BazTech - Yadda

1

Pre-Taghanic (Lower to lower Middle Givetian) brachiopods from Miłoszów in the Holy Cross Mountains (Poland)

Baliński Andrzej, Halamski Adam T.

Annales Societatis Geologorum Poloniae

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2023

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Vol. 93, No. 1

3--102

EN

Sixty-eight brachiopod species are reported from the upper part of the Skały Formation at Miłoszów (Łysogóry Region of the Holy Cross Mts., central Poland) on the basis of over 2,200 specimens. The fauna is Early to early Middle Givetian in age (timorensis to rhenanus/varcus conodont zones) and thus predates the Middle Givetian Taghanic Bioevent. One new genus and three new species are described. Leiocyrtia Baliński gen. nov. (type species: Leiocyrtia rara Baliński gen. et sp. nov.; Spiriferida, Cyrtiidae) is characterised by a non-costate shell with prominent sulcus and fold and capillate microornament. Undispirifer sidoniae Halamski and Baliński sp. nov. is characterised by transverse shells and dense ribbing. Moravilla andreae Baliński and Halamski sp. nov. is characterised by relatively coarse radial capillate ornament and is the first representative of the genus outside the type species from the Givetian of Moravia. The most abundant species are: Spinulicosta cf. spinulicosta, Antirhynchonella linguiformis, Pentamerelloides davidsoni, Peratos beyrichi, Plectospira ferita, Spinatrypa wotanica (confirmed to belong to that genus and not to Spinatrypina), Ambothyris sp., and Echinocoelia dorsoplana. ‘Spirifer’ quadriplicatus Sandberger and Sandberger, 1856, a rare species known from Miłoszów and the Rhenish Massif, is an orthide and belongs to Teichertina. The relationship between Skenidioides polonicus and S. cretus, formerly understood as anagenesis, is re-interpreted as budding cladogenesis. Davidsonia septata is reported as an epizoan on rugosan corals, a relationship never previously observed in representatives of that genus. Brachiopods represent different palaeoecological groupings, from relatively shallow-water taxa (BA3, globetum) to deep-water mud-dwelling ones (BA5, deeper brachiopodetum). The richest beds are M1-IIa (28 brachiopod species), M3-7 (23 species), and M0-9 (22 species). Eighteen species described here were not known previously in the Holy Cross Mountains, so the corrected total number of brachiopod species from the Middle Devonian of the Łysogóry Region is 140.

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Pioneer colonization, evidenced by Rhizocorallium in the Middle Triassic of Poland

Stachacz Michał

Annales Societatis Geologorum Poloniae

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2023

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Vol. 93, No. 4

363--379

EN

A large collection of the trace fossil Rhizocorallium from the Middle Triassic of the Polish part of the Germanic Basin (Peri-Tethys) is analysed and their ichnotaxonomical classification presented. Special attention is given to the deep form of Rhizocorallium with a vertical retrusive spreite, filled with faecal pellets, with detailed documentation of this structure, based on isolated specimens and serial sections. This analysis also reveals ∩-shaped and deep, protrusive structures. A former interpretation of Rhizocorallium as a rapidly formed fugichnion is not followed here; instead, an interpretation of the trace fossil as a complex fodinichnion is proposed. Scavengers and their relation to crinoid meadows, as well as predators, are indicated as potential tracemakers of some Rhizocorallium. Although Rhizocorallium is common throughout the Middle Triassic, unusual forms and the domination of substrates by Rhizocorallium in general mostly occur in the transgressive system of the lowermost Muschelkalk, and in regressive, marginal facies of the lower Keuper. Such a distribution of unusual forms of Rhizocorallium is interpreted as representing opportunistic, pioneer burrow assemblages that developed during the long-term benthic recovery after the P-T crisis, or in unfavourable conditions generally. Moreover, dynamic conditions with mixed clastic-carbonate sedimentation and rapidly varying salinity promoted smooth transitions from Rhizocorallium to Diplocraterion. Similar successions of dominant trace-fossil assemblages, of comparable sizes, occur in many sections around the world and demonstrate the record of slow recovery that continued through the Middle Triassic. The illustrated record of evolution of the Middle Triassic Rhizocorallium assemblages in Poland documents the last two stages of benthos recovery after the P-T boundary. A similar situation is observed around the world and, in many cases, great abundance of Rhizocorallium seems to be an indication of pioneer burrowing in dynamic, unfavourable environments.

