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Abstract: Abstract A 200 m thick drill core penetrating the Givetian Hahnstätten Reef in the southwestern Lahn Syncline (Rhenish Massif) was investigated. A range of different depositional environments is described based on lithofacies and microfacies analysis. All in all, nine lithofacies types (FTs) are distinguished, which can include subfacies types. The majority of lithofacies of these ultrapure carbonates is represented by lime mudstone and fenestral microbialites, all pointing to shallow subtidal, intertidal to even supratidal low-energy palaeoenvironments. In contrast, more high-energy parts of the reef were dominated by bioclastic rubble deposits (e.g. rudstone). Autochthonous, reef-building carbonates are represented by bafflestone and framestone. Diversity of reef building organisms (stromatoporoids and corals) is low and is dominated by Stachyodes, Actinostroma, Stromatopora, and Thamnopora and alveolitids, respectively. Other bioclasts are brachiopods, gastropods, ostracods, foraminifera, echinoderms, trilobites, and conodonts in descending order. Development of the Hahnstätten Reef is interpreted as having been controlled mainly by synsedimentary tectonics and volcanism with contributions from eustasy. The occurrence of Stringocephalus burtini in the entire section and conodont findings, which provide more precise biostratigraphic data confirm an early to middle Givetian age (Polygnathus rhenanus/varcus Zone to Polygnathus ansatus Zone) of the succession. The average quality of the ultrapure carbonates lies at 97.68% CaO (excl. loss of ignition), with 70% of the core ranging between 98% and 99% CaO. This extremely high purity makes it difficult to identify correlations between lithofacies and geochemical data. PubDate: 2023-09-19
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Abstract: Abstract The Catalan locality of Can Llobateres 1 (early Vallesian, MN9) shows a remarkably rich diversity just prior to the mid-Vallesian crisis, including 23 species of Carnivora. Similarity maps using the Raup-Crick index and covering the Middle to Late Miocene (16–5.3 Ma) show that the origin of this carnivoran chronofauna lies to the north of the Iberian Peninsula, gradually making its way south. The chronofauna built up through migrations during the Aragonian, but shows a major influx during the early Vallesian, leading to a biodiversity hotspot. At the end of MN9, the mid-Vallesian turnover, the chronofauna collapses. This is mainly because of the extinction of parts of the fauna, and the retraction of some species to the north, disappearing from Spain. Thus, the rich fauna is an amalgamation of persisting older elements, northern elements having a brief temporary presence and new elements coming in. All these were supported by the unique rich ecosystem of the Vallès-Penedès Basin during the early Vallesian. PubDate: 2023-09-13
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Abstract: Abstract Early Paleogene latitudinal precipitation gradients and patterns along the Pacific coast of Eurasia are studied in time and space using the Coexistence Approach, for the first time applied on an extensive regional palaeobotanical record. The palaeobotanical data used in this reconstruction are compiled from literature resources on 110 reasonably well-dated floras, including terrestrial deposits of 73 sites located in the Far East of Russia, Eastern Siberia, China, and Japan, and covering the early Palaeocene to early Eocene. Our reconstructions of precipitation for the Pacific side of Eurasia in the early Paleogene demonstrate a clear division (especially pronounced in the early Eocene) into two zones at ca. 50° N palaeolatitude on all precipitation parameters. Our results reveal very weak latitudinal precipitation gradients during the early and late Palaeocene. In the early Eocene, the gradient became more clearly pronounced, and a larger “arid” zone can be distinguished in the mid-latitudes. Our data suggest that in the early Paleogene, the global atmospheric circulation consisted of two well-defined cells, Hadley and Ferrell, while the polar cell was either absent or located over the Arctic Ocean and was very weak. Based on our reconstructions, the records could not be interpreted in terms of a monsoonal type of climate. The regional distribution of hygrophilous and xerophilous taxa in our early Eocene record largely coincides with the reconstructed precipitation pattern and generally corresponds to the distribution of coals and/or oil shales and red beds and/or evaporites, respectively. PubDate: 2023-09-08
