Stratigraphie du Jurassique supérieur du djebel Bechtout au Nord-Ouest de tiaret (Bordure sud-tellienne,Algérie); Comparaison avec le Bou Rheddou

The study of the Upper Jurassic of the Bechtout Mountain (Southern Tellian border) allows us to distinguish five formations and to precise their age assignment owing to new collections of ammonites. Previous stratigraphic assignments are modified. Stratigraphic and sedimentologic data give evidence that each of the five Bechtout formations can be correlated with those encountered in the Bou Rheddou Mountain. As in the Bou Rheddou, first beds with ammonites are Middle Oxfordian in age. The Oxfordian «Ammonitico rosso facies begins in the Transversarium Zone up to the Planula Zone. The uppermost formation (Calcaires médians du Bou Rheddou) that begins in the Upper Oxfordian (Planula Zone) is essentially Kimmeridgian what causes us to exclude the time range Portlandian-Lower Cretaceous previously assumed.     

Stable isotope records (O, C) of Jurassic aragonitic shells from England and NW Poland: palaeoecologic and environmental implications

Shells of fully marine Middle to Upper Jurassic molluscs from England and north-western Poland were analysed with respect to their stable isotope (δ¹⁸O, δ¹³C) compositions, and palaeoecological and environmental life conditions of these molluscs were inferred from them. Light microscopical and SEM inspection and an analysis of the minor element content (Fe, Mn, Mg, Sr) suggest rather unaltered isotope signals. The δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C values show a characteristic distribution among three groups of co-occurring organisms. Benthic (adult) bivalves generally preserved higher δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C values than ammonites, whereas planktic bivalve larvae tend to possess the lowest δ¹⁸O but higher δ¹³C than adult bivalves. As this distribution pattern is found in numerous horizons and sections of Bathonian to Kimmeridgian age in NW Poland and England, it is thought to reflect real palaeoenvironmental parameters. All observations can be incorporated in a single model that assumes (i) seasonally induced temperature stratification of the water column, (ii) a correlation between phytoplankton blooms and reproduction season of planktic-planktotrophic bivalves, and (iii) insignificant vital effects with respect to the δ¹³C in bivalves, but strong biological control in ammonites. In addition, the δ¹⁸O evolution suggests that the Late Bajocian to Middle/Late Bathonian and Early Oxfordian to Late Kimmeridgian were considerably warmer than the latest Bathonian to Late Callovian time interval. The oxygen isotopic records from other European regions indicate a similar pattern of long-term palaeotemperature evolution. The comparatively high water temperatures during the Callovian to Oxfordian of the Isle of Skye (NW Scotland) are enigmatic, however. In the Early Oxfordian, sea surface and bottom temperatures began to rise in continental Europe and England. These changes coincide with a south-westward drift of the West European crustal plate, but a causal relationship remains to be demonstrated.     

Ammonite eggs and ammonitellae from the Kimmeridge Clay Formation (Upper Jurassic) of Dorset, England

Eight clusters of small spherical and subspherical objects, some isolated and some associated with shells of perisphinctid ammonites, have been recovered from the Lower and Upper Kimmeridge Clay (Upper Jurassic) of the Dorset coast, England. They have been interpreted as ammonite egg sacs and represent the freshest and best-preserved examples known so far. Their structures and the ecological framework in which they occur are discussed. The parents are thought to be members of the two eudemic genera Aulacostephanus and Pectinatites that dominate the biostratigraphy of the ammonites in the range of the Kimmeridge Clay in which they occur. Isolated nuclei of ammonitellae have also been recovered.     

Donnees biostratigraphiques nouvelles sur l'oxfordien et le kimmeridgien du djebel nador de tiaret (avant-pays tellien,algerie); consequences paleogeographiques

In “Djebel Nador de Tiaret” area two calcareous and marly intercalations situated in the upper part of the “Argiles de Faidja” formation contain ammonites of late Oxfordian (Planula zone) and lower Kimmeridgian (Hypselocyclum and Divisum zones). These new biostratigraphic data allow precise correlations with ammoniteless formations. So, the installation of the carbonate platform can be placed in upper Kimmeridgian in all the Western Algeria foreland. Moreover the development of the facies “Argiles de Saïda” into the upper part of lower Kimmeridgian, shows that the closing of the tlemcenian trough begins later in Djebel Nador than in the Ilemcen mountains.     