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Integrated microfacies, macrobenthos and trace-fossil analysis of the lower‒middle Miocene succession of Gebel Gharra, Cairo-Suez District, Egypt

Mandor Mona, El Hedeny Magdy, El-Sabbagh Ahmed, Nagm Emad, Abdelaal Abdelaal, Rashwan Mohamed, Mansour Heba

Annales Societatis Geologorum Poloniae

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2023

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Vol. 93, No. 4

381--409

EN

The palaeoecology and palaeoenvironments of the lower–middle Miocene succession in Gebel Gharra, NW of Suez, Egypt, are interpreted, on the basis of a detailed study of microfacies, trace fossils, and macrofaunal benthic assemblages. This succession consists of a lower siliciclastic part (the Gharra Formation) and a carbonate-dominated upper part (the Geniefa Formation), corresponding to a general transgression-regression cycle. Facies characteristics indicate depositional palaeoenvironments, ranging from supratidal, lagoonal, to shoal settings on an inner ramp that was influenced proximally by clastic input. At least seven ichnotaxa were recorded in the lower Miocene Gharra Formation, representing suites of the Skolithos ichnofacies. Among them, the ichnogenus Polykladichnus is recorded for the first time in Egypt. The macrobenthic taxa identified in 13 statistical samples are grouped into five assemblages (A–E) that are described and interpreted as the remains of communities. The faunal distribution and trophic structure of most of these assemblages confirm the existence of relatively stable and low-stress conditions. However, the trophic structure of the assemblages reflects the influence of particular environmental parameters, the dissolution of aragonitic shells and/or sample-size effects. Environmental parameters, controlling the distribution of trace and/or body fossils, include substrate consistency, bathymetry, water energy, productivity level, rate of sedimentation, salinity, and oxygen availability. The results of integrated lithoand biofacies analysis confirm that the succession studied was deposited in different environmental settings, providing perfect conditions for the occurrence and preservation of trace-fossil and macrobenthos assemblages.

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Cysty Dinoflagellata z górnego kampanu i najniższego mastrychtu (górna kreda) profilu środkowej Wisły : stratygrafia i paleoekologia

Nechwedowicz Mariusz

Przegląd Geologiczny

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2022

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Vol. 70, nr 10

751--760

EN

Among the rich dinoflagellate cyst assemblages recovered from the upper Campanian-lowermost Maastrichtian succession of the Middle Vistula River section (central Poland), four taxa (Callaiosphaeridium bicoronatum, Odontochitina dilatata, Oligosphaeridium araneum and Samlandia paucitabulata) have been described as new. An analysis of the distribution of particular dinoflagellate cyst taxa enabled the development of a highly resolved biostratigraphic framework, calibrated against other biozonal schemes (based, among others, on inoceramid bivalves, ammonites and belemnites), formerly established for the succession. A comparison of the Middle Vistula River record with the dinoflagellate cyst ranges documented in other European successions enabled correlations with selected sections in Belgium, the Netherlands, southern Germany and northern Italy, and with the Campanian/Maastrichtian boundary stratotype section in Tercis les Bains, southwest France. A palaeoecological analysis of the dino- flagellate cyst assemblages and of other components of phytoplankton communities revealed a well-defined trend in sea-level fluctuations (likely of eustatic origin), and palaeoclimatic changes probably related to the latest Cretaceous cooling episode, as observed elsewhere.

