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Abstract Fusulinid foraminifera are among the most common microfossils of the Late Palaeozoic and act as key fossils for stratigraphic correlation, paleogeographic and paleoenvironmental indication, and evolutionary studies of marine life. Accurate and efficient identification forms the basis of such research involving fusulinids but is limited by the lack of digitized image datasets. This article presents the first large image dataset of fusulinids containing 2,400 images of individual samples subjected to 16 genera of all six fusulinid families and labelled to species level. These images were collected from the literature and our unpublished samples through an automatic segmentation procedure implementing BlendMask, a deep learning model. The dataset shows promise for the efficient accumulation of fossil images through automated procedures and will facilitate taxonomists in future morphologic and systematic studies.

Fusulinid foraminifera are among the most common microfossils of the Late Palaeozoic and act as key fossils for stratigraphic correlation, paleogeographic and paleoenvironmental indication, and evolutionary studies of marine life. Accurate and efficient identification forms the basis of such research involving fusulinids but is limited by the lack of digitized image datasets. This article presents the first large image dataset of fusulinids containing 2,400 images of individual samples subjected to 16 genera of all six fusulinid families and labelled to species level. These images were collected from the literature and our unpublished samples through an automatic segmentation procedure implementing BlendMask, a deep learning model. The dataset shows promise for the efficient accumulation of fossil images through automated procedures and will facilitate taxonomists in future morphologic and systematic studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analysis of fusulinids from the Bug Scuffle Limestone Member of the Gobbler Formation along the western escarpment of the Sacramento Mountains in south-central NewMexico demonstrates that all four Desmoinesian regional fusulinid zones documented in Midcontinent and Southwest North America are present in the stratigraphic unit. Earliest Desmoinesian (Df1 Zone) fusulinids from the basal Bug Scuffle limestone beds suggest that the carbonate unit transgressed northward on the Sacramento Shelf, with Beedeina insolita in basal beds of the southernmost canyon exposures, and the slightly more advanced B. hayensis and B. curta in basal limestone beds of more northern outcrops. Late early Desmoinesian (Df2 Zone) fusulinids are common and widespread throughout the escarpment outcrop belt indicating that it was the time period with the most widespread normal marine shelf paleoenvironmental conditions. The diverse assemblage of the Df2 Zone is characterized by Beedeina novamexicana, B. euryteines, B. leei, B. socorroensis, B. joyitaensis, Wedekindellina euthysepta, and W. excentrica. The microprobematical branching fossil Komia is also common in this zone. Wedekindellina and Komia do not range above the mid-Desmoinesian CSB1 composite sequence boundary. Above that sequence boundary, the early late Desmoinesian Df3 Zone is characterized by sparse Beedeina haworthi, and the closely related B. illinoisensis and B. tumida. The late late Desmoinesian Df4 Zone is represented by a diverse assemblage of fusulinids in the uppermost part of the Bug Scuffle Limestone Member in the southern canyon exposures, including Beedeina acme, B. megista, B. mysticensis, B. lonsdalenesis, B. bellatula, B. gordonensis, and B. vintonensis. No Beedeina identifiable to species were found in upper part of the Bug Scuffle Limestone Member in the northernmost canyon exposures, demonstrating that late Desmoinesian paleoenvironments became more restricted marine northward along the Sacramento Shelf. Above the CSB2 composite sequence boundary in the uppermost Bug Scuffle Limestone Member, the lower part of the uppermost depositional sequence continues to contain latestDesmoinesianDf4 Zone fusulinids in the southern canyon sections. EarlyMissourian conodonts have been reported in a limestone unit near the top of the Gobbler clastic detritalmember in the north-central part of the outcrop belt(Wahlman and Barrick 2018; Lucas et al. 2021), but no early Missourian conodonts or fusulinids have been reported yet from the uppermost Bug Scuffle Limestone Member in the southern canyons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A newly obtained foraminiferal assemblage from the Guadalupian−Lopingian, and Induan of the Western Salt Range (Pakistan) comprises 47 species (including 7 species of fusulinoideans) of 24 genera and 71 species (including 9 species of fusulinoideans) of 41 genera, in Nammal and Zaluch sections, respectively. Our results show that only 4 species went extinct during the Guadalupian−Lopingian mass extinction (GLME), suggesting the GLME was minor for smaller foraminifers in the Salt Range. Most species went extinct during the Permian-Triassic mass extinction (PTME), except the two survivor genera, Nodosinelloides and Planiinvoluta. During the end-Permian mass extinction, majorities of the species became