Recent foraminifers from the inner shelf of the central West Coast,India: A reappraisal using factor analysis

Setty and Nigam (1980) had described 72 species of benthonic foraminifers from 25 inner shelf stations off central West Coast of India and the results showed somewhat patchy and anamolous distributions. This paper presents the results ofQ-mode factor analysis, which was applied to reduce the number of variables into assemblages. The analysis reveals 4 important foraminiferal assemblages.Ammonia beccarii—Ammonia annectens assemblage,Nonion boueanum—Florilus scaphum assemblage.Trochammina inflata assemblage andBulimina exilis assemblage. They can be related to freshwater run-off and organic matter contents of the sediment.     

Smaller foraminifers from type sections of the Bolorian stage,the Lower Permian of Darvaz

Smaller foraminifers from Upper Yakhtashian and Bolorian deposits of the stratotype area (Pamir, Darvaz, Tajikistan) are investigated. Four assemblages are defined. The first assemblage is from Chalaroschwagerina vulgaris-Pamirina darvasica Zone. The second assemblage found in the transitional Yakhtashian-Bolorian beds includes Globivalvulina, Palaeotextulariidae, Hemigordiidae, and Glomospira, associated with the first Pachyphloia and Langella forms. Characteristic taxa of third assemblage from the Misellina (Brevaxina) dyhrenfurthi Zone are Geinitzinidae, Globivalvulina, Palaeotextulariidae, Glomospira, and rare Pachyphloia. The forth assemblage of Hemigordiidae, Pachyphloia, Palaeotextulariidae, Geinitzinidae, Pseudoagathammina is identified in the M. (Misellina) parvicostata Zone. The assemblages were compared with concurrent analogs from China, Japan, and Russia. New species and subspecies Glomospira paleograndis sp. nov., G. darvasica sp. nov., Agathammina darvasica sp. nov., Pachyphloia darvasica sp. nov., Nodosinelloides cubanicus elongatus subsp. nov., and Hemigordius saranensis darvasicus subsp. nov. are described.     

Upper Campanian-lower Maastrichtian sections of the northwestern Rostov region. Article 1. Description, paleontological assemblages, and lithobiostratigraphy

Four upper Campanian-lower Maastrichtian reference sections are described in the Glubokaya and Kalitva river basins and in the Znamenka 1-A Borehole located in the northwestern Rostov region. The sections are composed of the upper Campanian Kagal??nik, Belgorod, Pavlovka, Sukhodol and lower Maastrichtian Efremovo-Stepanovka formations. They are characterized by successive stratigraphically significant macro- and microfossil assemblages: belemnites, calcareous nannoplankton, benthic foraminifers, and radiolarians. The Pavlovka and, particularly, Sukhodol formations contain a specific assemblage of coarsely-agglutinated benthic foraminifers. The first data obtained on radiolarians in upper Campanian-lower Maastrichtian sections of the northwestern Rostov region revealed four assemblages, two of which were previously unknown from Upper Cretaceous sediments of the East European Platform. Most sections enclose a hiatus at the base of the Sukhodol Formation, which comprises two upper Campanian benthic foraminiferal zones. The problem of recognition of the lower Maastrichtian boundary on the East European Platform is considered in accordance with international GSSP requirements.     

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

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

Torremiroella hispanica Brun and Canérot, 1979 (benthic foraminifera) from the Lower Cretaceous of Central Iran and its palaeo-biogeographic significance

The larger benthic foraminifer Torremiroella hispanica Brun and Canérot, 1979, so far only known from its type-locality in southern Spain, is described from the Late Barremian–Early Aptian of Central Iran (Ardakan and Yazd areas). It is reported from foraminiferan pack- to grainstones associated with Balkhania balkhanica Mamontova, 1966, dated as early Aptian (Bedoulian). A review of the literature data suggests that both are typical northern Tethyan faunal components as indicated also by the assemblages of orbitolinid foraminifers and dasycladalean algae.     