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The pre-Taghanic (Givetian, Middle Devonian) ecosystems of Miłoszów (Holy Cross Mts, Poland)

Halamski Adam T., Baliński Andrzej, Racki Grzegorz, Amler Michael R. W., Basse Martin, Denayer Julien, Dubicka Zofia, Filipiak Paweł, Kondas Marcelina, Krawczyński Wojciech, Mieszkowski Radosław, Narkiewicz Katarzyna, Olempska Ewa, Wrzołek Tomasz, Wyse-Jacson Patrick N., Zapalski Mikołaj K., Zatoń Michał, Kozłowski Wojciech

Annales Societatis Geologorum Poloniae

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2022

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Vol. 92, No. 4

323--379

EN

The middle and upper parts of the Skały Fm, Early to Middle Givetian in age, were investigated in four sections at Miłoszów Wood in the Łysogóry Region (northern region of the Holy Cross Mountains, central Poland). The dating is based on conodonts (Polygnathus timorensis Zone to the later part of the Polygnathus varcus/Polygnathus rhenanus Zone; early Polygnathus ansatus Zone cannot be excluded) and spores (Ex1–2 subzones) and, coupled with cartographic analysis and geophysical investigation, allows correlation within the strongly faulted succession. Significant lateral facies variations within the carbonate ramp depositional system in comparison with the better studied Grzegorzowice–Skały section, about 3 km distant, are documented, thanks to conodont-based correlation of both successions. Foraminifers, fungi, sponges, rugose and tabulate corals, medusozoans, microconchids and cornulitids, polychaetes (scolecodonts), molluscs (bivalves, rostroconchs, and gastropods), arthropods (trilobites and ostracods), bryozoans, hederelloids, ascodictyids, brachiopods, echinoderms (mostly crinoids, rare echinoids, holuthurians, and ophiocistoids), conodonts, fish, plants (prasinophytes, chlorophycophytes, and land plant spores), and acritarchs are present. Brachiopods are the most diverse phylum present (68 species), other richly represented groups are bryozoans and echinoderms; in contrast, cephalopods and trilobites are low in diversity and abundance. The muddy, middle to outer ramp biota (200 marine taxa, including 170 species of marine animals, 22 photoautotrophs, 6 forams) represents a mixture of allochthonous shallower-water communities (upper BA3), including storm- and possibly tsunami-affected coral mounds, and autochthonous deep-water soft-bottom brachiopod (e.g., Bifida–Echinocoelia) communities (BA 4–5). The richness and diversity of the Miłoszów biota is relatively high, comparable with other approximately coeval pre-Taghanic ecosystems during the Devonian climatic deterioration (cooling). Preliminary data indicate that in the Holy Cross Mountains, no large-scale replacement of brachiopod (and probably many other benthic ones, like crinoids) communities took place between the Early–Middle Givetian and the Early Frasnian, in contrast to the demise of the Hamilton/Upper Tully fauna in the Appalachian Basin. Such a similarity of pre- and post-Taghanic faunas does not exclude the occurrence of environmental perturbations and transient community turnovers, caused by immigrations during the Taghanic Biocrisis, but evidences the successful recovery of the indigenous biota.

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Episkeletobionts of large rugose corals from the Middle Devonian mesophotic palaeoenvironment recorded in the Pokrzywianka Beds (Holy Cross Mountains, Poland)

Zatoń Michał, Malec Jan, Wrzołek Tomasz, Kubiszyn Beata, Zapalski Mikołaj K.

Annales Societatis Geologorum Poloniae

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2022

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Vol. 92, No. 4

465--484

EN

Organisms encrusting corals from a coral horizon encountered in a trench in the Middle Devonian (Givetian) Pokrzywianka Beds of the classic Grzegorzowice-Skały section in the Holy Cross Mountains, Poland, are described and analyzed in the context of their palaeoecological and palaeoenvironmental background. These episkeletobionts form rather a low-diversity community, dominated by microconchid tubeworms, crinoids, and tabulate corals. The last group, however, is especially diverse at the family level, represented by auloporids, alveolitids, coenitids and favositids. These episkeletobionts are considered to have developed in a low-light, lower mesophotic palaeoeonvironment, as evidenced by the presence of platy, alveolitid tabulate coral in the deposits studied. This microconchid-crinoid-tabulate-coral community differs from other Givetian communities from the Holy Cross Mountains (Laskowa and Miłoszów), which also are considered to have developed in low-light habitats. The differences in taxonomic composition of episkeletobionts between these three localities most probably resulted from specific local conditions, related to bathymetry (light levels, nutrient levels), the specific nature of the hosts/substrates occupied, and also differences in larval dispersal patterns. This, in turn, shows that various encrusting communities may have inhabited seemingly similar, marine habitats within a given time interval and neighbouring areas, which may have serious implications for large-scale comparisons of biodiversity within a given palaeoenvironment.

