FORAMINIFERAL AND RADIOLARIAN ASSEMBLAGES IN THE LATE ALBIAN EARLY CENOMANIAN SEDIMENTS OF KARAI SHALE, TAMIL NADU

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1 FORAMINIFERAL AND RADIOLARIAN ASSEMBLAGES IN THE LATE ALBIAN EARLY CENOMANIAN SEDIMENTS OF KARAI SHALE, TAMIL NADU Venkatachalapathy R. 1, *Harini L. 1, Arun bharathi V. 1, Nikita Bragin 2, Bragina L.G. 2 and Oleg Korchagin 2 1 Department of Geology, Periyar University, Salem , Tamil nadu, India 2 Geological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia *Author for Correspondence ABSTRACT The cretaceous rocks of southern India are exposed in five detached outcrop patches in the cauvery basin. They are sivaganga, thanjavur, ariyalur, vriddachalam and puducherry basins from south to north. The cretaceous rocks of the ariyalur area in the cauvery basin have been classified into three groups, viz. Uttattur, trichinpoly and ariyalur groups in the ascending order and these groups include many formations. The seven cretaceous stages albian, cenomanian, turonian, coniacian, santonian, campanian and maastrichtian ranging about 50 million years is examined for accessing the boundary level of different stages and their completeness in ariyalur outcrop area. The four formations comprising the uttattur group are terani formation, arokiyapuram formation, dalmiapuram formation and karai formation. One hundred and seventy five (175) closed geological samples were collected in the field for the study of foraminifera. One hundred and thirty nine (139) species of foraminifera have been identified in the present study out of which one hundred and thirty (130) are benthic foraminifera and nine (9) are planktic foraminifera. Three bio zones have been identified in the study area from mid-albian to early cretaceous. They are hedbergella planispira zone, planomalina buxtorfi zone and thalmaninella appenninica zone. The albian cenomanian boundary is placed between the last occurrence of planomalina buxtorfi and first occurrence of thalmaninella appenninica that is between the sample no.6710 and Key Words: Cretaceous; Benthic Foraminifera; Planktic Foraminifera; Radiolaria; Albian Cenomanian Boundary INTRODUCTION The Cretaceous was one of the most important periods in the geological history of the Indian subcontinent. It was a period of intense tectonism, leading to the initiation and development of new sedimentary basins. The Cretaceous deposits are found in the Narmada valley, Assam, and in the Tiruchirapalli area. Among these the largest deposit is found in the Tiruchirapalli area in Tamil Nadu State. The marine Cretaceous sedimentary sequences are best developed in the Cauvery Basin, ranging in age from Hauterivian to Maastrichtian. In recent years, many researchers concentrated their studies on the Cretaceous Period, which encompasses four global mass extinctions (Jurassic Cretaceous, Late Aptian, Cenomanian Turonian, Maastrichtian Danian bioevents) which spans one of the most dynamic periods of environmental change in earth history. Location of the Study Area The Uttattur Group is named after the Uttattur village and best exposures are available east of this village and adjoining areas. It extends about 70 km in length and 4-6 km in width, with an average dip of about 10º east. The study area falls within North Latitudes 10º 55' to 11º 25' and East longitudes 78º 40' to 79º 10' forming parts of the toposheets 58 I/16, 58 M/4, 58 M/3, 58 J/13 of Geological Survey of India Copyright 2014 Centre for Info Bio Technology (CIBTech) 250

(Figure 1). The Karai Formation of the Uttattur Group is well exposed as badland developed in an easterly draining catchment to the east of Karai (Sundaram et al., 2001).

