Bollettino SPI Vol.41 - Issues 1, 2, 3
Issue 1
Published in April 2002
- De Castro P. (2002)
Remarks on Anthracoporella spectabilis Pia, 1920, a supposed Permian-Carboniferous dasyclad
pp. 3-12
Some specimens of Anthracoporella spectabilis coming from Tržič zone (Slovenia) displays features awakening perplexity on the systematic position (dasycladaleans) of the species and, consequently, of the genus Anthracoporella too of which it is the type. Indeed not infrequently Anthracoporella sections show calcified-sheath groups that can originate much more inwards (ie. near the skeleton axis) than the others do: moreover the sheaths can grade inwards to a calcareous, structureless or perforated, material which fully fills the place pertaining, in the section, to the central cavity: in this some clear individual sheaths may occasionally persist. Besides, irregular strips of calcified material, pore bearing, (similar to the skeleton one) often divide in two the central cavity of the transverse sections. The now-mentioned characters, though not much frequent, are incompatible with a continuous stem together with the radial symmetry of the skeleton, therefore with the organization of a dasyclad. Moreover, contrary to what occurs in true dasyclads, the (just unusual) dichotomous branching of the pores takes place randomly at various distances from the skeleton axis. Furthermore a ‘cuticle” surrounds the skeleton.
In the present paper, the above quoted phenomena are related to calcified sheaths which, during the life, grew outwards while their older inner parts disintegrated: the disintegrated parts could be witnessed by calcareous. structureless or perforated, material.
Other reasons (but of lesser importance) of perplexities on Anthracoporella current systematic follow. 1) The above-cited calcareous cuticle is little pertaining to dasyclads; in which it is recorded exceptionally and even in these cases should be better documented. 2) Moreover, the outer/inner diameter ratio of the skeleton cylindrical segments can assume too widely varying values.
Organisms able to show growth/disintegration fenomena resembling those described, in this paper, in Anthracoporella spectabilis, are certainly present among cyanobacteria and algae (e.g. thaumatoporellaleans). However, I am not able for the moment to propose a suprageneric taxon including this species.
- Mariotti N. (2002)
Upper Callovian – Middle Oxfordian belemnite assemblage from Monte Kumeta (Jurassic of western Sicily, Italy)
pp. 13-35
A belemnite assemblnge, was collected from Upper Callovian to Middle Oxfordian beds of the Rosso Ammonitico Inferiore at Monte Kumeta (Palermo. southern Italy). Abundant Duvalia Bayle, 1878 and Hibolithes Montfort, 1808, characteristic of the western Tethys. were found with Belemnopsis Bayle, 1878, Rhopaloteuthis Lissajous, 1915 and Pseudobelus de Blainville, 1827. The following species were recognised: Hibolithes hastatus Montfort, 1808, Hibolithes sp. aff. H. beyrichi Oppel, 1857, Belemnopsis latesulcatus (Voltz) in Thurmann, 1832, Duvalia monsalvensis Gillieron, 1873, D. neyrivensis (Favre, 1876), D. didayana (d’Orbigny, 1842), D. dumortieri (Oppel, 1865), Rhopaloteuthis sauvanausa (d’Orbigny, 1842), R. argoviana (Mayer, 1863), Pseudobelus coquandus (d’Orbigny, 1842). In addition Belemnopsis sp. 1 and Rhopaloteuthis sp. 1 are present and retained in open nomenclature.
This assemblage allows new stratigraphic considerations for the Middle – Late Jurassic of central and southern Italy.
- Avanzini M. (2002)
Dinosauromorph tracks from the Middle Triassic (Anisian) of the Southern Alps (Valle di Non – Italy)
pp. 37-40
In Valle di Non (northern Italy), siltstones of Middle Triassic age (Anisian) yield archosaurian and other reptilian tracks. The ichnofauna includes the ichnogenera Rhynchosauroides, Chirotherium, Brachychirotherium, Isochirotherium and Synaptichnium. Some isolated tracks show a tridactyl footprint that may be related to undetermined nondinosaurian archosaurs with a very dinosaur-like pes.
- Avanzini M. & Leonardi G. (2002)
Isochirotherium inferni ichnosp. n. in the Illyrian (Late Anisian, Middle Triassic) of Adige Valley (Bolzano – Italy)
pp. 41-50
In the lower beds of the Morbiac Dark Limestone (Illyrian, Late Anisian, Middle Triassic) of the Adige Valley (Termeno-Bolzano) several archosaur footprints have been found, some of which are still under study.