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Cyclic ecological replacement of brachiopod assemblages in the top-Eifelian Dobruchna Brachiopod Shale Member (Skały Formation) of the Holy Cross Mountains (Poland)

Woźniak Paweł, Halamski Adam T., Racki Grzegorz

Annales Societatis Geologorum Poloniae

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2022

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Vol. 92, No. 4

445--463

EN

The palaeoecology of fossiliferous shales, belonging to the upper part of the Dobruchna Brachiopod Shale Member (= set XIV) of the Skały Formation (northern Holy Cross Mountains), was studied quantitatively in a succession in the transient (1989) trench A, 5.6 m thick, near the village of Skały. The top-Eifelian strata, recording the carbonate crisis during the global Kačák Bioevent, are well known for having a particularly diverse brachiopod fauna. The four brachiopod assemblages, recognised herein, were mainly controlled by the evolving bottom-sediment properties of the outer carbonate ramp basin. Soft, unstable substrates were inhabited by the poorly-diversified Poloniproductus assemblage, associated with a distinctive, ‘incumbent’ set of largely semi-infaunal, generalist species. The pioneer community, as a result of progressive consolidation of bioclast-enriched sediment, evolved toward a more diverse biota. This consequent stabilisation of the substrate resulted in the progressive growth of crinoid thickets or bryozoan-dominated biostromes and patches, associated with rich, subordinate, sessile and vagile benthos. In this stage, diverse brachiopod assemblages were dominated by the pedunculate, eurytopic, ribbed spiriferide Eleutherokomma or specialized orthides (Aulacella, Costisorthis) in the Dobruchna Mbr, and by the expansive, large, free-lying orthotetide Xystostrophia in the overlying set XV of the Skały Fm The cyclic ecological replacement, with the characters of ecological succession in the final phase, was evidently stimulated by an irregular transition from soupy muds to a mosaic of bioclast-rich and firmer, biogenic sediments, within the cyclic pattern of distal tempestite sedimentation. The three episodes of variously reduced deposition rate, recorded in the more diverse benthos, culminated in the pioneer bryozoan/coral reef growth and abundance of epibionts, alternating with times of destructive storm activity and deposition from suspension clouds in the muddy habitats.

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Stratigraphy and palaeoenvironments in the upper Turonian to lower Coniacian of the Saxonian Cretaceous Basin (Germany) - insights from calcareous and agglutinated foraminifers

Besen Richard M., Achilles Mareike, Alivernini Mauro, Voigt Thomas, Frenzel Peter, Struck Ulrich

Acta Geologica Polonica

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2022

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Vol. 72, no. 2

159--186

EN

Upper Turonian to lower Coniacian marls of the Strehlen Formation of the Graupa 60/1 core were investigated for their foraminiferal content to add stratigraphical and palaeoenvironmental information about the transitional facies zone of the Saxonian Cretaceous Basin. Further comparison with foraminiferal faunas of the Brausnitzbach Marl (Schrammstein Formation) were carried out to clarify its relationship to the marls of the Graupa 60/1 core. Tethyan agglutinated marker species for the late Turonian to early Coniacian confirm the proposed age of the marls of the Graupa 60/1 core and the Brausnitzbach Marl. The palaeoenvironment of the marls reflects middle to outer shelf conditions. The maximum flooding zones of genetic sequences TUR6, TUR7 and CON1 could be linked to acmes of foraminiferal species and foraminiferal morphogroups. In general, a rise of the relative sea-level can be recognised from the base to the top of the marls of the Graupa 60/1 core. While agglutinated foraminiferal assemblages suggest a generally high organic matter influx and variable but high productivity in the Graupa 60/1 core, the Brausnitzbach Marl deposition was characterized by moderate productivity and a generally shallower water depth.