Oligocene and Early Miocene coral faunas from Iran: palaeoecology and palaeobiogeography

 Oligocene and Early Miocene coral assemblages from three sections of central Iran are investigated with respect to their palaeoecological and palaeobiogeographic implications. These corals are compared with faunas from the Mediterranean Tethys and the Indopacific. Associated larger foraminifers are used for biostratigraphy and to support the palaeoecological interpretation. The studied sections are situated in the foreland basins of the Iranian Plate which is structured into a fore-arc and a back-arc basin separated by a volcanic arc. The coral assemblages from Abadeh indicate a shallowing-upward trend. Infrequently distributed solitary corals at the base of the section indicate a turbid environment. Above, a distinct horizon characterised by a Leptoseris-Stylophora assemblage associated with lepidocyclinids and planktonic foraminifers is interpreted as maximum flooding surface. Small patch reefs with a Porites-Faviidae assemblage are a common feature of Late Oligocene to Early Miocene coral occurrences and indicate water depths of less than 20 m. The diversity of the coral faunas shows marked differences. Oligocene corals from the Esfahan-Sirjan fore-arc basin comprise more than 45 species of 32 genera and occur in a wide range of environments. Early Miocene corals from the Qom back-arc basin are less frequent, show a lower diversity (13 genera with 15 species) and occur in single horizons or small patch reefs. Received: 4 December 1998 / Accepted: 3 June 1999     

Pliensbachian-Toarcian biotic turnover in north Siberia and the Arctic region

The biotic turnover in the Pliensbachian-Toarcian transition and changes in assemblages of bivalves, ostracodes, foraminifers, dinocysts, spores, and pollen are described. Only five of 24 bivalve genera and two of four ostracode genera cross the Pliensbachian-Toarcian boundary so that composition of genera and families to be entirely renewed at the base of the Harpoceras falciferum Zone. In the interval of three ammonite zones, diversity of foraminifers is reducing from 27 genera in the Amaltheus margaritatus Zone (upper Pliensbachian) to 17 and then to 15 genera in the Tiltoniceras antiquum (lower Toarcian) and Harpoceras falciferum zones, respectively. Single dinocysts of the Pliensbachian are replaced by their abundant specimens at the base of the Toarcian, and substantial changes in composition of palynological assemblages are simultaneously established. Factors responsible for “mass extinctions” of marine invertebrates are suggested to be the paleogeographic reorganization, anoxic events, eustatic sea-level changes, and climatic fluctuations. The biotic turnover in the Arctic region is interrelated mainly with thermal changes, which caused the southward displacements of taxa distribution areas during a rapid cooling and their gradual return to former habitat areas in the period of warming, rather than with extinction events.     

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.     

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.     

Late cretaceous radiolarians and age of flyschoid sediments in the Struganik section (Western Serbia)

The succession of radiolarian assemblages in the Struganik section of western Serbia is described for the first time. The following radiolarian beds are defined in carbonate flyschoid sequences represented by thin-platy limestones with calcarenite and bentonite clay intercalations (from the base upward): Theocampe urna-Dictyomitra koslovae (presumably lower Santonian); Afens perapediensis-Clathropyrgus titthium (presumably uppermost lower Santonian-basal upper Santonian); Alievium gallowayi-Crucella espartoensis (upper Santonian). The examined assemblages are characterized by high taxonomic diversity. The upper Santonian Alievium gallowayi-Crucella espartoensis Assemblage exhibits significant similarity with the coeval radiolarian assemblage of the Crimean Mountains (Ukraine). Archaeocenosphaera (?) karamatai sp. nov. is described.     

Infrazonal biostratigraphy of the Upper Cretaceous in the East European province based on benthic foraminifers, Part 1: Cenomanian-Coniacian

A chart of infrazonal biostratigraphic subdivision of Cenomanian-Coniacian deposits in the East European paleobiogeographic province is based on distribution of benthic foraminifers. The suggested chart characterizes successive trend of changes in ecologic assemblages of benthic foraminifers and morphologic evolution of certain agglutinated (Gaudryina, Bolivinopsis, Heterostomella, Arenobulimina, Ataxophragmium, Ataxoorbignyna, Marssonella) and secretory (Globorotalites, Valvulinera, Gyroidinoides, Stensioeina, Osangularia, Berthelina, Pseudovalvulineria, Gavelinella, Cibicides, Praebulimina, Reussella) foraminiferal genera. The chart includes 7 zones and 13 subzones, most of which are recognizable over the vast territory from the Mangyshalk to southern Baltic areas. It is correlated with the acknowledged ammonoid and inoceramid zonations. Five stadia of taxonomic changes in foraminiferal assemblages, which are substantiated in this work, show that principal biotic events took place in the mid-late Cenomanian, during the Cenomanian-Turonian and early-middle Turonian transitions, in the late Turonian, and at the early-middle Coniacian boundary time.     

