Josep Anton Moreno-Bedmar

Sedimentary evolution of an Aptian syn-rift carbonate system (Maestrat Basin, E Spain): effects of accommodation and environmental change

We report an integrated study of an expanded and relatively complete syn-rift continental to epeiric marine succession of Aptian age, cropping out in the western Maestrat Basin (eastern Iberian Chain). Four transgressiveregressive sequences are recognized throughout this mixed carbonate-siliciclastic succession, with excellent age control provided by ammonite biostratigraphic data. The transgressive systems tracts consist mainly of alternations of marls and limestones rich in orbitolinids. The regressive systems tracts are essentially characterized by wave- and tidally influenced siliciclastic and carbonate deposits, and by the development of carbonate platforms with rudists, corals, orbitolinids and green algae. Carbon and oxygen isotope curves were established in order to identify the global d13C perturbations related to the Early Aptian Oceanic Anoxic Event (OAE1a). These perturbations commence with a horizon of coral rubble encrusted by Lithocodium aggregatum and Bacinella irregularis with widespread large-sized discoidal Palorbitolina lenticularis. Associated d18O values indicate high-frequency cooling-warming climatic cycles. The fault-controlled rapid syn-rift subsidence recorded during this stage was the most important factor in producing accommodation. However, the major transgressions, sea level falls and biotic changes recorded in the eastern Iberian Chain are in agreement with those registered in other contemporaneous basins of the Tethys. Thus, the resulting sedimentary succession faithfully reflects the major oceanographic and climatically-driven global changes that characterized this stage albeit within a context established by regional tectonics. Hence, this well-documented record of the evolution of an Aptian epicontinental sea provides a useful comparative case study for the analysis of other Aptian epeiric sedimentary successions.

Lower Aptian ammonite biostratigraphy in the Maestrat Basin (Eastern Iberian Chain, Eastern Spain). A Tethyan transgressive record enhanced by synrift subsidence

The present paper analyses the stratigraphic distribution of ammonites collected in the Lower Aptian sediments of the Maestrat Basin (E Spain). The faunal successions obtained from the systematic sampling of ten selected sections located in several sub basins led us to identify four biostratigraphic units (from base to top: Deshayesites oglanlensis, Deshayesites forbesi, Deshayesites deshayesi and Dufrenoyia furcata Zones) that are directly correlatable with the current Mediterranean standard zonation. This study further provides essential biochronologic information to accurately date the different lithostratigraphic units included in the interval studied. Thus, the upper part of the Xert Formation can be tentatively attributed to the lowermost Aptian (D. oglanlensis Zone). The Forcall Formation, which has yielded most of the ammonites, practically extends within most of the Lower Aptian. Its lower and middle parts (Cap de Vinyet and Barra de Morella Members) correspond to the upper part of the D. oglanlensis Zone and the lower part of the D. forbesi Zone, respectively. The base of the Morella la Vella Member (upper part of the Forcall Formation) includes the local record of Oceanic Anoxic Event 1a (OAE 1a) and correlates with the Roloboceras hambrovi horizon (middle/upper part of the D. forbesi Zone). The boundary between the Forcall Formation and the Villarroya de los Pinares Formation is diachronous and varies depending on the sub-basins. The base of the Villarroya de los Pinares Formation can be dated as the middle-upper part of the D. furcata Zone in the Galve, Perello and Salzedella sub-basins.

Lower Aptian ammonite and carbon isotope stratigraphy in the eastern Prebetic Domain (Betic Cordillera, southeastern Spain)

Major global palaeobiologic and palaeoenvironmental changes occurred during the Early Aptian. Precise dating and timing of the different events is crucial to determine possible cause-effect relationships between them. In this regard, the combination of biostratigraphic and chemostratigraphic data can provide a very useful tool for time control. So far attempts to correlate the Lower Aptian carbon isotope record and the ammonite zonation yielded contradictory conclusions. In this paper, we present the results of an integrated analysis of the ammonite stratigraphic distribution and highresolution carbon isotope profiles from Lower Aptian sections of the eastern Prebetic Domain (Betic Cordillera, southeastern Spain). We recognized, in ascending order, the Deshayesites oglanlensis, Deshayesites forbesi, Deshayesites deshayesi, and Dufrenoyia furcata Zones. This succession is the same as that recently identified in the eastern Iberian Chain, and it closely correlates with both standard Mediterranean and Boreal zonations. The carbon isotope record displays the trends globally recognized for the Early Aptian, with two long positive shifts separated by a pronounced negative excursion. Calibration of this isotopic record with the ammonite zonation shows that the age of OAE 1a, which corresponds to the negative excursion and subsequent positive shift, is constrained to the middle/upper part of the Deshayesites forbesi Zone.

Decapod crustaceans from the Cretaceous (Aptian–Albian) San Gil Group in the Villa de Leyva section, central Colombia

Abundant concretions at two localities in central Colombia where the San Gil Inferior and San Gil Superior formations are exposed, have yielded numerous crustacean individuals, comprising one new genus Rathbunassa n. gen. (Callianassidae), two new species Joeranina colombiana n. sp., Planocarcinus johnjagti n. sp., and three further species. The following taxa are recorded: ?Paraxiopsis sp. (Axiidae), Rathbunassa aquilae (rAtHBun, 1935) n. comb. (Callianassidae), Joeranina kerri (Luque, FeLdmAnn, SCHweitzer, JArAmiLLo & CAmeron, 2012) n. comb., Joeranina colombiana n. sp. (Palaeocorystidae), Cenomanocarcinus vanstraeleni StenzeL, 1945 (Cenomanocarcinidae), and Planocarcinus johnjagti n. sp. (Necrocarcinidae). Based on ammonite evidence, the locality within the San Gil Inferior Formation is considered to be of late Aptian age, while the one exposing the San Gil Superior Formation is of middle Albian date. Joeranina kerri is found at both localities; in contrast Planocarcinus johnjagti n. sp. occurs exclusively in the upper Aptian, while the remainder of species are all from the middle Albian locality. The taxa reported herein add important data to the palaeobiodiversity and distribution of Cretaceous decapod crustaceans.

