Bollettino SPI Vol. 44 - Issues 1, 2, 3
Issue 1
Published in May 2005
- Cherchi A. & Schroeder R. (2005)
Menaella bustamantei n. gen., n. sp. (Acervulinacea, Foraminiferida) from the uppermost Albian of northern Spain
pp. 1-10
Whereas representatives of the foraminiferal superfamily Acervulinacea Schultze, 1854 are widespread in Paleocene to Holocene reef environments, our knowledge of pre-Tertiary acervulinaceans is still very incomplete. Therefore, the discovery of numerous specimens in the uppermost Albian of northern Spain (Caniego, Burgos province) is of major interest. In this note, the new taxon Menaella bustamantei n. gen., n. sp., representing the new family Menaellidae, is established. This new acervulinacean genus is characterized by a free-living conical juvenie stage, composed of a rectilinear series of chamber layers. Some of the larger acervulinacean fragments from the same locality could belong to the adult stage of this new taxon.
- Rosso A. (2005)
Metrarabdotos (Bryozoa, Cheilostomatida) from Plio-Pleistocene of southern Italy, with description of new species
pp. 11-24
The presence of Metrarabdotos in Plio-Pleistocene deposits of Sicily and southern Calabria has been evaluated. Five different species, three of which new, have been found: Metrarabdotos elegantissimus sp. nov., M. italicus sp. nov. and M. pauciarmatus sp. nov. Other palaeo-populations have been doubtfully referred to M. elegans Buge & Galopim de Carvalho and M. teixeirai Buge & Galopim de Carvalho, already known.from the European-Mediterranean area. The recorded species lived in diffierent paleoenvironments from continental shelf (Circalittoral Zone) to the upper slope (Epibathyal), in bottoms constituted by sands or muddy sands. Most species are restricted to Pliocene, when the genus Metrarabdotos was particularly speciose in the area. M. pauciarmatus, on the contrary, seems to be restricted to the Pleistocene. The presence of M. moniliferus, the unique species previously known from Italy, remains to be proven.
- Lombardo C. & Brambillasca F. (2005)
A new perleidiform (Actinopterygii, Osteichthyes) from the Late Triassic of N0rthern Italy
pp. 25-34
Endennia licia n. gen. n sp., a new genus of perleidiform from the Zorzino Limestone (Norian, Late Triassic) is here described. The new genus is characterized by a fusifiorm outline with a strong skull, by fused parietals + dermopterotics and by a peculiar kind of dentition, with long and cylindrical marginal teeth, with flattened apex, and differentiated palatal crushing ones. This kind of dentition, unique among perleidiforms, is indicative that Endennia licia n. gen. n sp. probably fed on organisms with semi-hard or hard exoskeletons, such as small crustaceans or molluscs and echinoderms, which were present also in the Zorzino Limestone. This new taxon adds further data to the knowledge of the perleidiforms, mainly known from Early-Middle Triassic, but recently found to be widespread, also with specialized forms, during the Late Triassic.
- Girone A. (2005)
Response of otolith assemblages to sea-level fluctuations at the Lower Pleistocene Montalbano Jonico Section (southern Italy)
pp. 35-45
The study of otoliths from bulk samples collected in the lowermost sections (named Entalina and Fosso Giuseppe, early Pleistocene in age) of the Montalbano Jonico succession (Basilicata, southern Italy) revealed the presence of a varied deep-sea teleostean fauna. The otoliths represent at least 41 taxa including the Recent oceanic taxon Aphanopus, reported here for the first time in the Mediterranean realm. An integrated approach, based on the paleobathymetric method and already well known in the literature for this group, together with the paleoecological analysis on the benthic and benthopelagic elements, were performed in order to improve the knowledge on otolith assemblages as a tool to reconstruct bathymetric fluctuations. This approach, previously used on deep bathyal assemblages, appears to be useful for more detailed paleobathymetric analvsis of shallower settings too. The recognized assemblages reveal, in the shallow section, a bathyal homogenous environment located at about 500-600 m deep, and paleodepths ranging from the upper bathyal to shelf break environments in the Fosso Giuseppe section. In this section, the statigraphic distribution of the assemblages indicates cyclic sea-level fluctuations that agree well with the cycles inferred by macrobenthic invertebrate associations.
