellaro, Oloriziceras cf. schneidi Tavera, and Paraulacosphinctes cf. transitorius (Oppel) are described. A new biostratigraphic scheme proposed for the upper Tithonian-Berriasian of the Crimean Mountains includes the following new biostratigraphic units: the Euvirgalithacoceras cf. tantalus Beds of the upper Kimmeridgian, ?Lingulaticeras efimovi Beds of the lower Tithonian, and Oloriziceras cf. schneidi and Paraulacosphinctes cf. transitorius beds of the upper Tithonian. The middle Tithonian is proposed to consist of the fallauxi and semiforme (presumably) zones. The ammonities found determine the early Kimmeridgian-Berriasian age of the Dvuyakornaya Formation that is most likely in tectonic contact with the underlying Khutoran Formation.     

Representatives of genera <Emphasis Type="Italic">Malbosiceras</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pomeliceras</Emphasis> (Neocomitidae,Ammonoidea) from the Berriasian of the Crimean Mountains

The revised representatives of ammonite genera Malbosiceras and Pomeliceras from the Berriasian of the Crimean Mountains are classed with seven species, four of the first genus [M. malbosi (Pictet), M. chaperi (Pictet), M. broussei (Mazenot), M. pictetiforme Tavera] and three of the second one [P. aff. boisseti Nikolov, P. breveti (Pomel), P. (?) funduklense Lysenko et Arkadiev sp. nov.]. The identified species are described. The genus Mazenoticeras is considered as synonym of Malbosiceras. The above species prove that all the Berriasian zones (jacobi, occitanica and boissieri) are characteristic of corresponding deposits in the Crimean Mountains.     

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

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

The upper Volgian Substage in Northeast Siberia (Nordvik Peninsula) and its Panboreal correlation based on ammonites

Section of the middle and upper Volgian substages and basal Boreal Berriasian in the Cape Urdyuk-Khaya (Nordvik Peninsula) is largely composed of dark argillites substantially enriched in C_org. Characteristic of the section is a continuous succession of ammonite, foraminiferal, ostracode, and dinocyst zones known also in the other Arctic areas. Boundaries of the upper Volgian Substage are recognizable only based on biostratigraphic criteria. The succession of the middle Volgian Taimyrosphinctes excentricus to basal Ryazanian Hectoroceras kochi zones is characterized. The range of the substage is revised. The lower Exoticus Zone, where ammonites characteristic of the Nikitini Zone upper part in the East European platform have been found, is referred to the middle Volgian Substage. Newly found ammonites are figured. Two possible positions of the Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary in the Arctic region, i.e., at the lower and upper boundaries of the Chetae Zone at the top of the upper Volgian Substage, are discussed.     

Revision of the ammonite index species Berriasella jacobi Mazenot, 1939 and its consequences for the biostratigraphy of the Berriasian Stage

Berriasella jacobi is a key ammonite taxon that has been widely used for the definition of the Tithonian/Berriasian boundary and has been widely quoted in the literature as the index species for the lowest zone of the Berriasian Stage. The taxonomic revision of B. jacobi shows that it should be excluded from the genus Berriasella and transferred to the genus Strambergella. Analysis of the literature has convinced us that most specimens illustrated as B. jacobi have been misidentified. New collection at Le Font de Saint Bertrand (Les Combes, Glandage, Drôme, France) shows us the type series corresponds to the microconch form of a dimorphic pair. New integrated data on its stratigraphic distribution causes us to question its value as an index species for the base of the Berriasian.     

