Showing papers in "Acta Geologica Polonica in 2001"

Late Cambrian trilobites from the Holy Cross Mountains, central Poland

Abstract: Thirty-seven trilobite taxa from the Upper Cambrian of the Holy Cross Mountains are described; eighteen are noted for the first time in Poland. Eleven of the previously recognised species are considered to be junior synonyms. Restorations of the exoskeleton for Aphelaspis rara (ORLOWSKI), Leptoplastides irae (ORLOWSKI), Peltura protopeltorum ORLOWSKI, and Trilobagnostus rudis (SALTER) are provided. Large morphological variation in cephal a of Parabolina ( Neoparabolina ) frequens (BARRANDE), obsetved in the literature and exemplified by the analysed material indicates that the hitherto recognised subspecies, R. ( N. ) frequens frequens (BARRANDE), R . ( N. ) frequens argentina (KAYSER) and R. ( N .) frequens flnnmarchica (NIKOLAISEN & HENNINGSMOEN), represent one taxon. Parabolina ( Neoparabolina ?) lapponica WESTERGARD is most probably related to Parabolina ( Neoparabolina ) frequens (BARRANDE). Bellella LAKE is considered a junior synonym of Leptoplastides RAW, and the genus belongs to the Pelturinae rather than the Oleninae.

Mass aggregation of Middle Miocene spine-coated echinoids Echinocardium and their integrated eco-taphonomy

Abstract: A unique "Fossillagerstatte" of spatangoid echinoids of the genus Echinocardium from the Middle Miocene (Badenian) sandy deposits of the Fore-Carpathian Depression, as exposed at Gleboviti (=Chlebowice) in the Ukraine, is characterised by a mass occurrence of tests often preserving their entire spine canopy, apparently unaffected by taphonomic filtering. These echinoids represent a new species, Echinocardium leopolitanum sp.nov., and are assumed to have had a similar mode of life as the extant, cosmopolitan species E. cordatum (PENNANT, 1777), i.e. relatively deep burrowing and confined to the sublittoral. Violent storms and/or storm-generated currents are held responsible for stirring up the sand and for bringing live specimens, of all ontogenetic stages, to the surface upon which followed deposition of a heavy-loaded sediment from which they could not escape. Thus, specimens are interpreted to have been buried alive, with all spines attached. Mass aggregation of tests occured either in patches laid down in vortical flutes on the current-swept seafloor, or within tabular scrolls of cross-bedded strata where they are locally imbricated. A functional analysis of the spines of Echinocardium leopolitanum sp.nov., and primarily of the large, triangular fan of plastron spines, suggests specimens to have been adapted to rapid burrowing throughout a weakly coherent and nutrient-poor sandy bottom. Ascribed to Echinocardium leopolitanum sp.nov. burrows, whose structure is comparable to, if not identical with, those of other Echinocardium species. The taxonomic potential of such burrows is discussed and it is suggested that names applied recently in ichnological analyses are in need of a modern revision.

Trochidae (Archaeogastropoda) from the Campanian of Torallola in northern Spain

Abstract: 30 species of the archaeogastropod family Trochidae are described from the Campanian of the southern Pyrenees, 15 of them are new. The new genus Amphigibbula is introduced and the genus Chilodontoidea is renamed as Hudledonta . Apparently several trochid lineages with living species can be traced back into the Late Cretaceous. This regards the Eucyclinae, Margaritinae, and Solariellinae, and the Tegulinae with some reservations. Among the groups examined here, only the members of the Trochinae appear to be of rather different character than their modern representatives. The fossil record of the Umboniinae can go far beyond that of the Late Cretaceous and connect even to Palaeozoic genera. The 15 new species are: Eucyclomphalus reminiscencius , Calliotropis torallolensis , Calliotropis seguris , Ilerdus pyrenaeus , Eucycloscala cretacea , Hudledonta nicolae , Danilia kosslerae , Margarites kasei , Margarites nielseni , Margarites kowalkei , Tectus quinteroi , Thoristella marshalli , Suavotrochus ponsi , Ethalia vinxae , and Protorotella herberti.

