Bollettino SPI Vol. 25 - Issues 1, 2, 3
Issue 1
Published in October 1986
- Delogu D. & Nicosia U. (1986)
Hoyacrinus sincerus n.gen. n.sp. from the Malm of the Central Italy, type of Hoyacrinidae n. fam.
pp. 3-7
A new crinoid was found in the Central Italy and it is described and named Hoyacrinus sincerus n. gen. n. sp.. For its characters it was necessary to erect the family Hoyacrinidae n. fam. included in the suborder Cyrtocrinina Sieverts-Doreck, 1952. The new form seems like restricted to the Kimmeridgian.
- Bonfiglio L. & Berdar A. (1986)
The Elephants of Upper Pleistocene deposits of Archi
pp. 9-34
Upper Pleistocene deposits of the S. Francesco of Archi hill lied upon a series of clays, sands and gravels which are attributed to Sicilian cycle in their lower part (clays) and were underlying a series of red gravels, sands and paleosoils which culminated with a terrace surface at 96 m a.s.l. It was costituted by a lower unit, which contained remains of a small elephant (E. cfr. antiquus), pumice stones and reworked molluscs and by an upper unit which contained remains of E. antiquus of normal size, Homo neandertalensis, Hippopotamus, Megaceros, Cervus, Dicerorhinus and Bos. Small elephant is represented by a dorsal vertebra, a rib and a fragment of humerus which are little reduced in size in respect of normal size E. antiquus. Elephant of upper unit is represented by fragments of skull and limbs, by vertebrae, carpals, metacarpals and metatarsals and its size and morphological characters corrisponde to those of the greatest specimens of the species known in the literature. The upper Pleistocene deposits of Archi occupied the same stratigraphic position of classical Eutyrrhenian deposits with Strombus bubonius of Ravagnese and Bavetta; at Bavetta there is also a pigmy Megaceros. So the lower part of Upper Pleistocene series of Archi can be referred to Eutyrrhenian cycle and can be correlated with Bovetto and Ravagnese deposits. The overlying alluvial unit, with normal size E. antiquus and Homo neandertalensis indicate a new connection with the continent in a moment which seems, by available data, shortly following the maximum of Eutyrrhenian transgression.
- Combémorel R. & Mariotti M. (1986)
First record of Duvalia tithonica, a marker of Upper Tithonian, in Central Apennines
pp. 35-39
Duvalia tithonica is pointed out for the first time in the Central Apennines. The presence, in the holding rock, of Crassicollaria intermedia and Calpionella alpina allow us to ascribe this f0rm to A2 Zone relative to calpionellids stratigraphy, equivalent to Durangites Zone (Upper Tithonian) of ammonites stratigraphy.
- Landini W. & Menesini E. (1986)
The Pliocene ichthyofauna of the Stuni Section and its relations with the Plio-Pleistocene ichthyofauna of the Vrica Section (Calabria, Italy)
pp. 41-63
This paper deals with fossil ichthyofauna from the Stuni Section (Middle Pliocene), which is located 1,5 Km East of the Vrica Section (Crotone, Calabria, Italy).
The examined specimens (462) include 22 identified species and 7 not identified species, belonging to 20 genera included in the following families: Engraulidae (1 gen.), Gonostomatidae (3 gen.), Sternoptychidae (1 gen.), Myctophidae (7 gen.), Syngnathidae (1 gen.), Gadidae (1 gen.), Bregmacerotidae (1 gen.), Serranidae (1 gen.), Carangidae (1 gen.), Scombridae (1 gen), Bothidae (1 gen.), and Soleidae (1 gen.).
