scholarly journals <i>Bolboforma</i> (Phytoplankton Incertae Sedis), <i>Bachmayerella</i> and other Calciodinelloidea (Phytoplankton) from the Middle Miocene of the Alpine–Carpathian Foredeep (Central Paratethys)

2004 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 139-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Spezzaferri ◽  
Fred Rögl

Abstract. Bolboforma is a microfossil of uncertain origin with affinities to protophytic algae. It generally occurs at high latitudes and/or in cool and temperate waters and has a high stratigraphic potential especially for the Miocene. Calcareous cysts of dinoflagellates represent the ‘benthic cyst stage’ of unicellular organisms belonging to the marine phytoplankton.The occurrence of Bolboforma, Bachmayerella is documented here and, for the first time, some calcareous cysts of dinoflagellates tentatively attributed to Alasphaera and Pithonella from Badenian (Langhian–Middle Miocene) sediments in Austrian and Moravian localities. Alasphaera and Pithonella were previously described from Cretaceous and Danian sediments only, therefore, their range has been extended into the Paratethyan Middle Miocene.Correlation of Bolboforma bioevents with standard geological time-scales allows confirmation, and in some cases refinement, of age assignments based on other microfossil groups, such as foraminifera and calcareous nannofossils, in Paratethyan areas. In particular, this paper presents a case study of the biostratigraphy of the Grund Formation outcropping at its type locality in Lower Austria. Age attribution of the Grund Formation has been uncertain for some time. The recovery of Praeorbulina glomerosa circularis and Uvigerina macrocarinata, associated with Bolboforma reticulata, allows the correlation of the Grund Formation with the Early Badenian (Middle Miocene). As planktonic foraminifera are generally very rare or absent in shelf deposits of many other Austrian and Moravian Middle Miocene sedimentary sequences, Bolboforma, and in particular B. reticulata, remains an important biomarker to identify lower Badenian sediments.Additionally, the new species Bolboforma gneixendorfensis Spezzaferri &amp; Rögl is described. It is generally double-chambered with a weakly reticulate wall texture and is associated with Bolboforma reticulata, B. bireticulata and/or B. moravica.

Author(s):  
Nathalie BARDET ◽  
Delphine DESMARES ◽  
Raquel SÁNCHEZ-PELLICER ◽  
Silvia GARDIN

Briefly mentioned in 1915 by the palaeontologist Répelin, the mosasaurid Liodon asiaticum Répelin, 1915 was found by a missionary to Africa, Father Ruffier, in Late Cretaceous strata near Jerusalem (without further details on the exact provenance). This material was never described in detail, figured, or revised and was recently rediscovered in the collections of the Muséum d’histoire naturelle of Marseille (Provence, southern France). Here we describe and figure for the first time this material, which now includes more specimens than the original lot mentioned by Répelin, and we propose new systematic assignments for the identified specimens. First of all we demonstrate that the five original vertebrae briefly described by Répelin represent a composite assemblage and are not diagnostic at the specific level. Thus Liodon asiaticum should be considered a nomem dubium. The most complete and diagnostic specimen belongs to a Mosasaurini (Mosasaurinae) incertae sedis, close to Mosasaurus Conybeare, 1822 and Plotosaurus Camp, 1951, as shown by the unique configuration of its frontal-parietal-postorbitofrontal complex. The two other specimens are identified as indeterminate Mosasaurinae. The study of several groups of microfossils (calcareous nannofossils, planktonic foraminifera and palynomorphs) found in the white chalk preserved with most of the bones constrains the age of these mosasaurid remains to the lower part of the middle Campanian (C. plummerae (Gandolfi, 1955) / G. rosetta (Carsey, 1926) and CC18 / UC14-15a Zones). This corresponds to the local Mishash Formation that crops out extensively East of Jerusalem (Mount of Olives and surroundings). Father Ruffier probably collected these bones in one of the outcrops of this formation, possibly not very far from where he worked and lived (Saint-Anne Community in Jerusalem). These chalky levels, common in the Middle East, represent a shallow and rather open marine environment, possibly near-shore.