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Abstract: Abstract Eocene amber is an important window into the past about 35 million years ago. The large quantities of resin produced by this forest of the past, resulting in amber, triggered the idea of a forest under stress. Recent findings of higher abundances of hoverfly larvae in Eocene amber, in the modern fauna often associated with wood-borer larvae, provided a hint that wood-borer larvae may have contributed to this stress. Yet, so far only few such larvae have been reported. We have compiled a dozen additional wood-borer larvae in amber, including a giant one of at least 35 mm length in Rovno amber. Heavily damaged fossils furthermore indicate that larger larvae of this type were prone to oxidation and that, at least some, enigmatic tube-like tunnels in larger amber pieces may represent remains of large wood-borer larvae. This find strongly indicates that wood-borer larvae were not rare, but common in the Eocene amber forest, which is compatible with the high abundances of hoverfly larvae and further supports the idea of a forest under stress. Whether the possible higher abundances of wood-borer larvae were the cause of the stress or a symptom of an already stressed forest remains so far unclear. PubDate: 2023-09-01
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Abstract: Abstract Reelaborated fossils are rare components of the palaeontological record which can preserve evidence of unique post-mortem histories. As the name implies, such fossils are usually eroded out of the deposit in which they were originally entombed, and subsequently transported and reburied in a younger bed. This is the case with a single tooth of Ptychotrygon sp., a batoid from Cretaceous seas, found between Miocene mammal remains in the Ribesalbes-Alcora Basin. The Miocene deposits from the Ribesalbes–Alcora Basin form a complex graben belonging to the Neogene rift system superimposed on the preexisting structural features of the South East of the Iberian Range, and are composed of detrital and calcareous materials deposited in alluvial and lacustrine environments overlying a Cretaceous basement. The site where the tooth was found, Corral de Brisca 0B, consists in grey shales topped by black shales with abundant remains of fossil snails and bones; surrounded by Cretaceous dolomitic limestones. Ptychotrygon sp. belongs to the family Ptychogonidae, an enigmatic group of sawfishes that that ranges from the Albian to the Maastrichtian. This genus is common in the Iberian Range and is usually found in Paleogene deposits as reelaborated specimens, but never found in the Neogene deposits. PubDate: 2023-09-01
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Abstract: Abstract The exceptionally rich vertebrate locality of Ahl al Oughlam near Casablanca (Morocco) yielded abundant remains of Lagomorpha, composed of cranial and postcranial bones and many isolated teeth. They represent a new species of Prolagidae, Prolagus migrans n. sp., and two new Leporidae, Trischizolagus meridionalis n. sp. and Afrolagus pomeli n. g., n. sp. The main characters of the new Prolagus species are the large and anteriorly curved mesial hyperloph on P2, the lack of crochet, and the protoconulid isolated in most p3s. Trischizolagus meridionalis n. sp. is smaller than the common European species T. dumitrescuae, and differs in having in most p3 a massive outlined trigonid, mesofossetid and paraflexid. The second leporid Afrolagus pomeli n. g., n. sp. displays a unique p3 pattern not seen in the Old World leporids with the hypoflexid penetrating more than two thirds of the total width; it is probably formed by the fusion of hypoflexid and mesofosssetid, but leaves a wide lingual connection between the trigonid and talonid. Its upper molariform teeth have strongly wrinkled enamel along the edges of the hypoflexus. Despite these differences, it also shares several dental features with both the African genus Serengetilagus and the European genus Oryctolagus, to which it is compared. Prolagus and Trichizolagus are both well-known European genera. Their occurrence in the Plio-Pleistocene of Morocco is certainly due to a dispersal event thanks to terrestrial connection between the Iberian Peninsula and the Moghreb. In the light of recent faunal, biogeographic and chronological data, the beginning of mammalian exchanges in both directions dates from about 6.2 Ma. The locality of Ahl al Oughlam, although much younger, with an age estimated to 3.0-2.5 Ma, retains taxa resulting from this dispersal event, including the lagomorphs described here. PubDate: 2023-09-01
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Abstract: Abstract A new periotic (MuMAB 240508) is described from the Tortonian of the Stirone River, Northern Italy. The new specimen is described and compared to all the known periotics of extant and extinct balaenopterid species. The new specimen shows balaenopterid characters, including the triangular anterior process, the transverse and anteroposterior elongations of the pars cochlearis, as well as in the arrangement of the endocranial foramina of the periotic. The presence of a medial promontorial groove, a lack of separation between the round window and the perilymphatic foramen together with the presence of a protruding set of medial crests suggest that this periotic may belong to an archaic and undescribed balaenopterid species. A