The most important data deriving from the analysis of this ichthyofauna are the following: 1) – among the 22 identified species only three are extinct: Bregmaceros albyi (Oligocene -Middle Pliocene), Tavania crotonensis (Middle-Upper Pliocene) and Scomber calabrensis (Middle Pliocene); all the remaining 19 species are now present in the Mediterranean-Eastern Atlantic. This indicates that during the Middle Pliocene the actual Mediterranean-Eastern Atlantic ichthyofaunal Region was already recognizable. 2) – The ichthyofauna represents, in its general characteristics, a pelagic association and it indicates that the depth of the sedimentary basin was more than 500 metres. 3) – This ichthic association and the presence of Clio pyramidata (Pteropoda) give evidence that the value of the salinity was about 35-36‰.
Finally all the fossils, including Vegetables, Worms, Peleçypods, Pteropoda and so on, collected in the laminated layers of the whole Plio-Pleistocene «Stuni – Vrica» sequence have been examined.
The most important data regarding the sedimentary basin of the «Stuni -Vrica» sequence are the following: 1) Depth: more than 600 metres. 2) -Distance from the coast: limited; consequently narrow continental shelf. 3) – Salinity: values ranging from 35,5‰ to 36,7‰. 4) – Oxygen on the bottom: from absolutely absent to almost normally present.
- Rio D. & Sprovieri R. (1986)
Integrated biostratigraphy of the Mediterranean Pliocene – Lower Pleistocene in the optics of Systemic Stratigraphy
pp. 65-85
The integrated calcareous plankton biostratigraphy, the biochronology and the chronostratigraphy of the Pliocene and of the Lower Pleistocene is reviewed and updated. In particular, the state of the Calabrian stage is discussed. The Authors recommend that this well-known chronostratigraphic Unit of the Lower Pleistocene should be strongly emended or must be abandoned.
In the second part of the paper an attempt of Systemic Stratigraphy (Berger and Vincent, 1981) in the Sicilian and Mediterranean Pliocene and Lower Pleistocene stratigraphic record has been performed. Within the established time framework, this regional record has been compared with the global climatic and oceanographic evolution as deduced, mainly, by the study of the oceanic sediments. Through this time- stratigraphic comparison it is possible:
– to relate some important faunistic-floristic turnovers from the Mediterranean to the well-known climatic thresholds at about 3.2 MA and about 2.5 MA.
– to relate a significant sea-level drop recorded in the Sicilian litostratigraphic sequence to the beginning of the «Glacial Pleistocene» at about 0.8 MA.
– to relate the sudden and massive appearance of Globorotalia puncticulata in the Mediterranean at about 4,3 MA to a significant shoaling of the Panama Isthmus as evidenced by δ18O (Keigwin, 1982).
The entrance of the «Northern Guests» (mainly mollusks) into the Mediterranean at the Plio-Pleistocene boundary does not seem to relate to any dramatic or major climatic threshold.
- Rio D. & Sprovieri R. (1986)
Calcareous nannofossils and benthic foraminifera from Cala Bianca (NW Sicily) of Barremian – Aptian age
pp. 87-99
The study of benthic foraminifera and calcareous nannofossils from a 14 m thick section outcropping in a cliff at Cala Bianca (Golfo di Castellamare, NW Sicily) is reported.
The studied section is represented by maily a marly sequence with few calcareous interbeds and with several layers of finely laminated black shales, which are rich in organic matter and lack benthos fauna. The presence of anoxic sediments in the Lower Cretaceous of Sicily is reported here for the first time.
From a paleogeographic point of view the section under study belongs to the «Trapanese facies» Auctorum.
Both calcareous nannofossils and benthic foraminifera indicate a Barremian-Early Aptian age for the investigated section. A hiatus is present spanning the middle to late Barremian; it is probably tied to a tectonic lamination, which is common in these types of sediments.
The organic rich sediments present in the investigated section are time-equivalent to other reported in literature in Lower Cretaceous of the Tethys (i. e. «Scisti a fucoidi» Auctorum) and of the Atlantic.
- Torre D. (1986)
Phyletic gradualism in populations evolving in small isolated areas: an example from the fossil mammals of the Gargano peninsula (ltaly)
pp. 101-105
In the «terra rossa» fillings of the Gargano karst fissures, the fossils of Microtia, a large endemic murid showing a convergence with the dental structure of the microtines, and of Prolagus evolved in a mode consistent with the Neo-Darwinian hypothesis.
