Bollettino SPI Vol. 30 - Issues 1, 2, 3
Issue 1
Published in April 1991
- Bellomo E. & Raffi S. (1991)
Some remarks about Macoma obliqua (Sowerby, 1817), boreal guest in the Mediterranean Lower Pleistocene
pp. 3-6
It has been definitively ascertained that all the specimens up to now quoted far the Lower Pleistocene of the Mediterranean as Macoma calcarea (Gmelin), Macoma perfrigida (De Gregorio), Macoma balthica (Linné) have to be interpreted as Macoma obliqua (Sowerby). At the close of the Pliocene M. obliqua lacks from the southem North Sea but it reappears as a boreal guest in the Mediterranean during the Late Emilian and the latest Sicilian. M. obliqua has not been found after the Sicilian.
- Rook L., Ficcarelli G. & Torre D. (1991)
Messinian carnivores in Italy
pp. 7-22
The carnivores of the Messinian faunal assemblages (MN 13 zone) found in the V3 horizon at Baccinello (Grosseto, Tuscany) and at Brisighella (Faenza, Romagna) are discussed. The carnivores Machairodus ex gr giganteus, Metailurus major, Plesiogulo crassa, and Viverra sp. were found in the V3 horizon at Baccinello. On the whole, these species do not differ substantially from conspecific fossils from other European localities attributed to the MN 12 zone.
The carnivores «Felis» ex gr attica–christoli, Thalassyctis (Lycyaena) ex gr chaeretis–macrostoma, Plioviverrops faventinus, Mellivora benfieldi, and «Canis» sp. were found at Brisighella. With respect to the conspecific European elements of MN 12 faunas, the feline and the large hyaenid are larger sized, and Plioviverrops is more highly evolved. «Canis» sp. is an European representative of a group of primitive dogs closely related to the «Canis» davisi found in North America Hemphillian sediments. These observations do not contradict the Engesser’s hypotesis (1989), based on the more archaic caracteristics showed by the Apodemus found in V3 horizon at Baccinello, that the faunal assemblage of the maremmian locality is slightly older than the Brisighella one.
- Perri M.C. (1991)
Conodont biostratigraphy of the Werfen Formation (Lower Triassic), Southern Alps, Italy
pp. 23-46
The uppermost part of the Bellerophon Formation and the lower part of the Werfen Formation cropping out in two sections, near Bulla and Tesero Villages in the Dolomites, have been investigated by means of conodonts. In describing the conodont assemblage, multielement taxonomy is applied. The Werfen Formation yields several elements of Hindeodus typicalis, Ellisonia triassica, Isarcicella isarcica, Hadrodontina aequabilis, Ellisonia agordina, Hadrodontina anceps and Pachycladina obliqua apparatuses. One element from the Bulla section, about seven metres under the top of the Mazzin Member, is referred to Neospathodus dieneri; the species is reported for the first time in the Alps. The apparatus of Hadrodontina aequabilis is proposed. Three worldwide conodont zones have been identified: typicalis Zone, isarcica Zone and Kummeli Zone. Three local conodont zones have been proposed: aequabilis Zone, anceps Zone and obliqua Zone. On the basis of the conodont analyses the Tesero Horizon and the lower part of the Mazzin Member are lower Griesbachian, the upper part of the Mazzin Member is upper Griesbachian and the top of the Mazzin Member is post-Griesbachian, as the Triassic Neospathodus genus has its first occurrence at the base of Nammalian.
- Perri M.C. & Spalletta C. (1991)
Famennian conodonts from Cava Cantoniera and Malpasso sections, Carnic Alps, Italy
pp. 47-78
Two sections, constituted of stratified climenid pelagic limestone, and cropping out near Timau Village (N of Tolmezzo, Udine) have been investigated to define their age by means of conodonts. In the Cava Cantoniera section four biozones: Lower postera, Upper postera, Lower expansa and Middle expansa Zones, and in the Malpasso section seven biozones: Upper trachytera, Lower postera, Upper postera, Lower expansa, Middle expansa, Upper expansa and Lower praesulcata Zones have been identified. These zones allow the studied sections to be attributed to the upper Famennian (Upper Devonian). All Pa and some Pb elements have been recognized. A total of 6824 elements referred to 47 species and subspecies have been classified.
