Joachim Blau

THE OLDEST TRIASSIC PLATFORM MARGIN REEF FROM THE ALPINE - CARPATHIAN REGION (AGGTELEK, NE HUNGARY): PLATFORM EVOLUTION, REEFAL BIOTA AND BIOSTRATIGRAPHIC FRAMEWORK

The 1:10,000 scale mapping of the southern part of the Aggtelek Plateau (Western Carpathians, Silica Nappe, NE Hungary) and the study of five sections revealed two Middle Triassic reef bodies. In the late Pelsonian the uniform Steinalm Platform was drowned and dissected due to the Reifling Event. A connection with the open sea was established, indicated by the appearance of gladigondolellid conodonts from the early Illyrian. Basins and highs were formed. In the NW part of the studied area lower - middle? Illyrian basinal carbonates were followed by a platform margin reef (early?-middle Illyrian; reef stage 1) developed on a morphological high. This is the oldest known Triassic platform margin reef within the Alpine-Carpathian region. The reef association is dominated by sphinctozoans and microproblematics. The fossils are characteristic of the Wetterstein-type reef communities. Differently from this in the SE part of the studied region a basin existed from the late Pelsonian until the early Ladinian. During the late Illyrian- early Ladinian, the reef prograded to the SE, and reef stage 2 was established. Meanwhile, on the NW part of the platform a lagoon was formed behind the reef. Based on our palaeontological study the stratigraphic range of Colospongia catenulata, Follicatena cautica, Solenolmia manon manon, Vesicocaulis oenipontanus must be extended down to the middle Illyrian. Synsedimentary tectonics were detected in the 1. Binodosus Subzone, 2. Trinodosus Zone - the most part of the Reitzi Zone, 3. Avisianum Subzone.

Large-scale strike-slip displacement of the Drauzug and the Transdanubian Mountains in early Alpine history: Evidence from permo-mesozoic facies belts

Abstract Both the Drauzug (Italy, Austria) and the Transdanubian Mountains (Hungary) show great differences in facies compared to the geological units that presently surround them, i.e. proximal facies contrast with distal facies in the Permo-Triassic. Lower Liassic strata in the Drauzug and the Transdanubian Mountains indicate an extensional regime causing typical structural features such as tilted blocks, fault scarps, and drowned carbonate platforms. The Permo-Mesozoic facies zones provide markers for the paleogeographic fitting of the Drauzug and the Transdanubian Mountains with areas today lying some 300–400 km to the west: the Drauzug corresponds to the Lombardian basin and the westernmost part of the Northern Calcareous Alps while the Transdanubian Mountains correspond to the westernmost part of the Lombardian basin, the Trento platform, and the Belluno trough. The Drauzug and the Transdanubian Mountains (together with the South Alpine realm) were displaced to the east along strike-slip faults during the Middle Jurassic to Early Cretaceous opening of the Central Atlantic and Ligurian-Piemont oceans and the simultaneous subduction of the Vardar ocean at the eastern margin of Apulia. Finally in Late Oligocene and Miocene times the Southern Alps were displaced back to the west along the dextral Periadriatic fault system.

Crustaceen-Koprolithen aus der Trias der westlichen Tethys (Lienzer Dolomiten, Österreich; Pragser Dolomiten, Italien) und vom Gondwana-Westrand (oberes Magdalenatal, Kolumbien, Südamerika)

