ALBERT

Description: Discussion of “The bioeroded megasurface of Oura (Algarve, south Portugal): implications for the Neogene stratigraphy and tectonic evolution of southwest Iberia” by Cachão et al. ( Facies 55(2): 213–225, DOI 10.1007/s10347-008-0172-2) Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-3 DOI 10.1007/s10347-011-0268-y Authors João Pais, CICEGe, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Lisbon, Portugal Paulo Legoinha, CICEGe, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Lisbon, Portugal Journal Facies Online ISSN 1612-4820 Print ISSN 0172-9179

Description:    Upper Triassic Norian reef boulders, exposed in a locality near the fountain “Tavuk Cesme” (“Chicken Fountain”) in Taurus Mountains, southern Turkey yielded a large number of hypercalcified sponges, including “sphinctozoans”, “inozoans”, “spongiomorphids”, and “chaetetids”. The sphinctozoans from this locality are described in this paper. Geologically, this locality belongs to the Anamas-Akseki autochthonous. The reef boulders of this locality are exposed near the “Tavuk Cesme” fountain, located at the road, leading from the town of Aksu to Yenisarbademli. The following taxa are described: Amblysiphonella taurica nov. sp., Anthalythalamia riedeli Senowbari-Daryan, Calabrisiphonella sphaerica nov. sp., Calabrisiphonella cuifi nov. sp., Cinnabaria minima Senowbari-Daryan, Colospongia recta nov. sp., Colospongia sp. 1, Colospongia sp. 2, Colospongia sp. 3, Cryptocoelia compacta nov. sp., Cryptocoelia ? sp., Deningeria crassireticulata Senowbari-Daryan, Zühlke, Bechstädt and Flügel, Discosiphonella minima Senowbari-Daryan and Link, Gigantothalamia ovoidalis Senowbari-Daryan, Hajarispongia dipoyrazensis nov. sp., Hajarispongia cortexifera nov. sp., Kashanella irregularis Senowbari-Daryan, Kashanella cylindrica nov. sp., Parauvanella ferdowsensis Senowbari-Daryan, Parastylothalamia cylindrica nov. gen., nov. sp., Asiphothalamia polyosculata nov. gen, nov. sp., Sollasia norica nov. sp., and Thaumastocoelia sphaeroida Senowbari-Daryan. The most abundant sponge is Amblysiphonella taurica nov. sp. followed by Hajarispongia dipoyrazensis nov. sp., Colospongia and Discosiphonella minima Senowbari-Daryan and Link are also relatively abundant. The stylothalamid sponge Parastylothalamia nov. gen. is an abundant sponge genus in other Norian reefs of the Taurus Mountains, but is rare at the “Tavuk Cesme” locality. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-31 DOI 10.1007/s10347-010-0253-x Authors Baba Senowbari-Daryan, Geozentrum Nordbayern, Department of Palaeontology, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Loewenichstrasse 28, 91054 Erlangen, Germany Michael Link, Geozentrum Nordbayern, Department of Palaeontology, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Loewenichstrasse 28, 91054 Erlangen, Germany Journal Facies Online ISSN 1612-4820 Print ISSN 0172-9179

Description:    Lithocodium aggregatum Elliott is interpreted as a heterotrichale chlorophycean alga with a prostrate and erect system within a well-calcified tissue. Within Lower Aptian coral rubble of the western Maestrat Basin, Spain, it forms thick masses of juxtaposed crusts around the bioclasts. In achieving a rapid and complete encrustation of the available bioclasts, Lithocodium applied several strategies, e.g., filling voids of structured surfaces with a special fabric or forming erect extensions to bridge adjacent substrates. In these deposits, different types of poorly if ever illuminated cryptic microhabitats can be distinguished: (1) existing crypts such as empty shells or structural voids within bioclasts (2) crypts resulting from the complete encrustation of adjacent bioclasts by Lithocodium itself and (3) syndepositionally created crypts, e.g., boreholes produced by lithophagid bivalves. In these cases, Lithocodium developed a poorly calcified structure of large cells with thin microcrystalline walls indicating a high degree of variability (phenotypic plasticity). This cryptic growth stage is interpreted as an adaption to the poorly illuminated crypts (photoadaption) in order to maximize light capture for photosynthesis. The Lower Cretaceous Lithocodium is therefore not per se a cryptoendolithic microorganism, but may show adaptation to develop and survive also in these already existing or newly created niches. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-19 DOI 10.1007/s10347-011-0272-2 Authors Felix Schlagintweit, Lerchenauerstr. 167, 80935 Munich, Germany Telm Bover-Arnal, Département de Géosciences, Université de Fribourg, Chemin du Musée 6, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland Journal Facies Online ISSN 1612-4820 Print ISSN 0172-9179