Morphometric evolution and phylogeny of Palaeozoic ammonoids. Early and Middle Devonian

Abstract: A combination of methods from cladistics and stratophenetic analyses is used for a reconstruction of Early and Middle Devonian ammonoid phylogeny. The analyses are based mainly on principal characters such as conch geometry (coiling form, whorl expansion rate, whorl cross-section shape), septal geometry (form of septa, number, position, and shapes of lobes), and ornament (growth lines and ribs); a new classification scheme of the ancient ammonoid order Agoniatitida is proposed. It is subdivided into four suborders: Agoniatitina (paraphyletic), Gephuroceratina (monophyletic), Anarcestina (paraphyletic), and Pharciceratina (monophyletic). Morphometric analysis shows the unfolding of several morphological trends, such as the modification of coiling parameters, among the Early and Middle Devonian ammonoids. Two major independent lineages can be recognised in the phylogeny of the Middle Devonian ammonoids, the first represents the agoniatids in which the Gephuroceratina is nested, the second are the anarcestids which gave rise to the Pharciceratina. The new families Latanarcestidae, Tamaritidae, Atlantoceratidae, and Taouzitidae, as well as the new genera Taouzites , Croyites and Meragoniatites are introduced.

Ichnofabrics of the Upper Cretaceous marlstones in the Opole region, southern Poland

Abstract: Two basic types of ichnofabrics occur in the marlstone-dominated Turonian-Coniacian deposits in the Opole region, namely the Thalassinoides and Chondrites ichnofabrics. Trace fossils ( Chondrites , Ophiomorpha , Palaeophycus , Phycosiphon , Planolites , Taenidium , Teichichnus , Thalassinoides , Trichichnus ) indicate the Cruziana ichnofacies. In the Thalassinoides ichnofabric, the trace fossils occur almost entirely against a totally bioturbated background, indicating relatively well-oxygenated sediments. In the Chondrites ichnofabric, trace fossils are smaller and the background is almost entirely bioturbated. Only in the lower part of the Odra quarry section, primary lamination is locally preserved. Generally, the Chondrites ichnofabric indicates less oxygenated and possibly deeper sediments than the Thalassinoides ichnofabric. Occurrence of the Chondrites ichnofabric in the Lower Turonian and Upper Lower Coniacian can be related to widely known anoxic events

Chitinozoans and acritarchs from the Ordovician of the Skibno 1 borehole, Pomerania, Poland: implications for stratigraphy and palaeogeography

Abstract: Biostratigraphical results of this palynological study agree with those of previous research on graptolites from the Ordovician of the Skibno 1 borehole in the Koszalin - Chojnice Structural Zone, Polish portion of the Pomerania Terrane. They indicate that the investigated core intelval can be attributed to the uppermost Llanvirn (LlandeiIo) - lower Caradoc, and correspond to the teretiusculus and gracilis through the multidens graptolite biozones. Recovered chitinozoan species, including Belonechitina robusta , Conochitina chydaea , C. dolosa , Lagenochitina aff capax , Spinachitina bulmani , and the index species Laufeldochitina stentor are restricted to the upper Llanvirn - lower Caradoc, the latter species delimits the stentor chitinozoan biozone (upper Uhaku and Kukruse stages). The following identified acritarchs are regarded as biostratigraphically significant: Goniosphaeridium splendenoo , Ordovicidium elegantulum , O. heteromorphicum , O. nanofurcatum , O. nudum , and are characteristic for the Caradoc. The presence of conodont Scabbardella altipes and ichnofossil Alcyonidiopsis pharmaceus , both characteristic of high palaeolatitudes, as well as lithological similarities between the investigated strata and their equivalents from Rugen indicate that Pomerania could have been situated at relatively high latitudes during the upper Llanvirn to lower Caradoc. These observations together with palynological results support a hypothesis that Pomerania was a terrane derived from Avalonia and accreted to the margin of the East European Craton.

