Biostratigraphy of larger benthic foraminifera from Cuisian and Bartonian limestones from the Torbat-e-Heydarieh region (Central Iran)

摘要

Alveolinids and nummulitids are among the most ubiquitous larger benthic foraminifera in Eocene shallow-marine deposits of Iran. Eocene sedimentary successions were studied for foraminiferal assemblages at the Cholounak section, north of Torbat-e-Heydarieh (Central Iran). Our systematic survey revealed well-preserved alveolinids and nummulitids and led to the identification of 14 species and three subspecies. Because the section analyzed has never been studied before we provide a detailed descriptions of the taxa present and a biostratigraphic scheme that is in accordance with standard shallow benthic zones (SBZ). The study sheds new light on the palaeobiogeographic distribution of larger benthic foraminifera from the Tethyan Ocean during the early-middle Cuisian (SBZ10-11) and the Bartonian (SBZ17).