江西乐平沿沟二叠纪末有孔虫的演变及对鲕状灰岩的古环境指示意义

江西乐平沿沟剖面均一的碳酸盐相岩沉积, 完整地记录了二叠系-三叠系界线附近生物演变过程.通过对该剖面系统的化石切片研究, 共鉴别出有孔虫27属39种, 包含类4属7种.该剖面有孔虫的演变在二叠纪-三叠纪之交呈现出单幕式的消减过程, 对应于华南两幕生物灭绝中的第1幕.有孔虫的个体数和多样性在21-2层顶部发生了突然降低.4个不同有孔虫组合的演替关系, 揭示了有孔虫在灭绝事件中的演变过程, 即由灭绝前的高丰度、高分异度组合转变为灭绝后低丰度、低分异度组合.通过对二叠系-三叠系界线处鲕状灰岩的化石和沉积特征研究, 发现Hindeodus changxingensis带内的鲕状灰岩中仍存在较为丰富的有孔虫等化石.剧烈的海平面变化以及鲕状灰岩形成使下伏地层中的化石颗粒发生再沉积作用, 是形成这一特殊现象的主要原因.通过对鲕状灰岩中化石和沉积特征的深入研究, 论证了该鲕状灰岩形成于二叠纪-三叠纪之交大灭绝之后, 是当时特殊的海洋生态系产物, 反映了当时较高的海水回旋速率、微生物繁盛、海水碳酸盐超饱和等异常的环境条件.      

Agglutinated foraminifera from the Campanian-Maastrichtian Kiseiba Formation in the Kurkur area,Egypt

The upper Campanian to upper Maastrichtian sedimentary sequence of the Kiseiba Formation in south Western Desert is sampled and described in two surface sections (Sinn El Kaddab and Wadi Abu Siyal). Forty-four agglutinated foraminiferal species are identified from 42 samples in the studied succession. The benthic foraminiferal assemblages are dominated by agglutinated foraminifera which comprise more than 90% of the assemblage. The agglutinated foraminifera are subdivided into five morphogroups (A, B, C, D, E) according to shell architecture, integrated with the supposed microhabitat and feeding strategy. The foraminiferal assemblage is assigned to mixohaline shallow water environments. These assemblages with Ammoastuta megacribrostomoides and Ammotium bartheli suggest lagoonal environments with considerably reduced salinity in warm climates and high runoff for the late Campanian-Maastrichtian interval.     

The Darriwilian acritarch assemblage from Ordovician deposits of the Arkhangelsk Oblast, the northern Russian Plate

Borehole 2506 drilled in the northern area of the Arkhangelsk Oblast penetrated through the Paleozoic sedimentary block isolated in the Vendian thick sequence. A diverse acritarch assemblage has been established within the depth interval of 119.9–217.5 m. The assemblage comprises more than 70 taxa, including species characteristic of the boundary interval between the Volkhov and Kunda horizons of the East European Platform (the graptolite Didymograptus hirundo Zone). Stratigraphic position of host deposits was established within the Darriwilian Stage of the Middle Ordovician. The described assemblage of microphytofossils is similar to coeval assemblages from NW Russia, Baltic region, and Scandinavia, being typical of the Baltic phytoplankton province of temperate latitudes. A great number of species in common suggests that the assemblage under consideration is correlative with coeval assemblages of southern China thus offering a possibility of remote correlation.     

Foraminifers and radiolarians across the Albian-Cenomanian and Cenomanian-Turonian Boundaries (Northern Peri-Tethys)

Changes in morphological diversity and taxonomic composition of late Albian-early Turonian foraminiferal and radiolarian assemblages from the northern Peri-Tethys are considered. Several stages are defined in evolution of planktonic foraminifers: polytaxic (Albian-Cenomanian), oligotaxic (Cenomanian-Turonian boundary period), and polytaxic (Turonian). The Albian-Cenomanian stage was characterized by intense development of rotaliporids representing an intricate group of planktonic foraminifers, which became extinct in the terminal Cenomanian. An intense speciation of the radiolarian genus Crolanium and last occurrences of its most species, the index species C. cuneatum included, was characteristic of the terminal Albian. Spheroid and discoid radiolarians were dominant in the Cenomanian, while the Turonian was marked by intense development of all the radiolarian morphotypes.     