Guadalupian (Middle Permian) solitary rugose corals from the Degerböls and Trold Fiord formations, Ellesmere and Melville islands, Canadian Arctic Archipelago

Abstract: The sparse, Wordian rugose coral fauna of the Degerbols and Trold Fiord formations consists exclusively of nondissepimental, solitary taxa and includes the youngest Permian corals in the Sverdrup Basin. Similar, approximately coeval, Guadalupian coral assemblages are widespread in the youngest coral-bearing deposits of the Calophyllum Province in the northern Cordilleran-Arctic-Uralian Realm. The described Sverdrup Basin fauna includes eight species (four new) belonging to the genera Allotropiochisma , Calophyllum , Euryphyllum , Lytvolasma , Soshkineophyllum and Ufimia . Revision of several previously described from East Greenland clarifies their taxonomy and emphasizes the similarity between that fauna and others in the Calophyllum Province. The distribution and relative abundance of solitary species in Svalbard, East Greenland and the Sverdrup Basin confirms the geographic proximity of those areas and open marine communication between them during Guadalupian time. Contrasting, lov diversity in the Central European Basin and the Eastern European Platform indicates scarcity of favourable marine habitats and low level of faunal exchange with the remainder of the Calophyllum Province.

Palaeoscolecid sclerites from the Upper Cambrian Mila Formation of the Shahmirzad section, Alborz Mountains, northern Iran

Abstract: Phosphatic, discoidal sclerites with prominent nodes on the external surface have been found in Upper Cambrian inter-reef calcareous grainstone of the Mila Formation in the Shahmirzad section, Alborz Mountains, northern Iran. This is the first record of a palaeoscolecid worms from Iran. Isolated sclerites demonstrate a complex ornamentation characteristic of the widely known species Hadimopanella oezgueli GEDIK 1977 and are interpreted as dermal plate elements of Palaeoscolecida. Hadimopanella sclerites are known outside Iran from adjacent areas including Turkey, Kirgizia and China and from the more distant continents of Australia, Antarctica, Siberia, Baltica (Sweden, Estonia) and peri-Gondwanan Europe (Spain). The Iranian palaeoscolecid worms were probably infaunal constituent of bentic marine community in inter-reef environment. The utility of isolated sclerites for Cambrian biozonation is stillrather low.

Lower Devonian conodonts from the Karlík Valley and Na Branzovech sections in the Barrandian area, Czech Republic, and their significance for Pragian conodont zonation

Abstract: Two Early Devonian sections used for this study display a markedly different facies development and lie on opposite limbs of the central Barrandian synform, in the stratotype area of the Pragian Stage. The present biostratigraphical information based on 18 species with a total of 350 conodont specimens is mostly related to the late Lochkovian and early Pragian, whilst the remaining parts of the Pragian involve mostly long-range conodont species. The late Lochkovian conodonts correspond to two zones eurekaensis and delta . The latest Lochkovian zone pesavis was found in the northwestern limb, but not on the opposite side. The absence of pesavis Zone in the south (Koneprusy) and, as it has been newly shown, in the south-east of the central Barrandian synform (Karlik Valley) suggests that a prominent lowstand sedimentary starvation affected much larger areas than only the tops of elevated ridges. The lower two thirds of the Pragian sequences can be zoned using two newly suggested conodont zones steinachensis and serratus , respectively, that are defined by the first and last occurrences of these taxa. The occurrence of Latericriodus steinachensis (AL-RAWI) eta morph. marks the lower third and the entry of Pelekysgnathus serratus serratus JENTZSCH corresponds to the base of the middle third of the Pragian. The newly suggested stratigraphical applicability of these two species can effectively substitute the pre-existing sulcatus and kindlei subdivisions that have no zonal species representation in the stratotype area. The first occurrence of Latericriodus bilatericrescens bilatericrescens (ZIEGLER) seems to indicate the base of the Emsian in the Na Branzovech section. The entry of this taxon is connected with the black-shale Graptolite Event within the latest Dvorce-Prokop Limestone that is several beds higher than the levels usually considered for entry of a debatable taxon Polygnatus pireneae . The base of the Graptolite Event gives better chance for the correlation of the Pragian-Emsian boundary than any of the underlying levels. Evolution of the Barrandian conodont assemblages shows many parallels with those of Morocco and Carnic Alps.

