Ioan I. Bucur

Several organisms or interaction of organisms have been described for a long time interval from late Paleozoic to Cretaceous as Tubiphytes with type species T. obscurus MASLOV (1956). Paleozoic Tubiphytes were revised by SENOWBARI-DARYAN & FLÜGEL (1993), Triassic representatives still needed to be revised. For Jurassic (extremely abundant in upper Jurassic) and Cretaceous organisms, known as ";;Tubiphytes";; morronensis CRESCENTI (1969), the new genus name Crescentina was proposed by SENOWBARI-DARYAN et al. (2007). Because this generic name was invalidely published, we propose here the genus name Crescentiella. Differences of Crescentiella nov. gen. and Tubiphytes MASLOV are discussed. The systematic position of Crescentiella as foraminifer, interaction of foraminifer and cyanophyceans or as special kind of oncolites is discussed. It is interpreted as symbiosis or encrustation between cyanobacteria and nubecularid foraminifer, uncertain tube or rarely other biogenic compon...

Several organisms or interaction of organisms have been described over a long time interval from the Late Palaeozoic to Cretaceous as Tubiphytes, with the type species being T. obscurus MASLOV, 1956. Palaeozoic Tubiphytes were revised by SENOWBARI-DARYAN & FLÜGEL (1993). Triassic representatives still need to be revised. For Jurassic (extremely abundant in upper Jurassic) and Cretaceous organisms, known as “Tubiphytes” morronensis CRESCENTI, 1969, we propose here the genus name Crescentiella. Differences between Crescentiella nov. gen. and Tubiphytes MASLOV are discussed. The systematic position of Crescentiella as a foraminifera, interaction of foraminifera and cyanophyceans or as a special kind of oncolite is discussed. It is interpreted as symbiosis or encrustation between cyanobacteria and a nubecularid foraminifera, uncertain tube or rarely, other biogenic components. Comments on similar associations, e.g. the genus Labes ELIASOVA, are provided.

The objective of this study is to describe the composition of the carbonate elements from the upper Albian–Cenomanian Postăvaru Conglomerates. Eight sections were studied. Two major types of conglomerates are identified in the field and thin sections: polymictic orthoconglomerates and paraconglomerates. Carbonate clasts are dominant in both types of conglomerates. Other subordinated clasts are composed of quartzites, sericite-chlorite schists and gneisses. Facies data allow reconstructing the depositional environments, while microfossil assemblages were used to establish the age of the studied carbonate clasts. The identified microfacies characterize a large variety of depositional environments, ranging from basin to shallow water environments (platform margin and inner platform depositional settings). The identified microfossil associations are indicative for three biostratigraphic intervals: Kimmeridgian–Tithonian, Tithonian–Berriasian and Berriasian–? lower Valanginian.

Triassic limestones that belong to the Transilvanian Nappe system, form extensive outcrops in the central part of the Persani Mountains, near Racos locality, on the southern and northern sides of the Olt Gorges. Triassic carbonate olistoliths were sampled in four distinct locations belonging to the Transilvanian Nappe: the Old Racos Quarry, Olt Gorges, Tipia Racosului Hill and Tipia Ormenisului Hill. The identified facies types include brecciated limestones with encrusting organisms and cyanobacteria, packstone-grainstone with sponges and encrusting organisms, boundstone with grainstone internal sediment, peloidal wackestone-packstone, peloidal packstone-grainstone, intraclastic grainstone-rudstone. Such microfacies characterize reefal bioconstructions or fore-reef domains located in the vicinity of shelf crest areas. They share common features with similar Wetterstein facies carbonates from Italy, Austria or Hungary. The micropaleontological assemblage indicates the Anisian-Ladinia...

The carbonate succession of the Tirgan Formation was studied in the Gelian section located 25 km south of Shirvan town (central Kopet Dagh). In this section, the Tirgan Formation contains a rich assemblage of calcareous algae and foraminifera. Based mainly on the orbitolinid association a latest Barremian-ealy Aptian age was assigned to the Tirgan Formation in the Gelian section. Based on the available stratigraphic analyses and age assignments of the overlying Sarcheshmeh Formation by different authors, one should presume that both the Tirgan and the Sarchesh-meh formations are heterochronous across the Kopet Dagh basin.