extinct in lower part of Chhidru Formation, beacuse they are not tolerant to the terigenious-clastic input in the upper part of Chhidru Formation. The extinction process of foraminifers in the Nammal and Zaluch sections has been documented for the first time. Five foraminiferal assemblages are established in the shallow marine shelf deposits of Western Salt Range, i.e., Wordian Geinitzina araxensis assemblage in tide-influenced subaqueous delta to middle shelf environment, Capitanian Baisalina pulchra assemblage and Wuchiapingian Codonofusiella schubertellinoides assemblage in inner-outer shelf carbonate deposits, Changhsingian Colaniella pseudolepida assemblage and Induan Nodosinelloides-Planiinvoluta assemblage in mixed siliciclastic–carbonate shelf setting. The Baisalina pulchra and Codonofusiella schubertellinoides assemblages have wide geographic distribution and have been found in Transcaucasus, China, Turkey, Crimea and Oman. The other three assemblages (i.e., Geinitzina araxensis, Colaniella pseudolepida, and Nodosinelloides-Planiinvoluta assemblages) found in this study are likely local/regional assemblages. The foraminifers were observed with the standard microscopic system Leica-DM500. A total of 681 specimens of foraminifers are reported in the Zaluch Group and Mianwali Formation of Nammal and Zaluch sections. Five hundred ninety-nine smaller foraminifers specimens were recovered. Among the smaller foraminifera, Nodosinelloides, Pachyphloia, Geinitzina, Colaniella, Hemigordius, Tuberitina, and Langella are the most dominant genera. Larger foraminifera genera include Nankinella, Codonofusiella, Reichelina, Necdetina and Pisolina, represented by 82 specimens. A total of 3 classes (e.g., Nodosariata, Fusulinata, and Tubothalamea) and seven orders (i.e., Miliolida, Spirillinida, Lagenida, Parathuramminida, Endothyrida, Fusulinida, and Earlandiida) are identified in the current study. Among them, Lagenida becomes the most dominant by diversity and abundance. Shannon diversity and other indices rise progressively from Wordian to Changhsingian in the shallow marine sediments before dropping to zero in the Early Triassic mixed siliciclastic–carbonate shelf deposits.

A relatively complete succession of the Bashkirian to Moscovian rocks is exposed in the Hadim Nappe, central Taurides, where rich and diverse fusulinid assemblages have been analysed in three sections (Yassıpınar, Gölbelen and Bademli). The Bashkirian–Moscovian successions mainly consist of medium-bedded sandstones, medium–thick-bedded oolitic limestone and thin–medium bedded fossiliferous limestones with medium–thick-bedded dolomite levels (Bademli section). Eight first occurrence fusulinid biozones are identified in three sections in the Bashkirian to Moscovian strata. The Bashkirian Stage comprises in ascending order the Plectostaffella jakhensis-Plectostaffella bogdanovkensis, Pseudostaffella antiqua-Pseudostaffella sofronizkyi, Staffellaeformes staffellaeformis-Staffellaeformes parva parva, and Tikhonovichiella tikhonovichi-Verella spicata zones, the Moscovian Stage contains in ascending order the Aljutovella aljutovica-Solovievaia ovata ovata, Aljutovella priscoidea-Eofusulina triangula, Fusulinella vozhgalensis devexa-Beedeina schellwieni, and Fusulinella bocki bocki zones. These fusulinid zones, and their characteristic index species, allow to correlate the Bashkirian–Moscovian strata in the Hadim Nappe with coeval strata in the Donets Basin, southern China, southern Urals, and especially, with the Russian Platform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The central region of Sonora state, Mexico, is recognized by its different upper Paleozoic outcrops, highlighting the La Cueva Limestone and Mina México Formation. The rocks of Cerro Las Rastras and Sierra Martínez are considered among the most important Permian localities in central Sonora. This work studies the fusulinid faunas in two different sections, focusing on their biostratigraphical and paleoenvironmental relevance. Both sections comprise strata from the La Cueva Limestone and Mina México Formation. The fusulinids identified are Parafusulina sp., Paraskinnerella cf. skinneri , Praeskinnerella crassitectoria , Skinnerella cobachiensis , Skinnerella imlayi , and Eoparafusulina cf. linearis. The presence of Pa. cf. skinneri , Pr. crassitectoria , S. cobachiensis and S. imlayi indicates a lower–middle Leonardian (=upper Artinskian–lower Kungurian) age for the Las Rastras Section. The occurrence of E. cf. linearis in the base of the Sierra Martínez 2 Section suggests a youngest age of upper Wolfcampian for the bearing rocks. The microfacies analysis allowed the identification of six facies associations in the Las Rastras Section related to deep shelf, slope, and ramp-margin sand shoals. While three associations were identified in the Sierra Martínez 2 Section, indicating the deposition of open marine and slope environments. Fusulinids from both sections are classified as allochthonous elements in most facies associations (except those of open waters) since they are found in environments that are known to not been inhabited by these foraminifera. The fusulinids identified have a paleobiogeographic affinity with coeval assemblages from the North American