Mise en évidence de la zone à Platynota (Kimméridgien inférieur) dans le Massif du Montejunto (Portugal); conséquences stratigraphiques et paléontologiques

The section has been logged on the southern slope of the Montejunto Mountain, near Cabanas de Torres (North of Tage River, Portugal). Typical ammonites of the Platynota zone with species-index Sutneria platynota (Reinecke) have been found in the lower part of the «Marnes d'Abadia formation. Orthosphinctes and Desmoides subzones of early Kimmeridgian are paleontologically well characterized. Unlike what is usually thought, the lower Kimmeridgian does occur. More fossiliferous beds of the «Marnocalcaires de Tojeira formation are coincident with Upper Oxfordian (Planula zone and Upper part of the Bimammatum zone). They yield Ardescia gr. enayi Atrops which appear earlier in Portugal than in South-eastern France.     

New Data on Jurassic Cerithiopsidae (Gastropoda) from European Russia

Paleontological Journal - The Oxfordian–Kimmeridgian Cerithiopsidae, represented by two genera Cosmocerithium Cossmann, 1906 and Dragonia gen. nov. are re-investigated. Three species (C....     

Microbial encrustations from the Middle Oxfordian-earliest Kimmeridgian lithofacies in the Prebetic Zone (Betic Cordillera, southern Spain): characterization, distribution and controlling factors

Two main types of microbial encrustation were identified in Middle Oxfordian to lowermost Kimmeridgian deposits in the Prebetic Zone (southern Spain), showing existing relationships between skeletal content, fabric and morphology of these organosedimentary structures. Laminated planar and concentric encrustations relate to peloidal fabrics (mainly constituted of microbes = microbial laminated fabrics s. str. and microbial oncoids s. str.), as well as to dense microbial fabrics periodically colonized by encrusting foraminifera (microbial laminated fabrics with nubeculariids and microbial oncoids with nubeculariids). Sedimentation rates, substrate stability and grain size, as well as illumination, influenced microbial growth pattern as major controlling factors in low-energy conditions, and forced palaeogeographic and stratigraphic patterns of distribution. Significant encrustation was identified in terrigenous-poor lithofacies from the middle (Transversarium-Bifurcatus zones) to the outer (Transversarium-Bimammatum zones) shelf in the Prebetic Zone. Rare-to-absent encrustation characterized terrigenous-rich deposits (Bimammatum and Planula zones) in the area.     

L’assemblage à Cardioceras (Cardioceras) cordatum (J. Sowerby, 1812) et sa place au sein de la succession ammonitique de l’Oxfordien Inférieur (Jurassique Supérieur). Apport des données ardennaises (Province Subboréale)

Some temporary outcrops at Villers-le-Tourneur/Neuvizy (Ardennes, France), made possible the observation and biostratigraphical dating of Uppermost Callovian to Early Middle Oxfordian poorly known formations. Especially, the “Oolite Ferrugineuse de Villers-le-Tourneur–Neuvizy” is a quite thick marly unit, yielding some silicified fossils well known since the XIX^th century. With details, the Formation displays the succession of several faunal associations, characterizing the main subzones of the Cordatum Zone (Late Lower Oxfordian) and the Plicatilis Zone (Early Middle Oxfordian). Amongst many other species, Cardioceras cordatum (Sowerby, 1812) corresponds to a rare taxon or morphotype, yielded by the bottom part of the Formation. Then, the ultimate Lower Oxfordian faunal association is dominated by ammonites related to C. persecans. These Early Oxfordian are widely dominated by the family Cardioceratidae, commonly associated with Aspidoceratidae; such a structure is related to the “subboreal associations”, typically represented in Great Britain. Immediately after the Middle Oxfordian boundary, some “subtethysian” ammonites (mainly Perisphinctidae), occur in a larger number without being dominant, that emphasizing the northern location of the Ardennes margin. Then locally, two faunal associations succeed, which are characterized by C. cordatiforme (with Euaspidoceras perarmatum), and C. densiplicatum, respectively. Both are typical associations of the Vertebrale Subzone (Early Middle Oxfordian).     

