THE EIGHTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE GEOLOGY … · part of Egypt, including beds extremely...

MACRO-BIOSTRATIGRAPHY INTEGRATION OF THE CENOMANIAN -

TURONIAN TRANSITION AT NORTH EASTERN DESERT AND

SOUTHWESTERN SINAI, EGYPT

Mahmoud H. Darwish, Mohamed S. Zakhera

, Nasr A. Abdel-Maksoud

and Nageh A. Obaidalla

Geology Department, Faculty of Science, New Valley Branch, Assiut University, New

Valley, Egypt

Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Aswan University, Aswan, Egypt

Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt

E-mail: [email protected]

ABSTRACT

The Cenomanian-Turonian successions are well exposed at north Eastern Desert

(Wadi Tarfa and Wadi El Dakhl) and southwestern Sinai (Wadi Abu Qada and Wadi

Feiran). These successions are composed of siliciclastic and carbonate sediments

belonging to the Raha (at the base), Abu Qada and Wata formations (at the top).

These sediments yield a diverse and well preserved macro-fauna. Based on the

vertical distribution of the macro-fauna, the Cenomanian–Turonian successions has

been subdivided into five bivalve zones, and four echinoid zones coeval with eight

ammonite zones. The bivalve zones are Ceratostreon flabellatum, Exogyra (Costagyra)

olisiponensis, and Pycnodonte (Phygraea) vesiculosa for the Cenomanian age, Arca

passyana and Crassatella sequenzai for the Turonian age. The echinoid zones are

Mecaster cubicus, Mecaster pseudofourneli and Mecaster batnensis for the

Cenomanian age and Mecaster turonensis for the Turonian age. The ammonite zones

are Neolobites vibrayaenus, Metoicoceras geslinianum and Vascoceras cauvini for the

Cenomanian age, Watinoceras praecursor, Vascoceras proprium, Mammites

nodosoides, Choffaticeras segne and Coilopoceras requienianum for the Turonian age.

The index ammonite Watinoceras devonense is here recorded for the first time in

Egypt. This species was used as a marker for the base of the Turonian Stage at

Pueblo, Colorado, U.S.A. (GSSP). The Cenomanian/Turonian (C/T) boundary is

located within the Abu Qada Formation, coinciding with the base of the ammonite

Watinoceras praecursor Zone, the bivalve Arca passyana Zone and the echinoid

Mecaster turonensis Zone. It is characterized by the occurrence of irregular surface,

which indicates the occurrence of a short hiatus at this boundary.

Keywords: Cenomanian; Turonian; ammonites; bivalves; echinoids; Wadi Tarfa;

Wadi El Dakhl; Wadi Abu Qada; Wadi Ferian; Eastern Desert; Sinai.

INTRODUCTION

The Cenomanian-Turonian (Upper Cretaceous) successions are well exposed at the north

part of Egypt, including beds extremely rich in macro-fauna. The Cenomanian-Turonian

outcrops occur bording the northern-most Cretaceous belt, extending from northern and

western Sinai, through the north Eastern Desert (between Gebel Shabrawet and Wadi

Qena), and Western Desert (Baharya Oasis and Abu Roash).

THE EIGHTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

ON THE GEOLOGY OF AFRICA

P-P VII- 99 - VII-131 (NOV. 2015) ASSIUT- EGYPT

mailto:[email protected]

VII- 106 Macro-Biostratigraphy Integration Of The Cenomanian – Turonian,…

Generally, the Upper Cretaceous successions of the north Eastern Desert and Sinai have

been studied by many authors. The Cenomanian-Turonian successions were studied

separately or with these studies of Upper Cretaceous successions. Some relevant

paleontologic and stratigraphic publications about these important areas of Egypt are those

of: Kora and Hamama (1987a,b), Lüger and Gröschke (1989), Klitzsch and Hermmina

(1989), Hamama and Kassab (1990), Malchus (1990), Kassab and Hamama (1991),

Abdel-Gawad and Gameil (1992), Kora et al. (1993, 1994), Kassab and Zakhera (1999,