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Middle and Late Pleistocene loess-palaeosol archives in East Croatia: multi-proxy palaeoecological studies on Zmajevac and Šarengrad II sequences

Molnár Dávid, Makó László, Cseh Péter, Sümegi Pál, Fekete István, Galović Lidija

Studia Quaternaria

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2021

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Vol. 38, Nr 1

3--17

EN

Multi-proxy palaeoenvironmental analyses on the two loess-palaeosol sequences of Šarengrad II and Zmajevac (Croatia) provided the opportunity to obtain various data on climatic and environmental events that occurred in the southern part of the Carpathian Basin during the past 350,000 years. Palaeoecological horizons were reconstructed using sedimentological data (organic matter and carbonate content, grain-size distribution and magnetic susceptibility) and the dominance-based malacological results (MZs) supported by habitat and richness charts, moreover multi-variate statistics (cluster analysis). The correlation of the reconstructed palaeoecological horizons with global climatic trends (Marine Isotope Stages) determined the main accumulation processes in the examined areas. The palaeoecological analyses revealed specific accumulation conditions at both sequences, fluvial and aeolian environments at Šarengrad and a possible forest refuge at Zmajevac.

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In defence of invertebrate fossil taxonomy

Fedorowski Jerzy

Acta Geologica Polonica

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2021

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Vol. 71, no. 3

249--258

EN

Starting from a subjective viewpoint on the decreasing interest in invertebrate fossil taxonomy, this essay discusses its importance in palaeobiological studies exemplified with cases from the palaeobiogeography and palaeoecology of rugose corals, and aims at provoking a discussion on the topic. The possible causes of this negative declining trend include inherent problems of palaeontological taxonomy, and changing systems in science and higher education.

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Biostratigraphy and palaeoenvironmental interpretation of the Dalichai Formation (Lower Cretaceous) in the eastern and central Alborz Mountains (North Iran) based on calcareous nannofossils

Shiri Rana, Hadavi Fatemeh, Hazaveh Fereshteh Sajadi

Geological Quarterly

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2020

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Vol. 64, No. 3

641--657

EN

OpracCalcareous nannofossils are described from 4 sections of the Lower Cretaceous Dalichai Formation from the Eastern (Tepal, Talu and Lavan sections) and central Alborz Mountains (Yonjezar section), Iran. Forty-two species belonging to 18 genera have been identified from the 4 sections studied, including 13 species belonging to 8 genera of ascidian didemnids only from the Tepal section. These taxa indicate the CC1-CC5 biozones of Sissingh's (1977) biozonation and an age of Berriasian to Early Barremian. The nannofossils recorded from the Dalichai Formation are generally Tethyan and cosmopolitan, while the presence of some Boreal taxa (Nannoconus abundans and N. borealis) may reflect connection between the Boreal and Tethyan realms in the Early Barremian. The sedimentary basin of the Dalichai Formation of the Tepal, Talu, and Yonjezar sections was located at low latitudes of the Tethyan realm with warm surface water. Also, trends of increasing depth and productivity, of a shift from r-selected to k-selected strategies and of a change from low-to-high mesotrophic to oligotrophic conditions, were deduced. A change from unstable to stable conditions towards the tops of sections is inferred for these localities. Laterally in the Dalichai Basin from the eastern to central Alborz, there was an increase in depth and productivity, and also a trend towards oligotrophic conditions and a dominance of low-stress conditions.owanie rekordu ze środków MNiSW, umowa Nr 461252 w ramach programu "Społeczna odpowiedzialność nauki" - moduł: Popularyzacja nauki i promocja sportu (2021).

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Palaeofloras from the Kota Formation, India: palaeodiversity and ecological implications

Chinnappa Chopparapu, Rajanikanth Annamraju, Kavali Pauline Sabina

Volumina Jurassica

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2019

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Vol. 17, no. 1

1--16

EN

The Kota Formation of the Pranhita-Godavari Basin is well known for its fossil fauna and flora especially for its silicified woods. However, the palaeoflora and its palaeoclimatic significance within the formation are poorly known. In spite of the fact that the formation yields a rich fauna and flora chronostratigraphic problems still exist. The present study aims to analyze the palaeofloras from the Kota Formation to understand their diversity and palaeoecological significance. We also describe a new species Agathoxylon kotaense belonging to the conifer family Araucariaceae. Our study shows that the flora was dominated by conifers and that it is comparable to that of the ?Late Jurassic – Lower Cretaceous Gangapur Formation, Pranhita-Godavari Basin and that of the Rajmahal Formation of the Rajmahal hills. The growth ring pattern and leaf fossil assemblage suggest that the growth conditions were seasonal, but mostly stressed.