Late Maastrichtian cephalopods,dinoflagellate cysts and foraminifera from the Cretaceous–Paleogene succession at Lechówka,southeast Poland: Stratigraphic and environmental implications

The Lechówka section comprises the most complete Cretaceous–Paleogene (K-Pg) boundary succession in Poland and is among 29 sites worldwide with the youngest ammonite record. Here, cephalopods (ammonites and nautilids), organic-walled dinoflagellates (dinocysts) and foraminifera from the uppermost Maastrichtian interval are studied. In terms of ammonite biostratigraphy, the upper Maastrichtian Hoploscaphites constrictus crassus Zone is documented up to a level 120 cm below the K-Pg boundary. There is no direct, ammonite-based evidence of the highest Maastrichtian H. constrictus johnjagti Zone. However, the predominance of the dinocyst marker taxon Palynodinium grallator suggests the presence of the equivalent of the uppermost Maastrichtian Thalassiphora pelagica Subzone, which is correlatable with the H. c. johnjagti ammonite Zone. The planktonic foraminiferal assemblage is coeval with that from the H. c. johnjagti Zone as well. These data indicate that the top of the Maastrichtian at Lechówka is complete within the limits of biostratigraphic resolution, albeit slightly condensed. The dinocyst and foraminiferal assemblages are dominated by taxa that are characteristic of high-energy, marginal marine environments. A reduction in test size among the calcareous epifaunal benthic foraminifera is observed at a level 50 cm below the K-Pg boundary, which is possibly related to environmental stress associated with Deccan volcanism.     

The Jurassic/Cretaceous boundary in the Apulco area by means of calpionellids and calcareous dinoflagellates: An alternative to the classical Mazatepec section in eastern Mexico

A detailed bed-by-bed sampling within the Pimienta and the Lower Tamaulipas Formations from a section in the Apulco area (Puebla State, Eastern Mexico), allows the delimitation of the Jurassic/Cretaceous boundary. The Late Tithonian was identified by the presence of calpionellids of the Crassicollaria Zone (Colomi Subzone) and calcareous dinocysts of the Proxima Zone. The Tithonian/Berriasian boundary was placed at the acme of Calpionella alpina (small forms) between samples MZT 45–46. The Berriasian was divided into two main units, namely the Calpionella Zone, further subdivided into the Alpina, Ferasini and Elliptica subzones, and the Calpionellopsis Zone, within which only the Oblonga subzone was identified. The vertical distribution of calpionellids and their assemblages in the biozones of this Mexican section fit those from other Tethyan areas.     

New data on the magnetostratigraphy of the Jurassic–Cretaceous boundary interval,Nordvik Peninsula (northern East Siberia)

The results of this study were used to identify a reversed polarity magnetozone, referred to as M17r, in Berriasian sections of the Nordvik Peninsula (northern East Siberia) within the normal polarity magnetozone (M18n) from previous studies. The new magnetozone embraces the Volgian–Ryazanian boundary (Chetaites chetae/C. sibiricus zonal boundary). It was also found that the former magnetozone M17r at Nordvik, which includes the C. sibiricus/Hectoroceras kochi zonal boundary should correspond to magnetozone M16r. Using magnetostratigraphic and biostratigraphic criteria proves that the Boreal C. sibiricus Zone is correlated with at least the major part of the Tethyan Tirnovella occitanica Zone, and the Boreal H. kochi Zone is correlated with the lower part of the Malbosiceras paramimounum Subzone of the Tethyan Fauriella boissieri Zone.     

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.     

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.     

Stage boundaries of the Triassic in Northeast Asia

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

Biostratigraphy and ammonites of the Middle Oxfordian to lowermost Upper Kimmeridgian in northern Central Siberia