2002), El- Shiekh et al. (1998), Abdel-Gawad (1999), Zakhera (2001, 2002), Abdallah et

al. (2001), Kassab and Obaidalla (2001), Abdel-Gawad and Gameil (2002), Abdel-Shafy

et al. (2002a,b), Kora et al. (2002), Zakhera et al. (2002), Hewaidy et al. (2003), Abdel-

Gawad et al. (2004a,b), El-Hedeny (2002), Abdel-Gawad et al. (2006, 2007), Kassab and

Abdel-Maksoud (2007), El Qot (2004, 2006, 2008, 2010), Nagm (2009), Gertsch et al. (

2010), Nagm et al. (2010), El-Sabbagh et al. (2011), Nagm and Wilmsen (2012), and

Saber (2012).

The aim of the present work is to study the macro-fauna of Cenomanian –Turonian

succession exposed at four columnar sections, Wadi Tarfa and Wadi El-Dakhl at North

Easrern Desert and Wadi Abu Qada and Wadi Ferian at West Central Sinai (Fig. 1) to

construct an integrated macro-biostratigraphical scheme for a precise definition of the

Cenomanian–Turonian boundary. The intercalibration method has been used for the

integration of the proposed macro-fossil zones; the first occurrence datum (FOD) and last

occurrence datum (LOD) of the identified fossils have been used for a precise definition of

the biostratigraphical zonal limits.

LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY

By comparing the lithostratigrphic framework of the fossiliferous Cenomanian-Turonian

successions exposed in the studied sections with the stratotypes of the lithostratigrphic

units established for this stratigraphic interval in the Stratigraphy of Egypt, three rock units

are advocated, namely: the Raha Formation of late Cenomanian age (at the base), Abu

Qada Formation, late Cenomanian- early Turonian age (at the middle) and Wata

Formation of middle–late Turonian age (at the top). Stratigraphical details of these

formations are given in figures 2-5.

Fig. (1): Location map of the studied

sections.

Mahmoud H. Darwish, Mohamed S. Zakhera, Nasr A. Abdel-Maksoud and

Nageh A. Obaidalla VII - 107

BIOSTRATIGRAPHY

Based on the vertical distribution of the macro-fossils (Figs.2-5), the Cenomanian–

Turonian successions exposed at the studied sections were subdivided into eight ammonite

zones coeval to five bivalve zones and to four echinoid zones. The intercalibration method

has been used for the integration of the proposed macrofossil zones (Tab. 1), the first

occurrence datums (FOD) and last occurrence datums (LOD) of the identified fossils have

been used for a precise definition of the biostratigraphical zonal limits. The zones are

correlated with those established by previous authors for the same time interval of other

Egyptian areas. Moreover, they are correlated with other inter-regional zonal schemes

(Tabs. 2-4). The different invertebrate macro-fossils zones are discussed in the following:

I- The ammonite Zones:

In an ascending order, the proposed ammonite zones are:

A1- Neolobites vibrayeanus Total-Range Zone Boundaries: This zone is defined by the total range of the nominate taxon. It represents

the oldest identified ammonite zone in the studied sections.

Occurrence: This zone is recorded from the upper part of the Raha and lower part of the

Abu Qada formations at Wadi Feiran section. At the remainder sections, the Raha

Formation is unexposed, so that, Neolobites vibrayeanus Zone is only represented by the

lower part of Abu Qada Formation.

Faunal Assemblage: Neolobites fourtaui Pervinquiére and Angulithes mermeti

(Coquand), are recorded from the stratigraphic interval of this zone (Figs. 2-5).

Correlation: This zone is equivalent to the late Cenomanian N. vibrayeanus Zone of

Abdel- Gawad (1999), Kassab & Obaidalla (2001), Zakhera (2001), Zakhera & Kassab

(2002), Abdel- Gawad et al., (2004), and Kassab & Abdel-Maksoud (2007). Inter-

regionally, this zone correlates with the Neolobites vibrayeanus Zone of Niger (Meister et

al., 1992), occupied Palestine (Freund & Rabb, 1969), the Eucalycoceras pentagonum

Zone of Tunisia (Robaszynski et al., 1993, and Abdallah & Meister, 1997), the

Calycoceras guerangeri Zone of Europe (Wright & Kennedy, 1981, Gale et al., 2005) and

the M. mosbyense of USA (Bengtson, 1996) (Tabs. 2,3).