Xerticeras gen. nov., a new genus of micromorphic heteromorph ammonite (Ancyloceratina, Ancyloceratidae) from the lower Aptian of Spain

Biostratigraphical and paleontological studies of lower Aptian material from the Eastern Iberian Chain (Spain) have revealed the presence of a new genus of micromorphic heteromorph ammonite: Xerticeras gen. nov. (type species: Xerticeras salasi sp. nov.). This new taxon comes from the Deshayesites deshayesi and Dufrenoya furcata ammonite zones. The size difference observed in the population is considered due to sexual dimorphism.

Aptian ammonites from Mazapil, Zacatecas State (north-central Mexico) studied by BURCKHARDT in 1906: A revision

Twelve specimens of Aptian ammonites reported and drawn by Burckhardt in 1906, from the Mazapil area (Zacatecas State, north-central Mexico), are reviewed for taxonomical purposes. The work by Burckhardt was the first report of Aptian ammonoids in Mexico. In addition, it represents the only record of Aptian ammonites known from Zacatecas State. The taxonomic review of the specimens allows for the recognition of Dufrenoyia sp., Colombiceras spathi Humphrey, Colombiceras mexicanus (Humphrey) n. comb., Colombiceras sp., Colombiceras spp., and Acanthohoplites aff. bigoureti (Seunes). This ammonite assemblage is indicative of a stratigraphic range that spans the uppermost lower Aptian to the upper Aptian interval.

A negative carbon isotope excursion within the Dufrenoyia furcata Zone: proposal for a new episode for chemostratigraphic correlation in the Aptian

In this work we discuss a proposed updated division of the C7 isotope segment of MENEGATTI et al. (1998). The new standard division of the segment C7 is based on a revision of published Barre- mian-Aptian carbon isotope curves from stratigraphic sections of the Prebetic Domain in Spain. It includes four distinct isotopic subunits labeled C7a to C7d, with a characteristic negative carbon isoto- pe excursion at the base of the segment and which correlates with the Dufrenoyia furcata ammonite Zone. The negative excursion is recognized on a regional extent, and the term Intra-Furcata Negative Excursion (IFNE) is proposed to identify it. We provide possible sites correlatable with the IFNE in both the Old and New worlds, which suggest its potential use as an even global chemostratigraphic marker for the Aptian record.

Nouvelles données paléontologiques et stratigraphiques au passage Aptien - Albien dans les Pyrénées ariégeoises (France)

New paleontological and stratigraphical data at the Aptian - Albian transition in the Ariege Pyrenees (France).- The discovery of ammonites of the Aptian - Albian transition (Hypacan- thoplites jacobi and Leymeriella tardefurcata biozones) in the Urgonian series from the sedimentary section exposed in the Arize massif invalidates their former attribution to the lower Clansayesian which was proposed on the basis of unconstrained paleontological arguments.

Review of the early Albian ammonites of the Montmell Formation near Marmellar (Salou-Garraf Basin, Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain)

In this work, we review the ammonites of the Montmell Formation in the Marmellar area housed in the collections of the Museo Geologico del Seminario de Barcelona and the Museu de Geologia de Barcelona. This taxonomic update allows the proper biostratigraphic analysis of the ammonite assemblage and assigns it to the early Albian, Leymeriella tardefurcata Zone. The taxonomic analysis of all the studied material allows us to recognize the presence of the following taxa: Uhligella sp., Parengonoceras bassei, Hypacanthoplites plesiotypicus, Hypacanthoplites milletianus, Hypacanthoplites subelegans, and Hypacanthoplites sp. The current work is a step forward in the chronostratigraphic knowledge of the Salou-Garraf Basin in the Catalan Coastal Ranges.

Revision of the Early Cretaceous genera Heminautilus Spath, 1927, and Josanautilus Martínez & Grauges, 2006 (Nautilida, Cenoceratidae)

In spite of recent interest, the various species belonging to the genera Heminautilus Spath, 1927, and Josanautilus Martinez & Grauges, 2006, have never been the object of a general revision. More than 160 specimens belonging to various species of these two genera were studied, with the aim of identifying the specific characteristics and the stratigraphical and paleogeographical distribution of the various species which compose them, as well as to propose a phylogeny for the group. This study confirms the non-synonymy of Heminautilus saxbii (Morris, 1848) and H. lallierianus (Orbigny, 1841), establishes that H. tejeriensis Martinez & Grauges, 2006, and H. verneuilli (Vilanova, 1870) represent junior synonyms of H. saxbii (Morris) and suggests the creation of the species H. ? japonicus sp. nov. The origin of the genus Heminautilus Spath from Pseudocenoceras Spath, 1927, proposed by Tintant, and the origin of Josanautilus Martinez & Grauges from Heminautilus Spath are both confirmed.