1994 ◽  
Vol 131 (4) ◽  
pp. 499-518 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Urquhart ◽  
F. T. Banner

AbstractThe Troodos Massif of Cyprus exposes a classic and much-studied ophiolite sequence representing oceanic crust of Late Cretaceous age. K-Ar dating of the sheeted dykes and of the overlying pillow lavas gives a range of 83±3 Ma (earliest Campanian) and 75±5 Ma (late Campanian) respectively for the formation of the upper levels of the ophiolite. An autochthonous sequence of Late Cretaceous to Recent age sediments is exposed resting on the ophiolite, the oldest part of which reflects sedimentation in an apparently deep marine, oceanic setting. Little biostratigraphical information is available to constrain the chronostratigraphy of these sediments in relation to the complex geological history of the island, including the uplift and unroofing of the ophiolite, despite their richness in microfauna and flora. This paper provides an integrated biostratigraphical study based on radiolaria, planktonic foraminifera and calcareous nannofossils of the oldest part of the supra-ophiolite succession, of the Cretaceous Perapedhi, Kannaviou, Moni and Kathikas formations. For the first time, well-defined micropalaeontological evidence establishes the relative ages of these formations. The umbers of the Perapedhi formation are no younger than Campanian in age while the volcaniclastic sediments of the Kannaviou formation were also deposited during Campanian times. The matrix of the Moni formation contains a microfauna consistent with the hypothesis that it is derived from the Kannaviou. In contrast, the Kathikas formation is composed of sediment derived mainly from the allochthonous Mamonia complex, but autochthonous pelagic interbed horizons demonstrate that it was deposited probably within a very short time interval during the late Maastrichtian. Key index species are figured, including the first published micrographs of Cretaceous planktonic foraminifera from Cyprus.


2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 188-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcelle K. BouDagher-Fadel ◽  
Xiumian Hu ◽  
G. David Price ◽  
Gaoyuan Sun ◽  
Jian-Gang Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract This study of mid-Cretaceous foraminifera from the Linzhou, the Coqen and the Xigaze Basins in the southern Tibetan Plateau has provided the first high resolution biostratigraphic description of these limestones and interpretation of their paleoenvironmental settings. The fossil assemblages are dominated primarily by orbitolinid larger benthic foraminifera. We reassessed the identification of many taxa, dividing the South Tibetan sedimentary successions of Aptian to Early Cenomanian age into eight new foraminiferal biozones (TLK1 a–h): (i) (TLK1a) a shallow reefal environment corresponding to planktonic foraminifera zone (PZ) Aptian 1–2, dominated by Palorbitolina and Praeorbitolina spp.; (ii) (TLK1b) a transgressive, reefal to forereefal environment corresponding to PZ Aptian 3, characterized by the first appearance of Mesorbitolina parva; (iii) (TLK1c) a shallow reefal to backreef environment of Late Aptian (PZ Aptian 4) age, characterized by the first appearance of Mesorbitolina texana; (iv) (TLK1d) a transgressive phase of forereef to an inner neritic environment of Albian (PZ Albian 1) age, characterized by the first appearance of Cuneolina pavonia; (v) (TLKe) an open-marine reefal environment of Albian (PZ Albian 2) age, with assemblages dominated by flat to slightly conical orbitolinids, characterized by the first appearance of Palorbitolinoides hedini; (vi) (TLK1f) a shallow, open-marine reefal to forereef environment of Middle Albian (PZ Albian 3) age, dominated by flat and convex orbitolinids, and characterized by the first appearance of Mesorbitolina aperta; (vii) (TLK1g) a reefal to forereef environment of end Albian (PZ Albian 4) age, characterized by the appearance of Conicorbitolina cf. cuvillieri and Pseudochoffatella cuvillieri, and in which Early Aptian species of Praeorbitolina cf. wienandsi have been recorded for the first time from the Late Albian; (viii) (TLK1h) a shallow reefal environment of Early Cenomanian age characterized by the first appearance of Conicorbitolina sp. A and Nezzazata conica. The eight new biozones provided biostratigraphic correlation of the Langshan, Sangzugang and Takena Formations in the Lhasa terrane, while the observed evolution of the environmentally controlled microfacies corresponds closely with the current, inferred global sea-level variation of the period. The almost continuous sedimentary sequences studied allowed previously defined orbitolinid phylogenetic linages to be confirmed.