We describe Triassic Crustacean microcoprolites from the western Tethyan realm (Lienz Dolomites, Southern Alps) and from the western shores of Gondwana (upper Magdalena valley, Colombia, South America). The Colombian fauna originates from the Norian Payandé Formation and represents the first discovery of microfossils in this formation. The Colombian fauna is highly diverse and shows close affinities to faunas of the western Tethyan and Mediterranean region but also to North American faunas. The form speciesPalaxius colombiensis andPalaxius groesseri are new, and forPalaxitts shastaensis the genusPayandea n. gen. is erected.Thoronetia quinaria is revised. It is shown, that crustacean microcoprolites are a good tool for supra-regional stratigraphic correlation. Possible migration paths are discussed.ResumenSe describen microcoprolitos de Crustâceos del Triâsico del Tethys Occidental (Dolomitas de Lienz, Alpes Meridionales) y de las costas occidentales de Gondwana (Valle Superior del Magdalena, Colombia, Suramérica). El contenido faunístico de la Formación Payandé en Colombia muestra afinidades con las faunas del Tethys Occidental y de la región Mediterrânea y también con las faunas norteamericanas. Las especiesPalaxius colombiensis y Palaxius groesseri son formas nuevas, mientras que paraPalaxius shastaensis se define el géneroPayandea n. gen. Se revisaThoronetia quinaria. Ademâs, se discuten las posibles vías de migración y se prueba la utilidad de los microcoprolitos de crustâceos como herramientas de correlación supra-regional.KurzfassungBeschrieben werden triassische Crustaceen-Mikrokoprolithen aus der westlichen Tethys (Lienzer Dolomiten, Südalpin), sowie vom Westrand von Gondwana (oberes Magdalenatal, Kolumbien, Südamerika). Bei den kolumbianischen Formen aus der norischen Payandé Formation handelt es sich um die ersten Mikrofossilfunde in dieser Formation. Die Fauna Kolumbiens zeigt eine große Diversität und Affinitäten zu Faunen der westlichen Tethys bzw. des Westmediterran, aber auch Gemeinsamkeiten mit Nordamerika. Die FormspeziesPalaxius colombiensis undPalaxius groesseri sind neu, undPalaxius shastaensis wird in die GattungPayandea n. gen. überführt.Thoronetia quinaria wird revidiert. Es wird gezeigt, daß sich Crustaceen-Mikrokoprolithen zur überregionalen stratigraphischen Korrelation eignen. Anhand der untersuchten Faunen werden mögliche Wanderwege diskutiert.

Crustacean microcoprolites from the Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous of the Neuquén Basin, Argentina: Systematics and biostratigraphic implications

As a result of a microfacial study in the outer and middle ramp deposits of the Vaca Muerta Formation (lower Tithonian-upper Valanginian), four ichnotaxa of crustacean microcoprolites are described: Palaxius azulensis Kietzmann isp. nov., Palaxius caracuraensis Kietzmann isp. nov., Helicerina? isp. A. aff. Helicerina siciliana and Helicerina isp. B. They represent one of the first records of crustacean microcoprolites for the Neuquén Basin and Argentina. Helicerina is reported for the first time from the Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous of South America. It is inferred that Palaxius ichnospecies were produced by callianassids, while Helicerina ichnospecies could be produced by decapods of Mecochiridae, Erymidae, and/or Nephropidae affinity. Two assemblages of crustacean microcoprolites are recognised, a middle Tithonian to lower Berriasian Palaxius-dominated assemblage and an early to late Valanginian Helicerina-dominated assemblage.

Favreina peruviensis n. sp., ein Crustaceen-Mikrokoprolith aus dem lias von peru

From the Liassic of Peru a crustacean microcoprolite association comprisingParafavreina thoronetensis andFavreina peruviensis n. sp. is described. Due to the well preserved material it can be shown, that in cross-sectionParafavreina thoronetensis has both triangular and crescent-shaped canals.ZusammenfassungAus dem Lias von Peru wird eine Crustaceen-Mikrokoprolithen-Vergesellschaftung mitParafavreina thoronetensis undFavreina peruviensis n. sp. beschrieben. Anhand des gut erhaltenen Materials kann gezeigt werden, daßParafavreina thoronetensis eine Kombination von im Querschnitt sichelförmigen und dreieckigen Kanälen besitzt.ResumenDel Liásico del Perú se describe una asociación de microcoprolitos de Crustáceos que comprendeParafavreina thoronetensis yFavreina peruviensis n. sp. Debido a la buena preservación del material se puede mostrar queParafavreina thoronetensis tiene canales tanto triangulares como crecientes al observarlo en sección transversal.

Taxonomy, phylogeny, and functional morphology of the foraminiferal genus Involutina

Early Jurassic aragonitic foraminifers are outstandingly well-preserved in the Marmorea crust, a multiphased ferromanganese layer limiting the Schnöll and Adnet formations (Adnet, Northern Calcareous Alps, Austria). This remarkable preservation, related to the pervasive impregnation of aragonitic tests prior to their recrystallization, allowed observing unknown diagnostic features of the genus Involutina, which typifies the Suborder Involutinina. Thanks to a detailed examination of the Adnet specimens, this paper clarifies the taxonomy, systematic position, and phylogeny of Involutina. A new diagnosis, structural model, and lineage are introduced for the group. Involutina is the direct descendant of Aulotortus and the two taxa probably showed a parallel evolution. As Aulotortus, Involutina presents a high intraspecific variability and its diversity must be revised downward. Current phylogenetic and taxonomic frames of the Suborder Involutinina are firmly questioned as, contrary to previous schemes, the type-genus possesses more than one lamellar deposit per whorl. In Involutina, the height and distribution of papillae on the test surface is not random and probably related to a biological function. We here propose that the papillose lamellae and tube infoldings that characterize representatives of the genus were rudimentary features for light catching and symbiont positioning, respectively.