Some large chirotheriid footprints show a peculiar shortened morphology that suggests the institution of the new icnhospecies Isochirotherium inferni. Comparison suggests that the Termeno ichnospecies could represent a form of Isochirotherium similar to Isochirotherium marshalli Peabody, 1948 but one that is shorter and more robust (L/W ratio = 1.43) with a smaller and slender digit V.
- Dalla Vecchia F.M., Venturini S. & Tentor M. (2002)
The Cenomanian (Late Cretaceous) Konservat-Lagerstätte of en Nammoura (Kesrouane Province), northern Lebanon
pp. 51-68
The fossil association and the stratigraphical and geological setting of the Lebanese Konservat-Lagerstätte of en Nammoura (= Ain-el-Garbour) are described. Fossils in the site are relatively rare, but well-preserved and sometimes show traces of soft tissues. The fossil association is somewhat different from that of the famous Cenomanian sites of Hjoula and Haqel where fish and crustacean remains are dominant. Terrestrial plants are common at en Nammoura and reptiles, although rare, are present. The site also yields isolated feathers and important skeletal remains of birds. The age of the en Nammoura Lagerstätte is considered latest middle Cenomaman based on foraminiferan biostratigraphy and local stratigraphic relationships. The depositional setting was in a small, non-tectonic and restricted marine basin bordered to the ENE by a clinoform and was not deeper than 50 m. Bottom conditions possibly including hypersalinity and anoxia allowed exceptional preservation of biota from a variety of different habitat.
- Spassov N. (2002)
The Turolian Megafauna of West Bulgaria and the character of the Late Miocene ”Pikermian biome”
pp. 69-81
Most of the localities of Miocene vertebrate fauna in Bulgaria are of Turolian age. The fossilization happened mostly in river and lake coastal sediments. The disposition of the localities shows that the recent hydrological system of Bulgaria already basically existed. The largest fossil faunal complexes in West Bulgaria are in the regions of Hadjidimovo, Kalimantsi, Kromidovo, Gorna Sushitsa and Hrabarsko. The age of the fossils from the last mentioned locality seems to be heterogeneous. The lower horizons seem to be Maeotian, while the upper one has a Pontian (Late Turolian) to Early Ruscinian age (most probably MN13). The fossiliferous sediments in the area of Kalimantsi (Kalimantsi Formation) includes a number of exact localities. The age of the oldest one in the section of the formation could be Late Sarmatian (Vallesian). The rest of the localities, stemming from the upper levels, are of Maeotian (Early-Middle–Turolian) age – MN11-12. The richest – for the time being – Late Miocene mammal fauna is the one from Hadjidimovo-1 (Mesta basin). The accumulation of the fossils could be a result of periodical floods. The preliminary investigation shows the presence of 29 mammal species in the taphocoenosis of the locality. The taphonomical and palaeontological analysis show a prevalence of the species inhabiting open, to one or other extent, spaces. There are indications for a relatively arid environment with the appearance of a forest savanna. Such should be the main appearance of the so called “Pikermian” biome. The origin of its zoocoenosis should be looked for as early as in the thin arid forests from the Late Paleogene of Central Asia.
- Bisconti M. (2002)
An early Late Pliocene right whale (Genus Eubalaena) from Tuscany (Central Italy)
pp. 83-91
A new partial skull from Ricavo (Tuscany, Central Italy) is described which belongs to a baleen whale. Morphological comparisons support its inclusion in the genus Eubalaena (Cetacea: Mysticeti: Balaenidae). The occurrence of the specimen is from the early Late Pliocene (around 3.5 Ma). To date, the Ricavo skull represents the oldest known whale of the genus Eubalaena.
- Azzaroli A. (2002)
A comment on my recent article on “Middle and Late Villafranchian Vertebrates from Tuscany and Umbria”
p. 93
Issues 2-3
Published in December 2002
- Štorch P., Serpagli E. & Barca S. (2002)
Silurian graptolites of the spiralis and lapworthi biozones (upper Telychian, Llandovery) in the Sulcis area, SW Sardinia
pp. 97-107
Numerous graptoloid specimens have been discovered and identified in a large olistolith of Silurian black shales and lydites situated within the Culm-type Hercynian Sulcis flysch complex of SW Sardinia. The graptolite fauna discovered at Punta S’Omu de Is Abis (Sulcis area) is attributable to the middle spiralis — lower lapworthi biozones of the upper Llandovery. Of nine species recorded, Stomatograptus grandis, Monoclimacis geinitzi, Diversograptus ramosus, ?Cyrtograptus lapworthi, Oktavites excentricus and “Monograptus” aff. nodifer have been recognized for the first time in Italy. Using the specimens from Punta S’Omu de Is Abis and topotypic material from Bohemia, Stomatograptus grandis (Suess, 1851) is revised and its stratigraphical range re-evaluated.
