Detailed biostratigraphy of the Middle Callovian – lowest Oxfordian in the Mikhaylov reference section (Ryazan region, European part of Russia) by ammonites

Study of the sections near the Mikhaylov (Ryazan region) has made it possible to improve the infrazonal subdivision of the Middle Callovian – Lower Oxfordian of the European Russia by ammonites. The Athleta Zone is the most complete in the studied sections. A sequence of kosmoceratid biohorizons (phaeinum, proniae, rowlstonense and kuklikum) is established here, as well as infrazonal units based on a phylogenetic sequence of species of the genus Funiferites. A study of the paleobiodiversity and frequency of occurrence of ammonites at different intervals of the section showed that the ammonite assemblages of the Athleta Zone are Sub-Boreal or Sub-Tethyan, while in the Lamberti Zone they are Boreal, and in the Lower Oxfordian they are Arctic. It is also shown that the change in ammonite composition in the sections coincides with the cycles of transgressions and regressions of Boreal basins. New species and subspecies of the ammonites Funiferites allae compressum, Cadoceras (Eichwaldiceras) intermedium, Brightia (B.) lominadzei, B. (B.) progzhellensis, B. (B.) eccentrtica, B. (Glyptia) canaliculata stankevitchae, Zieteniceras rarecostatum are described.

Calcareous nannofossils from the uppermost Oxfordian and lowermost Kimmeridgian of Staffin Bay, Isle of Skye, northern Scotland

Twenty six samples from the sections at Flodigarry and Digg at Staffin Bay, Isle of Skye, northern Scotland, spanning the stratigraphical interval from the uppermost Oxfordian to the lowermost Kimmeridgian were examined for their calcareous nannofossil content. The study revealed the presence of an assemblage typical of the nannofossil zone NJ15 of the northern European zonation.

Dinoflagellate cyst assemblages across the Oxfordian/Kimmeridgian boundary (Upper Jurassic) at Flodigarry, Staffin Bay, Isle of Skye, Scotland – a proposed GSSP for the base of the Kimmeridgian

Examination of seven ammonite-calibrated palynological samples across the Oxfordian/Kimmeridgian boundary in the Flodigarry sections at Staffin Bay, Isle of Skye, northern Scotland, has revealed dinoflagellate cyst assemblages in general terms in line with previous contributions. The sparse occurrence of Emmetrocysta sarjeantii, Perisseiasphaeridium pannosum and Senoniasphaera jurassica slightly above the proposed Oxfordian/Kimmeridgian boundary may be used as a palynological approximation of the base of the Kimmeridgian. The high abundance of tests resembling modern zygnemataceous chlorophycean alga Spirogyra in two samples above the Oxfordian/Kimmeridgian boundary horizon is probably associated with increased eutrophication and possible association with ‟green tides”. This bloom is proposed as a palynofloral proxy event for the boundary in the Flodigarry section. According to previous studies, various eutrophication events may have a correlation potential in Subboreal Europe.

Notes on the evolution of the ammonite families Aulacostephanidae and Cardioceratidae and the stratigraphy of the uppermost Oxfordian and lowermost Kimmeridgian in the Staffin Bay sections (Isle of Skye, Northern Scotland)

Detailed study of all the ammonite collections gathered by the authors in the Staffin Bay sections has resulted in minor changes in the distribution of ammonite taxa, and slight modification of the position of the Oxfordian/Kimmeridgian boundary. Most significant is the discovery of Pictonia (Triozites) cf. seminudata which results in the placing of the stage boundary 0.16 m below the level formerly proposed. This study discusses the evolution of the Subboreal family Aulacostephanidae, and the Boreal family Cardioceratidae, indicating changes in the patterns of individual development in the evolution of both families in terms of heterochrony. The Oxfordian/ Kimmeridgian boundary interval shows major morphological changes in both ammonite families which were released from phylogenetic constraints by heterochrony, closely related to changes in environmental conditions.

Tithonian stratigraphy and ammonite fauna of the Vaca Muerta Formation in Mallín Quemado (Neuquén Basin, Argentina), with remarks on the Andean chronostratigraphy

In the Cerro Mallín Quemado area (Sierra de la Vaca Muerta) the three members of the Vaca Muerta Formation (Portada Covunco, Los Catutos and Pichi Moncol) can be recognized, including the whole of the Tithonian rock-record. The ammonite fauna does not show significant differences with respect to that of the nearby locality Pampa Tril, but the record of faunal horizons is patchier. Eighteen species of ammonites were recorded through the studied sections, covering the whole of the Andean Tithonian. The current chronostratigraphic zonation of the Andean Tithonian is briefly discussed, updated and correlated with the most recent literature. From the current succession of ammonite bio-horizons previously defined in the basin, only three (picunleufuense alpha, picunleufuense beta and falculatum) were recognized definitely. Four other bio-horizons (perlaevis, erinoides, internispinosum alpha and vetustum) were recognized only tentatively, because the typical assemblages of morphotypes (morpho-species) were not clearly or completely recognized. The current regional time-correlation chart dated by the ammonite bio-horizons of the Neuquén Basin along a 70°W transect is updated with the results of the present study and additional information recently obtained from other localities.