The bathyal teleostean fauna from Montalbano Jonico clearly shows Atlantic or more generally oceanic affinities characterized by several taxa, which today are not anymore known from the Mediterranean Sea, but still live in the Atlantic Ocean.
- Garilli V., Crisci M. & Messina R. (2005)
A new species of Gibbula (Gastropoda: Trochidae) from the Pleistocene of Killini (north-western Peloponnesus, Greece)
pp. 47-53
A new species of the gastropod Gibbula, G. olympica n. sp., is described from the Pleistocene of Killini (Elea, north-western Peloponnesus, Greece). Material comes from two sandy-muddv beds (N2 and H6) containing warm-temperate shallow marine mollusc assemblages (mainly trochids, rissoids and ceriths) related to the modern Posidonia oceanica (Linnaeus) Delile, 1813 biocoenosis (HP). Gibbula olympica n. sp. appears particularly similar to G. spratti (Forbes, 1844) and G. nivosa Adams A., 1851, endemic to the Aegean Sea and the Island of Malta respectively. G. olympica n. sp. is also compared with some other congeneric similar species from the Mediterranean area.
- Wood A.M. (2005)
Revision of the ostracod genus Celtia Neale, 1973 and other so-called ‘tricostate’ Trachyleberidinae from the Neogene to Recent of Europe
pp. 55-80
The genus Celtia is re-examined and two subgenera, Celtia (Celtia) and Celtia (Amabilicythere) subgen. nov., described. A new species of Celtia from the mid-Pliocene of north-western Europe is described and named as Celtia (Amabilicythere) woutersi sp. nov.. Species currently referred to Celtia are reviewed, and those of Celtia blizhnii, C. clathrata, C. japonica, C. palmensis, C. pointmanbiensis, Celtia sp. Yamada et al. and Celtia sp. Tabuki are excluded from the genus. The “Celtia” blizhnii species-group forms a distinct geographical and monophyletic lineage of generic status, while Celtia clathrata is assigned to Paradumbraticythere gen. nov., a monotypic genus. Paradumbraticythere gen. nov. appears to be more closely related to Carinocythereis or Cistacythereis than Celtia, and may represent a new and distinct branch of the former. The appearance of Paradumbraticythere gen. nov. in the Tethys Sea was part of a larger phase of adaptive radiation during the late Tortonian and early Messinian.
A new perspective on the taxonomy of Sissingh ‘s “tricostate” Trachyleberidinae is offered. The tribe Hiltermannicytherini is formally described and erected within the subfamily Trachyleberidinae with Carinocythereis, Celtia, Cistacythereis, Hiltermannicythere, Paradumbraticythere gen. nov. and Tegmenia included, revised and their diagnoses emended. Hiltermannicythere is reassigned as a subgenus of Cistacythereis along with Cistacythereis (Cistacythereis) and Cistacythereis (Bassiounicythere) subgen. nov. Falunia and Olimfalunia are also revised but excluded from the Hiltermannicytherini, while Costa is retained within the Costini. Hiltermannicytherine genera are characterised by a quadrate to subrectangular carapace with 3, 4 or 5 subparallel, longitudinal and two mid-posterior carinae or ridges. Each genus exhibits incremental vergency from the hexacostate architecture or bauplan of Olimfalunia. The origin and dispersal of the hiltermannicytherinids is discussed.
Issue 2
Published in September 2005
- Venturi F., Nannarone C. & Bilotta M. (2005)
Early Pliensbachian ammonites from the Furlo Pass (Marche, Italy): two new faunas for the middle-western Tethys
pp. 81-115
Fu1 and Fu2 faunas, represented by the spathic lumachella horizons of the Grilli Quarry (Furlo Pass, Umbria-Marche Apennines), contain two highly biodiversified assemblages. They follow chronologically the “Venturi ’78” bed from the Pallareto Quarry (Catriceras catriense bioevent), which is considered the first post-Sinemurian record to be found in the Apennines: as a whole, these three faunas characterize the lower part of the Early Pliensbachian (Carixian) in our area.
The material collected at the Furlo Pass enabled us to recognize an unexpected wealth of forms, including some completely new taxa.
Within the Psiloceratida (order comprising the taxa traditionally placed in the Lytoceratina and Ammonitina), the new family Holcolytoceratidae is proposed here for Audaxlytoceras together with Holcolytoceras.