Issue 2
Published in March 1987
- Barrier P., Casale V., Costa B., Di Geronimo I., Oliveri O. & Rosso A. (1986)
The Plio-Pleistocene Section of Pavigliana (Reggio Calabria)
pp. 107-144
The ecobiostratigraphic study of the section of Pavigliana (Reggio Calabria, Italy) has shown the deposition of a continuous infrapliocenic-infrapleistocenic series which is characterized by several sinsedimentary unconformities allied with the intense and continuous tectonic activity of the Straits of Messina.
Over the Tortonian substratum, the series starts with a transgressive conglomerate partially eteropic with the overlaying level of fine sands containing Isognomon.
These deposits are followed by a thick series of coarse, bioclastic, calcareous sands containing some silty-marls intercalations in their upper-most part. The top of the series consists of a discordant level of grey marls which underlies sands and gravels strata.
The lower part of the section, as far as the torbiditic level (10), is to be referred to the Pliocene age while its upper part was deposited during the Pleistocene time. The basal layers (2-5) belong to the Globorotalia puncticulata biozone and contain the Mollusca Oopecten latissimum, Isognomon soldanii and Spondylus crassicosta (Tabianian). The overlaying levels (7-9) belong to the Globorotalia inflata biozone and show some specimens of the Bivalvia Flabellipecten flabelliformis and Aequipecten scabrellus. No important stratigraphic species is shown by the sixth level but, very likely, it is to be referred to the Globorotalia crassaformis biozone. This species, indeed, is present, with reworked specimens, within the overlying ninth level entirely included within the G. inflata biozone.
The Plio-Pleistocene limit has been placed at the height of the first turbiditic event (10), a few meters below the twelfth level which shows the appearance of Globigerina calabra and the first clear evidence of a climatic cooling (sinistrorsal coiling in Globigerina pachyderma). The layer 10 represents the starting level of a turbiditic sequence with a local tectonic event.
The marls of Pavigliana (level 16), finally, have been referred to the middle and upper part of Lower Pleistocene because of the presence of Hyalinea baltica and Paromalina coronata among the Foraminifera and Dallina septigera and Macandrewia cranium among the Brachiopoda.
The Plio-Pleistocene succession of Pavigliana exhibits a thickness of 80 meters and represents a continuous condensed series with a great number of sedimentary structures (submarine dunes, turbidites and submarine truncations). The levels 5, 6, 8, 9 and 11 consist of deep superimposed dunes and show a great number of gaps due to mechanical erosion and to the transport action of submarine currents. The turbiditic levels 10, 12, 13 and 15, too, represent the record of as many erosional gaps. Very spectacular structures are moreover represented by the submarine truncations connected with tectonic movements of sea-bottom causing the breaking of bottom slopes followed by the detaching of large bodies of sediments towards deeper zones.
The palaeoecological study, principally concerned with Foraminiferal, Bryozoan, Molluscan and Brachiopod populations, has allowed us to make a detailed reconstruction of the palaeoenvironments which followed one another within the area. We have also established, by means of this analysis, that the submarine dunes of Pavigliana, generally related to shallow waters, arised in a circalitoral-bathial environment at depths ranging between 40-50 meters for the shallower ones and 150-180 meters for the deeper ones. The shallower dunes contain palaeocommunities which are to relate to the present Biocenoses of Detritic Coastal bottoms (DC) and of Coarser Sands and Fine Gravels under the influence of Bottom Currents (SGCF); the deeper ones, in contrast, show a palaeocommunity homologous to the modem communities with Gryphus vitreus or to the transitional bottoms between circalitoral and bathial stages.
We also emphasize that the truncation surfaces have been mistaken in the past with transgressive surfaces and, sometimes, the boundaries of the stages have been wrongly placed at their level.