Province. • Six species of fusulinids from Cerro Las Rastras and Sierra Martínez of Sonora, Mexico, are described. • Fusulinids belong to La Cueva Limestone and the Mina México Formation outcrops. • Fusulinids allow establishing a middle Wolfcampian–early Leonardian age for the sections studied. • The microfacies suggest the paleoenvironment varying from shallow to deep water. • The fusulinids identified can be correlated with the coeval fusulinids from the North American Province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Numerous fusulinids were found in the middle part of the Jamal Formation (Ney Eshkiny section) in the Tabas region of Central Iran. The assemblage includes 12 species of 12 genera (Zarodella, ?Grovesella, Pseudoendothyra, Nankinella, Schubertella, Dunbarula, Yangchienia, Chusenella, Verbeekina, Pseudodoliolina, Neoschwagerina, and Sumatrina. This association characteristic of the upper part of the Murgabian Stage is found in many Permian sections in the Tethyan Realm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three Guadalupian allochthonous debris flow beds in a slope-to-basin facies succession in northern Gilleland Canyon of the northwest GlassMountains were sampled for fusulinid biostratigraphic age-dating. The deeper water allochthonous debris flow beds underlie the shelf-margin packstone-grainstone facies of theWillis RanchMember of theWord Formation (3rdWord Limestone Bed of King 1931) (middle Guadalupian, earlyWordian), which forms a distinct bench all along the west wall of Gilleland Canyon (114-169m above base of measured section). The uppermost GV-RC1 sample, from 104 m in the measured section, contained the fusulinids Parafusulina sellardsi, P. antimonioensis, P. deliciasensis, P. rothi, P. trumpyi, and P. boesei. SampleGV-CM1, from 83min the section, contained P. sellardsi, P. deliciasensis, P. rothi, P. boesei, and P. lineata. The lowest sample GV-CM20, from 76 m in the section, contained only P. deliciasensis and P. wildei. According to previous studies, most of these species appear in Roadian-aged strata and range upward into early Wordian-aged strata, but the common occurrence of P. sellardsi in the upper two samples, and the occurrence of P. antimonioensis in the uppermost sample confirm an early Wordian age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fusulinids from the Emarat Formation of the Central Alborz are studied to establish species belonging to such genera as Schubertella, Biwaella, Triticites, Tumefactus?, Pseudoschwagerina, Zellia, and Praepseudofusulina. The new species Pseudoschwagerina gadukensis is described. It is supposed that the origin of early Asselian and later Pseudoschwagerina and Zellia was polyphyletic, thus involving the problems of their taxonomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Late Pennsylvanian-Cisuralian fusulinacean genus Biwaella Morikawa et Isomi, 1960 has been described from a number of tropical to subtropical Tethyan and Peri-Gondwanan localities along with sparse occurrences from the Boreal and Midcontinent-Andean faunal provinces. The present study provides a synthesis of the known global distribution and migratory timescales of Biwaella and describes the first occurrence of B. americana Skinner et Wilde, 1965 from Nevada, USA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The section Usolka and duplicating its section Dal’ny Tulkas (Bashkortostan) are proposed as the stratotypes of the Lower Sakmarian stage boundary and Lower Artinskian stage boundary of the International Stratigraphic scale. We give the description of sections with the indication of conodont, fusulinid and ammonoid level findings and the results of studying U-Pb geochronology as well as Sr, C, O isotopes.

Conodont species Streptognathodus simulator Ellison, 1941 has been proposed recently to define the Kasimovian-Gzhelian boundary in the global chronostratigraphic scale.The species distributed globally and traditionally has been used as a marker of the base of the Gzhelian Stage in the type sections in Moscow Basin and Urals. Recent studies of conodont taxonomy and biostratigraphy in southern Urals have established the chronocline with ascendant and descendant to Streptognathodus simulator species. Usolka section proposed here as a potential candidate for the GSSP (Global Stratotype Section and Point) to define the global Gzhelian Stage at the FAD of the Streptognathodus simulator within the chronocline Streptognathodus praenuntius Chernykh, 2005 – St. simulator Ellison, 1941 – St. auritus Chernykh, 2005. The chronocline recovered within 2.7 m of beds 4 and 5 at the Usolka section, with all three species described and properly figured. No obvious interruptions in sedimentation are recorded within the Kasimovian-Gzhelian transition there. Several volcanic ash beds are present below and above the proposed boundary, making radiometric calibration highly possible in the near future. Mode of preservation of conodonts with a CAI of around 1.0–1.5 provides excellent basis for the geochemical studies. Accessibility presently is adequate, and this exposure will be improved and maintained permanently for interested scientists. Future access will be guaranteed by means of legislative action to create a scientific preserve.