Among the Eoderoceratoidea, we describe the new species Omoderoceras latispira (a Paramicroderoceratinae with monospinate inner stage, formerly found in the “Venturi ’78” bed), and we note the discovery of the first Apennine ammonoid ascribable to Apoderoceras. The presence of this typically Boreal or sub-Boreal genus has been adopted in the stratotype section (GSSP) of Wine Haven (England) to recognize the base of the Pliensbachian: the apparently “delayed” occurrence of this taxon in our area causes difficulties and inaccuracies in the correlation between the standard zonal scheme and the one used in the Apennines.
Remaining within the Eoderoceratoidea, we give a better definition of the Apennine genera Caleites and Furlites.
Starting from the description of several specimens attributed to Catriceras cf. campiliense, the differences between Catriceras and Tropidoceras are exhaustively considered. These characters allow clear distinction of the two genera, which cannot be considered synonyms.
With regard to the Oxynoticeratidae, we recognize the new species Radstockiceras fastigatum in the Fu1 fauna: the abundance of material enabled us to describe its ontogenetic development.
Particular emphasis is given to the new small-sized genus Pelingoceras, described for the new species P. pseudocarinatum: its really unusual features, including the appearance of the peristome, make its suprageneric position uncertain.
A doubtful classification (this time at suprafamiliar rank) is also indicated for Sinuiceras: the new family Sinuiceratidae is proposed here for this genus, together with the Tunisian forms erroneously reported as Gorgheiceras.
All these taxonomic observations allow a wide survey of the Apennine ammonite faunas for a time interval which is still somewhat incompletely known in many areas (either Tethyan and sub-Tethyan, or Boreal and sub-Boreal). The biodiversity of our fossil assemblages seems unmatched with regard to coeval sections of other areas. Furthermore, it offers solid foundations to the local zonation, the use of which is necessary because is not possible or not practical to utilize the Early Pliensbachian standard zonal scheme. Among the several characteristic and reliable taxa of our faunas, the best is probably Catriceras; due also to the clear distinction of this genus from Tropidoceras, we propose a new biostratigraphic unit: the Catriceras Interval Biozone. It marks the first part of the Pliensbachian in the Apennines, and replaces the old “Tetraspidoceras quadrarmatum” Oppel Biozone, which we intend to abandon. Compared to the Echioceras raricostatum Zone (late Sinemurian) ammonoids, the genus Catriceras, together with the numerous associated forms, is a good representative of the faunal change related to the Sinemurian-Pliensbachian transition. The zonal scheme here proposed is therefore more precise and effective than those generally adopted till now for the biostratigraphy of the Mediterranean Tethys.
We currently feel that our assemblages may represent a paleobiogeographic entity separate from other neighbouring regions. It seems that, in the Neotethys, only a discontinuous faunal exchange occurred between the “Alpine” sector and the westernmost one.
Considering also the sedimentary discrepancies (both quantitative and qualitative), this partial isolation and the related faunal differences have repercussions on the correlatability of the biostratigraphic boundaries.
Notwithstanding these limitations, the assemblages studied in the present paper seem to support the idea that the faunal renewal connected with the Sinemurian-Pliensbachian boundary was mainly triggered by a change in the paleogeographic setting (seaway opening) more than by a biological crisis in the strict sense.
- Manganelli G., Benocci A., Capezzuoli E. & Giusti F. (2005)
Pseudotachea Boettger, 1909 (Gastropoda: Pulmonata, Helicidae) from the non-marine Middle Pleistocene of the Valdelsa Basin (central Italy)
pp. 117-125
Fossil shells of helicid snails were collected in clayey and calcareous lithofacies of the Campiglia dei Foci Synthem, cropping out near Colle Val d’Elsa and San Gimignano of early Middle Pleistocene age. The specimens, consisting of shells and internal casts of shells, are assigned to Pseudotachea cf. splendida (Draparnaud, 1801). Literature records of alleged Pseudotachea species dating back to the Tertiary and Quaternary are discussed: many belong to different taxa, and others require further revision. In conclusion, specimens from the Valdelsa Basin are the most ancient known members of Pseudotachea, and constitute the first record of this genus from Italy; they also provide valuable information about paleoenvironmental conditions where the limestones of the Valdelsa Basin were formed.