2 (Figure 1). The Karai Formation of the Uttattur Group is well exposed as badland developed in an easterly draining catchment to the east of Karai (Sundaram et al., 2001). Figure 1: Location map of the Study Area General Stratigraphy of Uttattur Group The Cretaceous rocks of Southern India are exposed in five detached outcrop patches viz. Sivaganga, Thanjavur, Ariyalur, Vriddachalam and Puducherry from South to North. The Cretaceous rocks of the Ariyalur area in the Cauvery basin have been classified both lithostratigraphically and biostratigraphically. They are divided into three Groups viz. Uttattur, Trichinpoly and Ariyalur Groups in the ascending order and these Groups include many Formations. Uttattur Group comprises of Dalmiapuram and Karai Formations which are lateral facies equivalents. The Dalmiapuram Formation consists of coral algal limestones, marl bedded limestone and marl and where as Karai Formation consists of variegated shales. It consists of grey-brown, gypsiferous, glauconitic mudstone and marl which is black and gypsum free when fresh, with sporadic thin, interbeds of siltstone, calcareous sandstone and conquinite particularly in its upper part. Sporadic calcareous, sideritic and phosphatic concretions and concretionary horizons occur in the some intervals. Scattered macrofossils, predominantly mollusks, are typical of the formation. The formation reaches a maximum thickness of some 410 m. MATERIALS AND METHODS Well Developed/ suitable geological section was identified for the present study after carrying out the field study and available literature. Karai shale was found to be one of the best exposures available in east coast of India for the study of Mid Cretaceous sediments. One hundred and seventy five (175) closed geological samples were collected in the field for the study of foraminifera. The collected geological Copyright 2014 Centre for Info Bio Technology (CIBTech) 251

samples are soaked in water and 30% Hydrogen peroxide for a day and are then washed through an ASTM 230 mesh sieve. The residue obtained after washing is kept in a hot air oven for drying.

3 samples are soaked in water and 30% Hydrogen peroxide for a day and are then washed through an ASTM 230 mesh sieve. The residue obtained after washing is kept in a hot air oven for drying. The dried sample is then analysed through a microscope and the foraminifers are separated. The foraminifers are taxonomically classified using the Foraminiferal Genera and Their Classification by Loeblich and Tappan (1988) and Biostratigraphic classification followed by Robaszynski and Caron (1985). Rock samples selected for radiolarian analysis are disintegrated in a 15% solution of formic acid. In micropaleontology, this is conventional chemical method of disintegrating sedimentary rocks such as marls (Nazarov and Vitukhin, 1981). The macerated radiolarian remains were examined and photographed under a Tescan 2300 raster scanning electron microscope using the BSE detector regime. Figure 2: Lithology and Sample Locations of Radiolaria Bearing Phosphatic Nodules RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Results Microfossil Assemblages One hundred and thirty nine (139) species of foraminifera have been identified in the present study out of which one hundred and thirty (130) are benthic foraminifera and nine (9) are planktic foraminifera. The benthic foraminifera present are as follows: Ammodiscus cretaceus, Ammodiscus planus, Anomalinoides indica, Astacolus complanatus, Astacolus jarvisi, Citharina barcoensis, Citharina sp., Copyright 2014 Centre for Info Bio Technology (CIBTech) 252