2008 ◽  
Vol 179 (3) ◽  
pp. 231-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mélanie Turpin ◽  
Laurent Emmanuel ◽  
Maurice Renard

Abstract During ODP Leg 166, Middle Miocene sediments were collected along the western margin of the Great Bahama Bank (GBB) at four sites, distributed along a proximal-distal transect. Site 1006 is located in the basin, Site 1007 at the toe-of-slope and Sites 1003 and 1005 on the mid and upper slope. The carbonate slope deposits of GBB consist of periplatform oozes, an admixture of platform-derived aragonite and high-magnesium calcite particles, and pelagic low-magnesium calcite. An assessment of carbonate sedimentation is made in order to estimate the proportion of platform-derived versus pelagic components. The originality of this study is based on the application of a separation method giving access to homogeneous granulometric fractions, ranging from 63 to 3 μm in grain diameter. This method, associated with a multidisciplinary approach (micropaleontology, optical and electronic microscopy, mineralogy – X-ray diffractometry, and trace elements geochemistry – strontium and magnesium), allows the quantification and characterization of different kinds of carbonate particles. In Miocene sediments, three types of particles display a biogenic structure: planktonic foraminifera, calcareous nannofossils and fragments of neritic organisms. Two types of particles do not exhibit any structures that allow for a determination of their origin. Based on their size and their mineralogy, we have distinguished macroparticles (calcite and dolomite) and microparticles (calcite and aragonite). The detailed study of the composition of the separated fractions highlights major differences in carbonate ooze composition between the different sites along the transect. The unlithified samples of Sites 1006 and 1007 are dominated by pelagic components (planktonic foraminifera and calcareous nannofossils) and contain aragonite microparticles. In contrast, lithified sediments of Sites 1003 and 1005 (and 1007) are characterized by higher proportions of neritic debris and particles without biologic structure, the pelagic phase is impoverished and aragonite needles are absent. The origin of particles without biological structure has been demonstrated by their spatial distribution and by mineralogical as well as geochemical criteria. The rhombohedral calcitic microparticles mainly occur at slope sites. Their high magnesium contents support a formation on the bank implying an allochthonous origin. This suggests that calcitic microparticles correspond to the bank micrite exported towards slope environments. Rhomboedral calcitic macroparticles, which fill sediment voids, originate from in situ transformations of metastable carbonates due to pore fluids, which preferentially flow in the slope permeable sediments. Two sedimentary sources are proposed: 1) an autochthonous pelagic source with low-magnesium calcitic components and 2) an allochthonous neritic source with both aragonitic and calcitic components. Export and depositional processes can be differentiated for the allochthonous particles. The neritic debris and calcitic microparticles in slope Sites 1003 and 1005 (and less frequently in Site 1007) were probably exported by gravity currents whereas the aragonite microparticles, due to their shape and granulometry, were perhaps transported as suspension and deposited at the distal Sites 1006 and 1007.


Geosciences ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 158
Author(s):  
Hans-Peter Bojar ◽  
Claudia Antoniade ◽  
Victor Barbu ◽  
Ana-Voica Bojar

Evaporitic gypsum deposits represent an important paleoenvironmental record of the Miocene Badenian of the Carpathian Mountains belt. In this study, we developed a nontoxic method to concentrate calcareous microfossils from gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O), by treating the sulfate with ammonium acetate. We applied the newly developed method to gypsum collected from the Evaporitic Formation outcropping northward of Slănic-Prahova in the Eastern Carpathians. For the first time for this formation, we describe a calcareous microfossil assemblage characterized by the presence of planktonic foraminifera as well as cysts and fragments of calcareous algae.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Flavia Boscolo-Galazzo ◽  
Amy Jones ◽  
Tom Dunkley Jones ◽  
Katherine A. Crichton ◽  
Bridget S. Wade ◽  
...  