- Garilli V., Dell’Angelo B. & Vardala-Theodorou E. (2005)
Polyplacophora from the Pleistocene of Kyllini (NW Peloponnese, Greece)
pp. 127-144
This paper deals with the chitons (Mollusca: Polyplacophora) from some Pleistocene deposits outcropping near Kyllini (Ileia, NW Peloponnese Greece) and it is the second comprehensive account of the fossil chitons from Greece. Analysed material consists of 198 valves belonging to the following 11 species: Lepidopleurus cajetanus, L. cimicoides, L. scabridus, Ischnochiton rissoi, Callochiton septemvalvis, Lepidochitona cinerea, L. furtiva, Chiton olivaceus, C. corallinus, Acanthochitona fascicularis, Craspedochiton altavillensis. All these species are still living in the Mediterranean Sea with the exception of C. altavillensis, which is here recorded for the first time in a Middle to Upper Pleistocene deposit. The species L. scabridus, for which we suppose a Mediterranean origin, is recorded for the first time from Pleistocene sediments, and the report of L. furtiva represents the first fossil finding of this species which probably originated in the Pleistocene of the Mediterranean area.
- La Perna R. (2005)
Tube-dwelling in Gastrochaena dubia (Bivalvia): ecological requirements, functional morphology and structure of the crypt
pp. 145-154
The rock boring bivalve Gastrochaena dubia (Pennant, 1777) can also live freely on soft substrata, within a claviform crypt consisting of a thick, coarsely agglutinated external layer and an inner lining. Examination of Pleistocene material from Monte Mario, Rome (Cerulli-Irelli collection), allows an understanding of the ecological requirements necessary for this life habit and provides new information about crypt functional morphology and construction. The crypt of G. dubia rests subhorizontally, partly buried and with the siphonal tip emerging from the substratum. A low-energy substratum, with a sandy-muddy texture rich in a coarse biogenic fraction, is the main ecological requirement. Through a process of dissolution and re-secretion, G. dubia enlarges the crypt during growth, particularly anteriorly. The agglutinated, blistered structure of the external layer seems to be formed by means of mucous “bubbles” which mineralise, incorporating sand grains and bioclasts. An elongate, thin appendage of the foot seems to be involved in this process.
The same foot appendage produces thin tubules which penetrate the crypt wall. They have a probing function in the boring life-habit, but it is not known if they have any function in the free tube-dwelling habit.
- Frezza V., Carboni M.G. & Matteucci R. (2005)
Recent foraminiferal assemblages near Ponza Island (Central Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy)
pp. 155-173
Ponza Island is located in the western sector of the Pontine volcanic Archipelago, on a structural high of the continental Tyrrhenian shelf. This preliminary study is comprised in a broad interdisciplinary project, aimed to know and describe the sea bottom of the Pontine Archipelago. On the whole, 22 grab samples, collected for micropalaeontological analyses East to Ponza during the cruise of spring 2001, have been studied. Sampling stations range from 20 to 380 m water depth and are located on four transects, having the NW/SE direction. Among these, one transect comprises 12 stations, whereas the others are constituted by 2 to 4 stations. A total of 300 benthic foraminifera with well-preserved tests from each sample were separated and classified, from >125 cm size fraction. All benthic foraminifera with broken and old tests (tests with yellow/brown walls and filled by glauconite) were interpreted as reworked and/or displaced. These tests were collected and counted; planktonic foraminifera were contemporaneously counted and identified. Moreover, all the other bioclastic components of sediment (bivalves, bryozoans, coralline algae, gastropods, ostracods, pteropods, spines of echinoids and spicules of sponges) were counted in each aliquot of samples, in order to better describe the bioclastic facies. In absence of significant sources of terrestrial sediments, organic fraction is generally prevalent; benthic foraminifera always dominate bioclastic component, except in two samples. A total of 199 species, belonging to 91 genera, have been recognised. The data set, containing relative abundance of 16 common taxa of benthic foraminifera, was used to perform the multivariate analysis (Hierarchical Cluster Analysis and Principal Cluster Analysis). The output of Q-mode HCA singles out three main clusters, corresponding to three distinct foraminiferal assemblages: 1) Rosalina bradyi and Asterigerinata mamilla assemblage (depth: 20-87 m, inner continental shelf with Posidonia oceanica meadows), with Lobatula lobatula, Spirillina vivipara, Tretomphalus concinnus and miliolids. This biofacies corresponds to the infralittoral-upper circalittoral zone and is dominated by benthic foraminiferal tests with, sometimes, rhodoliths. High values of broken tests may be related to action of wave motion. P/(P+B) ratio is very low; 2) Cassidulina carinata assemblage (depth: 79-202 m, outer continental shelf and upper slope), comprising Bolivina difformis and Textularia bocki. This biofacies corresponds to the circalittoral zone and presents high percentage of old glauconitic of shallow water taxa. They are probably related to sea level stillstand conditions during Late Quaternary. The P/(P+B) ratio increases and, among planktonic species, Globigerinoides ruber, Globigerina bulloides, Globorotalia inflata and G. truncatulinoides are present; 3) Uvigerina mediterranea assemblage (depth: 250-380 m, continental slope), with Bulimina marginata, Cassidulina crassa, Hyalinea balthica and Melonis pompilioides. This biofacies corresponds to the upper epibathyal zone, and is characterised by bioclastic sediment with abundant benthic and planktonic foraminifera, pteropods and spicules of sponges. P/(P+B) ratio shows the highest values.