Calcareous Albian-Cenomanian strata in the Potiguar basin yield a number of microfossils, among which are calcareous algae (Dasycladales and Corallinales). This data, together with an inventory of previous discoveries, enabled the discussion of their biogeography. These benthic organisms probably came from the early Central Atlantic Ocean through its northwestern neck between Africa and South America and thus reached the early South Atlantic platforms.

Since decades the taxonomic status of the "orbitoliniform" larger benthic foraminifer Paracoskinolina? jourdanensis (Foury & Moullade) described from the Barremian of France is ambiguous. Based on material mainly from the Valanginian and Barremian of Romania and the Valanginian of Serbia, it is taxonomically revised. It is here redescribed as Moulladella jourdanensis (Foury & Moullade) n. gen., nov. comb. (synonym Conicopfenderina? balkanica Peybernès, 2004, Valanginian of Bulgaria) removed from the Orbitolinidae and assigned to the Pfenderinidae. M. jourdanensis is palaeobiogeographically restricted to a stripe along the northern Neotethyan margin, with occurrences stretching from the Spanish Pyrenees to Bulgaria.

A rich poriferan assemblage was identified within the easternmost part of the Getic Carbonate Platform of Romania (Grădiștei Gorges). The excellent preservation state of most poriferans here led to the discovery of a new species (Neuropora gigantea Pleș & Schlagintweit, n. sp.) and to the identification of previously unknown diagnostic features in some species (Sarsteinia babai Schlagintweit & Gawlick, 2006 emend., Neuropora lusitanica Termier, 1985, Sphaeractinia steinmanni Canavari, 1893). Calciagglutispongia yabei Reitner, 1992, Sarsteinia babai and Sphaeractinia steinmanni are reported for the first time from the Upper Jurassic carbonates of the Getic Carbonate Platform. The sedimentary input fluctuations and the nutrient competition had an important role in understanding the morphological adaptations of the analysed species. The existing palaeoecological and palaeoenvironmental conditions generated different distribution patterns towards the reef profile and also preferential a...

New data from the Carpatho-Balkanides of eastern Serbia evidence the more or less near-simultaneous "explosive" first appearances of several genera of the Orbitolinidae in the late Berriasian. Most of the observed taxa were previously recorded from strata not older than the Late Hauterivian (= classical Urgonian of southeastern France), evidence that these ages refer to local first appearance data. The diversified assemblage from Serbia includes representatives of the subfamilies Dictyoconinae: genera Cribellopsis ARNAUD-VANNEAU, Montseciella CHERCHI & SCHROEDER, Orbitolinopsis HENSON, Urgonina FOURY & MOULLADE, Valserina SCHROEDER & CONRAD, Vanneauina SCHLAGINTWEIT, and Dictyorbitolininae: genus Paracoskinolina MOULLADE. Representatives of the Orbitolininae (with complex embryo) have not been observed. They appeared later in the fossil record seemingly during the Late Hauterivian-early Barremian. All together 17 taxa are reported, of which three in open nomenclature. A ne...

The calcareous algal association described in this paper was identified in Kimmeridgian-Berriasian limestones in the Ay Petri and Yalta massifs and near Belogorsk (Crimea). It consists of dasycladaleans, udoteaceans, thaumatoporellaceans, and cyanobacteria accompanied by various encrusting organisms. Steinmanniporella taurica has been known in this region since 1925 but the original description was rather inaccurate; this paper provides further details, illustrations and appropriate diagnostic features. It also includes a brief paleontological overview of the algal, cyanobacterial and microproblematical association as a whole

... Romania) Ioan I. Bucur • Bruno Granier • Emanoil Sa˘sa˘ran Received: 4 October 2009 / Accepted: 7 February 2010 / Published online: 6 March 2010 Ó Springer-Verlag 2010 ... B. Granier Université Européenne de Bretagne, Brest, France e-mail: bruno.granier@univ-brest.fr ...

RÉSUMÉ L'inventaire des Algues Chlorophycées du Jurassique terminal et du Crétacé inférieur de l'«arrière-pays de Benidorm» (province d'Alicante, ESPAGNE) permet de reconnaître 23 espèces, dont trois nouvelles appartenant aux genres Heteroporella , Clypeina et ...

