Freshwater tufa stromatolites in the basal Purbeck Formation (Upper Jurassic), Isle of Portland,Dorset

Recent interpretations of the tufaceous limestones from within the ‘Caps Beds’ on the Isle of Portland have suggested a depositional environment of intertidal flats and lagoons with typically higher than normal marine salinity levels, a stark contrast with earlier ideas of a freshwater origin. However, evidence is presented in this paper to show that these deposits are indeed most likely to be freshwater in origin. The micro-fabrics observed are typical of those seen in freshwater tufas forming at the present day, and contrast with those observed within intertidal/subtidal stromatolites. Furthermore, the Portland deposits lack syndepositional evaporite deposits, they lack recognizable intertidal deposits, and any lagoonal sediments observed are depositionally distinct from the tufas. Finally, the soil horizons observed are clear evidence of periodic subaerial exposure and isolation from marine influences. Four facies types are identified on Portland: (1) tufaceous limestone; (2) littoral grainstones; (3) subaerial stromatolites; and (4) paleosols. Each facies is repeated a number of times through the sequence, and evidence is presented to show that these formed in a marginal marine setting as a response to a series of minor transgressive (soils to freshwater lakes/lagoon to saline marine/lagoonal) and regressive events (saline marine/lagoonal to soils). The tufa stromatolite deposits themselves, which are often developed around cylindrical holes (representing former tree trunks and branches), are shown to have developed seasonally, by the precipitation of carbonate, due to microbial activity within the freshwater lake environment. Precipitation appears to have been most intense around tree bases (and any associated vegetation), where an active biofilm developed on the underlying soil substrate. Two distinct textures are recognized in this material: (1) micro-porous and (2) macro-porous. These developed together in a crudely laminated, semi-concentric pattern around the holes and together may represent a seasons growth of tufa.     

Clastic sediments associated with radiolarites (Tauglboden—Schichten, Upper Jurassic, Eastern Alps)

During the early Upper Jurassic, widespread deep-sea radiolarites were deposited in most parts of the Northern Limestone Alps. In the formation described (Tauglboden-Schichten), these pelagic sediments interfinger with local-source clastic material. Depending on the topography and the kind of material, either slides and slumps, mudflows, grain flows or turbidity currents operated and formed slump-folded beds, mud-flow breccias, fluxoturbidites or turbidites. A breccia had been traced over an area of 20 km². Its variation is described in terms of lithological columns, bed thicknesses, maximum grain sizes and grain orientations. It forms a tongue-shaped body, which was probably a part of a submarine fan. The fluxoturbidites of the proximal area grade distally on three sides into turbidites within 3–5 km. The clastic material consists of marls and limestones of Rhaetian and Jurassic age. It was probably derived from a tectonically uplifted palaeo-high by an interplay of tectonics and gravity. The clastics were deposited on submarine fans bordering this high. In its lithology the formation closely resembles certain marginal facies of flysch troughs.     

A New Interpretation of the Corallian (Upper Jurassic) Cycles of the Dorset Coast,Southern England

The Corallian Group of the Dorset coast is reinterpreted as representing four regressive–transgressive cycles in contrast to previous interpretations which recognized four asymmetric regressive cycles. Each regressive sequence is separated at its top from each transgressive sequence by a sharp erosional contact. Overall, the regressive, coarsening-up sequences are characterized by relatively low faunal diversity, dominantly vertical burrows, relatively coarse sediments with cross-bedding and swaley cross-stratification, and the diagenesis predominantly influenced by meteoric water. In comparison, the transgressive, fining-up sequences are generally characterized by relatively high faunal diversity, dominantly horizontal burrows, basal lag deposits (1–2m in thickness) overlying a sharp, erosional surface, followed by clay or nodular wackestone and dominantly deep burial diagenesis. The consistence of the four regressive-transgressive cycles with the eustatic sea-level curve suggests that the sedimentary cycles of the Corallian outcrops may have been mainly produced by the eustatic sea-level changes. Tectonic movements may have been important in generating localized unconformity, relatively coarse clastic sediment influxes and rapid lateral facies variations. The recognition of storm- and tidally-related sedimentary features suggests that the Corallian Group of the Dorset coast may have been deposited in a storm- and tidally-influenced shallow epicontinental shelf.     