4 Dentalina alternata, Dentalina catenula, Dentalina cucumis, Dentalina cylindroids, Dentalina loreiana, Dentalina marginuloides, Dentalina niobrarensis, Dentalina ovoidea, Dentalina sp., Dentalina sp.1, Dentalina tenuicaudate, Dentalina trujilloi, Dentalina wimani, Dentalina xiphoides, Dorothia oxycona, Dorothia ellisorae, Eouvigerina srivasanii, Eouvigerina uttatturensis, Frondicularia filocincta, Frondicularia goldfussi, Frondicularia pattiensis, Frondicularia striolata, Gavelinella baltica, Gavelinella intermedia, Gavelinella simionescui, Gavelinella sp., Globulina prisca, Glomospirella gaultina, Gyroidinoides depressa, Gyroidinoides nitidus, Haplophragmoides concavus, Haplophragmoides kirki, Haplophragmoides sp., Lagena acuticosta, Lagena globosa, Lagena hispida, Lagena sp., Lagena sulcata, Lagena vulgaris, Lenticulina aldrichi, Lenticulina alexandria, Lenticulina carlsbadensis, Lenticulina circumcidonea, Lenticulina gaultina, Lenticulina grata, Lenticulina macrodisca, Lenticulina navarroensis, Lenticulina nuda, Lenticulina ovalis, Lenticulina planiuscula, Lenticulina polygona, Lenticulina rotulata, Lenticulina saxocretacea, Lenticulina secans, Lenticulina stephensoni, Lenticulina sulcifera, Lenticulina warregoensis, Lingulina nodosaria, Lingulogavelinella asterigerinoides, Lingulogavelinella cenomanica, Lingulogavelinella tourainensis, Marginulina bullata, Marginula compressa, Marginula directa, Marginulina glabra, Marginulina hamuloides, Marginulina hamulus, Marginulina linear, Marginula navvarona, Marginula perobliqua, Marginula sp., Marginulina troedssoni Marsonella conica Nodosaria brevitesta, Nodosaria cylindracea, Nodosaria distans, Nodosaria larva, Nodosaria limbata, Nodosaria mutabilis, Nodosaria obscura, Nodosaria orthopleura, Nodosaria paucicosta, Nodosaria sp. Oolina apiculata, Oolina simplex, Osangularia uttatturensis, Planularia cf. p. toddae, Planularia grata, Planularia liebursi, Planularia richteri, Planulina schloenbachi, Pleurostomella articulata, Pleurostomella culligoodiensis, Pleurostomella nitida, Pleurostomella obtusa, Pleurostomella reussi, Psedonodosaria cylindracea, Pseudonodosaria cylindroides, Pseudonodosaria manifesta, Pseudonodosaria mutabilis, Pseudotextularia cretosa, Pyrulina cylindroides, Quadrimorphina allomorphinoides, Quadrimorphina camerata, Ramulina aculeata, Ramulina globulifera, Ramulina spandeli, Saracenaria frankei, Saracenaria satatogona, Saracenaria sp., Saracenaria triangularis, Spiroplectinata jagapathyii, Tristix excavata, Tristix tricarinatum Vaginulina debilis, Vaginulina kochii Vaginulina recta, Vaginulina striolata, Vaginulina tenuistriata. Valvulineria loelteriei The planktic foraminifera present are as follows: Clavihedbergella simplex, Globigerinelloides bentonensis, Globigerinelloides caseyi, Hedbergella delrioensis, Hedbergella Planispira, Hedbergella portsdownensis, Hedbergella ultramicra, Thalmaninella appenninica, Thalmaninella evoluta. The radiolaria present are as follows: Amphipyndax stocki, Stichomitra sp., Stichomitra communis, Obeliscoites cf. sp., Stichomitra tosaensis, Xitus sp., Tubilustrium transmontanum, Phalangites hastatus, Copyright 2014 Centre for Info Bio Technology (CIBTech) 253