phylogenetic analysis was performed to understand the relationships of this specimen within the broader context of balaenopterid phylogeny; this analysis showed that MuMAB 240508 belongs to a basal balaenopterid taxon that is the sister group to all the other Balaenopteridae with the exception of ‘Balaenoptera’ ryani. An ordinary least squares regression analysis showed that a relationship exists linking the length of the anterior process of the periotic and the total body length in Balaenopteridae. By means of such a relationship, the total body length of the individual to which MuMAB 240508 belonged to was reconstructed and resulted in c. 14.4 m. This individual was longer than all the other contemporaneous balaenopterid mysticetes confiming the hypothesis that the origin of large size occurred in this family earlier than previously thought. PubDate: 2023-09-01
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Abstract: Abstract Dryopteridaceae are the basal family of Eupolypods I (Polypodiales) and include abundant extant species, but fossil occurrences are limited, particularly from a temporal perspective. Although DNA-based molecular studies indicate that the origin of Dryopteridaceae dates to the Early Cretaceous, no unambiguous fossil of the family has been reported from the Cretaceous period. Here, we report a new fern taxa based on well-preserved fertile specimen frond from mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber. Based on sporangia with interrupted, vertical annulae; monoletee spores; and the absence of indusia, the fertile fern fossil has been assigned to a new genus of Dryopteridaceae (Polypodiales). This represents the first fossil record of Dryopteridaceae from the Mesozoic and its mid-Cretaceous age is largely consistent with molecular-based estimates of divergence time. The fossil extends our understanding of polypod fern diversity in Mesozoic forests. PubDate: 2023-09-01
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Abstract: Abstract The fossil record of the lygaeoid true bug family, Geocoridae so far consisted of a compression fossil from the Florissant Formation, Geocoris infernorum, and a mould fossil from the Izarra Formation, G. monserrati. Here, we report the third taxon, Protogeocoris arcanus gen. et sp. nov. from Cenomanian Burmese amber along with revision of the two previously mentioned species. The study of the specimens resulted in erecting a new genus, Eocenogeocoris gen. nov. to accommodate G. infernorum [ = Eocenogeocoris infernorum (Sudder, 1890) comb. nov.], because of its unique combination of characters compared to extant geocorine true bugs. Furthermore, the interpretation of the novel morphological data acquired from the study of the fossil geocorids in the context of the knowledge on extant representatives of the family suggests that characteristic groups of the family may have been evolved until the mid-Cretaceous, whilst the species-level diversity of the nominotypical genus, Geocoris Fallén, 1814, and closely allied genera is possibly resulted by quick radiation event after a climatic changes at the Eocene-Oligocene boundary. PubDate: 2023-09-01
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Abstract: Abstract We report the first records of the leptosomiform taxon Plesiocathartes from the early Eocene London Clay of Walton-on-the-Naze (Essex, UK). Two species could be distinguished, one of which is described as Plesiocathartes insolitipes, sp. nov. (the other is classified as Plesiocathartes sp.). We furthermore describe two small leptosomiform-like birds from Walton-on-the-Naze, Waltonavis paraleptosomus, gen. et sp. nov. and W. danielsi, gen. et sp. nov., which are represented by partial skeletons of multiple individuals. In plesiomorphic characters of the coracoid and furcula, the new taxon Waltonavis is distinguished from Plesiocathartes and the extant Leptosomus; the skull of Waltonavis furthermore exhibits basipterygoid processes, which are absent in Leptosomus. Another new species, Lutavis platypelvis, gen. et sp. nov., is based on a partial skeleton from Walton-on-the-Naze and closely resembles Plesiocathartes in the overall shape of the tarsometatarsus. However, L. platypelvis is clearly distinguished from leptosomiform birds in the morphology of the hypotarsus, the more massive coracoid, and other skeletal features. Although we consider close affinities to Plesiocathartes and, hence, the Leptosomiformes to be possible, we could not identify derived characters that enable an unambiguous phylogenetic placement of L. platypelvis. In any case, the new species document an unexpected diversity of Plesiocathartes-like fossil in the London Clay and may open a new perspective for a reconstruction of the ancestral morphology of the avian clade Afroaves, which includes the Leptosomiformes and other arboreal landbirds. PubDate: 2023-09-01