Lytoceratid ammonites from the Inferior Oolite Formation (Middle Jurassic,Aalenian and Bajocian) of Dorset (United Kingdom)

Ammonites of the family Lytoceratidae from the Middle Jurassic Inferior Oolite Formation, Aalenian to lowermost Bathonian, of Dorset are rarely described, perhaps because the macroconchs are often very large and difficult to collect intact and the microconchs are very small and easily overlooked. Detailed stratigraphical collecting over several years has shown them to be a minor part of the ammonite fauna but more common at certain horizons. Four genera, Lytoceras, Megalytoceras Nannolytoceras and Pleurolytoceras have been shown to have different stratigraphical ranges and abundances in the Aalenian and Bajocian but they have not been found in the Lower Bathonian of Dorset. The taxonomic basis of several of the well-known species is poorly described in the literature and is remedied here.     

The ammonite faunas of the Osmington Oolite Formation (Jurassic, Middle Oxfordian) of the Dorset coast

A detailed study of the lithologies of each of the beds present in the Osmington Oolite Formation of south Dorset is used to allocate numerous loose-collected ammonites to their correct stratigraphic horizons. Much new material has been collected by the author in addition to the limited amount of material available in museum collections. The age of the faunas of the three constituent members of the Osmington Oolite Formation is each assessed and placed into the context of Middle Oxfordian ammonite sequences elsewhere in England and in Europe.     

Possible persistence of the morganucodontans in the Lower Cretaceous Purbeck Limestone Group (Dorset, England)

‘Triconodonts’ are relatively rare in the new Purbeck Limestone Group mammal fauna, especially in comparison with the finds made in the nineteenth century in the same beds. However, besides some remains of the already known Triconodontidae, a new possible morganucodontan of uncertain familial affinities, Purbeckodon batei gen. et sp. nov., has been discovered, extending considerably the chronological range of the order while constituting another testimony to the vitality and diversity of Mesozoic mammals.     

New records of rare ammonite species from the Inferior Oolite Formation (Middle Jurassic,Aalenian and Lower Bajocian) of Dorset

Rare ammonite species are reported from the Inferior Oolite Formation of Dorset. In the Aalenian the ammonite Shahrudites is described from the Scissum Zone for the first time and Malladaites is recorded from the Murchisonae Zone. Tmetoceras regleyi occurs in the Scissum and Murchisonae zones and Tmetoceras henriquesae is described from the Concavum Zone. In the Lower Bajocian, specimens of Zurcheria are presented from the Discites Zone. A revised zonal scheme is used for the Aalenian Stage and two new biohorizons are introduced. The Leioceras subglabrum biohorizon is erected in the Opalinum Subzone and Leioceras evolutum in the Bifidatum Subzone.     

A nautiloid with ventral bitemarks from the Charmouth Mudstone Formation (Lower Jurassic) near Lyme Regis,Dorset, UK

Locally within the Charmouth Mudstone Formation (Sinemurian, Lower Jurassic) of the Dorset coast fatally bitten ammonites with ventral bite marks are common. Ventral bite marks occur at the rear of the body-chamber. The predator probably severed attachment muscles, thus removing its prey more easily. We report the first ventrally bitten fossil nautiloid, which is unusual in that the large bite mark is entirely within the phragmocone. The nautiloid is juvenile with a very short body-chamber extending 46° back from the apparently undamaged aperture. The whorl cross-section is nearly circular, giving the predator little to grip when biting. Nautiloid shells are also thicker than ammonite shells. Despite these difficulties, the predator bit repeatedly and damaged both the shell and septa. Five rounded bites occur on the left side, separated by sharp points. This suggests the predator was probably another cephalopod with suckered arms and powerful jaws. The centre of the bite is 160.5° back from the aperture, close to the mean value for ammonites (184.5°), suggesting the predator located the position of the first bite opposite the victim's aperture. Thus, we think the predator attacked an incomplete nautiloid shell which explains why the damage affects only the phragmocone.     

Emplacement of the Jurassic Mirdita ophiolites (southern Albania): evidence from associated clastic and carbonate sediments