- Bagnoli G., Barnes C.R. & Stevens R.K. (1986)
Lower Ordovician (Tremadocian) conodonts from Broom Point and Green Point, western Newfoundland
pp. 145-158
Lower Ordovician conodonts are reported from continental slope deposits of the Cow Head Group from sections at Broom Point North and Green Point, western Newfoundland. The conodont fauna is dominated by species of the genus Cordylodus Pander. The apparatus of Cordylodus, as interpreted here, consists of two morphotypes (a variable transition series of p elements and a q element) in a Type III B apparatus. One new genus, Diaphanodus, and three new species, Cordylodus caboti, C. deflexus and C. primitivus are described. New evolutionary relationships are suggested between different species of Cordylodus. An evolutionary sequence of Eoconodontus notchpeakensis through Cordylodus primitivus, C. proavus, C. caboti, C. intermedius, to C. angulatus is proposed.
- Mazza P. (1986)
Prolagus (Ochotonidae, Lagomorpha, Mammalia) from Neogene fissure
fillings in Gargano (Southern Italy)
pp. 159-185
The study of the Gargano Prolagus represents a contribution to the general investigation of the Gargano macro- and microfauna,
undertaken by the University of Florence in these last years. In particular Prolagus material provided by karstic fissure fillings sampled in the
Poggio Imperiale – Apricena area was here examined. The stratigraphic arrangement of these fissures represents the most parsimonious and consistent
succession of main variation events evidenced in each faunal group that composes this fossil community.
A Prolagus population, probably stemmed from the P. oeningensis – P. crusafonti – P. michauxi lineage, colonized the Apulo-Dalmatic archipelago
presumably in Middle-Late Miocene times. It rapidly went through strong modifications, developing very peculiar endemic characters and
progressively growing in size.
- Giovagnoli M.C. & Schiavinotto F. (1986)
Morphometric data on globigerini form foraminifera from Bajocian-Kimmeridgian levels at Colle Tordina (Umbrian-Marchean Apennines, Italy)
pp. 187-197
Biometrical analysis were carried out on globigeriniform foraminifera coming from two different stratigraphic levels of a Jurassic sequence outcropping at Colle Tordina, on the southern side of the top of M. Murano (Central Apennines). These levels are well referred to Lower Bajocian (upper part) and to Lower Kimmeridgian (lower part).
Foraminifera could be examinated only in thin sections of hard rock; consequently, all specimens are oriented and sectioned randomly and their variable number of chambers is attributed with difficulty either to a definite phase of the last ontogenetic stage, or to an oblique section excluding at least one of the chambers in the last trochospiral whorl.
The biometrical data were obtained from three distinct groups of specimens (Type A = 3 chambers; Type B = 4 chambers; Type C = 5-6 chambers). The maximum diameter of the shell (D), the thickness of the wall of the largest chamber, or of the evidently last chamber (SpP), the height of the shell (H) and the ratios Q= SpP/D · 100 and Q1 = SpP/H · 100 were performed.
The mean values of the parameters evidenced a clear dimensionai gap between the Bajocian and Kimmeridgian groups of measurements: on the whole, the Kimmeridgian specimens are smaller and have a thinner wall.
The very slender overlapping areas in the scatter diagrams confirmed the information provided by the mean values of the parameters. Histograms have unimodal and fairly normal distribution patterns for some of the data groups; irregularities in other histogram might be referred both to the variability of the sectioning and to the presence of several taxa in the assemblages, according to the more recent attempts of a phylogenetic arrangement of the Jurassic globigeriniform foraminifera from Umbria-Marche to Globigerina oxfordiana Grigelis only, and consequently, a modification of their previous correlation with the chronostratigraphic scale.
- Azzaroli A. (1986)
On the occurrence of Equus stenonis in China
pp. 199-201
The occurrence of the species Equus stenonis in the Villafranchian (late Pliocene to early Pleistocene) of China, first reported by the present writer (1982) and questioned by Forsten (1986), is actually documented by at least three skulls from different sites. Equus stenonis is not closely related to the other Chinese Villafranchian species Equus sanmeniensis, from which it differs by highly distinctive apomorphic features. The apomorphies of Equus stenonis are shared by Equus stehlini, Equus namadicus and Equus sivalensis; these four species represent a specialised evolutionary branch.
