Miguel O. Manceñido

First record of the Early Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event from the Southern Hemisphere, Neuquén Basin, Argentina

Abstract: The first record of the Early Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event (c. 183 Ma) from the Southern Hemisphere is described from the Neuquén Basin, Argentina, identified chemostratigraphically on the basis of a relative increase in marine organic carbon and a characteristic negative carbon-isotope excursion (δ13Corg) in bulk rock and fossil wood. The negative excursion of −6‰ in bulk organic carbon (falling to −31.3‰) crosses the boundary of the tenuicostatum–hoelderi Andean ammonite Zones, equivalent to the tenuicostatum–falciferum/serpentinum zones of Europe. These data indicate that the Early Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event was a global phenomenon. Supplementary material: A detailed stratigraphic log, chemostratigraphic data and nannofossil data are available at http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18411.

Hettangian and Sinemurian (lower Jurassic) biostratigraphy of Argentina

Abstract On the northern bank of the Rio Atuel, Mendoza province, Argentina, the marine fossiliferous Mesozoic is now known to begin with Hettangian-lower Sinemurian strata. Traditionally, the marine Jurassic sequence in the area was believed to start with upper Sinemurian levels. Representatives of the genera Psiloceras Hyatt, Caloceras Hyatt, Alsatites Haug, Waehneroceras Hyatt, Schlotheimia Bayle, Sulciferites Spath, Badouxia Geux and Taylor, Vermiceras Hyatt, Coroniceras Hyatt, Agassiceras Hyatt, Euagassiceras Spath, and Arnioceras Hyatt thus indicate the presence of beds equivalent to the Planorbis, Liasicus, Angulata, Bucklandi, Semicostatum, and Turneri zones of the standard international chronostratigraphic scale. Hence, in Argentina, the marine Hettangian, Sinemurian, and lowermost Pliensbachian have been proved only in the neighborhood of the Rio Atuel region, where marine Triassic could also be represented. Elsewhere in Argentina, the oldest Jurassic ammonite-bearing levels usually belong to the upper lower or the upper Pliensbachian. Regionally, these findings imply a substantial modification to previous paleogeographic reconstructions for the Early Jurassic of South America.

Paleobiogeography of Mesozoic brachiopod faunas from Andean–Patagonian areas in a global context

Abstract During the Mesozoic, the Andean region has played a hinging role between high- and low-latitude faunas, which are, respectively, characterized by stocks that display long-term fidelity. This paper is aimed at providing an updated review of Late Triassic to Late Cretaceous South American articulated brachiopods in the light of previous knowledge at worldwide scale. Late Triassic brachiopods from the Argentine–Chilean Andes show unmistakable Maorian (or Notal) faunal elements alongside some more cosmopolitan genera, with certain influence of Eastern Pacific taxa. By Early Jurassic times, differentiation of Tethyan and Boreal Realms became progressively evident in Europe. In South America, Hettangian–Sinemurian brachiopod faunules from the Argentinian Andes are somewhat impoverished, with mostly cosmopolitan genera showing certain affinities to Maorian species, and with the addition of some endemics later. Increasingly, diverse Pliensbachian Andean brachiopods denote close relationships to Celto-Swabian taxa, then by Domerian times, a certain degree of endemism was developed, though somewhat delayed Tethyan influences, and persistent links with New Zealand are subordinately recognizable, too; most Toarcian assemblages reveal basically Celto-Swabian and Iberian affinities as well. East-west austral links across the Pacific may have been favored by migratory routes fringing the Gondwana margin, whereas faunal exchange with the western end of the Tethys appears to reflect an intermittent shallow-marine connection through the Hispanic Corridor. During the Middle Jurassic, distinction of Tethyan and Boreal Realms was maintained in the northern Hemisphere, and the differentiation of an Ethiopian or Southern Tethyan fauna became better characterized. Aalenian and Bajocian brachiopods of the Andes display generic affinities mainly with those from western Europe, with some minor endemic developments; brachiopods recorded from the Bathonian–Callovian of Argentina (and Chile) also occur along the northern Tethyan margin, yet with some genera extending into Indo-Ethiopian areas. During the Late Jurassic, Boreal faunas from high-latitudes became even more strongly differentiated from low-latitude, Tethyan ones. Oxfordian and Tithonian brachiopods from the Andes apparently belong to genera of cosmopolitan or northern Tethyan affiliation, yet there are few elements in common with other eastern Pacific areas, such as Mexico. Early Cretaceous brachiopods, in addition to Andean basins of Chile and western Argentina, are known also from Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego. They belong mostly to widely distributed, mainly Tethyan genera, with some quasi-cosmopolitan and circum-Pacific components (some shared with Antarctica become noticeable). Late Cretaceous brachiopods from northern Patagonia show significant affinities to Maastrichtian ones of northwest Europe and central Asia, which calls for further assessing the potential role that may have played the trans-Saharan passageway in such dispersal. Broad aspects of Mesozoic brachiopod paleobiogeography are fairly well understood, yet details of ranking and naming of certain units are still in need of more agreement.

The Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event (Early Jurassic) in the Neuquén Basin, Argentina: A Reassessment of Age and Carbon Isotope Stratigraphy

The Toarcian oceanic anoxic event (T-OAE) is recorded by the presence of globally distributed marine organic carbon–rich black shales and a negative carbon isotope shift, with δ13Corg values as low as −33‰, interrupting an overarching positive excursion. Here we present new biostratigraphic data and high-resolution δ13Corg data from two Southern Hemisphere localities: Arroyo Serrucho in the north and Arroyo Lapa in the south of the Neuquén Basin, Argentina. Previous studies at these localities aimed to provide an accurate numerical age for the T-OAE and characterization of its carbon isotope stratigraphy. The new carbon isotope data and ammonite biostratigraphy presented here from Arroyo Serrucho show the T-OAE to be recorded lower in the section than supposed by previous authors, thus calling into question the published age of the T-OAE in this section. A newly investigated exposure at Arroyo Lapa North shows a complex carbon isotope record with at least three high-amplitude fluctuations in the hoelderi zone (equivalent to the serpentinum zone in northwestern Europe), with δ13Corg values of <−28‰, and two intervening positive isotope excursions, with δ13Corg values around −24‰. At Arroyo Lapa South, the characteristic major stepped negative carbon isotope excursion is recorded, with δ13Corg values of <−30‰ and total organic-carbon contents increasing to 11%; above this level an erosional surface of a submarine channel truncates the section. These new data are globally correlative and unambiguously illustrate the global reach of the T-OAE.

THE TRIASSIC/JURASSIC BOUNDARY IN THE ANDES OF ARGENTINA

The Arroyo Malo Formation at Alumbre Creek, on the northern bank of the Atuel River, west central Argentina, comprises a c. 300 m thick continuous marine succession across the Triassic-Jurassic System boundary, consisting of massive and laminated pelites indicative of a slope depositional environment. Late Triassic invertebrates, including ammonoids, nautiloids, bivalves, gastropods, brachiopods and corals are restricted to the lower 150 m. Beds between 125-135 m from the bottom yield Choristoceras cf . marshi Hauer, a species found in the Marshi/Crickmayi Zone of Europe and North America, together with loose fragments of Psiloceras cf. pressum Hillebrandt, coeval with the lower to middle part of the Hettangian Planorbis Zone. About 80 m higher are beds yielding Psiloceras cf. rectocostatum Hillebrandt, a species that gives name to an Andean biozone partially coeval with the Johnstoni and Plicatulum Subzones, upper Planorbis Zone. Other fossils recorded in the Rhaetian strata of this section are foraminifers, ostracods and plant remains identified as Zuberia cf. zuberi (Szaj.) Freng. and Clathropteris sp. The section was also sampled for conodonts and radiolarians, thus far with negative results. A palaeomagnetic study is underway.