Sedimentology can shed light on the emplacement of oceanic lithosphere (i.e. ophiolites) onto continental crust and post-emplacement settings. An example chosen here is the well-exposed Jurassic Mirdita ophiolite in southern Albania. Successions studied in five different ophiolitic massifs (Voskopoja, Luniku, Shpati, Rehove and Morava) document variable depositional processes and palaeoenvironments in the light of evidence from comparable settings elsewhere (e.g. N Albania; N Greece). Ophiolitic extrusive rocks (pillow basalts and lava breccias) locally retain an intact cover of oceanic radiolarian chert (in the Shpati massif). Elsewhere, ophiolite-derived clastics typically overlie basaltic extrusives or ultramafic rocks directly. The oldest dated sediments are calpionellid- and ammonite-bearing pelagic carbonates of latest (?) Jurassic-Berrasian age. Similar calpionellid limestones elsewhere (N Albania; N Greece) post-date the regional ophiolite emplacement. At one locality in S Albania (Voskopoja), calpionellid limestones are gradationally underlain by thick ophiolite-derived breccias (containing both ultramafic and mafic clasts) that were derived by mass wasting of subaqueous fault scarps during or soon after the latest stages of ophiolite emplacement. An intercalation of serpentinite-rich debris flows at this locality is indicative of mobilisation of hydrated oceanic ultramafic rocks. Some of the ophiolite-derived conglomerates (e.g. Shpati massif) include well-rounded serpentinite and basalt clasts suggestive of a high-energy, shallow-water origin. The Berriasian pelagic limestones (at Voskopoja) experienced reworking and slumping probably related to shallowing and a switch to neritic deposition. Mixed ophiolite-derived clastic and neritic carbonate sediments accumulated later, during the Early Cretaceous (mainly Barremian-Aptian) in variable deltaic, lagoonal and shallow-marine settings. These sediments were influenced by local tectonics or eustatic sea-level change. Terrigenous sediment gradually encroached from neighbouring landmasses as the ophiolite was faulted or eroded. An Aptian transgression was followed by regression, creating a local unconformity (e.g. at Boboshtica). A Turonian marine transgression initiated widespread Upper Cretaceous shelf carbonate deposition. In the regional context, the southern Albania ophiolites appear to have been rapidly emplaced onto a continental margin in a subaqueous setting during the Late Jurassic (Late Oxfordian-Late Tithonian). This was followed by gradual emergence, probably in response to thinning of the ophiolite by erosion and/or exhumation. The sedimentary cover of the south Albanian ophiolites is consistent with rapid, relatively short-distance emplacement of a regional-scale ophiolite over a local Pelagonian-Korabi microcontinent.     

Epifaunal worm tubes on Lower Jurassic (Lower Lias) ammonites from Dorset

Over 40 ammonites, mostly Promicroceras, with epifaunal worm tubes are described from the Lower Jurassic, Charmouth Mudstone Formation (Lias Group) of Dorset. Serpulids that were overgrown by the ammonites or responded to the ammonites’ growth attached to juvenile, living ammonites. Some epifaunal serpulids attached post-mortem, indicating oxygenated bottom water, which was rare in the lower Charmouth Mudstone Formation. Other serpulids do not conform to either pre- or post-mortem growth predictions and require individual assessment. The commonest pattern of growth for serpulids on live juvenile ammonites was attachment in the umbilical seam, with later growth onto, and finally around, the venter. Reconstructing this pattern shows that serpulids kept their aperture at 6 o’clock with respect to the orientation of the living ammonite (105-115° behind the ammonite aperture) throughout life. Reorientation of growth lines in serpulid worms just before the aperture suggests some worm tubes were fully grown. The 6 o’clock position of the aperture enabled feeding currents generated by the worms to parallel currents generated by swimming ammonites, thus maximizing food gathering and confirming that ammonites swam backwards. The mid-ventral position enabled the worm to deploy its branchia on both sides of the ammonite. Growth on ammonites was beneficial to the worms, but parasitic to the ammonites. Promicroceras with epifaunal worm tubes died at smaller sizes than unencumbered examples and size at death correlates inversely to extra weight of worm tubes. Uniformitarian comparisons suggest fossil serpulid worms grew in one season and that Promicroceras reached full size in two or three years.     

Stalked barnacles (Cirripedia,Thoracica) from the Upper Jurassic (Tithonian) Kimmeridge Clay of Dorset,UK; palaeoecology and bearing on the evolution of living forms

New thoracican cirripede material from the Kimmeridge Clay (Upper Jurassic, Tithonian) is described. This includes a log, encrusted on the lower surface with hundreds of perfectly preserved, articulated specimens of Etcheslepas durotrigensis Gale, 2014, and fewer specimens of Concinnalepas costata (Withers, 1928). Some individuals are preserved in life position, hanging from the underside of the wood, and the material provides new morphological information on both species. It appears that Martillepas ovalis (Withers, 1928), which occurs at the same level (Freshwater Steps Stone Band, pectinatus Zone) attached preferentially to ammonites, whereas E. durotrigensis and C. costata used wood as a substrate for their epiplanktonic lifestyle. Two regurgitates containing abundant barnacle valves, mostly broken, and some bivalve fragments, have been found in the Kimmeridge Clay. These were produced by a fish grazing on epiplanktonic species, and are only the second example of regurgitates containing barnacle valves known from the fossil record. The evolution of modern barnacle groups is discussed in the light of the new Jurassic material as well as recently published molecular phylogenies. New clades defined herein are called the Phosphatothoracica, the Calamida and the Unilatera.     