5 Archaeodictyomitra montisserei, Archaeodictyomitra sp., Stichomitra sp. A, Tubilustrium cf., Orbiuliforma sp., Godia concave Li et Wu., Becus sp. B., Paronaella cf. sp., Paronaella spica., Halesium cf., Crucella sp., Savaryella quadra., Archaeospongoprunum cf. sp., Hexapyramis (?) cf. sp., Vitorfus campbelli., Lipmanium sp.a., Petasiforma (?) inusitata., Petasiforma sp., Ultranapora crassispina., Diacanthocapsa sp. A., Petasiforma sp. A., D. sp., Holocryptocanium barbui., Hiscocapsa sp., Squinabollum fossile. Foraminiferal Biozones in the Study Area In the study area, 3 biozones from Middle Albian to Early Cenomanian have been recognized. They are based on the first appearances and last occurrences of marker species and their ranges. The biostratigraphy classification proposed by Robazynski and Caron (1985) were followed. Zone I Hedbergella Planispira Zone Category: Partial Range Zone Age: Middle Albian Author: Banerji & Radha (1970) Definition: Interval with Hedbergella Planispira (Tappan), from the last occurrence of Ticenella roberti (Gandolfi) to the first occurrence of Planomalina buxtorfi (Gandolfi). In addition to the zonal marker, other foraminiferal species present in this zone are: Hedbergella delrioensis Benthic foraminifera present in this zone are: Ammodiscus cretaceus, Ammodiscus planus, Anomalinoides indica, Astacolus complanatus, Astacolus jarvisi, Citharina barcoensis, Dentalina alternate, Dentalina catenula, Dentalina cucumis, Dentalina cylindroids, Dentalina loreiana, Dentalina marginuloides, Dentalina ovoidea, Dentalina sp.1, Dentalina trujilloi, Dentalina wimani, Dentalina xiphoides, Dorothia oxycona, Dorothia ellisorae, Eouvigerina srivasanii, Eouvigerina uttatturensis, Frondicularia filocincta, Frondicularia goldfussi, Frondicularia pattiensis, Frondicularia striolata, Gavelinella baltica, Gavelinella intermedia, Gavelinella simionescui, Globulina prisca, Glomospirella gaultina, Gyroidinoides depressa, Gyroidinoides nitidus, Haplophragmoides concavus, Haplophragmoides sp., Lagena acuticosta, Lagena globosa, Lagena hispida, Lagena sp., Lagena sulcata, Lagena vulgaris, Lenticulina aldrichi, Lenticulina Alexandria, Lenticulina carlsbadensis, Lenticulina gaultina, Lenticulina grata, Lenticulina macrodisca, Lenticulina navarroensis, Lenticulina nuda, Lenticulina ovalis, Lenticulina planiuscula, Lenticulina rotulata, Lenticulina secans, Lenticulina stephensoni, Lenticulina sulcifera, Lingulina Nodosaria, Marginulina bullata, Marginula compressa, Marginula directa, Marginula hamulus, Marginula navvarona, Marginula perobliqua, Marginula sp., Marginulina troedssoni, Marsonella conica,nodosaria brevitesta, Nodosaria cylindracea, Nodosaria distans, Nodosaria larva, Nodosaria limbata, Nodosaria mutabilis, Nodosaria orthopleura, Nodosaria paucicosta, Nodosaria sp., Oolina apiculata, Oolina simplex, Osangularia uttatturensis, Planularia liebursi, Planularia richer, Planulina schloenbachi, Pleurostomella articulate, Pleurostomella culligoodiensis, Pleurostomella obtusa, Pleurostomella reussi,psedonodosaria cylindracea, Pseudonodosaria cylindroides, Pseudonodosaria manifesta, Pseudonodosaria mutabilis, Pseudotextularia cretosa. Pyrulina cylindroides, Quadrimorphina allomorphinoides, Quadrimorphina camerata, Ramulina globulifera, Ramulina spandeli, Saracenaria frankei, Saracenaria satatogona, Saracenaria sp., Saracenaria triangularis, Spiroplectinata jagapathyii, Tristix excavata, Tristix tricarinatum, Vaginulina debilis, Vaginulina recta, Vaginulina striolata, Vaginulina tenuistriata, Valvulineria loelteriei. Copyright 2014 Centre for Info Bio Technology (CIBTech) 254

Figure 3: Distribution chart of Benthic Foraminifera in Hedbergella

Figure 4: Distribution chart of Benthic Foraminifera in Hedbergella

Zone II PLANOMALINA BUXTORFI ZONE Category: Total Range Zone Age: Late Albian Author: Postuma (1971) Definition: Interval of total range zone of the nominate taxon Planomalina buxtorfi (Gandolfi).

8 Zone II PLANOMALINA BUXTORFI ZONE Category: Total Range Zone Age: Late Albian Author: Postuma (1971) Definition: Interval of total range zone of the nominate taxon Planomalina buxtorfi (Gandolfi). In addition to the zonal marker, other foraminiferal species present in this zone: Hedbergella Planispira, Hedbergella delrioensis. Benthic foraminifera present in this zone are: Ammodiscus cretaceous, Citharina sp., Dentalina niobrarensis, Dentalina sp., Dentalina tenuicaudate, Eouvigerina uttattureusis, Frondicularia pattiensis, Gavelinella baltica, Globulina prisca, Gyroidinoides depressa. Lagena globosa. Lenticulina aldrichi, Lenticulina alexandria, Lenticulina gaultina, Lenticulina grata, Lenticulina planiuscula, Lenticulina saxocretacea, Lenticulina stephensoni, Lenticulina warregoensis, Marginula linear, Marginula perobliqua, Oolina simplex, Planularia liebursi, Planulina schloenbachi, Pleurostomella articulata, Pleurostomella nitida, Pleurostomella reussi, Quadrimorphina allomorphinoides, Saracenaria triangularis. Figure 5: Distribution chart of Planktic Foraminifera in Hedbergella planispira Zone Copyright 2014 Centre for Info Bio Technology (CIBTech) 257