The Middle Oxfordian to lowermost Upper Kimmeridgian ammonite faunas from northern Central Siberia (Nordvik, Chernokhrebetnaya, and Levaya Boyarka sections) are discussed, giving the basis for distinguishing the ammonite zones based on cardioceratid ammonites of the genus Amoeboceras (Boreal zonation), and, within the Kimmeridgian Stage, faunas–for distinguishing zones based on the aulacostephanid ammonites (Subboreal zonation). The succession of Boreal ammonites is essentially the same as in other areas of the Arctic and NW Europe, but the Subboreal ammonites differ somewhat from those known from NW Europe and Greenland. The Siberian aulacostephanid zones—the Involuta Zone and the Evoluta Zone—are correlated with the Baylei Zone (without its lowermost portion), and the Cymodoce Zone/lowermost part of the Mutabilis Zone (the Askepta Subzone) from NW Europe. The uniform character of the Boreal ammonite faunas in the Arctic makes possible a discussion on their phylogeny during the Late Oxfordian and Kimmeridgian: the succession of particular groups of Amoeboceras species referred to successive subgenera is revealed by the occurrence of well differentiated assemblages of typical normal-sized macro and microconchs, intermittently marked by the occurrence of assemblages of paedomorphic “small-sized microconchs” appearing at some levels preceeding marked evolutionary modifications. Some comments on the paleontology of separate groups of ammonites are also given. These include a discussion on the occurrence of Middle Oxfordian ammonites of the genus Cardioceras in the Nordvik section in relation to the critical review of the paper of Rogov and Wierzbowski (2009) by Nikitenko et al. (2011). The discussion shows that the oldest deposits in the section belong to the Middle Oxfordian, which results in the necessity for some changes in the foraminiferal zonal scheme of Nikitenko et al. (2011). The ammonites of the Pictonia involuta group are distinguished as the new subgenus Mesezhnikovia Wierzbowski and Rogov.     

Ammonite biostratigraphy of the Albian in the Kirchrode II borehole, Hannover, Germany

The ammonite biostratigraphy of the 279.35 m of sediments of mid-Late Albian–Early Albian age traversed by the Kirchrode II (1/94) boring is described. The borehole was drilled in the Hermann-Löns Park, Kirchrode (Hannover), northwest Germany, in the central region of the Lower Saxony sedimentary basin. The core commenced within the Kirchrode Mergel Member of the Gault Formation in sediments of Callihoplites auritus Subzone age and showed a Late Albian ammonite zonal succession similar to that previously described by Wiedmann and Owen from the lower part of the nearby Kirchrode I (1/91) core, with which it is correlated. The thick underlying clay sediments of the Minimus Ton Member (Middle Albian–late Early Albian) provided a relatively sparse ammonite fauna. In the Middle Albian part of the sediment succession, several hiatuses are present and only sediments of the lower Euhoplites loricatus Zone (Anahoplites intermedius Subzone) and the Hoplites dentatus Zone (Hoplites spathi Subzone) have been identified. This is followed downward by a thick sedimentary succession through the upper part of the Early Albian Douvilleiceras mammillatum Superzone (Otohoplites auritiformis Zone). Earlier mammillatum and perhaps latest Leymeriella tardefurcata Zone portions of the core straddling the Minimus Ton/Schwicheldt Ton boundary, did not yield ammonites. The underlying sediments at the top of the Schwicheldt Ton Member, consist of dark clays and mudstones with a good representation of the Leymeriella (Neoleymeriella) regularis Subzone and the uppermost part of the Leymeriella acuticostata Subzone (Leymeriella tardefurcata Zone). Of particular importance is the succession through the sediments of the L. (N.) regularis Subzone, hitherto poorly known in north Germany. A brief comparison and correlation is made with other surface and borehole sections in northern Germany and elsewhere. The Boreal and more cosmopolitan Tethyan elements of the fauna are indicated and discussed. An appendix of ammonites obtained from the Mittellandkanal section at Misburg of latest Albian, Arraphoceras (Praeschloenbachia) briacensis Subzone age, completes the study.     