- Gnoli M. & Serventi P. (2002)
Some nautiloid cephalopods from the Ordovician of southern Sardinia
pp. 109-119
Eight species belonging to five orders of nautiloid cephalopods are described and illustrated from the Ordovician of southern Sardinia. The geographic distribution of Ordovician nautiloids in the Mediterranean Ordovician Province is also outlined.
- De Castro P. (2002)
Thaumatoporella parvovesiculifera (Raineri): typification, age and historical background (Senonian, Sorrento Peninsula — southern Italy)
pp. 121-129
The historical circumstances determining the inexact locality-indication (Torre d’Orlando, near Castellammare, Naples district) and the inexact age-attribution (Cenomanian) of the lectotype (designed in this paper) of Gyroporella parvovesiculifera Raineri (1922) are outlined. This taxon, type-species of Thaumatoporella Pia (1927), is a microfossil of debated taxonomic position well known in the Mesozoic carbonate platform facies. Really the others microfossils present in the Torre Orlando-labelled thin-sections, studied by Raineri, witness a Senonian rather than a Cenomanian age. Moreover the microfacies of these sections and the Senonian-rock distribution in the Castellamare zone allow us to specify better the type-locality. It is not Torre d’Orlando, where only Lower Cretaceous rocks outcrops, but is located a little to the south and likely along the coast-road at north-western slope of Monte S. Angelo near Meta di Sorrento.
- Venturi F. & Nannarone C. (2002)
Ammonites of Lower Sinemurian in the M. Cetona (Siena, Italy)
pp. 131-162
We analyzed the Lower Liassic ammonite fauna coming from the Monte Cetona, important for the stratigraphy and taxonomy of the Sinemurian, in order to develop and complete the old faunal knowledge mostly acquired during the time interval from the 1887 to the 1905 (De Stefani, 1887; Canavari, 1888; Fucini, 1895, 1901- 1905). In a quarry near Cancelli (open since the end of the 1800), located on the east flank of the Monte Cetona, several portions of the upside-down Liassic section have been sampled; the samples coming from the following lithostratigraphic Units:-Encrinitic (Crinoidal) spatic limestones, – Red encrinitic limestones, – Red encrinitic limestones, rarely grey nodular limestones (equivalent to the “Rosso Ammonitico Toscano”), – Grey/light- Pink cherty limestones, – Marly-limestones and grey to red brick marles (equivalent to the “Marne a Posidonia”). The best ammonite fauna with important and peculiar taxonomic characteres come mainly from Encrinitic spatic limestones (grey, pink and red colors) that represents the stratigraphic base of the section. Even though the succession of the faunal levels is coherent, the outcrop of the strata is partially covered by detritus and/or vegetation and does not inform us about the real stratigraphic thickness and the gap of observation between the level. The section is to be considered as characteristic for the lower Sinemurian. We think it is likely the attribution to the stratigraphic interval corresponding to the Bucklandi Zone (Conybeari, Rotiforme, Bucklandi Subzones) for the great abundance and diversity of the Arietitidae, of which some specimens are new to the taxonomy: Saccaiaceras n. g., Claviceras n. g. associated with several involute lenticular and keeled specimens (Oxydiscus n. g., Cancelliceras n. g.). The great abundance of fossils allowed us to identify several fossiliferous levels that for the peculiar richness of the assemblage must be considered as “bioevents”. We make a list of them in upside from the lower to the upper order as we found them in the outcrop. The fossiliforous levels (“bioevents”) are three for the Conybeari and Rotiforme Subzones (1-1, 2-1, 2-2), eight for the Bucklandi Subzone (3-1, 3-2, 3-3, 3-4, 3-5/3- 6, 3-7, 3-8). We revised the “original diagnosis” of many important genera with taxonomic and stratigraphic interest also; for example the Arnioceras and Megarietites (=Pararnioceras) are clearly considered as two separated genera. We proposed two new Subfamilies, one for the Lytoceratina (Fucinitinae) and also one for the Ammonitina (Hypasteroceratinae) and others 11 new species also. This work represents the first documentation with biostratigraphic information of the Early Sinemurian of the Central Tethys; the fauna we have studied is very similar to those of La Spezia, of M. di Casale (Sicily), of M. Albenza and of the Austrian Alps. In share with the Sicily fauna are: Fucinites, “Schlotheimia” pseudoventricosa, Paradasyceras cf. urmosense, Boucaulticeras cf. boucaultianum, “Arietites” schafferi, Zetoceras cf. italicum, Partschiceras cf. catanense; with the La Spezia fauna: Paradasyceras cf. urmosense, Geyeroceras fucinii, Analytoceras canavarii, Lytoconites phillipsi, Pseudotropites