Middle Jurassic Biostratigraphyof Argentina

Abstract The Middle Jurassic of west-central Argentina comprises several stratigraphic sequences characterized on thebasis of ammonoids, bivalves, brachiopods, foraminifers and ostracods. Aalenian and Bajocian ammonoids belong in the Bredyia manflasensis, “Zurcheria” groeberi Puchenquia malarguensis, Pseudotoites singularis, Emileia giebeli, Stephanoceras humphriesianum and Megasphaeroceras rotundum Zones. Three independent series of four biozonal units each, respectively based on bivalves, brachiopods and microfauna, are recognized in this interval. Bathonian and Callovian ammonoids are allocated to the Cadomites--Tulitidae, Lilloettia steinmanni, Eurycephalites vergarensis, Neuqueniceras (Frickites) bodenbenderi, Hecticoceras proximum Zones and Rehmannia (Loczyceras) patagoniensis Horizon. At the same time, further biostratigraphic subdivisions are distinguished by other taxa, totalling two for bivalves, three for brachiopods and one for calcareous microfossils. Diversity trends of the different faunal groups and sequence distribution are explained by changes in relative extension of platform and basinal areas.

Redescription and palaeoecological significance of the bryozoan Hippoporidra patagonica (Pallaroni, 1920) in the San Julián Formation (late Oligocene) of Santa Cruz province, Argentina

Hippoporidra is a cheilostome bryozoan that predominantly encrusts gastropod shells inhabited by hermit crabs. The genus has a Pan-Atlantic distribution and its fossil record ranges from the Eocene to Holocene. Cellepora patagonica Pallaroni is here transferred to Hippoporidra and its autozooids and avicularia are described for the first time based on scanning electron microscopy. Hippoporidra patagonica can be distinguished from the remaining species of the genus by the peculiar shape of its interzooidal avicularia and the morphology of its orifice, which is semicircular, with a straight proximal border. In addition, many specimens have adventitious avicularia located on a suboral umbo. The record of Hippoporidra patagonica (Pallaroni) in the Gran Bajo Member of the San Julián Formation (late Oligocene) in Patagonia confirms the presence of this genus at the southern tip of South America and indicates a Pan-Atlantic distribution during the Cenozoic.

Recovery of Scleractinian Morphologic Diversity During the Early Jurassic in Mendoza Province, Argentina

Abstract. After a diversity peak during the Late Triassic, corals were severely affected by the end-Triassic extinction. The study of their recovery is fundamental for a better understanding of the ecological rearrangement undergone by Early Jurassic marine invertebrate faunas. In this contribution we analyze the morphologic recovery shown by scleractinians in southern Mendoza Province, which is the only place in the Neuquén Basin with marine outcrops spanning the Triassic/Jurassic boundary. A two-stage recovery pattern was recognized. During the first stage (Hettangian—Sinemurian) only solitary corals, most of them discoidal, could be found. After a hiatus encompassing the latest Early Sinemurian and the Late Sinemurian, the second stage (Pliensbachian) developed. A sharp increase in morphological diversity of solitary corals is then recorded, with discoidal, cupolate, patellate, turbinate, trochoid/turbinate, trochoid/ceratoid and maybe cylindrical morphologies. Additionally, colonial forms with low degree of corallite integration (phaceloid and cerioid colonies) appeared in the basin. The diversification trend hereby described provides useful insight regarding the scleractinian recovery after the end-Triassic mass extinction event within southern basins of South America. Furthermore, this recovery pattern is comparable with the one recognized for other regions (Chile, western North America, central Asia) yet it differs from that observed in some European basins. The trend outlined herein for Early Jurassic corals from the Neuquén Basin may reflect a large-scale phenomenon and/or the action of local adverse conditions (such as fluvial influence), which is open to further testing.