Jurassic biostratigraphy and paleoenvironmental evolution of the Malaguide complex from Sierra Espuña (Internal Betic Zone, SE Spain)

Jurassic studies in the Internal Zones of the Betic Cordillera are scarce since this zone is composed mainly of pre-Jurassic metamorphic rocks. Only the “Dorsal” and the Malaguide domains include fossiliferous Jurassic successions, as in Sierra Espuña (SE Spain), which is one of the bigger and well-exposed Jurassic outcrops of the Internal Zones. Collected Ammonite assemblages update and improve the precision of previous biostratigraphic data by the recognition of: the Domerian (= Upper Pliensbachian, in the Mediterranean Domain) Lavinianum (Cornacaldense Subzone), Algovianum (Ragazzoni, Bertrandi, Accuratum and Levidorsatum Subzones) and Emaciatum (Solare and Elisa Subzones) Zones; the Lower Toarcian Polymorphum and Serpentinum Zones; the Middle Toarcian, Bifrons and Gradata Zone; the Upper Toarcian Reynesi Zone; the Lower/Upper Bajocian, the Lower Callovian Bullatus and Gracilis Zones; the Middle/Upper Oxfordian Transversarium, Bifurcatus, Bimammatum and Planula Zones; and the Lower and Upper Kimmeridgian Platynota, Strombecki, Divisum and Beckeri Zones.The paleoenvironmental evolution of the Malaguide Jurassic at Sierra Espuña shows similarities with other Mediterranean Tethyan paleomargins. The biostratigraphic precision along with the litho- and biofacies analyses has enabled the interpretation that the Malaguide paleomargin evolved as a passive margin, developing shallow carbonate platforms, until the Domerian (Lavinianum Zone). Then, the platform broke up (Domerian, Lavinianum Zone-Upper Toarcian, Reynesi Zone) with the beginning of the rifting stage, beginning the development of horst-graben systems and the coeval drowning of the area. This stage ended in the upper Lower Callovian (Gracilis Zone) to the Middle Oxfordian (Transversarium Zone) interval, starting the drifting stage, which accentuated the horst-graben systems, leading to the deposition of condensed nodular limestones in the raised sea bottom.     

La limite Kimméridgien-Tithonien et l'âge des formations du Jurassique supérieur de la Dorsale tunisienne, comparaisons avec l'Algérie et la Sicile

The discovery of the Lowermost Tithonian Hybonotum-Lithographicum Zone allows for the first time to define the Kimmeridgian-Tithonian boundary in the pelagic and transitional facies (Béni Kleb Fm) of the Tunisian Dorsale and to divide within the formation the Kimmeridgian-lower Tithonian grey and/or pseudonodular mudstone and the massive Tithonian limestones. The Hybonotum-Lithographicum Zone was not identified in the reefal facies (Ressas Fm) and the Kimmeridgian and Tithonian are not divided. The Ressas Fm starts earlier, with the Upper Oxfordian, Bimammatum Zone. The Kimmeridgian-Tithonian of the Tunisian Dorsale is compared with the corresponding beds in Algeria and Sicily.     