Development history of Middle Jurassic neptunian dykes in the High-Tatric series, Tatra Mountains, Poland

Abstract: Neptunian dykes filled with Middle Jurassic sediments from the High-Tatric series in the Tatra Mountains are described. Six types of dykes, which constitute two groups, are distinguished, basing on the type of filling deposits, external shape of the systems and character of the walls. Group I embraces all of the dykes with sharp-edged walls and predominantly vertical structures. Group II consists of dykes with smooth walls and predominantly horizontal structures. The distribution of particular types of dykes in the High-Tatric tectonic units is discussed. The processes of the initiation of dykes, their development and filling with deposits are reconstructed. The distribution of the dykes of Group I, their orientation, shape, size and relationship to the host-rocks, indicate the mechanical nature of the initiation phenomena. The dykes of Group II underwent major reconstruction during the development stage, which made studies of their initiation impossible. Neptunian dykes belonging to Group I display features indicating the sole role of mechanical processes during their development. In the dykes of Group II chemical erosion played an important role. Different dykes were filled in different ways. Processes of injection of loose sediments into fissures opening in the solid substrate, rapid burying of open dykes by migrating dunes of crinoidal sand, and slow sieving of fine material into vast systems of voids, are proposed to explain the filling of dykes by various types of sediments. The interpretation of the formation of internal breccias at the footwall of a fault scarp is presented. The influence of pressure dissolution phenomena on the post-depositional history of the neptunian dykes is evaluated. Field and microscopic observations were complemented by isotopic analyses of the sediments and calcite cements filling the dykes. Paleogeographic conclusions based on the characters of the neptunian dykes are given.

Early Cenomanian (Cretaceous) inoceramid bivalves from the Kronsberg Syncline (Hannover area, Lower Saxony, Germany): stratigraphic and taxonomic implications

Abstract: An Early Cenomanian inoceramid bivalve assemblage collected from material excavated from a temporary exposure in the Kronsberg Syncline east of Hannover (northern Germany) is described. It consists of " Inoceramus " crippsi MANTELL, 1822, " I " hoppenstedtensis TROGER, 1967, Inoceramus virgatus scalprum BOHM, 1914 and I. virgatus virgatus SCHLUTER, 1877, as well as transitional forms between I. virgatus virgatus and I. virgatus scalprum and an apparently undescribed sulcate form. The inoceramid fauna is well preserved and very rich in individuals. Many of the inoceramids occur either as double-valved individuals or with the valves in close association and appear to be cocentrated in distinct layers. Co-occurring ammonites are Mantelliceras dixoni SPATH, Mantelliceras sp., Schloenbachia varians (J. SOWERBY), Hypoturrilities gravesianus (D'ORBIGNY) and Scaphites obliquus J. SOWERBY. Using event stratigraphy, the stratigraphic interval of the collected fauna can be assigned to the lower part of the Lower Cenomanian Mantelliceras dixoni ammonite Zone. It predominantly comprises material from the Inoceramus virgatus acme-event (the Schloenbachia / virgatus event of German event stratigraphy) at the top of the lower subzone ( Mantelliceras dixoni & M. saxbii Subzone) of the dixoni Zone, which is known from the Lower Saxony, Cleveland (eastern England) and Anglo-Paris basins, where it invariably occurs in carbonate-rich rocks with low diversity faunas. The lithofacies and geochemistry of the strata are documented and the " Inoceramus " crippsi and Inoceramus virgatu s groups are discussed, including the problematic provenance of the type series of Inoceramus virgatus scalprum.

Depositional setting of the Devonian/Carboniferous biohermal Bol’shaya Nadota Carbonate Complex, Subpolar Urals

Abstract: Multi-stage development of carbonate buildups has been recognised in the Bol’shaya Nadota Carbonate Complex, in the vicinity of the town of Inta (Subpolar Urals). The growth of typical stromatoporoid-coral bioherms, characteristic of the Middle-Late Devonian stage, was terminated by the appearance of the shallow water oolitic facies, most probably at the beginning of the Famennian. During the Visean stage the carbonate platform was reconstructed, but algal-brachiopod-coral bioherms were characterized by relatively small dimensions and an interfingering with organodetrital-oolitic facies. Sporadically, the inter-mound facies is represented by goniatite-bivalve coquinas with two new goniatite species: Goniatites olysya sp.nov. and Lusitanoceras kusinae sp.nov. The persistence of biohermal sedimentation in the Bol’shaya Nadota area is most probably caused by the specific position of the region on the boundary of two sedimentary-structural units: Lemva and Elets Zones, which corresponded to a basinal and a tectonically-active elevated part of a platform margin respectively. The overall biotic composition of the Carboniferous bioherms from Bol’shaya Nadota, situated in the northern periphery of Laurussia, falls generally within the diversity spectrum of Lower Carboniferous mounds described from the southern margin of the continent.