Figure 6: Distribution chart of Benthic Foraminifera in Planomalina buxtorfi Zone Figure 7: Distribution chart of Planktic Foraminifera in Planomalina buxtorfi Zone Zone III THALMANINELLA APPENNINICA

addition to the zonal marker, other foraminiferal species present in this zone are: Clavihedbergella simplex, Globigerinelloides bentonensis, Globigerinelloides caseyi, Hedbergella portsdownensis,

9 Figure 6: Distribution chart of Benthic Foraminifera in Planomalina buxtorfi Zone Figure 7: Distribution chart of Planktic Foraminifera in Planomalina buxtorfi Zone Zone III THALMANINELLA APPENNINICA ZONE Category: Interval Zone Age: Early Cenomanian Author: Bronnimann (1952) Definition: Interval from first occurrence of Thalmaninella appenninica to first occurrence of Rotalipora brotzeni In addition to the zonal marker, other foraminiferal species present in this zone are: Clavihedbergella simplex, Globigerinelloides bentonensis, Globigerinelloides caseyi, Hedbergella portsdownensis, Hedbergella ultramicra, Thalmaninella appenninica, Thalmaninella evoluta. Benthic foraminifera present in this zone are: Ammodiscus cretaceus, Anomalinoides indica, Citharina barcoensis, Eouvigerina uttatturensis, Dentalina cucumis, Dentalina marginuloides, Dentalina trujilloi, Frondicularia filocincta, Gavelinella baltica, Gavelinella intermedia, Gavelinella simionescui, Gavelinella sp., Globulina lacrima, Globulina prisca, Glomospirella gaultina, Gyroidinoides depressa, Gyroidinoides globosa, Gyroidinoides sp., Haplophragmoides kirki, Lenticulina aldrichi, Lenticulina alexanderi, Lenticulina circumcidonea, Lenticulina gaultina, Lenticulina grata, Lenticulina macrodisca, Lenticulina nuda, Lenticulina ovalis, Lenticulina planiuscula, Lenticulina polygona, Lenticulina rotulata, Lenticulina saxocretacea, Lenticulina stephensoni, Lingulogavelinella asterigerinoides, Lingulogavelinella cenomanica, Lingulogavelinella tourainensis, Marginulina glabra, Marginulina hamuloides, Marginulina hamulus, Nodosaria obscura, Oolina apiculata, Oolina simplex, Planulina schloenbachi, Planularia grata, Planularia cf. p. toddae, Pleurostomella cullygoodiensis, Pleurostomella nitida, Pleurostomella obtusa, Pseudonodosaria manifesta, Quadrimorphina allomorphinoides, Ramulina aculeate, Ramulina globulifera, Saracenaria sp., Saracenaria triangularis, Tristix excavata, Tristix tricarinatum, Vaginulina kochii.. Copyright 2014 Centre for Info Bio Technology (CIBTech) 258

Figure 8: Distribution chart of Benthic Foraminifera in Thalmaninella

Early Cenomanian is represented by the Thalmaninella appenninica Zone.

11 Figure 9: Distribution chart of Planktic Foraminifera in Thalmaninella appenninica Zone Albian- Cenomanian Boundary The late Albian is represented by Hedbergella planispira Assemblage Zone and Planomalina buxtorfi Total Range Zone. Early Cenomanian is represented by the Thalmaninella appenninica Zone. Narayanan (1977) and Venkatachalapathy (1996) have marked the Albian Cenomanian boundary between Planomalina buxtorfi Zone and Thalmaninella appenninica Zone. Figure 10: Albian Cenomanian Boundary Copyright 2014 Centre for Info Bio Technology (CIBTech) 260

Figure 11: Photograph of important planktic foraminifera 1. Clavihedbergella simplex (a. Spiral view, b.umbilical view), 2. Hedbergella delrioensis(a. Spiral view, b. Umbilical view, c.