- Fourtanier E., Gaudant J. & Cavallo O. (1991)
The diatomite of Castagnito (Piedmont): New evidence of sea level fluctuations of moderate amplitude during the evaporitic stage of the Messinian
pp. 79-95
The discovery of a fossiliferous diatomite outcrop, at Castagnito (near Alba, Piedmont), provides new information on the depositional conditions in the Piedmont basin during the evaporitic stage of the Messinian. Diatom analysis indicates that the diatomite was deposited in a near-shore, shallow marine environment. This interpretation is consistent with the analysis of the fish-fauna, found in several levels of the section. It is of major interest for understanding the depositional conditions during the evaporitic stage of the Messinian since the study shows that sea level fluctuations of moderate amplitude occurred during this period. These new data seem to be hardly compatible with the hypothesis that the Messinian evaporites were deposited during repetitive desiccations of the entire Mediterranean basin.
- Walter B. (1991)
Valanginian Defranciopora and Reptomulticava (Bryozoa -Cyclostomata) from the Jura
pp. 97-108
Defranciopora fungina Hillmer and Reptomulticava heteropora (Roemer) are redescribed using specimens from the Upper Valanginian of the Jura which reveal ovicells previously known only in outline. From the morphological features of the colonies and ovicells, it is proposed that the two genera belong to the Family Celluliporidae Buge & Voigt. Both species have massive colonies which favoured high energy environments with rocky or coarse sandy bottoms in shallow and rather warm water. In the Jura these conditions existed only in the late Valanginian, corresponding to the time of deposition of the lower part of the « Marnes à bryozoaires ». ln the early Hauterivian favourable conditions migrated with marine transgression into the east of the Paris Basin.
- Bizzarini F. & Gnoli M. (1991)
Trematoceras elegans (Münster) and other Late Triassic cephalopods from the San Cassiano Formation, Eastern Dolomites (Italy)
pp. 109-116
A century and a half since the first discovery by Münster (1841) in the Late Triassic of the Eastern Dolomites, some species of nautiloids, a bactritid, and a coleoid are revised and illustrated on the basis of new topotypic material. Some micromorphological details and a careful description of the lamellar deposits of Trematoceras elegans (Münster) are provided.
Issue 2
Published in October 1991
- Di Milia A. (1991)
Upper Cambrian Acritarchs from the Solanas Sandstone Formation, Central Sardinia, Italy
pp. 127-152
Some rich acritarch assemblages from the Upper Cambrian Solanas Sandstone Formation are described. The investigated sections (Riu Araxisi and Riu S. Giorgio sections) belong to the Meana Sardo Unit of the Central Sardinia Nappe Zone. The microfloras include 33 taxa of which two are new: Acrum araxisii and Cymatiogalea parvivela. A new forma of Timofeevia phosphoritica (forma intercalaris) is here described. The age and affinities of the acritarch assemblages are briefly discussed.
- Mazza P. (1991)
Interrelations between Pleistocene hippopotami of Europe and Africa
pp. 153-186
Hippopotamus remains found in mid-Pleistocene sediments at Maglianella, in the delta of the Tiber river, are referred to Hippopotamus tiberinus n. sp.. Though closely related to the early Pleistocene H. antiquus, the new species is more derived in the skull and in other skeletal characters.
Another skeleton from S. Oreste, upstream along the Tiber river, seems closer to H. tiberinus than to H. antiquus. It was found in horizons probably a little older than those of Maglianella. This specimen is referred to H. cf. tiberinus.
Comparisons with H. gorgops remains from the various beds of the Olduvai Gorge sequence, in Tanzania, show that H. antiquus is somewhat closer to the most primitive representatives of the gorgops lineage, while H. tiberinus to the most derived. Other specimens that seem to be ascribable to the new species are those from the mid-late Pleistocene sites of the Rhine valley, in Germany. The affinities of the latter with the remains of H. antiquus seem to add weight to the hypothesis of a derivation of H. tiberinus from H. antiquus, thus forming a line somewhat parallel to that of H. gorgops in Africa.