Description: The bioeroded megasurface of Oura (Algarve, south Portugal): implications for Neogene stratigraphy and tectonic evolution of southwest Iberia: reply to Pais and Legoinha (DOI 10.1007/s10347-011-0268-y) Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-3 DOI 10.1007/s10347-011-0269-x Authors Mário Cachão, Centro de Geologia e Dept. de Geologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, C6, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal Carlos Marques da Silva, Centro de Geologia e Dept. de Geologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, C6, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal Ana Santos, Departamento de Geodinâmica y Paleontologia, Facultad de Ciencias Experimentales, Universidad de Huelva, Campus de El Carmen, Avda. 3 de Marzo, s/n, 21071 Huelva, Spain Rosa Domènech, Departamento d’Estratigrafia, Paleontologia i Geociències Marines, Facultat de Geologia, Universitat de Barcelona, C/Martí i Franques, s/n, 08028 Barcelona, Spain Jordi Martinell, Departamento d’Estratigrafia, Paleontologia i Geociències Marines, Facultat de Geologia, Universitat de Barcelona, C/Martí i Franques, s/n, 08028 Barcelona, Spain Eduardo Mayoral, Departamento de Geodinâmica y Paleontologia, Facultad de Ciencias Experimentales, Universidad de Huelva, Campus de El Carmen, Avda. 3 de Marzo, s/n, 21071 Huelva, Spain Journal Facies Online ISSN 1612-4820 Print ISSN 0172-9179

Description:    Mohlerina basiliensis (Mohler, 1938 ) represents a common, cosmopolitan, shallow-water Middle Jurassic–Early Cretaceous trochospiral foraminifer. Given the numerous illustrations from thin-section specimens in the literature displaying tests dispersed within the matrix (micritic and sparitic), a free, vagile benthic mode of life is generally suggested. As an exceptional case, specimens are found with their tests attached to a variety of hard substrates, thus creating a special elevated microhabitat. The fixation is due to a calcitic cement. With its facultative sessile mode of life, Mohlerina can be compared with several modern calcareous trochospiral rotaliacean foraminifera (e.g., Ammonia , Cibicides , Discorbis ). The rare preservation of fixed Mohlerina in situ is most likely due to physical taphonomic degradation (e.g., breakage). Tests of Mohlerina attached to hard substrates were found in both low- and high-energy paleoenvironments. The high test variability of Mohlerina might be influenced by the different settling strategies and substrate surface topographies within different paleohabitats. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Article Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s10347-012-0297-1 Authors Felix Schlagintweit, Lerchenauerstr. 167, 80935 Munich, Germany Journal Facies Online ISSN 1612-4820 Print ISSN 0172-9179