Age: Late Cenomanian.

A2- Metoicoceras geslinianum Total-Range Zone Boundaries: It is defined by the total range of the nominate taxon. The Metoicoceras

geslinianum Zone rests conformably on the Late Cenomanian Neolobites vibrayeanus

Zone.

Occurrence: This zone is recorded from the middle part of Abu Qada Formation at all the

studied sections.

Faunal Assemblage: Pseudaspidoceras pseudonodosoides (Choffat) are recorded from

the stratigraphic interval of the zone (Figs. 2-5).

Correlation: The Metoicoceras geslinianum Zone is equivalent to the M. geslinianum

Zone of Kassab (1999,), Galal et al. (2001), Zakhera & Kassab (2002), and Kassab &

Abdel-Maksoud (2007); and to part of Vascoceras cauvini - Pseudaspidoceras

pseudonodosoides - R. alatum Zone of Abdel-Gawad et al. (2004a). Inter-regionally, it can

be correlates with the M. geslinianum Zone of Tunsia and Europe (Wright & Kennedy,

1981; Lehmann, 1999 and Gale et al., 2005) (Tabs. 2,3).



A3- Vascoceras cauvini Total-Range Zone

Boundaries: It is defined by the total range of nominate taxon. It is conformably rest on

the Late Cenomanian Metoicoceras geslinianum Zone.

Occurrence: It is recorded from the upper part of Abu Qada Formation at all the studied

sections.

Faunal Assemblage: Vascoceras gamai Choffat, Spathites (Jeanrogericeras)

subconciliatus (Choffat) and Pseudaspidoceras pseudonodosoides (Choffat), are recorded

from the stratigraphic interval of this zone (Figs. 2-5)

Correlation: The Vascoceras cauvini Zone is equivalent to the Vascoceras gamai,

Vascoceras rumeaui and Vascoceras cauvini zones of Lüger & Gröschke (1989), the V.

cauvini Zone of Kassab (1999), Kassab & Obaidalla (2001), Zakhera (2001), El-Hedeny

(2002), Zakhera & Kassab (2002), and Abdelhady (2007) and to V. cauvini / Pseuda.

pseudonodosoides Zone of Kassab & Abdel-Maksoud (2007). Inter-regionally, it can be

correlates with the V. cauvini Zone of Niger (Meister et al., 1992 and Pascal et al., 1993),

Kanabiceras sp. and V. cauvini zones of occupied Palestine (Freund & Rabb, 1969),

Pseudaspidoceras pseudonodosoides Zone of Tunisia (Robaszynski et al., 1993, Abdallah

& Meister, 1997), Neocardioceras juddii Zone of Europe (Wright & Kennedy, 1981,

Lehmann, 1999) and Buttoceras clydense, Neocardioceras juddii and Nigericoceras scotti

of USA (Bengtson, 1996) (Tabs.2,3).

Age: Latest Cenomanian.

A4- Watinoceras praecursor Total-Range Zone

Boundaries: This zone is defined by the total range of the nominate taxon. At Wadi El

Dakhl section this zone is characterized by the occurrence of W. devonense taxon which

was used by Bengtson, 1996 to define the C/T boundary at the GSSP. The later taxon is

here recorded for the first time in Egypt. It represents the Earliest Turonian ammonite

zones at the studied sections. It rests unconformably (short hiatus) on the V. cauvini Zone

of the Latest Cenomanian age at Wadi Tarfa, Wadi El Dakhl and Wadi Feiran sections. At

Wadi Abu Qada section the W. praecursor Zone is absent which indicates the occurrence

of a long hiatus at the C-T boundary.

Occurrence: This zone is recorded from the upper part of Abu Qada Formation at Wadi

Tarfa, Wadi El Dakhl and Wadi Feiran sections, but it is missing at Wadi Abu Qada

section.