The hippopotami of the European line originated in Africa and reached Europe via the near East and the Balkans.
- Gnoli M. & Serpagli E. (1991)
Nautiloid assemblages from middle-late Silurian of Southwestern Sardinia: a proposal
pp. 187-195
Three successive assemblages of nautiloid cephalopods, biostratigrafically controlled mainly by conodonts, are tentatively proposed for the middle-late Silurian of Southwestern Sardinia (Fluminimaggiore Formation). The faunas are most closely related to faunas of the Prague Basin (Barrandian Paleozoicum – Bohemia).
- Ficcarelli G. & Silvestrini M. (1991)
Biochronologic remarks on the Local Fauna of Colle Curti (Colfiorito Basin, Umbrian-Marchean Apennine, Central Italy)
pp. 197-200
The discovery of Megaloceros verticornis and « Cervus » nestii vallonnetensis in the faunal assemblage of the Colle Curti deposit (Colfiorito Basin, Umbrian-Marchean Apennine) renders this Local Fauna the most modern, given our present knowledge, of the Local Faunas that record the great Villafranchian-Galerian faunal turnover in Italy.
- Leone F., Hammann W., Laske R., Serpagli E. & Villas E. (1991)
Lithostratigraphic units and biostratigraphy of the post-sardic Ordovician sequence in south-west Sardinia
pp. 201-235
Formal lithostratigraphic units for the post-sardic Ordovician-basal Silurian interval are proposed. Leaving apart the lowermost portion, four formations and six members are proposed and a biostratigraphic study of the units has allowed to recognize nine brachiopod horizons (BH), five trilobite horizons (TH) and one conodont horizon (CH). Some of these fossiliferous horizons are of special interest like BH6a and BH6b bearing Hirnantian elements which documents for the first time such fauna in Sardinia and CH1 recording the first Ordovician conodonts from Sardinia.
- Rook L. (1991)
The genus Anthracomys, a Murid (Rodentia, Mammalia) endemic to the Baccinello region (Tuscany, Italy)
pp. 235-238
A mandible attributable to Anthracomys lorenzi, found associated with faunal remains of taxa typical of the endemic faunal association known as V2 in an outcrop in the Baccinello fluvio-lacustrine Basin, is described. The probable presence of this species in both the endemic faunal assemblage and the frankly continental more modem assemblage known as V3 supports the hypothesis that the latter assemblage dates to the period immediately following the end of the isolation of the Tusco-sardinian paleo-bioprovince.
- Sorbini L. & Bannikov A.F. (1991)
The Cretaceous Fishes of Nardò. 2°. An enigmatic Spiny-rayed Fish
pp. 239-249
The small spiny-rayed fish Nardoichthys francisci gen. et sp. nov. is described from the Upper Campanian/Lower Maastrichtian locality Cava near Nardò (Southern Italy, Apulia). Its complex of derived characters allows us to distinguish the new family Nardoichthyidae within the order Perciformes.
This family resembles some representatives of the perciform suborders Percoidei and Trachinoidei but its suite of morphological peculiarities distinguishes the Nardoichthyidae from any of the perciform suborders and the new family therefore is considered as Perciformes incertae subordinis. A comparison of Nardoichthys with appropriate orders of acanthopterygians and paracanthopterygians is presented.
- Basilici G., Faraone A.G. & Gentili S. (1991)
A new finding of Macaca from ossiferous Pleistocene breccia at Mount Peglia (Terni, Central Italy)
pp. 251-254
Bone fragments of Macaca were recently discovered in the ossiferous Pleistocene breccia at Mount Peglia, Terni, in Central Italy.
Although the presence of Macaca in this deposit had already been reported by Blanc in 1955, this finding is of interest because it enables us to see just how this fossil fits into the Italian fossil species and is a valuable addition to the very limited materiai of this kind.
Our finding concerns the front part of the left jawbone, broken off at the back just behind the first molar and at the front at the chin synphysis. Five teeth, each in its originai socket, are well preserved: I/1, C, P/3, P/4, M/1.