Description:    The sedimentology, microfacies, and stratigraphic age (from planktonic and benthic foraminifera and strontium-isotope stratigraphy) of a 300-m-thick Upper Cretaceous carbonate succession from the Island of Čiovo (central Dalmatia, Croatia) were analyzed in order to determine the lithostratigraphic, depositional, and chronostratigraphic framework. The Cretaceous strata were deposited in the southern part of the long-lasting (Late Triassic to Paleogene) Adriatic-Dinaridic Carbonate Platform (ADCP), one of a few late Mesozoic, intra-Tethyan, peri-Adriatic (sub)tropical archipelagos. The succession is separated by a firmground formational boundary into two lithostratigraphic units: the underlying Middle to Upper Campanian Dol Formation consisting of slope pelagic limestone with intercalated turbidites and debrites, and the overlying Upper Campanian Čiovo Formation composed of outer-ramp bioclastic-lithoclastic and echinoderm-dominated packstone. Age, lithology, and depositional settings of the Čiovo Formation are different from other penecontemporaneous, regionally important inner-platform carbonate successions within the ADCP domain. Therefore, the Čiovo Formation is proposed here as a new lithostratigraphic unit. Regionally important condensed intervals in the form of at least two firmground surfaces, characterized by Thalassinoides burrows (with phosphatic mineralization) that belong to the Glossifungites ichnofacies, occur in the lowermost part of the Čiovo Formation. Abrupt shallowing of depositional environments at the boundary between the Dol and the Čiovo Formation, and the generation of the formational boundary firmground, likely correlate with the regionally recorded Upper Campanian Event that represents a global eustatic sea-level fall. A regionally important subaerial exposure surface with nodular calcrete, rhizoliths, and Microcodium aggregates in the upper part of the Čiovo Formation represents a regional subaerial unconformity that was recorded across the ADCP domain and was interpreted as a consequence of diachronous and differential uplift of various parts of the platform in response to the formation of a forebulge in front of the approaching Dinaridic orogen. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Article Pages 1-23 DOI 10.1007/s10347-012-0342-0 Authors M. Brlek, Department of Geology, Croatian Geological Survey, Sachsova 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia T. Korbar, Department of Geology, Croatian Geological Survey, Sachsova 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia B. Cvetko Tešović, Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Horvatovac 102a, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia B. Glumac, Department of Geosciences, Smith College, Northampton, MA 01063, USA L. Fuček, Department of Geology, Croatian Geological Survey, Sachsova 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia Journal Facies Online ISSN 1612-4820 Print ISSN 0172-9179

Description:    Based on microfacies analyses and sedimentological data, 17 facies are identified within the Middle Miocene carbonates at Siwa Oasis in the northern Western Desert of Egypt. These facies are attributed to five main facies belts. Within these facies and facies belts, five foraminiferal assemblages are recognized. A depositional model relates the reported facies and biofacies to a down-dip depositional profile of an inner to middle carbonate ramp. The facies of the peritidal to restricted lagoon (facies belt 1) and the less-restricted lagoon (facies belt 2) were deposited in the inner ramp behind the barrier/beach shoal facies belt 3. Basinward, lime mudstone of facies belts 4 and 5 accumulated in a proximal to distal middle ramp, respectively. The depositional evolution involved three stages, which are strongly controlled by tectonics and eustatic sea-level changes. The first stage comprises the transgressive Lower Miocene clastic-dominated fluvial facies of the Moghra Formation. The second stage heralds the deposition of the Langhian inner-ramp carbonate and shale facies of the basal Oasis Member of the Marmarica Formation under a relatively high stand of sea level, constrained clastic influx and climate warming. The final stage is represented by Langhian to Serravallian mid-ramp carbonate-dominated facies of the Siwa Escarpment and El Diffa Plateau members under fluctuating sea level, and a westward restriction in clastic supply and water turbidity. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Article Pages 1-24 DOI 10.1007/s10347-012-0332-2 Authors Zaki A. Abdel-Fattah, Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Damietta University, New Damietta City, 34517 Egypt Mahmoud A. Kora, Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516 Egypt Salah N. Ayyad, Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516 Egypt Journal Facies Online ISSN 1612-4820 Print ISSN 0172-9179

Description:    The Lower Jurassic genus Eodasycladus is discussed according to the characters of type species and compared with the other species known in the literature. The architecture of two species attributed to the genus Palaeodasycladus , P . alanensis Sokač, and P . benceki Sokač, is examined and an alternative organization of the thallus is prospected. P. alanensis is considered a valid species, but its characters require to transfer the taxon to the genus Eodasycladus . P . benceki is considered synonymous with P . alanensis . Content Type Journal Article Category Original Article Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s10347-012-0304-6 Authors Filippo Barattolo, Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”, Largo San Marcellino, 10, 80138 Naples, Italy Mahnaz Parvaneh Nejad Shirazi, Department of Geology, Payame Noor University, PO Box 19395-3697, Tehran, Iran Enrica Vecchio, Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”, Largo San Marcellino, 10, 80138 Naples, Italy Journal Facies Online ISSN 1612-4820 Print ISSN 0172-9179