Abstract. The fossil record of marine microplankton provides insights into the evolutionary drivers which led to the origin of modern deep-water plankton, one of the largest component of ocean biomass. We use global abundance and biogeographic data combined with depth habitat reconstructions to determine the environmental mechanisms behind speciation in two groups of pelagic microfossils over the past 15 million years. We compare our microfossil datasets with water column profiles simulated in an Earth System model. We show that deep-living planktonic foraminiferal (zooplankton) and calcareous nannofossil (mixotroph phytoplankton) species were virtually absent globally during the peak of the middle Miocene warmth. Evolution of deep-dwelling planktonic foraminifera started from subpolar-midlatitude species during late Miocene cooling, via allopatry. Deep-dwelling species subsequently spread towards lower latitudes and further diversified via depth sympatry, establishing modern communities stratified hundreds of meters down the water column. Similarly, sub-euphotic zone specialist calcareous nannofossils become a major component of tropical and sub-tropical assemblages through the latest Miocene to early Pliocene. Our model simulations suggest that increased organic matter and oxygen availability for planktonic foraminifera, and increased nutrients and light penetration for nannoplankton, favored the evolution of new deep water niches. These conditions resulted from global cooling and the associated increase in the efficiency of the biological pump over the last 15 million years.


2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Simina Dumitriţa DUMITRIU ◽  
Zofia DUBICKA ◽  
Sergiu LOGHIN ◽  
Mihaela Carmen MELINTE-DOBRINESCU ◽  
Jolanta PARUCH-KULCZYCKA

Seven Middle Miocene (Upper Badenian to Lower Sarmatian) sedimentary sections of the Central Paratethys, two from the Polish Carpathian Foredeep Basin (PCFB) and five from the Eastern Carpathian Foreland Basin (ECFB) of Romania and the Republic of Moldova have been analysed micropalaeontologically to better constrain the Badenian-Sarmatian Extinction Event, characterized by significant taxonomic impoverishment of both foraminifers and ostracods. Our studies show significant palaeoenvironmental changes in the basin including depth, salinity, oxygenation, and organic matter flux. The occurrence of moderately diverse planktonic foraminifera (Globigerina, Globigerinita, Globorotalia, Trilobatus, Orbulina, Velapertina) in the Upper Badenian deposits of the PCFB as well as in the ECFB and their rarity in the lowermost Sarmatian indicate an almost fully marine environment during the latest Badenian, followed by a significant regression and possible appearance of much more restricted marine conditions across the boundary. The taxonomic composition of the Sarmatian foraminifera, ostracoda and calcareous nannofossils indicate that during this interval the salinity fluctuated strongly, with the water regime varying from brackish to normal marine. In addition, the identified micropalaeontological assemblages identified show palaeoenvironmental similarity across different basins of the Central Paratethys. This supports a hypothesis of possible connections during the latest Badenian between different areas of the Central Paratethys, as well as of the existence of a gateway between the Central Paratethys and the Mediterranean realm


Geologos ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-126
Author(s):  
Asghar Roozpeykar ◽  
Iraj Maghfouri Moghaddam ◽  
Mehdi Yaazdi ◽  
Bijan Yousefi

Abstract The foraminiferal contents of the lower–middle Miocene succession exposed in three sections in north Nur Abad on the northwestern side of the High Zagros Thrust Belt were studied. Assemblages of larger foraminifera from these sections can be referred to Zone SBZ 25 (and the Miogypsina globulus and Miogypsina intermedia subzones), which correlates with the Burdigalian Stage. For the first time, planktonic foraminifera documented from the Nur Abad area document Lang-hian deposits in the High Zagros, the upper 20 metres of the upper Sayl Cheshmeh section being characterised by the occurrence of planktonic foraminifera such as Globigerina concinna (Reuss), Globigerina diplostoma (Reuss), Globigerinoides obliquus (Bolli), Orbulina bilobata (d’Orbigny) and O.universa (d’Orbigny). This association characterises the Orbulina suturalis Interval Zone.