While in our finding there seem to be many present-day features, other characteristics are similar to those found in the holotype jawbone of Macaca sylvana fiorentina (Cocchi, 1872) stored at the Museum of Paleontology of the University of Florence.
It is therefore possible to suppose that this Mount Peglia jawbone belonged to a more evolved form than those of Villafranchian, closer to those of the present. However, since we have only one sample we just might be dealing with an individuai with atypical morphological features of little systematic significance from a taxonomical point of view.
Issue 3
Published in December 1991
- Albani R., Massa D. & Tongiorgi M. (1991)
Palynostratigraphy (Acritarchs) of some Cambrian beds from the Rhadames (Ghadamis) Basin (Western Libya – Southern Tunisia)
pp. 255-280
After a brief review on the Cambrian lithofacies in the Rhadames (Ghadamis) Basin (Tripolitania), the results of palynological investigation on 55 samples from both Northern and Southern Tripolitania are examined. Two different acritarch associations, here called GB1 and GB2, were found in Northern Tripolitania and referred to the Middle and Upper Cambrian, respectively. The first (GB1) comprises Adara alea, Cristallinium cambriense, Eliasum microgranulatum, Multiplicisphaeridium martae, Timofeevia lancarae and T. phosphoritica, among others. The second is characterized by C. cambriense, C. sp.aff. C. ovillense, T. lancarae, T. pentagonalis, T. phosphoritica and Vulcanisphaera turbata. A new species (Timofeevia manata) is described in the latter assemblage. A third, poor acritarch association (assemblage GB1/2) represents the transition between GB1 and GB2. Its age remains uncertain between the uppermost Middle Cambrian and lowermost Upper Cambrian. Many samples, at various stratigraphic levels, only yielded Sphaeromorphs, thus indicating prevalent low sea conditions both in the Middle and Upper Cambrian. In Southern Tripolitania internal platform, low sea facies only revealed Sphaeromorph assemblages. These results are fully in accordance with the sedimentological features of the investigated sequences.
- Bonci M.C., Fanucci F., Pirini Radrizzani C., Rizzi A. & Tedeschi D. (1991)
Spongolitic levels with Diatoms from Cappella Montei (Serravalle Scrivia, Northern Apennine, Italy)
pp. 281-301
Spongolitic leves with Diatoms are found at Cappella Montei (Serravalle Scrivia, Alessandria) within the S. Agata Fossili Marls Formation. The siliceous organic fraction (Sponge Spicules, Diatoms, Radiolarians, Silicoflagellates, Ebridians, Dynophyceans, Archeomonadaceans) is associated with a relatively abundant calcareous organic fraction, mainly consisting of planktonic and benthic foraminifers and of calcareous nannoplankton.
Both litho and biofacies suggest a very protected inner shelf deposition environment, where poorly oxigenated sea bottom conditions allowed the preservation of the siliceous remains. A portion of the organic fraction, however, is sourced from external areas with fairly high productivity. The comparative study of the siliceous and calcareous assemblages enable to ascribe these levels to the Late Miocene.
- Dommergues J.L. & Meister C. (1991)
Sinemurian and Pliensbachian Ammonite fauna succession in the northern Chablais (Median Prealps, Switzerland and France)
pp. 303-324
The Sinemurian-Pliensbachian ammonite faunas allow us to recognize 11 biostratigraphic levels. The correlations between the NW European standard zonation and these units are obvious and the Subbriançonnais ammonite fauna takes good affinities with the Euroboreal realm. Only the abundance of Epideroceras and Tetraspidoceras in the Subbriançonnais and specially in the Chablais, evokes a faunal particularism for the N-Tethyan margin.
In the northern Chablais the Tetraspidoceras quadrarmatum level corresponds to an important lithological discontinuity. It may be connected with the local synsedimentary tectonic («renversement de subsidence» sensu Badoux & Mercanton, 1962) or/and with the major eustatic cycle (period of regression).
- Rook L. & Rustioni M. (1991)
Tapirus cf. arvernensis remains from the Late Turolian Baccinello V3 Faunal Assemblage (Grosseto, Tuscany)
pp. 325-327
Fragmentary remains of a tapir from the Baccinello V3 fauna are described. Though scanty, the remains are attributable to Tapirus cf. arvernensis. This attribution updates the occurrence of this species to the end of the Turolian episode.