Thalmaninella appenninica (a. Spiral view, b. Umbilical view), 7. Thalmaninella evoluta (a. Spiral view, b. Umbilical view) 8. Globigerinelloides caseyi (Umbilical View).

Eouvigerina srivasanii, 9. Frondicularia filocincta, 10. Frondicularia goldfussi, 11. Frondicularia pattiensis, 12. Frondicularia striolata, 13. Marginula compressa, 14. Marginula perobliqua, 15.

12 Figure 11: Photograph of important planktic foraminifera 1. Clavihedbergella simplex (a. Spiral view, b.umbilical view), 2. Hedbergella delrioensis(a. Spiral view, b. Umbilical view, c.peripheral view), 3. Hedbergella planispira(a. Spiral view, b.umbilical view, c.peripheral view), 4. Hedbergella portsdownensis (Umbilical view), 5. Globigerinelloides bentonensis (Spiral View), 6. Thalmaninella appenninica (a. Spiral view, b. Umbilical view), 7. Thalmaninella evoluta (a. Spiral view, b. Umbilical view) 8. Globigerinelloides caseyi (Umbilical View). Figure 12: Benthic Foraminifera 1. Ammodiscus cretaceus, 2. Astacolus complanatus, 3. Dentalina alternata, 4. Dentalina ovoidea, 5. Dentalina trujilloi, 6. Dentalina wimani, 7. Dentalina xiphoides, 8. Eouvigerina srivasanii, 9. Frondicularia filocincta, 10. Frondicularia goldfussi, 11. Frondicularia pattiensis, 12. Frondicularia striolata, 13. Marginula compressa, 14. Marginula perobliqua, 15. Marginulina troedssoni, 16. Nodosaria cylindracea, 17. Nodosaria limbata, 18. Nodosaria mutabilis, 19. Pleurostomella culligoodiensis, 20. Pleurostomella nitida, 21. Pleurostomella obtusa, 22. Pleurostomella reussi, 23. Vaginulina striolata, 24. Vaginulina debilis, 25. Saracenaria frankei, 26. Ramulina globulifera, 27. Tristix excavata, 28. Gavelinella intermedia, 29. Gyroidinoides depressa, 30. Lagena acuticosta, 31. Lagena globosa, 32. Lagena hispida, 33. Lagena vulgaris, 34. Lenticulina aldrichi, 35. Lenticulina gaultina, 36. Lenticulina grata, 37. Lenticulina navarroensis, 38. Lenticulina polygona, 39. Lenticulina secans, 40. Lenticulina stephensoni, 41. Lenticulina sulcifera, 42. Lingulogavelinella asterigerinoides, 43. Lingulogavelinella cenomanica, 44. Oolina simplex, 45. Pseudonodosaria cylindroides, 46. Pseudonodosaria manifesta, 47. Pseudotextularia cretosa, 48. Ramulina spandeli, 49. Spiroplectinata jagapathyii, 50. Valvulineria loelteriei, 51. Vaginulina kochii. Copyright 2014 Centre for Info Bio Technology (CIBTech) 261

Figure 13: SEM Photograph of important Radiolaria. 1. Amphipyndax stocki, 2. Stichomitra sp., 3. Stichomitra communis, 4. Obeliscoites cf. sp., 5. Stichomitra tosaensis, 6. Xitus sp., 7.