Issue 3
Published in May 1987
- Mazza P. (1986)
Further data on the Gargano (Southern Italy) Prolagus (Ochotonidae, Lagomorpha, Mammalia)
pp. 203-211
In order to complete the study of the Gargano Prolagus recently undertaken by the author, the results of the analysis of new Prolagus material are here exposed. This new Prolagus material comes from a karstic fissure filling, called F 32, sampled in the area of Poggio Imperiale – Apricena. It is probably slightly more recent than the San Giovannino population already analyzed in the previous study (Mazza, 1987). The presence of two distinct Prolagus populations in F 32 is far clearer than in the San Giovannino sample.
- Goy A. & Ureta S. (1986)
Leioceratinae (Ammonitina) from Lower Aalenian of Fuentelsaz (Iberian Chain, Spain)
pp. 213-236
Lower Aalenian (Opalinum Zone) materials at Central Iberian Chain are usually represented by limestones and are, therefore, normally included within the so-called «Formación Carbonatada de Chelva». At Fuentelsaz area, however, a thick, mostly marly sedimentation, with an important development, takes place during that time, making them lithologically closer to the lower «Formación Turmiel». The sedimentary environment probably corresponds to an open, low energy, poorly oxigenated and somewhat confined platform.
Opalinum and Comptum Subzones are accurately recognised on the basis of representatives of Leioceratinae. The first one, 1.5 m thick, is charachterized by the presence of Leioceras opalinum (Reinecke), as well as L. lineatum Buckman and L. cf costosum (Quenstedt) and, among Hammatoceratinae, by Bredyia subinsignis (Opp.). Comptum Subzone in this area appears represented by an unusually thick succession (17.5 m), with a high number of Ammonite levels recorded. It is characterized by the presence of L. comptum (Reinecke), associated to L. paucicostatum Rieber at the lower part, and L. crassicostatum Rieber at the top. B. subinsignis (Opp.) still persists in that Subzone, being also worth noting the scarcity of Tmetoceras scissum (Benecke) which, up to the present, has only been recorded in one level.
The paleontological study mainly concernes the representatives of Subfamily Leioceratinae. This involves, among the main conclusions, the proposition of some systematic changes at specific level, and some cases of dimorphism, among which L. opalinum (m) / L. lineatum (M) and L. comptum (m and M) are specially noteworthy.
- Brambilla G. & Lualdi A. (1986)
The Pliocene of the Bergamo Province (Northern Italy). Fauna analysis, chronological and palaeoenvironment frame
pp. 237-266
Among the studies on the subalpine Pliocene seven outcrops (Almenno, Clanezzo, Villa d’Almè-Ghiaie, Ranica, Grumello, Nese and Torre de’ Roveri) and nine wells (Paladina, Villa d’Almè-Ghiaie, Villa d’Almè-Ronco, Bergamo, Alzano L., Nembro, Albino 1° and 2°, Albano) in the Bergamo province (Northern Italy, Lombardy) have been discussed. Fauna analysis deals with the major systematic groups except plant remains partly already discussed («grey clays facies», Brambilla, 1984) and partly not yet completely studied («yellow sands facies»). Unknown material has been added with the collections one (Parona 1883, Caffi 1923, Patrini 1923, Chiesa 1928) stored in the Museum of the University of Pavia, Bergamo ad Villa d’Almè, and here rewieved. Concerning the microfauna, 109 entities have been identified: in the «grey clays facies» Bolivina punctata, Bulimina fusiformis, Cibicidoides pseudoungerianus, Nonion boueanum, Nonionella turgida, Pullenia bulloides are frequent while the Miliolidae and the «Arenaceous» are uncommon.