Description:    Carbonate deposits from Zrin in the Mt. Zrinska Gora were deposited in the SW part of the Central Paratethys Sea during the Middle Badenian (Middle Miocene). The studied section contains a rich fossil community of non-geniculate coralline red algae (Subfamily Melobesioideae), bryozoans, benthic and planktonic foraminifera, echinoderms, ostracods, molluscs, and calcareous nannoplankton. Based on lithological variations and changes in the biogenic components, four facies associations (FA) are distinguished. Their distribution points to skeletal production and sedimentation on a middle to proximal outer carbonate ramp. The main lithological feature of the section is an alternation of two lithofacies: fully lithified grainstone–rudstone and packstone, and semi-lithified rudstone–floatstone with a carbonate sandy matrix. Depositional environments on the ramp were periodically influenced by minor high-frequency sea-level changes and/or changes of hydrodynamic conditions, which are suggested as the driving mechanisms causing the alternation of the two lithofacies. Vertically in the succession, the two lithofacies alternate to give three thinning- and fining-upward units. The lower part of each unit is formed of a rhodolith and coralline algal FA, which passes upwards into a bryozoan-coralline algal FA and/or FA of bioclastic packstone-grainstone. Based on the vertical upward change in FAs, each unit can be interpreted as a deepening-upward sequence. Patterns in the relative abundance of bryozoan colony growth form (vinculariiform, cellariiform, adeoniform, membraniporiform, celleporiform, and reteporiform), size and abundance of rhodoliths and coralline branches, and benthic foraminifera are interpreted by comparison with data from modern and fossil environments. Based on these data, a water depth range for each FA is interpreted, providing evidence of low-frequency relative sea-level changes. It is hypothesized that relative sea-level fluctuated in the water depth range from 30 to 80 m, and in the uppermost part of the section, rich in planktonic foraminifera and calcareous nannoplankton, possibly deeper. Causes of the low-frequency relative sea-level fluctuations and the general deepening trend observed within the succession cannot be interpreted based on one section; however, they may be related to the subsidence of the depositional basin. The benthic biotic communities are a vertical alternation of rhodalgal and bryorhodalgal associations, and this is attributed to relative sea-level fluctuations. These biotic associations gave rise to warm-temperate carbonates of the Middle Badenian N9 planktonic Zone ( Orbulina suturalis , O. universa ) and NN4–NN5 nannoplankton Zones ( Sphenolithus heteromorphus ). Content Type Journal Article Category Original Article Pages 1-24 DOI 10.1007/s10347-012-0327-z Authors Maja Martinuš, Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia Karmen Fio, Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia Kristina Pikelj, Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia Šimun Aščić, Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia Journal Facies Online ISSN 1612-4820 Print ISSN 0172-9179

Description:    The Carnian Pluvial Event was followed by extreme aridity around the Mediterranean region, but the relationship between these climatic modes and the evaporite deposits of the north Arabian margin has not been established. The Mohilla Formation in Israel was deposited on the rifted Levant margin of the Neotethyan seaway during the Carnian (Late Triassic). The lowermost member, M1 (carbonate, shale, minor evaporite), records sea-level and climate change of the transition from open-marine deposits to the thick evaporite of the overlying M2 member. Field, petrographic and cathodoluminescence investigation of the M1 member exposed at Makhtesh Ramon, southern Israel, enabled tracking of changing paleoenvironments. The M1 member can be subdivided into six sea-level controlled sedimentary cycles, each terminating in subaerial exposure. Open-marine, lagoonal, and supratidal belts are represented, but environments become increasingly restricted upwards. Three of the exposure horizons are marked by well-developed early diagenetic features, including dissolution porosity and meteoric cements. These changing facies belts and the superposed diagenetic modes formed under an oscillating climate regime of three relatively humid episodes dominated by deposition of carbonate, alternating with evaporitic sediments indicating aridity. Deposition of the M1 member can be correlated with the transition in the western Tethys from the Carnian pluvial episode to aridity. This transition in the Levant region is characterized by an oscillatory climate that culminated in a thick evaporite unit from the extreme arid phase. The oscillations may be attributed to shifting global climate belts, overprinted by monsoonal strengthening and weakening, in the equatorial belt. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Article Pages 1-23 DOI 10.1007/s10347-012-0321-5 Authors Or M. Bialik, Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, Ben-Gurion University, Beer Sheva, 84105 Israel Dorit Korngreen, Geological Survey of Israel, 30 Malkhe Israel St., Jerusalem, 95501 Israel Chaim Benjamini, Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, Ben-Gurion University, Beer Sheva, 84105 Israel Journal Facies Online ISSN 1612-4820 Print ISSN 0172-9179