- Cherchi A. & Schroeder R. (2005)
Revision of Keramosphaerinopsis haydeni (H. Douvillé), larger foraminifer (Miliolacea) from the Paleocene of southern Tibet (Tethys Himalaya)
pp. 175-183
The original material of Keramosphaerinopsis haydeni (H. Douvillé, 1916) was revised. This taxon showing a clear dimorphism is mainly characterized by the large, central proloculus of the megalospheric forms and by postembryonic chambers which are arranged in poorly defined concentric layers. K. haydeni cannot be regarded as a descendant of the Upper Cretaceous keramosphaerinas, but developed independently from an unknown miliolacean ancestor. On the base of the available bibliographic data, a Thanetian age is suggested for this species.
Issue 3
Published in November 2005
- Cestari R. (2005)
New data on the relationship between shape and palaeoenvironment in Late Cretaceous Rudists from Central Italy: Radiolites and Distefanella (Radiolitidae)
pp. 185-192
Analyses on the shell shape and structure of some rudist bivalves belonging to the Radiolitidae family have been performed on specimens from carbonate successions cropping out in central Italy and from Museums’ collections.
Radiolites trigeri (Coquand) and R. darìo (Catullo) have a conical to slender cilindrical right valve provided with a flat and little developed left valve, the shell structure may have a well developed cellular network. These species are mainly found in Late Turonian-Santonian mud-supported carbonates of inner platform and ramp settings with medium to low hydrodynamic regime.
Distefanella salmojraghii Parona, D. bassanii Parona, D. douvillei Parona and D. guiscardii Parona have an extremely elongate right valve provided with a cupular and well developed left valve, the shell is extremely thin and made of compact calcite. They are mainly found in Santonian grain-supported bioclastic limestones of platform margin settings with medium to high hydrodynamic conditions.
The occurrence of these radiolitid species shows an asymmetric geographic distribution, caused by a complex physiography of the carbonate platforms in the Mediterranean Tethys during the Turonian-Santonian (Late Cretaceous) when the East-West driven Circumglobal Tethys Current favoured the diffusion of bioclastic Distefanella facies in the successions today facing the Adriatic side of the Apennine chain. On the other hand, Radiolites assemblages set in mud-supported limestone were widespread in the successions today facing the Tyrrhenian Sea. This asymmetric distribution should be assumed as reminiscence of a windward-leeward control on carbonate platform growth.
- Frezza V., Bergamin L. & Di Bella L. (2005)
Opportunistic benthic foraminifera as indicators of eutrophicated environments. Actualistic study and comparison with the Santernian middle Tiber Valley (Central Italy)
pp. 193-201
The study of extant organisms is the base of the environmental micropaleontology, since the knowledge of natural mechanisms, which regulate their distribution in present environments, is the necessary base for the reconstruction of fossil environments.
Since most shallow-water taxa well tolerate a wide range of environmental conditions, the organic flux, which determines trophic levels, appears the most important factor that regulates the distribution of benthic foraminifera. On the contrary, other variables like substrate, temperature and salinity are less important for their occurrence.