Globorotalia is absent. The «yellow sands facies » shows a poor fauna being Ammonia beccarii, Bulimina fusiformis and Nonion boueanum the most frequent species. Macrofauna (4013 samples for the clay facies and 190 for the sandy facies) amount up to 188 entities: 2 antozoa, 3 briozoa, 5 schaphopoda, 87 bivalvia, 85 gastropoda, 2 asterozoa, 2 echinoidea and 2 crustacea. Among the bivalves, Anadara diluvii, Ostrea lamellosa, Saccostrea forskalii, Venus multilamella and Corbula gibba are the most frequent; among the gastropoda Turritella tricarinata, Turritella spirata, Bittium reticulatum, Cerithium vulgatum and Amyclina semistriata are common.
The Lower Pliocene is proved for the most ancient layers of the «grey clays facies» (Almenno and Clanezzo) with Bolivina appenninica, Bolivina antiqua, Bolivina piacentina, Bolivina punctata, Bulimina aculeata minima, Epistominella carinata, Plectofrondicularia gemina, Globigerinoides italicus and Alvania zetlandica perraricincta, Coralliophila bracteata, Janopsis angulosa, Hinia interdentata and Daphnella weberi.
The Medium Pliocene at Almenno is probably present in the lower layers of the «yellow sands facies» for the presence of Nassarius mayeri; on the other hand Bulimina marginata, Bulimina fusiformis and Planorbulina mediterranensis would induce to consider this facies as from the Upper Pliocene. Different biocoenosis (belonging to the infralitoral and the circalitoral) are present in the «grey clays facies».
The Corbula gibba and Amyclina semistriata seems to be the deepest community recognized. In the «yellow sands facies» is typically present an infralitoral «ostreids» community.
A physiographic reconstruction of the Bergamasc area during the Pliocene has been attempted; it shows deep canyons within the prealpine reliefs along the Imagna, Brembana and Seriana Valleys. In a following time a shallowing trend is proved not only for eustatic variations but also for the filling up owing to the prealpine streams.
- De Giuli C., Masini F., Torre D. & Boddi V. (1986)
Endemism and bio-chronological reconstructions: the Gargano case history
pp. 267-276
The occurrence of an archipelago rises the question to set the fossil assemblages in a reliable time-sequence. Biases are induced by extinctions and inter-island fauna exchanges. A bio-chronological criterion is discussed on the basis of the fossils collected in the Gargano «terra rossa» fillings.
- Havlíček V., Kříž J. & Serpagli E.
Upper Ordovician brachiopod assemblages of the Carnic Alps, Middle Carinthia and Sardinia
pp. 277-311
Revision of the Upper Ordovician (Beroun Series) brachiopod assemblages based on old and recent collections from the Carnic Alps, Middle Carinthia, and Sardinia made possible the comparison with the brachiopod assemblages of Bohemia (Prague Basin), Great Britain, France (Montagne Noire) and Spain (Cadenas Ibericas Orientales). Thirty six species were revised, 3 of them (Multicostella schoenlaubi, Onnizetina carinata, Paurorthis gnoliana) described as new. Twenty seven species of brachiopods are listed from Sardinia and 22 species from the Carnic Alps and Middle Carinthia. Upper Ordovician shallow water brachiopod assemblages of Sardinia are closely related to those of the Carnic Alps and Cadenas Ibericas Orientales. These highly diversified assemblages may be related to the temporary warming of climate in the late Berounian age.
- Monegatti P. & Pantoli D. (1986)
First evidence of Pleurotomariidae (Gastropoda, Prosobranchia) from the Mediterranean Pliocene
pp. 313-316
A specimen belonging to the family Pleurotomariidae has been found in the Pliocene of Ca Domenico, near Brisighella (Ravenna). This is the first record of the family in the Pliocene of the Mediterranean Basin. The mollusc residual fossil community of the small outcrop of Ca Domenico reflects an epibathyal environment. The foraminifera and mollusc fauna allows us to date the outcrop as Lower Piacenzian.