ultratriasicus, “Schlotheimia” pseudoventricosa, Hyerifalchia sp. ind.; with the M. Albenza fauna: “Ectocentrites” altiformis, Juraphyllites separabilis, and with the Austrian Alps fauna: Jaraphyllices diopsis, Paradasyceras cf. urmosense, Tragolytoceras adnethicum, Sulciferites scolioptychus, “Laqueoceras” sp. ind., “Gyrophioceras” sp. ind., Laevispirus ambiguus, Tmaegoceras latesulcatum, Pseudotropites ultratriasicus, Protocymbites sp.. Many paleoenvironmental informations about the Monte Cetona Sinemurian ammonite fauna can be inferred also: the considerable vertical diversification of ammonites is referable to a no deep marine environment, located in the photic zone, with warm and oxigenated water, rich in life and with a high competition among the organisms. Therefore it was a very stimulating environment for the evolution, with the development of several high specialized taxa. In this context we can hypothesize paleogeographic modifications that were also responsible to the faunal exchanges. Probably the movements of the ammonite fauna were influenced by the mass water currents, enriched of nutrients and plancton, as it occurs in the present tropical environment (e. g. Gulf of Mexico). The Monte Cetona ammonite fauna shows scarce affinities with the boreal fauna, but there are similarities with french taxa such as for rare specimens of Pseudotropites ultratriasicus, Juraphyllites diopsis, Analytoceras canavarii n.sp., Boucaulticeras cf. boucaultianum, “Schlotheimia” pseudoventricosa, Tmaegoceras latesulcatus, “Arnioceras” miserabile. The proposal of Bloos & Page (1998) to formalise the Hettangian-Sinemurian boundary in England, using the appearance of Vermiceras and Metophioceras (typical boreal taxa) can not be supported for the lack of the aforesaid genera in the basal portion of the our Monte Cetona section.
- Whatley R., Bajpai S. & Whittaker J.E. (2002)
New records and new species of Upper Cretaceous Ostracoda for Indian intertrappean deposits
pp. 163-173
Further study of Upper Cretaceous non-marine Ostracoda from several different intertrappean localities in the Deccan Volcanic Province, India, has yielded new species and new finds. This paper describes and illustrates eight species: two are new (Altanicypris deccanensis and Cypridopsis legitima), four others (Paracypretta elizabethae Whatley, Bajpai & Whittaker, P. jonesi Bhatia & Rana, Zonocypris spirula Whatley & Bajpai, and Cyclocypris amphibolos Whatley, Bajpai & Srinivasan) are described for the first time from their respective new localities, and the remaining two – a Limnocythere and a Gomphocythere, which are probably new – are for the moment left in open nomenclature.
- Foresi L.M., Margiotta S. & Salvatorini G. (2002)
Planktonic foraminifera bio-chronostratigraphy of the Pietra leccese (Miocene) in the type area of Cursi-Melpignano (Lecce, Apulia)
pp. 175-185
This paper is a further contribution to the micropaleontological-stratigraphical studies on the Pietra leccese, a peculiar Miocene formation of the Salento Peninsula. The planktonic foraminiferal assemblages have been studied from seven sections, sampled in the quarries between Cursi and Melpignano (near Maglie, Lecce). This zone together with that of Lecce have been historically regarded as the type area of the Pietra leccese. A modern scheme have been used to the bio-chronostratigraphical setting of the Pietra leccese. So, the formation has been established to range from the Globigerinoides trilobus Zone to Globorotalia conomiozea Zone and, therefore, from the upper Burdigalian to the lower Messinian. The formation has a thickness of few tens of meters, despite its wide stratigraphical extension and the detrital facies. This small thickness is due to at least three sedimentary gaps: the fit (1.8 My at least) is located between the typical Pietra leccese (G. trilobus Zone, upper Burdigalian) and the lightly glauconitic one (Orbulina suturalis Subzone? — O. universa Subzone, upper Langhian); the second (2.5 My at least) is present between the lightly glauconitic facies and the first very fossiliferous level (labelled as “linea a cozze” by the local quarrymen) at the base of glauconite-rich interval (Paragloborotalia siakensis Zone, upper Serravallian); the third gap (4 My at least) is located within the glauconite-rich interval and it is in correspondence to a second fossiliferous level (Globorotalia conomiozea Zone, lower pre-evaporitic Messinian). The results deriving from this study confirm the stratigraphic and dynamic framework of the Salento Peninsula. Also in other area of the Salento, the Pietra leccese spans the Burdigalian-Messinian time interval and exhibits some sedimentary hiatuses. These hiatuses might be due to erosive/dispersive currents which affected the depositional basin and that varied in intensity in space and time.