The Büdöskút Olistolith, an exotic limestone block from the Bükk mountains (NE-Hungary)

SummaryThe present paper presents results of stratigraphical, sedimentological and micropalaeontological investigations of an olistolith from the Büdöskút area in the Bükk Mts (NW Hungary). The olistolith consists of Norian sub- and peritidal platform carbonates (Büdöskút lime-stone). During early diagenesis dissolution cavities originated which where filled by ostracodal mudstones. Other cavities first were wallpapered by evinospongial crusts and later filled either by ostracodal mudstones or by brick-red haematitic material (weathered bauxite). The evinospongial crusts show stromatolite-like structures and their forming therefore is supposed to be organically (microbially) induced.During the Early up to the Late Jurassic the host rock was dissected by neptunian dykes. The internal sediments faunal content reveals that the dykes formed during the (?) Hettangian/Sinemurian and the Toarcian— Oxfordian age.A comparison of the Büdöskút limestone neptunian dyke internal sediments with the Bükk parautochthonous and the Szarvasko-Mónosbél nappe complex sedimentary columns shows no similarities. Therefore the Büdöskút olistolith is interpreted as an exotic body within the Bükk Mts.

Lower Liassic involutinids (foraminifera) from the Transdanubian Central Range, Hungary

KurzfassungVon den Lokalitäten Lókút, Urkút, Tata und Sümeg (Transdanubisches Gebirge, Ungarn) werden aus unterliassischen Rot- und Buntkalken Foraminiferen hauptsächlich aus der Unterordnung Involutinina Hohenegger & Piller (1977) beschrieben.Turrispirilhna (?)stibanei n. sp. wird neu beschrieben; einige Arten sind nach dem bisherigen Stand der Kenntnisse biostratigraphische Anzeiger für den unteren Lias. Diese Formen sind faziesgebunden, ihr Vorkommen in bestimmten environments wird diskutiert.AbstractWe describe foraminiferal assemblages from the localities Lókút, Urkút, Tata, and Sümeg (Transdanubian Central Range, Hungary). The foraminifers belong to the suborder Involutinina Hohenegger & Piller (1977) mainly. The host rocks are red or variegated limestones, partly fissure infilhngs.Turrispirillina (?)stibanei n. sp. is new, several species are suggested to be indicative of (Early) Liassic age in special sedimentary environments.

Upper Sinemurian and Lower Pliensbachian ammonite faunas from Herford-Diebrock area (NW Germany)

KurzfassungIn einem Profil bei Herford-Diebrock wird die Ammonitenfauna des oberen Sinemurium (Raricostatum bis Aplanatum Subzone) und des unteren Pliensbachium (Polymorphus Subzone) studiert. Die Faunenhorizonte des Profiles werden mit solchen von Yorkshire, der Hessischen Straße und SW-Deutschlands korreliert. Besonderes Augenmerk gilt der taxonomischen Position vonEoderoceras armatum (Sowerby);Eoderoceras miles (Simpson) wird als Synonym zuSowerbys Art angesehen. Das Profil eignet sich nicht als GSSP der Sinemurium/Pliensbachium-Grenze.AbstractAt Herford-Diebrock a section from the Upper Sinemurian (Raricostatum to Aplanatum Subzone) to the Lower Pliensbachian (Polymorphus Subzone) is studied in respect of its ammonite faunas. Precise correlations in terms of faunal horizons are carried out between Yorkshire and SW Germany through Hessische Straße. Special emphasis is given to the taxonomical position ofEoderoceras armatum (Sowerby).Eoderoceras miles (Simpson) is now placed in synonymy withSowerby’s species. The section does not fulfill the requirements for the GSSP of the Sinemurian/Pliensbachian boundary.

First planktonic foraminifera from the Early Cretaceous (Albian) of the Upper Magdalena Valley, Colombia

Abstract Albian planktonic foraminifera have been found in the Caballos and “Villeta” formations at two localities in the Upper Magdalena Valley. This is the first documented record of Early Cretaceous planktonic foraminifera in Colombia. Hedbergellids and heterohelicids predominate; keeled forms are absent. The sedimentologic features and the associated microfauna indicate the onset of restricted environments from the middle Albian on.