Since the end of the 90s, many studies have been performed on recent benthic foraminifera from a small marine basin located along the southern Tuscan shelf, characterized by the sedimentary contribution of the Ombrone River. The geographical features of this basin, named Ombrone River Basin (ORB), are unfavourable to the organic matter dispersion, determining a particularly suitable environment for the study of eutrophicated sea-bottoms. Researches evidenced the correlation between a typical assemblage, dominated by the opportunistic Valvulineria bradyana and the organic flux of fluvial origin. Particularly, the statistical multivariate analysis performed on 127 samples from the ORB helped to determine the distribution of such assemblage.
In this work, the quantitative parameters describing the structure of the V. bradyana assemblage (species richness, heterogeneity, dominance) are evidenced and discussed, defining an actualistic model for assemblages that could be used to evidence the organic paleo-flux in coastal marine areas influenced by river contributions.
During the Early Pleistocene, the coast of Latium was located in eastern position with respect to the present one. In front to the coast,
some structural highs emerged, forming an island lineage parallel to the coast and delimiting a narrow inner basin. In this basin, the Tiber River and other minor rivers built their delta systems. This paleogegraphic setting has been evaluated as favourable to the development of eutrophicated environments, and consequently many tens of available samples from the clayey terms of the Chiani-Tevere Formation have been considered for a comparison with the actualistic model. The foraminiferal assemblages from three sites, Civita di Bagnoregio, Orte, and Nazzano, are dominated by V. bradyana and show quantitative parameters coinciding with the recent model utilized as marker of the organic flux. These episodes of eutrophication in the inner Tyrrhenian basin may be considered coeval, because all the three successions are ascribed to the Santernian (Globigerina cariacoensis Zone). Considering the paleogeography of the region, it may be supposed that the Civita di Bagnoregio site was probably influenced by the contribution of a small river which flowed into the Tyrrhenian Sea near this locality. In addition, the Orte and the Nazzano sites corresponded to the Nera and Farfa delta systems, respectively. These preliminary results are encouraging for the development of the research aimed to the reconstruction of the organic paleo-flux along the coast of Latium, with useful implications for a detailed paleogeographic reconstruction of the Santernian middle Tiber Valley. In addition, the good accordance between a paleogeographic reconstruction based on geological evidences and the preliminary results obtained by paleoecological proxies, validate the utility of the actualistic model considered as typical marker of the river organic flux.
- Verrubbi V. & Schiavinotto F. (2005)
Miogypsina globulina (Michelotti) from Samatzai section (Lower Miocene – Southern Sardinia)
pp. 203-209
Biometric data measured on a Miogypsina s.s. population are presented. Twenty-four megalospheric specimens have been obtained by means of a random picking on washing residues of a marl layer sampled in the Samatzai Miocene succession (Southern Sardinia), cropping out along the eastern side of the Plio-Pleistocene Campidano Graben. This succession has been mainly deposited into a neritic marine carbonate environment during the Early Miocene rift phase.
M. globulina (Michelotti) has been detected in Sam-1 sample, at a central evolutionary stage of the species. It indicates a reference to a early-middle Burdigalian age, that is confirmed by the overlying planktonic foraminiferal assemblage.
- Manni R. (2005)
The non-isocrinid crinoids of the Michelotti Collection
pp. 211-218
For the first time Tertiary non-isocrinid crinoids of the Michelotti Collection are described. In particular, Conocrinus pyriformis, C. thorenti, C. seguenzai, Holopus spileccense, and Cyathidium gastaldii are recognized. The material comes from Eocene and Miocene sediments of Piedmont and Veneto outcrops (North Italy).
- Di Bella L., Carboni M.G. & Pignatti J. (2005)
Paleoclimatic significance of the Pliocene Amphistegina levels from the Tyrrhenian margin of Central Italy
pp. 219-229
Two distinct Amphistegina-rich intervals are recognized within the Pliocene succession of Umbria and Latium, referred respectively to the Piacenzian and to the Gelasian; these deposits represent the last warm peaks before the strong Late Pliocene climatic deterioration. The investigated foraminiferal assemblages, characterized by specimens provisionally identified as Amphistegina targionii (Meneghini), testify to shallow, relatively warm and oligotrophic waters, according to the regressive trend caused by the regional uplift affecting the Tyrrhenian margin from Messinian to Early Pleistocene times. As indicated by extant populations in the Aegean Sea, Amphistegina is less temperature-dependent than other rotaliine larger foraminifers; this may help explaining the apparent paradox of its occurrence after the onset of Late Pliocene climatic deterioration.