13

Palynostratigraphy of dinosaur bone-bearing deposits from the Upper Cretaceous of Western Bulgaria

Pavlishina Polina, Dochev Docho, Nikolov Vladimir, Yaneva Marlena, Konyovska Ralitsa

Acta Geologica Polonica

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2019

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Vol. 69, no. 4

617--626

EN

Palynological investigation of the Vrabchov dol locality (Western Bulgaria) which recently yielded fragmentary dinosaur bones attributed to the clade Titanosauria, reveals well-preserved sporomorph assemblages dominated by angiosperm pollen from the Normapolles group, spores and rare gymnosperms. The age assessment of the studied sequence is based on the diagnostic Normapolles species, such as Oculopollis orbicularis Góczán, 1964, Oculopollis zaklinskaiae Góczán, 1964, Krutzschipollis spatiosus Góczán in Góczán et al., 1967 and Krutzschipollis crassus (Góczán, 1964) Góczán in Góczán et al., 1967. The concurrent presence of these pollen species suggests a late Santonian–early Campanian age for the succession. The sporomorph association is encountered in a palynofacies dominated by continental elements, including translucent phytoclasts (tissues, wood remains and plant cuticles). The sedimentary succession shows no evidence of marine elements and a very low proportion of AOM that attests to deposition within a lagoonal to foreshore marine environment, with high continental input and short transportation. The vegetation in the studied area was primarily composed of a range of Normapolles-producing angiosperms and secondarily of pteridophyte spore-producing plants. Gymnosperms were rare. Such a vegetation pattern reflects a warm, seasonally dry climate during the late Santonian–earliest Campanian in the studied area. The dinosaurs inhabited a wet lowland area, probably rich in herbaceous plants.

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The earliest Badenian Planostegina bloom deposit : reflection of an unusual environment in the westernmost Carpathian Foredeep (Czech Republic)

Kopecká J., Holcová K., Nehyba S., Hladilová Š., Brzobohatý R., Bitner M. A.

Geological Quarterly

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2018

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Vol. 62, No. 1

18--37

EN

The Miocene sedimentation history of the Brus denudation relict (the western part of the Carpathian Foredeep, Czech Republic) has been inferred from 20 m of silt/siltstones, sand/sandstones and limestones penetrated by the Brus-1 borehole. Detailed multiproxy lithofacies and biofacies analyses have allowed facies and palaeoenvironment interpretations. The presence of molluscs, brachiopods and fish fauna, as well as large benthic and epiphytic foraminifera indicates a generally shallow, subtropical, marine environment. Despite the scarcity of biostratigraphical markers, the section can be correlated with the lowermost Badenian (~15-16 Ma). In the siltstones in the lower part of the borehole, there are abundant low-salinity foraminifera, which may indicate increased rainfall. Linked to this is the nutrient enrichment of the sea bottom water inferred from the presence of the high-nutrient taxa accompanied by abundant calcareous nannoplankton eutrophic taxa such as Coccolithus pelagicus and eutrophic planktonic foraminifera of the Globigerina bulloides/praebulloides group. The main Planostegina bloom was recorded in a sandstone in the interval 12.5-7 m, and was not influenced by a shift from high-organic content Valvulineria assemblage of small foraminifera to an epiphytic one. The boundary between siliciclastic and carbonate sedimentation (-7.5 m) shows a drop in K and Th concentrations, and in the Th/U ratio, but a rise in the Th/K ratio. This change in radioactive element content may generally indicate a significant decrease in terrestrial sediment input which is further supported by the onset of limestone deposition. Reversal of the deposition regime and a decrease of clastic input into the basin may be related to the changing of the precipitation regime, probably triggered by orbitally-forced cyclicity.

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Marine palynology and environmental interpretation of the Lower Cretaceous (Barremian?–Aptian) rock units in the Koppeh-Dagh Basin, NE Iran

Sharifi M., Ghasemi-Nejad E., Sarfi M., Yazdi-Moghadam M., Tarjani-Salehani M., Akhtari M.