Carboniferous Biostratigraphy of Guizhou Province

The Carboniferous in Guizhou may be divided into 3 lithostratigraphic regions, 2 series and 7 stages. TheLower Carboniferous is composed of 4 regional stages, 1 foraminifer assemblage, 4 fossil coral zones (with 9subzones) and 11 brachiopod assemblages; the Upper Carboniferous is divided into 3 regional. stages, 9fusulinid zones (with 2 subzones) and 4 ammonite zones. Based on the studies of foraminifers and conodonts.the base of the Carboniferous in Guizhou 1s placed at least near the top of the coral Cystophrentis zone.     

Palaeontology and taphonomy of Late Quaternary fossil assemblages at Somersham,Cambridgeshire, England,and the problem of reworking

Assemblages of foraminifers, ostracods and molluscs from temperate Ipswichian Stage (last temperate stage) sediments and overlying cold Devensian Stage (last cold stage) sediments at Somersham in the southern Fenland of Cambridgeshire have been analysed. The Ipswichian sediments contain faunas consistent with temperate brackish water conditions under tidal influence. The Devensian assemblages were recovered from a series of sands and gravels laterally accreting in a channel cutting into Ipswichian sediments. In contrast to the Ipswichian faunas, the faunas of particular Devensian samples show a complex mixture of temperate freshwater, brackish and marine taxa. The molluscs are mainly freshwater, with few land snails; they occur together with foraminifers and ostracods. Freshwater, brackish water and marine ostracods are present with foraminifers. A sample of Devensian fine laminated sediment in the channel was analysed for pollen; only abundant pre-Quaternary spores were present, with abundant foraminifers in the same sample. The taphonomy of the assemblages and the difficulties of their interpretation in environmental terms are discussed. The importance of taphonomy in assessing environments, climate, range of taxa and dating is stressed.     

Biostratigraphy of the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary deposits in the Arctic region of West Siberia (Implications of Foraminifers)

Benthic foraminifers from borehole sections recovered by drilling in the Yamal Peninsula, West Siberia, characterize the Ceratobulimina cretacea Beds (the upper Campanian-lower Maastrichtian) and the Spiroplectammina variabilis-Gaudryina rugosa spinulosa and Spiroplectammina kasanzevi-Bulimina rosenkrantzi regional zones of the lower and upper Maastrichtian, respectively. The Danian Stage is missing from the sections, which include marine deposits of the Selandian Stage attributed to the Ceratolamarckina tuberculata Beds. Foraminiferal assemblages of the beds include the Siberian endemic species associated with Paleocene foraminifers of the Midway-type fauna of subglobal distribution range. Occurrence of the latter suggests that warm-water surface currents from the North Atlantic reached southern areas of the Kara Sea.     

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

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

Late Permian (Lopingian) foraminifers from the Doi Chiang Dao Limestone in the Inthanon Zone of Northern Thailand

Late Permian foraminifers were found from six localities belonging to the Doi Chiang Dao Limestone, which is considered as having a Paleo-Tethyan seamount-capping carbonates origin, distributed in the Inthanon Zone of Northern Thailand. Among them, three age-diagnostic assemblages are recognized. They are represented by the occurrences of Codonofusiella kwangsiana, Palaeofusulina cf. minima, and P. prisca, and are referable to the Wuchiapingian, early Changhsingian, and late Changhsingian, respectively. In particular, the discovery of an assemblage characterized by advanced Palaeofusulina (P. prisca) is significant because it clearly indicates that the deposition of the Doi Chiang Dao Limestone had continued until the very end of the Permian. These three Late Permian assemblages can be compared with those recently reported from the Shifodong Formation of Pa-leo-Tethyan mid-oceanic carbonates in the Changning-Menglian Belt of West Yunnan, Southwest China.