- Sassaroli S. & Venturi F. (2005)
The genus Pseudolillia (Maubeuge, 1949) (Ammonitina, Grammoceratinae) in the upper Toarcian of the Central Apennines (Cingoli, Macerata, Italy)
pp. 231-236
The genus Pseudolillia was established by Maubeuge (1949) for the only specimen finding in North-Eastern France (Northwest European Province – Tethyan Realm). This genus of the upper Toarcian (Insigne zone) was afterwards reviewed by Elmi & Rulleau (1990), who recognised three species by studying a few specimens found in other provinces of France, as well as in other countries such as Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. The genus Pseudolillia has been recently found in the Central Apennines (Italy), Marconessa’s Quarry of Cingoli (MC), during a biostratigraphic sampling (currently in progress) for the upper Toarcian outcrops (Bonarellii zone). We propose the new species Pseudolillia apenninica, on the basis of its typical traits, which distinguish our specimen from the three acknowledged species of the genus Pseudolillia of the Northwest European and Sub-Mediterranean Provinces. The discovery of Pseudolillia in the Tethyan Mediterranean Province is also of great interest for paleoecology and paleobiogeography and testifies an ammonitic faunal dispersal between the Tuscan-Umbrian-Marchean (TUM) basin and European epicontinental sea, perhaps related to eustatic changes according to Hallam’s hypothesis (1987).
- Barattolo F. & Romano R. (2005)
The genus Linoporella Steinmann, 1899 and its type-species Linoporella capriotica (Oppenheim, 1889) from the Early Cretaceous of Capri
pp. 237-254
Linoporella capriotica (Oppenheim, 1889), type-species of the genus Linoporella Steinmann, 1899, is revised from material of the type locality (Capri island). The relationship between the features now ascertained and the Oppenheim’s illustration is discussed.
The original type material, housed in Naples and seemingly in Freiburg or Bonn, having not been found, has to be considered lost.
Therefore in the present paper on the ground of the new material a neotype is proposed and a new description is supplied. In particular the occurrence of tertiary laterals (already reported by some authors from the Steinmann’ schematic drawing), here ascertained as phloiophorous and corticated, allow us to emend both the generic and specific diagnoses.
- Gnoli M. & Serventi P. (2005)
New evidences of Silurian Phyllocarid Crustaceans from SW Sardinia
pp. 255-262
Phyllocarid remains consisting of abdominal somites, caudal parts and secondarily phosphatized mandibles, from Silurian of SW Sardinia are described and illustrated. Some material described and left in open nomenclature by Gnoli & Serpagli (1984) is also reconsidered under Warneticaris cenomanensis (Tromelin, 1874). Other taxa like Ceratiocaris (Bohemicaris) bohemica (Barrande, 1872), C.? (B.) sp. ind. cf. bohemica Barrande, 1872, C. (C.?) cf. cornwallisensis damesi Chlupáč 1963, and Warneticaris sp. ind. cf. W. cenomanensis (Tromelin, 1874) are also documented.
- Ferretti A. (2005)
Ooidal ironstones and laminated ferruginous deposits from the Silurian of the Carnic Alps, Austria
pp. 263-278
Distinct ooidal horizons and diverse laminated ferruginous structures are reported from the Silurian of the Carinthian Carnic Alps. The former were recovered in forms of centimetric horizons at the base of a single section (Rauchkofel Boden). The Carnic Alps reports are the only record in the Silurian from the European sector of the Northern Gondwana margin. Ooids consist mostly of chamosite, goethite and mixtures thereof with subordinate amounts of apatite. Laminated ferruginous deposits are present in the majority of the investigated sections and are represented either by rare “stromatolite-like” structures or by abundant banded iron-rich fossil coatings, mostly around trilobites and cephalopods. Both types are composed of calcareous laminae alternating with layers rich in iron silicates or oxides (chamosite, goethite, and magnetite).
All these deposits can tentatively be regarded as microbial. Magnetite coatings revealed peculiar filaments of possible organic nature, closely resembling fungal hyphae.