Two new Permian-aged formations 'Kariz Now Formation' and 'Aliyak Formation' are proposed for a 65-150 m-thick succession in the KarizNow area,with the type section for both (79.5mthick) located 9 kmnortheast of Aliyak village ca. 100 kmsoutheast of Mashhad city, northeastern Iran. The lower Kariz Now Formation is composed of siliciclastics. The age of this Formation is poorly constrained but its correlation with the Shah Zeid Formation in the Central Alborz suggests a possibleAsselian-Hermagorian age for the KarizNow Formation, which implies a hiatus of Yakhtashian-mid Midian (Artinskian-mid Capitanian) age between the siliciclastics of the Kariz Now Formation and carbonates of the disconformably overlying Aliyak Formation. There is also the possibility of a potential correlation of this Formation with the Kungurian Faraghan Formation in the Zagros area. The succeeding Aliyak Formation is mostly composed of carbonate rocks capped by a thin basaltic lava flow. The Aliyak Formation is unconformably overlain by dolostones that are correlated with the Middle Triassic Shotori Formation. Samples were collected from the Kariz Now and Aliyak formations, but fossils were only recovered from the Aliyak Formation. These include calcareous algae, small foraminiferans, fusulinids, crinoid stems and brachiopods. The recovered fusulinid assemblage from the Aliyak Formation is consistent with that of the upper Capitanian Monodiexodina kattaensis-Codonofusiella erki and Afghanella schencki-Sumatrina brevis zones of the Zagros Mountains and with the upper part of the Ruteh Fm in the Alborz Mountains. Although not radiometrically dated, the basaltic lava flow most probably corresponds to similar basaltic lava flows occurring in the uppermost part of the Ruteh Formation in Central Alborz. Thus, the Permian in the studied region developed in a basin that extended westward as far as the Central Alborz. A late Capitanian age for the Aliyak Formation implies it correlates with the Capitanian KS5 in Al Jabal Al-Akhdar in Oman, with Aliyak Unit 5 potentially representing the Permian maximum flooding surface MFS P25. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The Batain Group of the northeastern coastal plain of Oman consists of offshore and deeper water deposits that accumulated in the Batain Basin and which were subsequently obducted onto the eastern margin of Oman. The oldest deposits of the Batain Group are the marly limestones of the Qarari Unit that have been dated as Early to Late Permian or Murgabian by different workers. Recently discovered outcrops of the Qarari Unit from the northern Batain plain are richly fossiliferous including the occurrence of fusulinids in three separate outcrops. The fusulinids represented are two species of Skinnerella - a subgenus of Parafusulina: Parafusulina (Skinnerella) visseri Reichel and the new taxon P. (S.) arabica. The most likely age of the described fusulinids is estimated as Kubergandian. The major marine transgression of the Tethyan realm that began in the Yakhtashian-Bolorian appears to have begun earlier in the Batain Basin than in other parts of Arabia and the Gulf, where it is represented by the Khuff Formation of Murgabian-Dorashamian age.

Large benthic agglutinated foraminifers possess subepidermal wall textures similar to the keriothecal textures observed in some Fusulinana. Considering the gap exceeding 50 million years in the record of the first alveolar large agglutinated Mesozoic forms (Textulariana) and their last known Palaeozoic microgranular homologues (Fusulinana), the two groups have been regarded as distinct lineages. The discovery ofWernlina reidaegen. et sp. nov. in Late Triassic carbonate rocks of a Panthalassan terrane questions this assumption. This new form, the earliest unequivocal Mesozoic ‘agglutinated’ alveolar foraminifer, originated from an Endotebidae (Fusulinana). The identification of a Triassic missing link between microgranular and agglutinated foraminifers not only fills the 50 million year gap but also challenges current foraminiferal classification. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:8F01DB56-390C-4D95-A692-9A815338ACFC [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An almost 76m thick deposit of Amb Formation of Zaluch Group at its type locality, in Warchha Gorge near Amb village in western part of Central Salt Range Pakistan, is divided into three prominent lithological units, i.e. lower sandstone, middle calcareous sandstone with sandy limestone and upper sandstone with shale unit. In this study, 29 samples were studied from different levels of Amb Formation at its type locality which were used for microfacies analysis. Ten microfacies were identified and their salient features are discussed in this paper. Some diagenetic processes, such as compaction, cementation, dolomitization and bioturbation, were also observed in Amb Formation. Different types of fauna, observed in the formation, include brachiopods, bryozoans, crinoids, bivalves and foraminifera (fusulinids). On the basis of fusulinids (first foraminifera appearing in Pakistan in Amb Formation) and different sedimentary structures observed, it is considered that Amb Formation of Central Salt Range, Pakistan was deposited in a shallow marine environment during Late Permian (Artinskian). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fusulinids from the Chili Formation are studied in the Rahdar section of the Kalmard block west of the town of Tabas, Central Iran. The Kalaktash and Halvan fusulinid complexes are revealed in the section. The location of the Halvan complex over the Kalaktash one confirms its relatively younger (Late Sakmarian-Early Artinskian) age. The Halvan complex was previously considered to be Asselian. Three new species ( Parazellia rahdarensis, Nonpseudofusulina bozorgniai, and Eoparafusulina rahdarensis) and one new subspecies ( Benshiella khorasanensis compacta) are described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Zweikofel Formation of the Rattendorf Group in the Carnic Alps (Austria) is 95-102 m thick and consists of a cyclic succession of thin- to thick-bedded fossiliferous limestone and intercalated thin intervals of siliciclastic sediment. The siliciclastic intervals were deposited in a shallow marine nearshore environment. The variety of carbonate facies indicates deposition in a shallow neritic, normal-saline, low- to high-energy environment. The Zweikofel Formation is characterized by a paracyclic vertical arrangement of facies and represents sedimentary sequences that are not well understood elsewhere in the Tethys. Fusulinids and conodonts from the upper Grenzland and Zweikofel formations in the Carnic Alps clearly suggest that what has been called 'Sakmarian' in the Tethys includes both the Sakmarian and Artinskian stages of the Global Time scale. Fusulinids from the lower part of the Zweikofel Formation at Zweikofel closely resemble those of the Grenzland Formation and approximately correlate with the upper part of the Sakmarian and lower part of the Artinskian of the Global Time scale. The upper part of the Zweikofel Formation correlates approximately with the lower-middle (?) parts of the Artinskian Stage of the Global Time scale. A new regional Hermagorian Stage of the Tethyan scale is proposed between the Asselian and Yakhtashian. The lower boundary of the Hermagorian Stage is proposed to be located at the base of bed 81 in the 1015 section of Darvaz (Tadzhikistan). The boundary between the Hermagorian and Yakhtashian stages is placed at the base of bed 73 in the Zweikofel section at Zweikofel, Carnic Alps. In the Darvaz region, Tadzhikistan, the type area for the Yakhtashian Stage, this boundary has never been precisely defined. The entire fusulinid assemblage of the upper part of the Grenzland and Zweikofel formations reported herein includes 62 species of 18 genera, of which one subgenus and 12 species and subspecies are new. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first fusulinids have been recorded from the eastern part of the Sabzevar tectonic block (Kuh-e-Ahuban Mountains, to the north of the town of Kashmar). The fusulinids have been grouped into two complexes. The first complex is represented by several species of the genus Rauserites, of probable Gzhelian age. The second complex is represented by numerous representatives of the Asselian genera Sphaeroschwagerina and Pseudoschwagerina, as well as species of the genera Schubertella, Rugosofusulina, Rugosochusenella and Praepseudofusulina. The age of these complexes is similar to that of complexes previously described from sections of Anarak (the Yazd block) and Zaladou (the Tabas block), but differ in the species composition. Many of the species present in these complexes are similar or identical to species from standard sections of Gzhelian and Asselian Stages of the Moskovian syncline and the Urals, which indicates that there were free connections between the East European and Iranian basins in Gzhelian and Asselian Stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Pennsylvanian stratigraphic section of the Manzanita Mountains (central New Mexico, USA) is restudied at Cedro Peak. This Pennsylvanian succession is divided into the Sandia Formation, Gray Mesa Fm, Atrasado Fm, and lower part of Bursum Fm. The sampled limestones of the Gray Mesa and Atrasado formations yielded three age-distinctive fossil assemblages: they are of (a) latest Atokan/early Desmoinesian, (b) late early Desmoinesian, and (c) middle Virgilian. The following new taxa of foraminifers are proposed: Endoteboidea n. superfam.; Spireitlinidae n. fam.; Millerellinae n. subfam.; Pseudonovella marshalli n. sp.; Pseudonovella ohioicus nom. nov.; Pseudoacutella n. gen.; Pseudoacutella hoarei nom. nov.; Plectofusulina manzanensis n. sp. Translated or emended names are: Staffelloidea, Ozawainelloidea, Ozawainellidae, and Profusulinellidae. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Sections of the Bashkirian Stage of Southwestern Darvaz (the Pamir Mountains) are described. Based on fusulinids, the presence of all four Bashkirian substages was established. The Bashkirian beds transgressively overlie clastic-volcanic series of the Lower Carboniferous, and are conformably overlain by the Moscovian (Vereian). Upper Kashirian unconformably overlies both the Vereian beds and all earlier beds, up to of the Lower Carboniferous. An unconformity can be assumed within the Bashkirian, because the lower Bashkirian strata are missing from certain sections. The Bashkirian beds have no evidence of synsedimentary volcanism, which had completely ceased by the end of the Early Carboniferous. Fusulinids most characteristic of the Bashkirian substages are figured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This monograph is an overview of the Carboniferous-Permian stratigraphy in Iran based on our recent research on fusulinids combined with relevant data from literature. In the first part of the monograph, we consider the Carboniferous and Permian stratigraphic scales used to characterize and correlate the sections studied. The second part is devoted to description of Carboniferous and Permian deposits in the principal tectonic structures of Iran, i.e., in the