Problem statement. Detail study of both vertical and spatial distribution of calcareous nannofossils from the Paleocene sediments of the Ukrainian Carpathians enabled to determine the evolutional development of Haptophyta algae during the Paleocene, and became the basis for correlation of boundary markers and correlative biohorizons. Here we summarize data obtained from previous research, and also our own, and propose an updad biozonation of Paleocene sediments of the Northern and Southern slopes of the Ukrainian Carpathians. Prerious work. Calcareous nannofossil research of the area goes back to the 1960’s. These studies had a fragmentary character with only few sections examined for their nannofossil content. Materials and research methods. The paper includes the results of nannofossil research from numerous sections of Paleocene Flysch developed in the Outer and Inner Carpathian nappes. Discussion of the research data. The paper discusses the biozonation and correlation of local lithostratigraphic units of the Ukrainian Carpathians based on the detail study of nannofossils. For the first time, the complete successions of nannozones of the latest Geological Time Scale have been identified in the Ukrainian Carpathians. In the Outer (Flysch) Carpathians several nannozones were determined within the Skyba and Boryslav-Pokuttya nappes. There include – Markalius inversus / Biantholithus sparsus (NP1), Cruciplacolithus tenuis (NP2), Chiasmolithus danicus (NP3) and Ellipsolithus macellus (lower NP4) in the Upper Striy subsuite; top Ellipsolithus macellus (NP4), Fasciculithus tympaniformis (NP5), Heliolithus kleinpelliі (NP6) in Yaremcha Formation, Discoaster mohleri (NP7) in Bytkiv layers, Heliolithus riedelii (NP8), Discoaster multiradiatus (bottom NP9) from the Yamna suite; Chiasmolithus danicus (NP3) from Upper Bereznyan subsuite of Dukla nappe; Fasciculithus tympaniformis (NP5) in Gnylets suite of Chornohora nappe and Markalius inversus (NP1) in Urdyn suite of Svydovets nappe. Within the Inner Carpathians nannozones were defined in the Lower Metova subsuite of the Vezhany nappe – Biantholithus sparsus (NP1), Fasciculithus tympaniformis (NP5), Heliolithus kleinpelliі (NP6), Heliolithus riedelii (NP8); Sushmanets suite of Monastyrets nappe contained Fasciculithus tympaniformis (NP5), Heliolithus kleinpelliі (NP6) and Tribrachiatus contortus (NP10) of the Early Ypresian. The stratigraphic positioning of nannofossil assemblages was rectified and their correlation with foraminifera and dinocyst zones was demonstrated. These nannozone assemblages from the Ukrainian Carpathians are correlated with the Danian, Selandian and Thanetian stages of the Geological Time Scale (GTS, 2012 and 2016). This integrated research enables to rectify and modify the stratigraphic scheme of the Paleogene from the Carpathian region. Conclusions. A modern calcareous nannofossil biozonation of the latest International schemes has been recognized from the studied Paleocene sections of the Ukrainian Carpathians. Nine (9) nannozones ranging from NP1 (Early Danian) to NP9 (Late Thanetian – Early Ypresian) and also the lowest NP10 nannozone of Early Ypresian have been identified in strata from different structural-tectonic units. The nannofossil biozonation is correlated with those foraminifera and dinocyst biochronology. The age and correlation for the Paleocene stratigraphic subdivisions has been justified based on the nannofossil biostratigraphy. This resulted in the upgrading of the existing stratigraphic scheme of the Paleogene of the Ukrainian Carpathians.


2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-63
Author(s):  
Ruth Roded

Beginning in the early 1970s, Jewish and Muslim feminists, tackled “oral law”—Mishna and Talmud, in Judaism, and the parallel Hadith and Fiqh in Islam, and several analogous methodologies were devised. A parallel case study of maintenance and rebellion of wives —mezonoteha, moredet al ba?ala; nafaqa al-mar?a and nush?z—in classical Jewish and Islamic oral law demonstrates similarities in content and discourse. Differences between the two, however, were found in the application of oral law to daily life, as reflected in “responsa”—piskei halacha and fatwas. In modern times, as the state became more involved in regulating maintenance and disobedience, and Jewish law was backed for the first time in history by a state, state policy and implementation were influenced by the political system and socioeconomic circumstances of the country. Despite their similar origin in oral law, maintenance and rebellion have divergent relevance to modern Jews and Muslims.


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