Ammonite assemblages from basal layers of the Ryazanian Stage (Lower Cretaceous) of Central Russia

Five successive ammonite assemblages are distinguished in the basal part (Riasanites rjasanensis Zone s. l.) of the Ryazanian Stage of the East European platform. These are (from the base upward) (1) Hectoroceras tolijense; (2) Hectoroceras kochi; (3) Riasanites swistowianus; (4) Riasanites rjasanensis; and (5) Transcaspiites transfigurabilis assemblages. Two lower assemblages consist entirely of boreal taxa, which occur in association with diverse ammonites of the Tethyan origin higher in the section. The data obtained show that three upper assemblages are correlative with the Berriasian Dalmasiceras tauricum, Riasanites rjasanensis-Spiticeras cautleyi, and Euthymiceras euthymi subzones of the northern Caucasus. The succession of five–six ammonite assemblages established in the East European platform above the top of the Craspedites nodiger Zone may correspond to the same number of ammonite assemblages characterizing lower subzones of the standard Berriasian. Berriasella rulevae Mitta, sp. nov. from the upper part of the Riasanites rjasanensis Zone (transfigurabilis biohorizon) is described.     

The first definite record of a Valanginian ichthyosaur and its implications on the evolution of post-Liassic Ichthyosauria

A complete ichthyosaur rostrum, with 124 associated teeth, was recently discovered in Laux-Montaux locality, department of Drôme, southeastern France. The associated belemnites and ammonites indicate a late Valanginian age (Neocomites peregrinus Zone, Olcostephanus nicklesi Subzone) for this fossil, which consequently represents the first diagnostic ichthyosaur ever reported from Valanginian strata. This specimen also represents the first occurrence of Aegirosaurus outside the Tithonian (Upper Jurassic) lithographic limestones of Bavaria (southern Germany). Tooth morphology and wear pattern suggest that Aegirosaurus belonged to the “Pierce II/ Generalist” feeding guild, which was hitherto not represented in post-Liassic ichthyosaurs. Most Late Jurassic ichthyosaurs actually crossed the Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary.     

Zonal correlation and boundaries of the lower Carnian Substage in Northeastern Asia

The stratigraphic distribution of ammonoids was analyzed in the Daxatina canadensis Subzone of the Trachyceras Zone distinguished in the Dolomites of Italy. It was established that ammonoids of the Daxatina and Trachyceras genera are confined to the lower and upper parts of the canadensis Subzone in the Stuores-Wiesen section, which was suggested as a global stratigraphic section of the lower boundary of the Carnian Stage. Owing to discreteness of the ammonoid complex and absence of the Trachyceras genus, the lower part of the canadensis Subzone was excluded from the Trachyceras generic zone and is considered as the independent Daxatina canadensis Zone, which overlies the Frankites regoledanus Zone. On the basis of the principle of priority and similar ammonoids of the canadensis and regoledanus zones, the lower boundary of the Carnian Stage was accepted in the basement of the Alpine Trachyceras aon Zone and coincides with appearance of the Trachyceras genus. The main problems of the Boreal-Tethyan correlation of the Lower Carnian and adjacent stratigraphic levels are reviewed. The composition and distribution of the Lower Carnian ammonoids of northeastern Asia are specified taking into account the results of the revision of the Early Carnian trachyceratids of this region. Being the traditional biomarkers of the basal beds of the Carnian Stage in the Tethys, the ammonoids of the Trachyceras genus, which were unknown before in the Boreal Realm, were identified for the first time in the Lower Carnian of northeastern Asia. The Lower Carnian rocks of northeastern Asia, British Columbia, and the Alps were zonally correlated and the Lower Carnian boundaries were substantiated in the Boreal Realm. The Boreotrachyceras omkutchanicum Zone correlates with the Alpine Trachyceras aon Zone by the presence of the Trachyceras genus and stratigraphic position over the Stolleyites tenuis Zone and its analogs in British Columbia. The ammonoid complex of the Neosirennites armiger Zone includes Sirenites s.s., in particular, Sirenites ovinus Tozer species, known in the upper zone of the Lower Carnian of British Columbia (Sirenites nanseni), which allows comparison of the armiger and nanseni zones and, through it, with the upper part of the Alpine Austrotrachyceras austriacum Zone.