Campanian (Late Cretaceous) Ammonites from the upper part of the Anacacho Limestone in South­ Central Texas

Abstract: The ammonite assemblage from the upper part of the Anacacho Limestone in Medina Country in south-central Texas consists of Pachydiscus ( Pachydiscus ) travisi (ADKINS, 1929), Pachydiscus ( P .) sp., Pachydiscus ( P .) streckeri (ADKINS, 1928), Hoplitoplacenticeras ( H .) marroti (COQUAND, 1859), Eubostrychoceras reevesi (YOUNG, 1963), Bostrychoceras polyplocum (ROEMER, 1841), Lewyites clinensis (ADKINS, 1929), Baculites taylorensis ADKINS, 1929, and Trachyscaphites spiniger porchi (ADKINS, 1929). Several of these species are also found in the Pecan Gap Chalk in central and northeastern Texas and in the basal part of the Demopolis Formation in Mississippi and Alabama. The fauna is probably contemporaneous with the Baculites asperiformis zone in the U.S. Western Interior, which lies in the lower part of the middle Campanian in the sense of the Western Interior threefold division of the Campanian. In terms of the European twofold division of the Campanian the fauna lies in the lower part of the upper Campanian.

Astogeny of amural colonial Rugosa from the Famennian of the Sudetes - a palaeoenvironmental study

Abstract: The astogeny of three species of the amural rugosan genus Scruttonia coming from the Famennian so-called main limestone cropping out in Dzikowiec (the Middle Sudetes) is described. The colonies studied reveal cyclomorphic variation usually regarded as seasonal in nature. The character and shape of the colony as well as the character of the internal skeletal elements has been investigated to determine the colony-sediment interactions. The character of those interactions and the taphonomy of the colonies helped to make a determination of the colony growth rate and the sedimentation rate of the beds where colonial corals occur.

Experimental investigation of the reaction : An-rich plagioclase + quartz + fluid = analcime-wairakite[ss]

Abstract: The reaction An-rich plagioclase + quartz + fluid = analcime (NaAlSi 4 O 12 * 2H 2 O) - wairakite (CaAl 2 Si 4 O 12 * 2H 2 O)[ss] (solid solution series) has been studied experimentally in the temperature range 350-200 o C. Distilled water or 0.1 M NaHCO 3 solution was used as fluid. All experiments have been performed under low silica activity. Due to the short duration of the experiments the reaction had not approached equilibrium and partly metastable phases were formed. Wairakite nucleated in the laumontite stability field in the system plagioclase-quartz-H 2 O. Higher sodium activites led to the formation of mixed analcime-wairakite crystals or analcime crystals. The mechanisms of zeolite formation seems to comprise topotaxial growth on the plagioclase surface caused by a dissolution-precipitation process. Some variations in the nucleation and growth kinetics were noticed which appear to be due to different physico-chemical conditions of zeolite formation

Revision of the Upper Cretaceous ammonite fauna of the Bakony Mountains (Hungary)

Abstract: A revision of the ammonites from the Bakony Mountains (Hungary) based on collections of the Geological Institute of Hungary (MAFI) in Budapest, revealed the following sequence of faunas. The youngest Campanian ammonites from the South Bakony are three specimens of Pachydiscus ( P .) praecolligatus COLLIGNON, 1955 from the Sumeg area; this is a typical Campanian species. Two specimens of former "Lower Maastrichtian Pachydiscus neubergicus (HAUER)" from Haraszt quarry have been re-determined as Early Campanian Eupachydiscus l evyi (GROSSOUVRE, 1894). The fragmentary specimen of Mortoniceras sp. has been determined as Texanites ( Texanites ) sp. from the Upper Santonian. Two ammonite zones can be recognised for these sequences: Texanites sp. ( Santonian ) and Eupachydiscus levyi (Lower Campanian)