Septfontainella (type-species S. carpatobalcanica n. sp.), a new genus of larger benthic foraminifera (family Hauraniidae, subfamily Amijiellinae) is described from the upper Berriasian of the Carpatho-Balkanides, eastern Serbia and Romania (Southern Capathians), both part of the Getic domain. It is characterized by large elongate dimorphic tests with a reduced coiled stage and a rectilinear-uniserial adult part with chambers displaying a coarse and irregular subepidermal network. Triangular-shaped first order radial partitions extend into the chamber lumen attaching to the succeeding septum. Septfontainella gen. nov. is compared with the Lower Jurassic Cymbriaella Fugagnoli and the Lower Cretaceous Bramkampella Redmond. Septfontainella n. gen. further substantiates the occurrence of a Berriasian origination event of larger benthic foraminifera in inner carbonate platform facies of the Neotethysian realm.

Abstract. Dragastanella transylvanica n. gen. n. sp. is described. Its calcified skeleton contains numerous voids, partly related to the molds of soft parts of the alga, but also related to lack of calcification. Interpretation of these voids, especially their attribution to original structures (e.g., primary lateral versus reproductive organ), has important implications for the taxonomic position of the alga, even at the family level. Examination of key sections that include the boundary between sterile and fertile parts of the alga excludes the occurrence of external reproductive organs. Unusual, paired pores in the outer part of the mineralized skeleton reflect an asymmetry within the whorl, excluding the presence of secondary laterals. The alga is characterized by a cylindrical to club-shaped thallus bearing only phloiophorous primary laterals arranged in whorls and flaring outwards, forming a cortex. Mineralized lenticular reproductive organs containing cysts set in the equator...

The study of the carbonate clasts and matrix of a problematic sedimentary formation (the Gugu Breccia) from the Pădurea Craiului Mountains reveals new information concerning its depositional environment and stratigraphic position. The identified microfacies and micropaleontological assemblages demonstrate that all the sampled limestone clasts from the Gugu Breccia represent remnants of a fragmented Urgonian-type carbonate platform. The Barremian age of the clasts suggests that the stratigraphic position of the Gugu Breccia at its type locality could be uppermost Barremian-lowermost Aptian, a fact demonstrated also by the absence of elements from Lower Cretaceous carbonate platforms higher in the stratigraphic column (e.g., Aptian or Albian) of the Bihor Unit. The sedimentological observations together with the matrix mineralogy bring new arguments for the recognition of terrigenous input during the formation of the Gugu Breccia.

An exploratory borehole cross-cutting Miocene deposits near Derezna (south of Kučevo town, Eastern Serbia) has intercepted Lower Cretaceous carbonate rocks in its lower part. The identified microfacies and micropaleontological associations indicate a Barremian age for these limestones. Among the identified dasycladalean algae, Salpingoporella patruliusi Bucur, a generally rare alga, is here recorded in relatively high abundance. Its occurrence is recorded for the first time in Serbia. Similiclypeina aff. somalica (Conrad et al.) is another dasycladalean species identified for the first time in the region. Its presence allows us to make some remarks concerning the two genera Similiclypeina and Piriferella.

A study of calcareous strata previously assigned to the Barremian-Early Aptian interval in the northwestern part of P?durea Craiului, (Apuseni Mountains), led to the identification of a micropaleontological association indicative of a Late Aptian age. Unequivocal evidence for the Late Aptian assignment of these limestones is the presence throughout the sequence of two orbitolinid species, Mesorbitolina texana (ROEMER) and Mesorbitolina subconcava (LEYMERIE). The most interesting sections are located in the neighbourhood of Subpiatr?, where both outcrops and a quarry facilitated detailed analyses. In this area, the Upper Aptian succession consists basically of three types of macrofacies: 1, limestone with rudists; 2, limestone with Bacinella and 3, limestone with corals, each of them showing several types of microfacies. Bacinella structures are the most common feature in the whole succession, irrespective of the macrofacies. This paper focuses on an algal association that was identi...