13 Figure 13: SEM Photograph of important Radiolaria. 1. Amphipyndax stocki, 2. Stichomitra sp., 3. Stichomitra communis, 4. Obeliscoites cf. sp., 5. Stichomitra tosaensis, 6. Xitus sp., 7. Tubilustrium transmontanum, 8. Phalangites hastatus, 9. Archaeodictyomitra montisserei, 10. Archaeodictyomitra sp., 11. Stichomitra sp. A, 12. Tubilustrium cf., 13. Orbiuliforma sp., 14. Godia concave Li et Wu., 15. Becus sp. B., 16. Paronaella cf. sp., 17. Paronaella spica., 18. Halesium cf., 19. Crucella sp., 20. Savaryella quadra., 21. Archaeospongoprunum cf. sp., 22. Hexapyramis (?) cf. sp., 23. Vitorfus campbelli., 24. Lipmanium sp.a., 25. Petasiforma (?) inusitata., 26. Petasiforma sp., 27. Ultranapora crassispina., 28. Diacanthocapsa sp. A., 29. Petasiforma sp. A., 30. Diacanthocapsa sp., 31. Holocryptocanium barbui., 32. Hiscocapsa sp., 33. Squinabollum fossile. Discussion One hundred and seventy five (175) geological samples were collected for the present study. One hundred and thirty (130) benthic foraminifera and nine (9) planktic foraminifera have been identified in the present study. The foraminifers obtained in the present study are as follows: Ammodiscus cretaceus, Ammodiscus planus, Anomalinoides indica, Astacolus complanatus, Astacolus jarvisi, Citharina barcoensis, Dentalina alternata, Dentalina catenula, Dentalina cucumis, Dentalina cylindroids, Dentalina loreiana, Dentalina marginuloides, Dentalina ovoidea, Dentalina sp.1,dentalina trujilloi, Dentalina wimani, Dentalina xiphoides, Dorothia oxycona, Dorothia ellisorae, Eouvigerina srivasanii, Eouvigerina uttatturensis, Frondicularia filocincta, Frondicularia goldfussi, Frondicularia pattiensis, Frondicularia striolata, Gavelinella baltica, Gavelinella intermedia, Gavelinella simionescui, Globulina prisca, Glomospirella gaultina, Gyroidinoides depressa, Gyroidinoides nitidus, Haplophragmoides concavus, Haplophragmoides sp., Lagena acuticosta, Lagena globosa, Lagena hispida, Lagena sp., Lagena sulcata, Lagena vulgaris, Lenticulina aldrichi, Lenticulina alexandria, Lenticulina carlsbadensis, Lenticulina gaultina, Lenticulina grata, Lenticulina macrodisca, Lenticulina navarroensis, Lenticulina nuda, Lenticulina ovalis, Lenticulina planiuscula, Lenticulina rotulata, Lenticulina secans, Lenticulina stephensoni, Lenticulina sulcifera, Lingulina nodosaria, Marginulina bullata, Marginula compressa, Marginula directa, Marginula hamulus, Marginula navvarona, Marginula perobliqua, Marginula sp., Marginulina troedssoni, Marsonella conica, Nodosaria brevitesta, Nodosaria cylindracea, Nodosaria Copyright 2014 Centre for Info Bio Technology (CIBTech) 262