Geological Quarterly

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2018

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Vol. 62, No. 1

90--99

EN

The Sarcheshmeh and Sanganeh formations are the Lower Cretaceous deep marine sequences of the Koppeh-Dagh sedimentary basin, which revealed a diverse assemblage of dinoflagellates. The paper discusses palynostratigraphy, palynofacies and palaeoenvironment of these rock units in a borehole drilled in the eastern part of this basin. Ninety-five ditch-cutting samples were prepared and studied palynologically, which resulted in recognition of 76 species of dinoflagellate cysts belonging to 29 genera. The recorded assemblages are in accordance with the Odontochitina operculata Zone suggesting a Barremian?–Aptian age for the formations. Palynological data extracted led to identification of five palynofacies types based on the categories of Tyson (1995). These indicate a marginal, proximal and distal shelf environment of deposition. The obtained data from calculated palaeoecological factors revealed a gradual sea level rise during the deposition of these rock units, resulting in replacement of the oxic/dysoxic Sarcheshmeh Formation by the dysoxic/anoxic Sanganeh Formation.

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Palaeontological analysis of Middle Miocene siltstones at Wiślica (Carpathian Foredeep, Poland)

Płonka K.

Geologos

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2017

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Vol. 23, No. 1

29--43

EN

Middle Miocene siltstones of the Skawina Formation that crop out at Wiślica, within the axial part of the Carpathian Foredeep in Poland, were analysed. The deposits studied contain numerous benthic and planktonic foraminifera, ostracods, echinoid spines, bryozoans, bivalves and otoliths. The fossils recognised document an early ‘Badenian’ (= Langhian in the Mediterranean area), or, more precisely, ‘Moravian’ age of the deposit. Palaeoecological analysis suggests normal-marine conditions with full salinity. The studied siltstones were deposited from middle–lower shoreface to lower–offshore, warm surface water and locally suboxic to dysoxic conditions in the sediment.

17

Palaeoecology and sedimentology of the Miocene marine and terrestrial deposits in the “Medieval Quarry” on Devínska Kobyla Hill (Vienna Basin)

Pivko D., Hudáčková N., Hrabovský J., Sládek I., Ruman A.

Geological Quarterly

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2017

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Vol. 61, No. 3

549--568

EN

Dramatic tectonic and sea level changes of the Central Paratethys realm during the Middle Miocene resulted in changes of the coastal and seabed morphology affecting the composition of the marine association and the distribution of the facies along the coast. Three different episodes (marine-terrestrial-marine) in the environmental evolution are interpreted. A lower marine unit (Badenian; Lower Serravallian) reflects organodetrital sedimentation on and around an algal bioherm. Low terrigenous input maërl facies of typical rhodalgal carbonate factory type characterise the top of the algal mound. On the slopes, a rim of rhodechfor facies separated the bioherm from the rest of the bottom which had a seagrass cover. This high-energy rhodechfor carbonate factory is described from the Central Paratethys realm for the first time. It is composed mostly of coralline algae (Mesophyllum, Lithothamnion, Spongites and Lithophyllum), benthic foraminifers (Elphidium crispum, Neoconorbina terquemi, Miniacina sp., Borelis melo), echinoids (cidaroid, spatangoid and diadematoid groups) and bryozoans. Uplift of the Malé Karpaty Mts. resulted in tectonic activity in the vicinity, documented by the presence of clastic dikes and normal faults in the profile studied. Subsequent fluvial and terrestrial sedimentation is represented by regolith, palaeosoil and channel body deposits set discordantly on the top of lagoonal deposits. Finally, the third episode is represented by the Sarmatian transgressive marine sequence, which is characterized by coarse pebbly deposit eroded from an uplifted pre-Neogene basement. The strata studied originated in a warm temperate climate around the Badenian–Sarmatian transition.

18

Late Albian calcareous dinocysts and calcitarchs record linked to environmental changes during the final phase of OAE 1d – a case study from the Tatra Mountains, Central Western Carpathians

Ciurej A., Bąk K., Bąk M.