- Poluzzi A., Masini F. & Capozzi R. (1991)
The Flexible-jointed Bryozoa in the Spungone of Romagna Region (Lower Pliocene, N-Italy)
pp. 329-347
The «spungone» is a biocalcarenite outcropping along the N-Apenninic margin of Romagna Region. This unit was growing during a tectonic phase occurring through the Lower Pliocene time (G. puncticulata Zone). The tectonic event produced structural highs where benthic organisms built up biogenic sediments; intervening depositional basins and synclines were occupied by siliciclastic and bioclastic materials resedimented from adjacent structural highs. The high-energy environment of the spungone readily correlate with a strong proliferation of flexible bryozoans with erect calcareous internodes and connected by chitinized joints (Cellariiform growth habit). The primary taphonomic aspects of this growth form is the post-mortem disarticulation of the internodes and their wide mobilisation aver great distances. As outlined by mutivariate analyses, turbiditic episodes and different current regimes encountered in study area are all typified by significant amounts of Cellaria, Scrupocellaria and Crisia. Entrainment of zoarial segments is presumably controlled by their remarkably low masses, allowing a suspension transport at relatively low current velocities.
The faculty of living colonies to resist failure caused by turbulent water flow largely depends on their morphological design and on mechanical properties of skeletal structure. Colony design is adaptative and involves elongation, orientation (or angle of attack θ of the current), shape and size of internodes. A special role is played by rhizoids that stabilise and strengthen the entire colony structure. For instance the zoarium of modern Cellaria salicornia forms a flexible reticulated framework, with intervening knots of rhizoids; the compressive stress at fracture, tested on dry materials, is 0,9 KN/m². Mechanical behaviour of modern Scrupocellaria scrupea is noticeably different due to short elongation of supporting internodes and to the coupled elastic joints. Skeletal structure of Cellaria–Crisia colonies are characterised by: a) clear vectorial orientation of polypides in axial direction; resulting mechanical anisotropy is decidedly favourable being the strength directed along the length of the internodes; b) a skeletal porosity greater than 50%. Strength varies inversely with porosity, but in this case porosity easy merges with a patterned spacing of voids and increases potential ability to resist breakage.
- Çapkınoğlu Ş. (1991)
A new Pelekysgnathus species from the Lower Famennian of the Taurides, Turkey
pp. 349-353
A new species of Genus Pelekysgnathus, Pelekysgnatus serradentatus is described from the Middle triangularis Zone from the Taurides, Turkey. The new species was obtained from a thin ostracod grainstone bed deposited in a shallow subtidal environment.
- Masini F. & Santini G. (1991)
Microtus (Allophaiomys) (Arvicolidae, Rodentia, Mammalia) from Cava Pirro (Apricena, Gargano) and other Italian localities
pp. 355-380
The Microtus (Allophaiomys) remains found in seventeen different karst fissure fillings from Cava Pirro (Apricena, Gargano) were examined, together with those from the localities of Pietrafitta (Umbria) and Collecurti (Marche); all the remains were then compared with the Microtus (Allophaiomys) spp. from other Italian and European localities.
The samples from Cava Pirro show some differences in the overall evolutionary degree of the anteroconid complex; the specimens from sample PN34 are significantly less evolved than the others.
The voles from Cava Pirro and Pietrafitta closely resemble M. (A.) ruffoi from Cava Sud (Soave, Verona) in the development of their anteroconid complex, and in the pinching of their pitymyoid rhomb. They appear to differ from the type population of M. (A.) pliocaenicus from Betfia-2 in their larger size, and in that, on the average, their pitymyoid rhomb is more pinched. However, since the species M. (A.) ruffoi is still insufficiently described and must be better defined, we have temporarely referred the specimens to M. (A.) cf. ruffoi.
The finds from Venta Micena (Spain) can also be referred to M. (A.) cf. ruffoi, which is probably related to the younger and more derived M. (A.) burgondiae. The vole from Collecurti, of which, to date, only two molars have been found has been temporarely referred to M. (Allophaiomys) sp.