14 distans, Nodosaria larva, Nodosaria limbata, Nodosaria mutabilis, Nodosaria orthopleura, Nodosaria paucicosta, Nodosaria sp., Oolina apiculata, Oolina simplex, Osangularia uttatturensis, Planularia liebursi, Planularia richer, Planulina schloenbachi, Pleurostomella articulate, Pleurostomella culligoodiensis, Pleurostomella obtusa, Pleurostomella reussi, Psedonodosaria cylindracea, Pseudonodosaria cylindroides, Pseudonodosaria manifesta, Pseudonodosaria mutabilis, Pseudotextularia cretosa, Pyrulina cylindroides, Quadrimorphina allomorphinoides, Quadrimorphina camerata, Ramulina globulifera, Ramulina spandeli, Saracenaria frankei, Saracenaria satatogona, Saracenaria sp., Saracenaria triangularis, Spiroplectinata jagapathyii, Tristix excavata, Tristix tricarinatum, Vaginulina debilis, Vaginulina recta, Vaginulina striolata, Vaginulina tenuistriata, Valvulineria loelteriei, Hedbergella planispira, Planomalina buxtorfi and Thalmaninella appenninica The radiolaria present in the study area are as follows: Amphipyndax stocki, Stichomitra sp., Stichomitra communis, Obeliscoites cf. sp., Stichomitra tosaensis, Xitus sp., Tubilustrium transmontanum, Phalangites hastatus, Archaeodictyomitra montisserei, Archaeodictyomitra sp., Stichomitra sp. A, Tubilustrium cf., Orbiuliforma sp., Godia concave Li et Wu., Becus sp. B., Paronaella cf. sp., Paronaella spica., Halesium cf., Crucella sp., Savaryella quadra., Archaeospongoprunum cf. sp., Hexapyramis (?) cf. sp., Vitorfus campbelli., Lipmanium sp.a., Petasiforma (?) inusitata., Petasiforma sp., Ultranapora crassispina., Diacanthocapsa sp. A., Petasiforma sp. A., D. sp., Holocryptocanium barbui., Hiscocapsa sp., Squinabollum fossile. The Albian Cenomanian boundary is placed between the last occurrence of Planomalina buxtorfi and first occurrence of Thalmaninella appenninica that is between the sample no.6710 and The benthic foraminifers were dominant during the Late Albian sediments whereas in the Cenomanian sediments the planktic foraminifers were dominant. The dominant benthic foraminifers are Astacolus, Lenticulina, Dentalina, Dorothia, Eouvigerina, Frondicularia, Gavelinella, Gyroidinoides, Nodosaria, Marginulina Lagena, Oolina, Planularia, Saracenaria, Quadrimorphina, Ramulina, Tristix and Vaginulina. In the Late Albian major benthic foraminiferal biodiversity is noted among the Genera Lenticulina, Dentalina, Nodosaria, Marginulina and Vaginulina. The major part of the Albian is characterized by the oligotypic Hedbergella planispira fauna which is present abundantly in all the samples and is also in smaller size compared to that of the Cenomanian samples in this study. The abundant presence of epifaunal to shallow infaunal group of benthic foraminifera namely Lenticulina (L. aldrichi, L. rotulata, L.stephensoni), Marginulina (M. perobliqua), Nodosaria (N. larva), Vaginulina (V. debilis), Dentalina (D. marginuloides, D. loreiana, D. catenula) indicates a outer neritic to upper bathyal environments. The abundant presence of calcareous forms like Astacolus, Lenticulina, Dentalina, Dorothia, Eouvigerina, Frondicularia, Gavelinella, Gyroidinoides, Nodosaria, Marginulina Lagena, Oolina, Planularia, Saracenaria, Quadrimorphina, Ramulina, Tristix and Vaginulina and rare agglutinated forms like Ammodiscus and Haplophragmoides with abundant rectilinear forms like Dentalina, Marginulina, Vaginulina, etc. also indicates an outer neritic environment. The dominance of oligotypic Hedbergella planispira is consistent within inferred shallow surface water habitat shallower than 100 m. Conclusion The Albian Cenomanian boundary is placed between the late Albian Planomalina buxtorfi Zone and early Cenomanian Thalmaninella appenninica Zone. The abundant presence of epifaunal to shallow infaunal group of benthic foraminifera namely Lenticulina (L. aldrichi, L. rotulata, L. stephensoni), Marginulina (M. perobliqua), Nodosaria (N. larva), Vaginulina (V. debilis), Dentalina (D. marginuloides, D. loreiana, D. catenula) indicates a outer neritic to upper bathyal environments with water depth of m. The occurrence of planktonic morphotype Hedbergella planispira and Hedbergella delrioensis considered to reflect a more neritic type (middle to outer neritic) of environment shallower than 100 m water depth. Copyright 2014 Centre for Info Bio Technology (CIBTech) 263

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The Trawne Member (Albian Cenomanian, Pieniny Klippen Belt, Carpathians): a new insight into its foraminiferal assemblages and biostratigraphy

The Trawne Member (Albian Cenomanian, Pieniny Klippen Belt, Carpathians): a new insight into its foraminiferal assemblages and biostratigraphy STUDIA GEOLOGICA POLONICA Vol. 124, Kraków 2005, pp. 237 248. Methods and Applications in Micropalaeontology Edited by J. Tyszka, M. Oliwkiewicz-Miklasiñska, P. Gedl & M. A. Kaminski Katarzyna PIÓRO 1