Alborz, Yazd, Kalmard, Tabas, Sanandaj-Sirjan and Zagros blocks, and correlation of their sections. Fusulinid assemblages, their comparison with concurrent assemblages of the East European platform and degree of endemism are described in the third part. In the concluding part, we discuss certain trends in the distribution of fusulinids and some problems of their stratigraphy that can be inferred from the data analyzed. The monograph includes 11 text figures, a correlation chart, and a summary table of fusulinid taxa (453 species and subspecies of 107 genera and subgenera) discovered in Iran. Species most characteristic of fusulinid assemblages described in the work are figured in 32 plates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Vazhnan Formation, formerly attributed to the Sakmarian is now shown to be of the Gzhelian-Asselian age. Accordingly it is correlative with the concurrent Zaladou Formation of Central Iran and Dorud Group of Alborz. This suggests a vast transgression that covered the greater part of the Iranian territory in the terminal Carboniferous-initial Permian. The work includes brief characterization of fusulinids found in the formation section. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New Permian sections have been studied in the Halvan Mountains of Iran, northwestward of Tabas. In addition to the Chili, Sartakht, and Hermez formations established here earlier, the new Rizi Formation is distinguished, underlying deposits of the Triassic Sorkh Shale Formation. Conodonts, fusulinids, and smaller foraminifers found in the rocks date the formations. In particular, it is demonstrated that the Chili Formation bearing the Kalaktash fusulinid assemblage is of Sakmarian age. The age of the Halvan fusulinid assemblage from clasts in the breccia-conglomerate at the Sartakht Formation base is reevaluated, and it is shown to be late Sakmarian but not Asselian in age. The Bolorian-Kubergandian age is established for the greater part of the Sartakht Formation. Correlation of the sections studied with the other Permian sections in different regions of Iran showed their lithological and paleontological specifics as compared to the latter. On the other hand, the sections in question are surprisingly similar in both respects to sections in the Central Pamirs. Fusulinids of the Kalaktash and Halvan assemblages are figured in four plates, and five new species belonging to the genera Rugosochusenella, Benshiella, Parazellia, and Nonpseudofusulina are described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As is argued in this work, genera Zarodella Sosnina, 1981, and Grovesella Davydov et Arefifard, 2007, could be ancestors of the genus Pamirina Leven, 1970, which gave birth to all higher fusulinids. Two former genera similar to each other are distinguished conventionally to a certain extent in a large flexible taxon of small primitive polymorphic fusulinids close to the Bashkirian genera Eostaffella, Plectostaffella, and Semistaffella. Without essential changes, this taxon existed for a long time from the Bashkirian Age of the Late Carboniferous to the Bolorian Age of the Permian. The genus Pamirina branched off that taxon in the Yakhtashian Age. Along with Zarodella and Grovesella, the genus Pamirina is attributed to the order Ozawainellida. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fusulinids from the Rosh Gol, Mastuj, Reshun Gol (East Hindu Kush) and Baroghil (West Karakorum) localities are studied. Five successive fusulinid assemblages from the Rosh Gol section characterize the Sakmarian (?), Yakhtashian-Bolorian, and Kubergandian stages of the Permian. Fusulinids of the Sakmarian (?) Stage are discovered in the Baroghil locality. In the Mastuj and Reshun Gol localities, rocks of natural outcrops, talus cones, and pebbles of the Cretaceous conglomerates yield predominantly the Kubergandian fusulinids accompanied sometimes by the Sakmarian (?) and Bolorian forms. Four new species Monodiexodina talenti, Nonpseudofusulina conaghani, N. yarkhunensis, and N. mawsoni are described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The earliest autochthonous cover of the Variscan basement of the Sakarya Composite Terrane (SCT) in NW Anatolia is represented by basal conglomerates and limestones. The microfacies types of the limestones in ascending order are: (1) bioclastic grainstone/packstone, (2) fusulinid grainstone/packstone, (3) smaller foraminiferal grainstone/packstone, (4) Anthracoporella (dasycladale) grainstone/packstone, and (5) wackestones. Twenty-three species assignable to 15 genera of fusulinids were recovered from the studied materials of the Kadirler section; Quasifusulina guvenci nov. sp. and Pseudoschwagerina beedei magna nov. subsp. are created. Rugosofusulinids, sphaeroschwagerinids, pseudoschwagerinids, occidentoschwagerinids, pseudochusenellids, quasifusulinids, rugosochusenellids and paraschwagerinids are the main faunal elements of the succession, which shows two distinct faunal intervals. Eoschubertella, Schubertella, Biwaella?, Rugosofusulina stabilis group, and Pseudochusenella correspond to the first interval at the base; the second interval is characterized by the species of Sphaeroschwagerina, Pseudoschwagerina, Occidentoschwagerina, the Rugosofusulina latispiralis group, and diverse quasifusulinids. A biostratigraphic correlation shows that the Kadirler section in the SCT in NW Anatolia shares many common species with Central Asia in the East but especially with the Carnic Alps and Karavanke Mountains in the West. The new data suggest that the close faunal relationship in the Late Carboniferous between eastern Alps, Ural Mountains, NW Turkey and Central Asia also continued during the Asselian. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Permian section situated northwest of Tabas in the Halvan Mountains is studied and fusulinids occurring in the section are described. The Chili, Sartakht, and Hermez formations distinguished in the section are separated by horizons of bauxitic laterite and belong to the Khan Group formerly ranked as a synonymous formation. Fusulinids occur at two levels in the section. The lower one confined to the Chili Formation yields the so-called Kalaktash fusulinid assemblage of the late Sakmarian age. The second late Asselian assemblage has been discovered in pebbles from conglomerate-breccia in the basal laterite of the Sartakht Formation. A brief characterization of fusulinids is presented and three new species are described. The new Benshiella genus is discriminated from the Rugosofusulinidae family. As Skinner and Wilde (1965, 1966) changed the original diagnosis of the Pseudofusulina genus, we suggest, regarding all species, which have been attributed to this genus but do not satisfy the new diagnosis, as representing the new Nonpseudofusulina genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micro- and macrofauna remains were studied from transitional deposits of Moscovian and Kasimovian Stages in the Donskaya Luka (Volgograd Region). The preliminary analysis of microfauna showed that “sub- Triticites Beds” of the Donskaya Luka contain fusulinid and conodont assemblages enabling correlation of the Middle and Upper Carboniferous deposits in the study region with the type sections of Moscow area and Donbass. Conodonts from the “sub- Triticites Beds” stratotype were studied for the first time. As is established, upper part of the Sukhov Fm. and the base of the Seleznev Fm. belong to the Protriticites pseudomontiparus-Obsoletes obsoletus Zone. Based on fusulinids, higher parts of the Seleznev Fm. belong to the Montiparus Zone of the Khamovnikian Substage, whereas conodonts suggest their correlation with lower part of the Khamovnikian Substage, i.e., with the Ratmirovo Fm. or a basal part of the Neverovo Fm. Middle part of the Seleznev Fm. is correlated to middle cycle of the Neverovo Fm. of the Khamovnikian Substage in Moscow area. The Middle-Upper Carboniferous boundary deposits of the Donskaya Luka are represented by deposits of extremely shallow-water settings and contain only sporadic microfauna. These sections cannot be considered as possible candidates for the GSSP of the Kasimovian Stage base. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sections and fusulinids of the Bolorian (presumably) and Kubergandian (lower part) stages in the Sanandaj-Sirjan tectonic zone are described. Two fusulinid assemblages are distinguished in a most complete section near Sirjan. The lower one is represented by Skinnerella, Paraleeina, and relatively primitive Misellina forms, whereas Armenina, Kubergandella, and Yangchienia species appear in the upper assemblage and suggest its early Kubergandian age. Accordingly, the lower assemblage is attributed to the Bolorian Stage, although it is lacking fusulinids typical of this stage except for the primitive Misellina morphotypes. Fusulinids from the Tange-Darchaleh section near Qomsheh (Shahreza) are typical of the Kubergandian Stage. The described three new species of the genus Skinnerella are close to morphotypes known from younger (Murgabian) deposits and represent their ancestral forms most likely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The described fusulinids of the Moscovian Stage are found in the Asad-Abad section of the Sanandaj-Sirjan tectonic zone of Iran. Five successive fusulinid assemblages are distinguished. Three lower of them belong to the Kashirian Substage, the other two to the Podolskian Substage. The section studied is correlated with most complete sections of the Moscovian Stage in the western Tethys. Two new species Fusulinella (Moellerites) pygmea and Putrella primaris are identified; in addition to nominative taxon, the latter includes new subspecies P. primaris compacta. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Anatolian Platform, which was a part of the Gondwanan Platform, is mainly characterized by carbonate-dominated deposits ranging in age from Devonian to Permian. The biostratigraphy and systematics of a late Asselian-early Sakmarian fusulinid fauna from the Anatolian Platform including Eastern and Central Taurides have been investigated in three sections: Ozbek Hill, Eskibey and Bademli. Twenty-four fusulinid taxa, belonging to twelve genera, were determined in a single fusulinid zone dated as late Asselian-early Sakmarian. Early-middle Asselian fusulinid faunas have not been observed in any of the measured sections throughout the Anatolian Platform. This indicates that lower to middle Asselian deposits are represented by an interval characterized by quartz sandstone overlying upper Gzhelian strata. Five new species (Pseudochusenella anatoliana, Pseudofusulinoides altineri, Pseudofusulinoides convexus, Pseudofusulinoides subglobosus and Pseudofusulinoides vachardi) are described in this study. The Early Permian fusulinid fauna correlates very well with the fauna of other sections in the Palaeotethyan realm (Southern AIps, Central Asia, Southern China and Japan). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conodonts found for the first time in eastern Iran (the Bage-Vang section) are characterized. Beds with conodonts also yield fusulinids that is suitable for refining correlation of conodont and fusulinid zonations. Stratigraphic ranges of different conodont species in the Bage-Vang section are correlated with those in the Luodian section (South China), where conodonts are also accompanied by fusulinids. As a result, some previous inferences concerning position of the Guadalupian Series base in the Tethyan sections are refined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ammonoids, conodonts, and fusulinids from the type sections of the Roadian and contiguous stages in western Texas and adjacent areas are analyzed and partially revised. Four successive Roadian ammonoid assemblages are distinguished and correlated with conodont zones; data on their distribution are presented. Based on the results obtained, the Roadian Stage is identified in the Boreal and Tethyan regions. Boundaries of the Roadian Stage defined accurately in the type sections of Texas are hardly recognizable elsewhere. Recognition of the upper boundary is especially difficult. Occurrence of Roadian fossils means that deposits of this age are present in a sequence, but they cannot be differentiated from underlying and overlying beds. Like in the type area, the stage lower boundary based on conodonts is above the level of significant changes in marine biota within the Boreal and Tethyan realms as well. The upper boundary is not marked by noticeable biotic events either. Correlation of the Roadian deposits is imprecise because their boundaries are formally established using distribution of relatively rare conodonts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gzhelian deposits established in Iran for the first time are described. They rest with a considerable hiatus on the Moscovian deposits constituting, along with Asselian strata, an integral carbonate succession of the Zaladu Formation in eastern Iran. The Zaladu Formation is correlative with the Vazhnan Formation of the Abadeh region (central Iran) and the Dorud Formation of the Elburz (Alborz) Mountains. An assemblage of Gzhelian fusulinids from the studied section is well comparable with the assemblage of the Ultradaixina bosbytauensis Zone distinguished in the uppermost Gzhelian of the Darvaz, Fergana, the Southern Urals, Donetsk Basin, and Carnic Alps. Two new species of the genus Schellwienia ( Sch. anarakensis and Sch. stocklini) are described. Gzhelian and Asselian fusulinids found in the section are figured in two paleontological plates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different fusulinids have been identified in the Lercara Formation (Sicily). They are: Reichelina sp., Schubertella paramelonica, Toriyamaia (?) sp., Neofusulinella lantenoisi, Yangchienia compressa, Rauserella staffi, Darvasites contractus, Chalaroschwagerina (Taiyuanella?) aff. davalensis, Levenella aff. evoluta, Pamirina darvasica, and Neoschwagerina ex gr. craticulifera. Small Permian foraminifers, as well as the calcispherid Asterosphaera pulchra also exist. The microfossils indicate reworking of different Permian stages, at different periods of time, and possibly also of the Mississippian (Early Carboniferous). All these resediments have been deposited within the Lercara Formation, a series definitely belonging to the Triassic period. Therefore, due to this reworking, Sicily appears as a controversial area for establishing biostratigraphic and palaeobiogeographic correlations in the Permian period. To cite this article: L. Carcione et al., C.R.Palevol 3 (2004). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Bombaso Formation and basal Meledis Formation in the central Carnic Alps near Straniger Alm and Zollnersee (Austria/Italy) unconformably overlie the folded Variscan basement and consist of shallow marine clastic and carbonate sediments which are arranged to form two fining and deepening upward sequences. Particularly limestones and even breccias of the Bombaso Formation yielded a rich fusulinid fauna composed of 34 species which are attributed to the following zones: Quasifusulinoides quasifusulinoides-Protriticites ovatus; Protriticites pseudomontiparus, and Montiparus montiparus. Breccias of the Bombaso Formation west of Straniger Alm contain the oldest fusulinid fauna of the Carnic Alps, belonging to the Quasifusulinoides quasifusulinoides —Protriticites ovatus zone. The fauna is composed of Quasifusulinoides quasifusulinoides, Q. fallax, Q. intermedius, Protriticites cf. ovoides, and Pr. ovatus. This assemblage is most similar to that of the Peskovskaya Formation of the Myachkovian Horizon in the Moscow Basin indicating uppermost Moscovian age. Limestones from depositional sequence 1 at Zollnersee also contain fusulinids of the uppermost Moscovian which are characterized by a more diverse assemblage: Schubertella donetzica, Fusiella lancetiformis, Beedeina ulitinensis, B. consobrina, B. nytvica, B. siviniensis, Quasifusulinoides pakhrensis, Q. fallax, Q. kljasmicus, Q. quasifusulinoides, Fusulinella rara, and Protriticites ovatus. Limestones and calcareous sandstones-siltstones of the basal Meledis Formation of depositional sequence 2 near Zollnersee and at Cima Val di Puartis are characterized by fusulinids of the Protriticites pseudomontiparus zone ( Protriticites globulus, Pr. pseudomontiparus, Pr. sphaericus, Pr. rotundatus, Pr. ovoides, Pr. lamellosus, and Praeobsoletes burkemensis) and by Montiparus paramontiparus zone ( Praeobsoletes pauper, P. burkemensis, Obsoletes timanicus, O. obsoletes, Montiparus paramontiparus, M. umbonoplicatus, M. montiparus, M. likharevi, M. rhombiformis and M. priscus) indicating lower to middle Kasimovian age (Krevyakinskian and Khamovnicheskian Horizons of the Russian Platform). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]