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Abstract: Abstract Ophisaurus (Anguidae) was widely distributed throughout the Miocene of Europe, but quite rarely occurred in the Pliocene, and almost absent in the Pliocene of Eastern Europe. Here we describe two new remains of Ophisaurus from the Moldavian Faunal Complex of the Early Pliocene of Moldova. Both records are represented by parietal bones and are assigned to Ophisaurus spinari and Ophisaurus fejfari. They represent the first Pliocene records of the genus in Eastern Europe. Ophisaurus fejfari, previously known only from the Early and Middle Miocene (MN 4–6), is recorded in the Pliocene for the first time. The presence of Ophisaurus in the Pliocene of Eastern Europe coincides with the existence of the south-eastern European “refugium” for thermophilic reptiles, which widely encompassed the northern Black Sea coastal area. The method of high-resolution X-ray microcomputed tomography revealed the internal anatomical details (arrangement of the vascular system) of the parietal bones, which might be useful for identification of the Cenozoic Ophisaurus pending future study. PubDate: 2023-09-01
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Abstract: Abstract The assemblage of small mammals from a site near Yeniköy (Anatolia) is described. The assemblage was collected by screen-washing a sample from a locality in the Selimye Formation (Sivas basin). The site has a magneto-stratigraphic calibrated age of 29 Ma (younger part of the early Oligocene). The murids dominate in this relatively small collection with Eucricetodon and Pseudocricetodon. In addition, a dipodid, an unidentified erinaceide and the new baluchimyin hystricognath genus and species Zorania milosi nov. gen. et nov. sp. are present. The study of Eucricetodon, Pseudocricetodon and Zorania nov. sp. includes an analysis of incisor enamel microstructure. The incisor microstructure of Eucricetodon shows that there are several parallel long-living lineages within the genus. The Anatolia-Balkans biogeography of the late Eocene-Oligocene is reviewed. Its rodent assemblages are characterised by dominance of murids and presence of taxa that are known from low-latitude Asia. The Paleogene Anatolia-Balkans biogeographic province, is therefore rather different from those of western European and the Indian subcontinent. PubDate: 2023-09-01
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Abstract: Abstract The Homerian (Wenlock) to Ludfordian (Ludlow), late Silurian, retiolitine genera Neogothograptus and Holoretiolites and their relatives are revised. These are often considered as the youngest and smallest retiolitine taxa, characterised by a finite growth indicated by the appendix, leading to the extinction of the clade. The tubarium construction of the genera is analysed and compared, showing the loss of the pleural and parietal lists in Holoretiolites and the development of a central zigzag construction on the obverse and reverse sides of the tubarium. This construction is not homologous to similar constructions in earlier retiolitines, as it is based on the modification of the lateral apertural lists. It is also found in the closely related Semiplectograptus and Plectodinemagraptus. Useful details to understand the astogeny of these taxa include the development of the reticulum, the genicular processes and the outer ancora. These features are described for the first time for most species. Details of the outer ancora and its construction in the genus Neogothograptus are still poorly understood. Holoretiolites helenaewitoldi is synonymised with Holoretiolites atrabecularis. Holoretiolites manckoides is transferred to Semiplectograptus. PubDate: 2023-09-01
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Abstract: Abstract The distribution of the Mediterranean Transphlebotomus species shows a marked zoogeographical dichotomy in the sense that Phlebotomus mascittii has a wide range in Europe, and the other species are restricted to the East Mediterranean region. The study aimed to investigate how the Neogene to late Quaternary climatic-geographical alterations could influence the split of the sandfly subgenus Transphlebotomus and the speciation of Phlebotomus mascitti. For this purpose, the climatic suitability patterns of the species were modelled for seven Neogene and Quaternary periods and the divergence times of Transphlebotomus clades were estimated. The model results suggest that the common ancestor of the extant Mediterranean-European Transphlebotomus species could be adapted to the Late Miocene climate of Western and Central Europe. Phylogenetic results suggest that the speciation of Ph. mascittii started in the Tortonian period, plausibly related to the rise of the Dinaric land bridge. The Central and Eastern Paratethys Seas could have played an important role in the split of the ancestral Phlebotomus mascittii populations and other Transphlebotomus populations. These other species can be the descendants of ancient Transphlebotomus populations adapted to the hotter and drier climate of the areas south of the Central and Eastern Paratethys. Their divergence could be strongly linked to the formation of the Aegean trench and, later, the Messinian salinity crisis. The Pliocene climatic fluctuations could result in habitat loss of Transphlebotomus populations in Europe which was particularly significant during glacial maxima such as the Last Glacial Maximum. PubDate: 2023-09-01
