Cenomanian ostracods of the Tarfaya upwelling region (Morocco) as palaeoenvironmental indicators

Changes in ostracod occurrence and assemblage composition from the Cenomanian of the Tarfaya Basin (Morocco) are investigated in order to evaluate their potential for palaeoenvironmental analyses of Cretaceous upwelling regions. Most frequent genera found at Tarfaya are Brachycythere, Veenia, Reticulocosta, Cytherelloidea, and Nigeroloxoconcha. Assemblages found at Tarfaya are characterised by low diversities. Successive appearance of assemblages dominated by these genera represents a depth gradient, corresponding to the results of the performed correspondence analysis. Ostracods are most abundant if associated either with moderate food supply and sufficient oxygenation or high food supply and high oxygenation. They disappear almost completely during permanent oxygen deficiency and are, contrary to benthic foraminifera, less frequent during periods of enhanced food supply. Species of the genus Brachycythere appear to be more sensitive to oxygen deficiency than other genera. Reticulocosta and Cytherelloidea avoid strong food pulses and are probably better adapted to oxygen depletion than other genera. Ostracods appear to be powerful environmental indicators for sea-level changes, oxygenation or food supply in Late Cretaceous upwelling settings, such as in the Cenomanian Tarfaya Basin.