- Mancin N. & Pirini C. (2002)
Benthic and planktonic Foraminifera of the Paleogene Epiligurian succession (Northern Apennines, Italy): a tool for paleobathymetric reconstruction
pp. 187-213
A paleobathymetric reconstruction, based on benthic and planktonic foraminiferal assemblages, has been carried out for the Epiligurian Succession of the Northern Apennines chain (Middle Eocene-Early Miocene). The paleobathymetric interpretation has been obtained from the integration and comparison of four parameters used separately by previous authors: i) Plankton/Plankton+Benthos ratio; ii) benthic morphogroups, both infaunal and epifaunal iii) planktonic “paleobathymetric indexes”; iv) relative abundance of benthic index species belonging to depth- dependent habitats. The applied method has been carefully discussed with respect to the studied geological setting. Moreover, the possible impact of taphonomic processes, such as selective preservation, transport and redeposition, has been evaluated. It resulted absent or limited and than, no influential on the reliability of the obtained data. The main results can be summarized as follows: an overall shallowing upwards trend is observed; in particular, a lower bathyal depth (over 2000 m to about 1000 m) has been determined for the “varicoloured facies” of the Monte Piano Marls. Lower to middle bathyal depths (about 1000 m to 600 m) have been obtained for the “grey facies” of the same formation and for the sandstones oh the Ranzano Fm. Finally, the Antognola Marl Fm. (and its lateral equivalent units) contains foraminiferal assemblages indicating an upper bathyal paleodepth (about 600 m to 200 m). This shallowing up trend is tentatively related to the history of vertical motion (“geohistory’) of the underlying Ligurian orogenic wedge from the Middle-Late Eocene to the Early Miocene, in response to tectonics and sedimentary load.
- Dalla Vecchia F.M. & Avanzini M. (2002)
New findings of isolated remains of Triassic reptiles from Northeastern Italy
pp. 215-235
Reptilian remains from the Middle and Upper Triassic of Northeastern Italy are described. The placodont Placodus is reported from an upper Anisian site of Trento Province. The same site has yielded remains of Nothosaurus and a pachypleurosaur. A large humerus possibly belonging to Pistosaurus has been found in the upper Anisian-lower Ladinian of the same Province. Further Eusauropterygian remains occur in the lower Carnian of northern Friuli. The third report of the prolacertiform Tanystropheus in northeastern Italy is from the upper Ladinian of Trento Province. The ichthyosaur Shonisaurus is found for the first time in the Triassic of Italy. Ichthyosaur teeth are described from the Ladinian of Carnia (Udine Province). A small dorsal scute of a terrestrial archosaur is reported from the pelagic upper Anisian of Belluno Province. Archosaurian teeth have been found in the upper Ladinian to upper Carnian of Friuli and Dolomites. These remains show the relative abundance of fossil reptiles in the Triassic of northeastern Italy.
- Sirotti A. & Papazzoni C.A. (2002)
On the Cretaceous ichthyosaur remains from the Northern Apennines (Italy)
pp. 237-248
Several remains of Cretaceous ichthyosaurs are described from the “Chaotic Complex” Formation of the Northern Apennines, South of Modena and Bologna. Owing to the fragmentary preservation of the material, specific classification is impossible. However, the rostrum bone configuration of the Italian and of other Cretaceous species could indicate that, during Cretaceous time, at least two different lineages of
ichthyosaurs were co-evolving. In one lineage the maxilla extends more anteriorly than the nasal: it is represented by Platypterygius birjukovi (Ochev & Efimov, 1985) from the Russian lower Cretaceous and by P. americanus (Nace, 1939) from the Albian-Cenomanian of Wyoming. In the second lineage the maxilla is shorter and extends anteriorly at about the same level as the nasal: it is represented by Platypterygius bedengensis (Efimov, 1997) from the Russian Hauterivian and by P. longmani (Wade, 1990) from the Australian Albian.
In the studied material, two of the fragments (Rostrum 1 and Rostrum 3) show a short maxilla and therefore probably are members of the second lineage.
- Azzaroli A. (2002)
On some peculiar deer remains from Pleistocene deposits of Tuscany, Central Italy: the skull from Pitigliano
pp. 249-250