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Abstract: Abstract The genus Paraplectograptus includes a small number of retiolitine species with an identical development of the main thecal and ancora sleeve lists. A complete virgella-virga-nema development with connecting lists is formed on the obverse side of the tubarium, while the only thecal lists on the reverse side are the lateral apertural lists, connected through the pleural lists of the ancora sleeve. Obverse and reverse sides of the tubarium are connected by the thecal lips on the ventral sides. The characteristic zigzag thecal lists of the reverse side of many early retiolitines are not present in the genus. The development and extent of the reticular ancora sleeve lists on the obverse and reverse sides of the tubarium are quite variable and range from lacking entirely to dense. The genus Pseudoplectograptus is regarded as a junior synonym of Paraplectograptus. Pseudoplectograptus sagenus is transferred to the genus Sagenograptoides. Its type species ‘Sagenograptoides arctos’ was known only from small, immature or fragmentary specimens of the associated Sagenograptoides sagenus. This species bears a characteristic reticulum on the ventral thecal walls, not found in the genus Paraplectograptus, but which is present in other Cyrtograptus lundgreni Biozone retiolitines. PubDate: 2023-08-28
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Abstract: Abstract The taxonomy of Quaternary medium-sized deer from Europe rests mainly on antler morphology, while adequate dental and postcranial diagnostic features are lacking. When complete antlers are not available, the taxonomic identifications are often attempted on chronological ground. A considerable number of mostly unpublished craniodental and postcranial remains of fallow deer from selected Italian sites from the late Early Pleistocene to the late Middle Pleistocene is here presented and discussed. The aim of this work is to test the validity of the diagnostic characters proposed in literature and to explore the variability of the fallow deer taxa. In addition, the analysis of the two reference samples from Riano and Ponte Molle allows to refine the features of Dama clactoniana. Finally, biometric comparison has been performed in order to investigate possible oscillations across time and/or differences among taxa. PubDate: 2023-08-09
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Abstract: Abstract In an abandoned sand pit near Ballendorf (Alb-Donau District, Baden-Württemberg), sediments of the Upper Marine Molasse (Lower Miocene) are present. In these sediments, 39 shark and ray species belonging to 29 genera were identified (Aetobatus, Alopias, Araloselachus, Carcharhinus, Carcharias, Centrophorus, Chaenogaleus, Dasyatis, Galeocerdo, Hemipristis, Iago, Isistius, Keasius, Notorynchus, Pachyscyllium, Paragaleus, Physogaleus, Pristiophorus, Raja, Rhinobatos, Rhinoptera, Rhizoprionodon, Rhynchobatus, Scyliorhinus, Sphyrna, Squalus, Squatina, Taeniurops, Triakis). However, in this paper we only illustrate and describe the 23 taxa not already discussed in previous publications on the Upper Marine Molasse deposits of Äpfingen, Rengetsweiler and Ursendorf, apart from two exceptions: teeth from jaw positions not previously illustrated, and specimens that are better preserved than those in previous publications. Specimens only determined as “sp.” were illustrated because it cannot be ruled out that they represent different species to the ones published earlier. Nearly all of the taxa found have Recent relatives; only Araloselachus, Keasius and Physogaleus are extinct. Most of the recovered taxa lived on or near the bottom in the shelf region. Alopias and possibly also Keasius lived higher in the water column. With Isistius, a taxon living in the oceanic realm was present, and the Recent representatives of Centrophorus live in deeper waters. Nearly all taxa fed on invertebrates and/or fishes; Isistius also fed as an ectoparasite. Additionally, two generalist feeders (Galeocerdo, Notorynchus) and one filter feeder (Keasius) were identified. The species Carcharias crassidens, which is not common in the Upper Marine Molasse, was also verified. Other fossils found in this deposit include remnants of odontocete cetaceans, molluscs, balanid barnacles, algae, and teeth of terrestrial mammals. The palaeoenvironment was a warm, shallow-water habitat. Based on greater proximity to the palaeo-coastline, the water depth was probably less than in other Upper Marine Molasse deposits. PubDate: 2023-08-03