Biofacies of Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous sediments of central West Siberia

Paleontological study of Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous sediments recovered by boreholes in the Agan-Vakh and Nadym-Vengapur interfluves clarified environments of their deposition. As is shown, influx of siliciclastic material to central areas of the West Siberian sea basin varied through time. Taxonomic composition and ecological structure of nektonic and benthic fossil assemblages are analyzed and considered in terms of environmental factors such as hydrodynamics, aeration, temperature, and salinity of seawater.     

Sedimentary Conditions of Evaporites in the Late Jurassic Xiali Formation, Qiangtang Basin: Evidence from Geochemistry Records

The Qiangtang Basin (QB), located in the central Tibetan Plateau, is a Jurassic marine basin and one of the most important prospective salt resource belts in China. In recent decades, many outcrops of gypsiferous?bed have been found in the Jurassic marine strata in the basin. Salt springs with abnormally high sodium (Na+) contents had been identified in the Late Jurassic Xiali Formation (Fm.) in the basin in the last years. However, to date, no potash or halite deposits have been identified in the QB. Gypsum outcrops and salt springs are very important?signs in the investigation of halite and potash deposits. Therefore, the Xiali Fm. is?a potentially valuable layer to evaluate for the possible presence of halite and potash deposits in the basin. However,?few studies?have explored the formation?conditions of evaporites in the unit. Here, we present detailed geochemical records from the Yanshiping section related to the study of the formation?conditions of evaporites in the Xiali Fm. of the QB. Climate proxies based on the obviously increased anion concentrations of SO42? and Cl? and the significant correlation?coefficients of Ca2+-SO42? (R = 0.985) and Na+-Cl? (R = 0.8974) reveal that the upper member of the Xiali Fm. (the upper Xiali Fm.) formed under an arid climate and evolved into the sulfate phase or early chloride phase. Provenance proxies based on the obviously increased K+ and Na+ ion concentrations and the significant correlation?coefficient of Na+-Cl? (R = 0.8974) suggest that the upper Xiali Fm. featured optimal provenance conditions for the possible formation of halite deposits. The regression and the semi-closed tidal?flat environment in the upper Xiali Fm. were favorable for the formation of potash and halite deposits. The low Mg2+ /Ca2+ values (mean value = 1.82) and significant Na+-Cl? correlation?coefficient (R = 0.8974) also suggest that the upper Xiali Fm. is the layer most likely to contain potential halite deposits. In addition, the macroscopic correlations of tectonism, provenance, paleoclimate, saliferous strata and sedimentary?environment between the QB and the adjoining Amu Darya Basin in Central Asia reveal that the two basins shared similar geologic settings that were favorable for the formation of evaporites during the Late Jurassic. Therefore, the upper Xiali Fm. is a valuable layer to explore for halite deposit and may be potentially valuable in the future exploration for potash deposits in the QB.     

西藏羌塘盆地上侏罗统索瓦组油藏发现及地球化学特征

在青藏高原羌塘盆地发现规模较大的上侏罗统索瓦组油藏带,主要分布在双湖南、鸭湖、才多茶卡及阿木错一带。利用抽提、分离、GC—MS等地球化学分析手段详细分析了油苗的族组分、有机质来源,沉积环境以及成熟度。生物标志化合物参数分析表明油藏中有机质沉积环境为具有一定盐度的还原性较强的环境,其中,才多茶卡油藏有机质的来源主要为低等水生生物;而双湖南、鸭湖油藏有机质来源则具有低等水生生物和高等植物共同输入;阿木错油藏中有机质以陆源有机质的贡献为主。成熟度参数分析显示油藏样品有机质热演化已达到低成熟—成熟阶段,说明烃源岩的成熟度均已达到生油门限,暗示这些烃源岩曾经有过一定规模的生烃。双湖地区古油藏普遍受自北向南的逆冲推覆构造影响,而位于逆冲推覆构造根带的北羌塘地块索瓦组地层出露较好且具有良好圈闭条件。因此,双湖地区索瓦组古油藏的发现及地球化学特征对于北羌塘盆地上侏罗统油气资源的勘探具有重要指示意义。     