<p>Carbonate deposits from the easternmost part of the Getic Carbonate Platform form good quality outcrops in the Postăvaru and Piatra Mare Massifs (Patrulius 1976). The average thickness of the carbonate succession reaches 400 m in these areas (Patrulius 1976). In the Postăvaru Massif, the Mesozoic succession consists of Upper Jurassic−Lower Cretaceous carbonate deposits which are covered by upper Albian−Cenomanian Conglomerates (Săndulescu 1964). In the Piatra Mare Massif, the carbonate succession comprises Callovian−Berriasian olistoliths which are embedded in the general mass of the upper Aptian Conglomerates (Săndulescu et al. 1972).</p><p>  We collected approximately 600 limestone samples from various sections, in the Postăvaru and Piatra Mare Massifs.</p><p>The following sections are located in the Postăvaru Massif: Valea Dragă, Drumul Albastru, Larga Mare, Vârful Postăvaru, Muchia Cheii-Trei Fetițe, Trei Fetițe-Poiana Secuilor, Trei Fetițe-Cabana Postăvaru.</p><p>Detailed sampling was performed in the Piatra Mare Massif, in the following sections: Bunloc Est, Bunloc Vest, Cariera Bunloc, Cheile Baciului, Cabana Piatra Mare, Valea Gârcinului, Șura de Piatră, Șura de Piatră-Vârful Piatra Mare, Piatra Scrisă, Coada Pietrei Mari, Șirul Stâncilor, Peștera de Gheață, Prăpastia Ursului and Tamina.</p><p>The following facies associations were identified: bioclastic intraclastic grainstone/rudstone, coral-microbial boundstone, packstone to floatstone with pelagic microfossils, bioclastic packstone-grainstone, peloidal oncoidic packstone-grainstone, bioclastic grainstone with black pebbles, wackestone with cyanobacteria nodules, fenestral wackestone, non-fossiliferous mudstone.</p><p> </p><p>The micropaleontological association contains dasycladalean algae [<em>Salpingoporella pygmea </em>(Gümbel),<em> Petrascula bursiformis </em>Etallon, <em>Aloisalthella sulcata </em>(Alth), encrusting organisms [<em>Bacinella</em> type structures<em>, Crescentiella morronensis</em> (Crescenti), <em>Koskinobulina socialis </em>Cherchi & Schröder, <em>Radiomura cautica</em> Senowbari-Daryan & Schäfer, <em>Perturbatacrusta leini </em>Schlagintweit & Gawlick<em>, Taumathoporella parvovesiculifera </em>(Raineri)], foraminifera [<em>Bramkampella arabica </em>Redmond, <em>Coscinoconus alpinus </em>(Leupold)<em>, Coscinoconus delphinensis (</em>Arnaud-Vanneau et al.)<em>, Coscinoconus sagittarius </em>(Arnaud-Vanneau et al.)<em>, Frentzenella involuta </em>(Mantsurova)<em>, Protopeneroplis striata</em> Weynschenk, <em>Protopeneroplis ultragranulata</em> Gorbatchik] and pelagic microorganisms (<em>Calpionella alpina</em> Lorenz).</p><p>The identified microfacies types indicate that carbonate material was deposited in two distinct depositional settings. The first one includes slope to basin areas while the second one comprises inner platform depositional environments. The presence of abundant <em>C. alpina</em> and various representatives of the genus <em>Coscinoconus</em> (<em>C. delphinensis,</em> <em>C. sagittarius</em>) indicates that deposition continued in the area at least until the lower Berriasian. <em> </em></p><p><strong>Acknowledgements</strong></p><p>This work was supported by a grant of the Romanian Ministry of Education and Research, CNCS-UEFISCDI, project number PN-III-P1-1.1-PD-2019-0456, within PNCDI III</p><p> <strong>References  </strong></p><p>Patrulius D (1976) Upper Jurassic−Lower Cretaceous carbonate rocks in…

Triassic, Upper Jurassic and upper Lower Cretaceous sedimentary formations were previous- ly studied from the Transylvanian Depression basement, but the presence of lowermost Cretaceous (Berriasian-Valanginian) has not been confirmed paleontologically. The carbonate sequence cored from a borehole drilled in the central part of the Transylvanian Depression yields microfossil assemblages dominated by benthic foraminifera. These new data unequivocally document the presence of characteristic Berriasian-Valanginian taxa in these deposits.