Taphonomic differentiation of Oxfordian ammonites from the Cracow Upland, Poland

Taphonomic analysis of Lower and Middle Oxfordian ammonites from the Cracow Upland, southern Poland (localities at Pod???e, Zalas, M?ynka) revealed differences in ammonite preservation. The studied ammonites, usually termed as external and internal moulds, show a more complex state of preservation. In the Middle Oxfordian glauconitic marls, ammonites are preserved as internal moulds with neomorphic calcite shells showing relics of the original internal structure. In the Middle Oxfordian platy peloidal limestones, ammonites are preserved mostly as external moulds, without septal suture, however under microscope might show relics of internal whorls and septa and/or subtle differences in sediment filling phragmocone chambers. In sponge–microbial bioherms and biostromes, ammonite internal moulds have shells, which in contrast to ammonites from glauconitic marls are not strictly neomorphic ones, but originated by shell dissolution and subsequent filling of moldic porosity by calcite cement. In sponge–microbial nodular limestones, the ammonites are strongly deformed and the outer wall is usually removed by dissolution under pressure. Other important taphonomic differences include the rate of compaction (highest in platy limestones), sedimentary infillings, microborings, encrustations and preservation of siphuncular tubes. The majority of the ammonites appear to be phragmocones; aptychi in all facies are rare. Siphuncular tubes are fossilized exclusively in oppeliids, only in specimens from glauconitic marls and platy limestones, although their other taphonomic attributes are different. Tubes seem to have fossilized due to microbially mediated phosphatization that could be favoured by a set of parameters which operated rather at the scale of ammonoid carcasses: closed, poorly oxygenated conditions, and reduced pH. Taphonomic processes were controlled by the sedimentary environment (fragmentation, sedimentary filling, phosphatization of siphuncular tubes), as well as by early and late diagenesis (neomorphic transformation, dissolution, cementation, compaction) influenced by lithology.     

Gregoryceras in the Oxfordian of Kachchh (India): Diverse eventful implications

The Kachchh Oxfordian ammonoid stratigraphic record for over 150 years remained restricted largely to Early Oxfordian condensed oolitic facies in the relatively distal Mainland Kachchh. Recently, it has been enlarged with the discovery in 1994 of over 200 m-thick uncondensed Middle to Late Oxfordian succession at Kantkote in the proximal part of the basin. Apart from abundant Perisphinctinae and Mayaitinae, a 10 m-thick sediment interval in the lower half of the above succession yielded a few examples of Gregoryceras. The specimens are here identified as G. gr. devauxi Bert and Enay and in view of their association with Larcheria subschilli (Lee) are assigned to the Middle Oxfordian Subschilli Horizon of the Schilli Subzone. Gregoryceras distribution south of the equator in Kachchh, Chile, Mexico and Madagascar, all within 35-40° latitude marks the southern limit of its latitudinal expansion during the first order maximum flooding surface (MFS) of the Schilli Subzone of the Kachchh Toarcian-Hauterivian Sequence. The maximum ammonoid diversity, density and frequency of the Kachchh first order sequence coupled with dominance of mayaitins and perisphinctins suggest over 20 m depth in the Gregoryceras interval. Distinctly greater bathymetry in the 200 km distally away basinal part causes sediment starved situation, and explains the Middle Oxfordian to early Early Kimmeridgian submarine nondepositional hiatus in the Mainland Kachchh.     

Systematic revision and palaeobiogeography of Perisphinctes Waagen (Ammonoidea) from the Oxfordian of Kutch,India: Stratigraphic and evolutionary implications

Perisphinctes Waagen, 1869 is an important genus of the Oxfordian. In many areas the taxon has been excessively and subjectively split. Based on the material collected in Kutch (India), including the type specimens, we have grouped eight species previously described as distinct into one biological species, Perisphinctes indogermanus Waagen, 1875. It is characterized by strong sexual dimorphism. Macroconch shows high intraspecific variability. Microconch is previously described from Kutch in different generic names. Thirteen species of Dichotomosphinctes Buckman, 1926, Perisphinctes Waagen, 1869 and Lithacoceras Hyatt, 1900 are considered here as microconch which is lappeted. The precise age of P. indogermanus is disputed. A detailed stratigraphic analysis of several sections in this study suggests that the species ranges from early to middle Oxfordian. Perisphinctes indogermanus is distinct from other contemporary species of the world and abundant in the Indo-Madagascan Province. Kutch population of P. indogermanus has developed virgatotome style of ribbing in juvenile stage. During the middle Oxfordian marine transgression, the species along with many other ammonites of deeper habitat of the mainland basin reached the shallow shelf of eastern fringe of the Kutch Sea. Being peripherally isolated, it soon underwent an adaptive radiation that resulted in the origination of a new family Ataxioceratidae Buckman, 1921 whose members have neotenously retained the virgatotome ribbing in adult stage. The ataxioceratids later migrated to Europe and flourished during the Kimmeridgian.     