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Abstract: Abstract The Eocene biota from the pre-rifting stage of the Upper Rhine Graben (southwest Germany) is, with exception of the world-famous fossil sites Messel and Bouxwiller, poorly known. While from these localities exclusively terrestrial and freshwater fossils were recovered, here we present floral and faunal assemblages from the middle Upper Rhine Graben which clearly indicate a temporarily brackish water environment and consist of a diverse palynomorph association, calcareous nannoplankton, foraminifers, ostracods and some fish and reptile remains. Based on the occurrence of Trochastrites hohnensis, a Lutetian age is assumed. Organic-walled dinoflagellate cysts, in particular Phthanoperidinium comatum, Phthanoperidinium echinatum, Apectodinium homomorphum and Apectodinium quinquelatum, suggest a late Ypresian to Lutetian age. The pollen and spores assemblage includes typical mid Eocene species, such as Tegumentisporis villosoides, Tricolporopollenites crassostriatus and representatives of Bombacaceae, but a late Ypresian to Priabonian age cannot be excluded. Foraminifers and ostracods do not further refine the biostratigraphical assignment. Hence, a Lutetian age is most probable. The mass occurrence of Neocyprideis, various foraminifer taxa and an organic-walled dinoflagellate cyst assemblage of very low diversity are indicative of a brackish water environment. Disarticulated vertebrate remains include fish teeth of Lepisosteidae, turtle plates and alligatoroid teeth of Diplocynodon and Hassiacosuchus. The present palaeogeographical scenarios do not consider a connection from the Upper Rhine Graben to the North Sea Basin, Alpine Sea/Paratethys or Paris Basin during the mid Eocene. Provided that the middle Upper Rhine Graben was land-locked and definitely not reached by a marine ingression during this time interval, we tentatively suggest that the brackish water taxa may have been accidentally introduced into a brackish inland sea by wind (anemochory), rain, highly mobile insects or vertebrates such as fish, birds and mammals (endozoochory/ectozoochory). The presumably freshwater calcareous nannoplankton species Nannoserratolithus minutus Martini is newly described. PubDate: 2023-07-21
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Abstract: Abstract Centipedes are predatory representatives of the group Myriapoda and important components of the soil and leaf-litter fauna. The first pair of trunk appendages is modified into venom-injecting maxillipeds in all centipedes. The number of trunk appendage pairs varies between the different groups of centipedes, from 15 pairs as apparently ancestral (plesiomorphic) condition, up to 191 pairs. The last pair of trunk legs can be used for different tasks in centipedes, e.g. mechano-sensation, defense, or stridulation. Many morphological details are also known from fossil centipedes, but especially the oldest fossils are often fragmentary and the fossil record in general is rather scarce. Especially the late appearance of lithobiomorphans in Cenozoic ambers is notable, though some not formally described lithobiomorph-like specimens from Cretaceous amber from Myanmar have been published. We present here a new specimen from Cretaceous Kachin amber, Myanmar with a lithobiomorph-type of morphology, Lithopendra anjafliessae gen. et sp. nov. The very large ultimate leg appears to have been used for defence and is, in relative proportions, larger than in any known lithobiomorphan, only comparable to that in scolopendromorphans. With this, the specimen presents a mixture of characters, which are in the modern fauna only known from two different centipede groups. We discuss the implications of this new fossil, also concerning events of convergence in this lineage. PubDate: 2023-07-05 DOI: 10.1007/s12549-023-00581-3
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Abstract: Abstract The Nukhul Formation has been a point of controversy until now due to a lack of index fossils, varied facies modifications, and different time gaps. As a result, the calcareous nannofossils of the exposed Miocene rocks at Wadi Baba, west-central Sinai have been studied quantitatively for the first time. An important sequence of calcareous nannofossil bioevents has been recorded in the Nukhul Formation, including the FOs of Discoaster druggii, Sphenolithus dissimilis, Helicosphaera ampilaperta, and Sphenolithus disbelemnos, which correspond to the Aquitanian age of upper NN1 and NN2 zones. The Nukhul Formation contains four intervals that reflect eutrophic conditions in the nearshore habitats with substantial nutrient input from the terrigenous influx, as shown by the dominance of cool-water taxa, Coccoliths pelagicus and Reticulofenestra minuta. The lithofacies, microfacies types, abundance, dominance, and diversity of nannofossil assemblages classified the studied interval into two depositional sequences with four system tracts. These tracts refer to fluctuations in relative sea level changes in response to the eustatic sea-level curve. PubDate: 2023-06-02 DOI: 10.1007/s12549-023-00580-4
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