Tidal inlet sequence, Sundance Formation (Upper Jurassic), north-central Wyoming

The sandstones and coquinas of the upper 20 m of the Sundance Formation are interpreted as a tidal inlet, back-barrier shoal and sandy tidal-flat sequence deposited at the close of marine Jurassic sedimentation in north-central Wyoming. The barrier strandline maintained a generally E-W trend as it prograded to the north. The lateral migration of inter-barrier tidal inlets along the regressive shoreline of the late Sundance sea caused the coquinas and sandstones of the uppermost Sundance Formation to be deposited as tabular, laterally-extensive units. Tidal bundles, sigmoidal reactivation surfaces, herringbone cross-lamination and abundant mud drapes within the sandstones are evidence of considerable tidal influence during the deposition of the uppermost Sundance Formation. Earlier models, which attach an offshore environment of deposition to the sequence, do not explain the tabular geometries of the sandstone and coquina units and their conformable stratigraphic relationship with the overlying non-marine sediments of the Morrison Formation.     

The First Stegosaur （Dinosauria, Ornithischia） from the Upper Jurassic Shishugou Formation of Xinjiang, China

A new stegosaur species, Jiangjunosaurus junggarensis, gen. et sp. nov., is erected based on a specimen collected from the Upper Jurassic upper section of the Shishugou Formation in the Junggar Basin, Xinjiang, China. It represents the first stegosaur from the Jurassic of Xinjiang and increases the diversity of the dinosaur fauna in the Shishugou Formation. The new genus is characterized by symmetrical and proportionally wide tooth crowns, a sub-rectangular axial neural spine seen in lateral view, and large openings on the lateral surfaces of the cervical centra. A preliminary character analysis suggests that this new taxon is more derived than the Middle Jurassic stegosaur Huayangosaurus but more primitive than most other known stegosaur species.     

A truly gigantic pliosaur (Reptilia,Sauropterygia) from the Kimmeridge Clay Formation (Upper Jurassic,Kimmeridgian) of England

Four isolated cervical vertebrae from the Kimmeridge Clay Formation (Upper Jurassic, Kimmeridgian) of Abingdon, Oxfordshire, England are identified as from a pliosaurid plesiosaurian sauropterygian on account of their shortness relative to width and height, their near platycoelous nature and the location of tall rib facets on the centrum body. They are noteworthy for their size, with a maximum width of 269 mm, maximum height of 222 mm and maximum length of 103 mm. Simple scaling and comparisons with cervical vertebrae of Mid Jurassic pliosaurs Peloneustes and Liopleurodon, and the Early Cretaceous Stenorhynchosaurus and Sachicasaurus suggest a total body length of between ~ 9.8 m and 14.4 m for the Abingdon Kimmeridge Clay pliosaur. Likely the true length was towards the higher end of this range.A genus and species cannot be confidently determined on the basis of the described material, but they likely belong to Pliosaurus sp. or a similar animal, for which a precise neck length is not known. We estimate a neck length of 0.77 m for Pliosaurus ?brachyspondylus based on the average cervical lengths provided for specimen CAMSM J.35991.     

Late Cretaceous stratigraphy,sediments and structure: Gems of the Dorset and East Devon Coast World Heritage Site (Jurassic Coast), England

Extraordinary, long-distance litho-marker beds such as the Lewes and Shoreham Tubular Flints and associated marl seams and fossils, recognised in cliff exposures and cliff-fall boulders, are keys to unlocking the stratigraphy and tectonic structures in the Late Cretaceous of the Dorset and East Devon Coast World Heritage Site (Jurassic Coast). Durdle Cove is a special gem exposing the Lewes and Seaford Chalk stratigraphy where new marker beds are identified and sediments and tectonic structures provide clues to timing of movements that produced a Late Cretaceous pericline which grew into a Miocene monocline along the line of the underlying Purbeck Reverse Fault. During ‘inversion’ along this fault some Late Cretaceous Chalk formations were in part or completely ‘lost’ (e.g. Middle Turonian New Pit Chalk Formation) and others were condensed (e.g. Late Santonian and Early Campanian Newhaven Chalk Formation). Excavation of the A354 road cutting at the Lower Bincombe Farm, has greatly added to the stratigraphical records of Late Cretaceous fossils in South Dorset, especially Coniacian and Early Campanian inoceramid bivalves and the various stratigraphically specific forms of the Late Santonian to Early Campanian echinoid fossil Echinocorys scutata spp. not recorded before in this coastline. The very large bivalve fossil Platyceramus sp. provides clues to chalk sea-floor environments.