Nouveaux repères biostratigraphiques à terebratulidés (Brachiopodes) dans le Tithonien inférieur ouest-européen

The discovery of a new species of Terebratulid (Xestosina sera nov. sp.) in the Lower Tithonian allows to specify the biostratigraphical subdivision of the Gigas Zone. This also allows to improve the correlations, when ammonites are lacking, among the Tithonian deposits of Aquitaine, the northern Jura and the eastern border of the Paris Basin. The critical revision of the Xestosina genus gives a nomenclatural setting argued to the index-species of biozones. It constitutes a brachiopods based parallel scale for the Kimmeridgian and Tithonian Stages.     

Late Jurassic sea-level fluctuations in NW Switzerland (Late Oxfordian to Late Kimmeridgian): closing the gap between the Boreal and Tethyan realm in Western Europe

In Late Jurassic times, the Swiss Jura carbonate platform occupied the transition between the Paris Basin and the Tethys and thus connects the Boreal and Tethyan realm. Up to now, the lack of index fossils in the Reuchenette Formation prevented a reliable correlation between both areas (its sediments are characterised by a prominent sparseness of index fossils). Now, seven recently in situ collected species of ammonites helped to establish a new sequence-stratigraphical frame for the platform sediments of the Reuchenette Formation in NW Switzerland. Based on biostratigraphical data, five third-order sedimentary sequences were assigned to the Late Oxfordian to Late Kimmeridgian. The upper three third-order sequences correspond to the Boreal sequences Kim3–5 of Hardenbol et al. (1998). The deduced large-scale sea-level fluctuations match those from other European regions (Spain, Russia). This biostratigraphically based sequence-stratigraphical frame is a prerequisite to refine correlations within a wider area covering the Swiss Jura and parts of adjacent France and Germany. Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available for this article at     

Sequence stratigraphy of Upper Jurassic deposits in the North German Basin (Lower Saxony,Süntel Mountains)

A core recovered in the North German Basin at the locality of Eulenflucht in the Süntel Mountains, 30 km SE of Hannover, Germany, is interpreted in terms of Oxfordian to Kimmeridgian sequence stratigraphy of this basin. Thirteen different facies are recognized which record the evolution of an outer ramp into a restricted hypersaline lagoon. Changes in grain size, variations in the amount of components, fluctuations of the matrix content and of the microscopic texture, as well as vertical lithofacies stacking patterns, were integrated to define small-scale sequences. Medium-scale sequences were identified by changes in facies combinations of the constituent small-scale sequences. Large-scale sequences were differentiated by facies proportion statistics in the distinct medium-scale sequences. This allows the complete sequence stratigraphic subdivision of the Oxfordian and Kimmeridgian succession to be interpreted. The stable carbon isotopic composition of bulk samples enables a correlation with chemostratigraphic records found elsewhere. This result is supported by an ostracod biostratigraphy that allows a chronostratigraphic assignment of the succession. The large-scale sequences were controlled by climate and local tectonic movements. It is proposed that a long-term shallowing trend during the Kimmeridgian time was induced by regional uplift.     

Heteromorph ammonites from the Tata Limestone Formation (Aptian–Lower Albian), Hungary

An important new ammonite fauna was collected by Fülöp in 1953 and 1960 from basal lenses between a Tithonian hardground and the overlying Tata Limestone Formation containing many heteromorph ammonites. This assemblage of ammonites has been determined as being of Early Albian ( tardefurcata Zone) age. Among the heteromorphs are species of Tonohamites and Ptychoceras , which are familiar components of Late Aptian or Early Albian ammonite faunas. The genera Ephamulina , Hamites and Protanisoceras are also recorded, the earliest species of which had previously come from sediments of late Early Albian ( mammillatum Zone) age. While Hamites and Protanisoceras are common in Europe, Ephamulina had previously only been known from Madagascar. The discovery of Ephamulina , Hamites and Protanisoceras supports the view that these phylogenetically significant ammonites had radiated close to the Aptian/Albian boundary. Four new species of Hamites ( H. czaszari , H. fazekasensis , H. fueloepi and H. kalvariensis ) and one new species of Tonohamites ( T. boldii ) are described.