Geological Quarterly

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2017

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Vol. 61, No. 4

887--895

EN

Calcareous dinocysts and calcitarchs have been investigated for the first time within the Upper Albian limestone and marl succession of the Zabijak Formation from the High-Tatric Unit in the Tatra Mountains (Central Western Carpathians), related to the Oceanic Anoxic Event 1d (OAE 1d). Four groups of morphotaxa of calcareous dinocysts have been distinguished. They totally dominate the assemblages, and belong to the pithonellids. They are represented by Pithonella sphaerica (Kaufmann in Heer) and P. ovalis (Kaufmann in Heer), which dominate, as well as P. trejoi Bonet and P. lamellata Keupp in Keupp and Kienel, which are less abundant. Two other morphotaxa, Colomisphaera gigantea (Borza) and Cadosina oraviensis Borza, occur sporadically in the assemblages. Both forms represent the calcitarch group, which assembled calcispheres of unknown taxonomic affinity. The calcareous dinocyst and calcitarch diversity is low to moderate, compared to the general species richness known from Late Albian assemblages in other Western Tethyan sections. This is interpreted as a result of nutrient input fluctuations due to changes in the circulation pattern of surface and intermediate waters. The changes in the P. sphaerica/P. ovalis ratio along the Upper Albian section are here correlated with short-term (third-order) sea level fluctuations including transgressive and regressive events and a highstand. Pelletization processes might have influenced cyst abundance on the sea floor, especially during periods with oligotrophic surface waters.

19

Tunethyris blodgetti sp. nov. (Brachiopoda, Terebratulida) from the Middle Triassic of the Makhtesh Ramon, southern Israel

Feldman H. R.

Annales Societatis Geologorum Poloniae

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2017

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Vol. 87, No. 1

89--99

EN

Tunethyris blodgetti sp. nov. from the Triassic Saharonim Formation, Makhtesh Ramon, an erosional cirque in southern Israel, is erected on the basis of a suite of 39 articulated specimens. The shells are very strongly sulciplicated, a feature that seems to be more prevalent in the Mesozoic than the Palaeozoic. The Saharonim Formation was deposited under quasi-normal, calm, relatively shallow marine conditions. Faunal constituents of the Saharonim Formation include conodonts, ostracods, foraminiferans, bivalves, cephalopods, gastropods, echinoderms and vertebrate remains that belong to the Sephardic Province and are diagnostic of the Middle Triassic series of Israel. The faunal composition and shallow depositional environment of the strata may help differentiate the Sephardic Province from the Germanic Muschelkalk and the Alpine Tethyan faunas to the north.

20

Oxfordian brachiopods from the Saïda and Frenda mountains (Tlemcenian Domain, north-western Algeria)

Halamski A. T., Cherif A.

Annales Societatis Geologorum Poloniae

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2017

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Vol. 87, No. 2

141--156

EN

Five brachiopod species are reported from two middle to upper Oxfordian (Late Jurassic) outcrops, situated in the Saïda and Frenda mountains (Tlemcenian Domain, north-western Algeria) and belonging to the heterochronous (Callovian to Oxfordian, locally to the Kimmeridgian) Argiles de Saïda Formation (Saïda Clay Formation). The upper Oxfordian (probably Dichotomoceras bifurcatus Zone) outcrop A yielded Dictyothyris kurri and Loboidothyridoidea indet. The middle Oxfordian (Liosphinctes plicatilis Zone, Cardioceras vertebrale Subzone) outcrop B yielded Monticlarella rollieri, Karadagithyris boullierae sp. n., and Zittelina sp.; this is the first report of the last-mentioned genus from Africa. Karadagithyris boullierae sp. n. is a link between previously known Bajocian to Bathonian (Callovian?) Karadagithyris s.s. and Tithonian to Lower Cretaceous species, formerly segregated as Svaljavithyris; the latter is considered herein as synonym of Karadagithyris. It is characterised by a plano-uniplicate anterior commissure and a suberect beak. The adult loop of Zittelina is confirmed as bilacunar (kingeniform) and not diploform (campagiform). The bulk of the assemblages comprises small and either smooth or finely ornamented species and thus represents a low-energy environment. The lack of modern revisions of the reported species in their type areas is the reason why only Dictyothyris kurri may be used as an index species for the middle to late Oxfordian.