Faunal Assemblage: Watinoceras devonense, Vascoceras durandi (Thomas & Peron),

Vascoceras obessum (Taubenhaus), Vascoceras rumeaui (Collignon), Pseudaspidoceras

paganum Reyment, Kamerunoceras calvertense (Powell), Paramammites polymorphus

(Pervinquiére), Thomasites cf. rollandi (Thomas & Peron), Paravascoceras compressum

(Powell), Fagesia superstes (Kossmat), and Neoptychites cephalotus (Courtiller) are

recorded from the stratigraphic interval of the zone (Figs. 2-5).

Correlation: This zone is equivalent to a part of the earliest Turonian V. durandi Zone of

Lüger & Gröschke (1989); a part of the Pseudaspidoceras flexuosum/V. proprium Zone of

Kassab (1999), and Zakhera & Kassab (2002); with a part of the V. proprium/V. obessum

Zone of Kassab & Obaidalla (2001); with a part of Choffaticeras segne Zone of Abdel-

Gawad (1999), Abdel–Gawad et al. (2004a); with a part of Vascoceras

Proprium/Choffaticeras segne Zones of Khalil & Mashaly (2004); and a part of V.

proprium/Watinoceras praecursor Zone of Kassab and Abdel-Maksoud (2007). Inter-

regionally, it correlates with a part of the V. proprium Zone (Meister et al., 1992., Pascal et

al., 1993); a part of the V. pioti Zone (Freund & Rabb, 1969., Lewy et al., 1984); a part of

with the Pseudaspidoceras flexuosum Zone (Robaszynski et al., 1993; Abdallah &

Meister, 1997; Cobban & Hook, 1983; Kennedy et al., 1987); with a part of the



Watinoceras cloradoense Zone (Wright & Kennedy, 1981; Lehmann, 1999., Gale et al.,

2005) and with the Watinoceras devonense Zone (Kennedy & Cobban, 1991, Hancock et

al., 1993) of USA (Bengtson, 1996) (Tabs. 2,3).

Age: Earliest Turonian.

A5- Vascoceras proprium Total-Range Zone

Boundaries: It is defined by the total range of the nominate taxon. It rests conformably on

the Watinoceras praecursor Zone.

Occurrence: This zone is recorded from all the studied sections.

Faunal Assemblage: Vascoceras durandi (Thomas & Peron), Vascoceras obessum

(Taubenhaus), Vascoceras pioti (Peron & Fourtau), Kamerunoceras calvertense (Powell),

Paramammites polymorphus (Pervinquiére), Fagesia peroni Pervinquière, Neoptychites

cephalotus (Courtiller), Thomasites cf. rollandi (Thomas & Péron), Choffaticeras

securiforme (Eck) and Choffaticeras quaasi (Péron), are recorded from the stratigraphic

interval of this zone (Figs. 2-5).

Correlation: This zone is equivalent to a part of the Early Turonian V. durandi Zone of

Lüger & Gröschke (1989); a part of the Pseudaspidoceras flexuosum/V. proprium Zone of

Kassab (1999), Zakhera (2001) and Zakhera & Kassab (2002); a part of the V.

proprium/V. obessum Zone of Kassab & Obaidalla (2001); a part of Choffaticeras segne

Zone of Abdel- Gawad (1999), Abdel–Gawad et al. (2004a); and a part of V. proprium/W.

praecursor Zone of Kassab and Abdel-Maksoud (2007). Inter-regionally, it correlates

with a part of the V. proprium Zone (Meister et al., 1992; Pascal et al., 1993); a part of the

V. pioti Zone (Freund & Rabb, 1969;); a part of the Pseudaspidoceras flexuosum Zone

(Robaszynski et al., 1993; Abdallah et al., 1995; Abdallah & Meister, 1997; Kennedy et

al., 1987); a part of the Watinoceras cloradoense Zone (Wright & Kennedy, 1981; Wright

et al., 1984; Lehmann, 1999; Gale et al., 2005) and Pseudaspidoceras flexuosum Zone of

(Caron et al.; 2006, Robaszynski et al., 2010) of USA (Bengtson, 1996) (Tabs. 2,3).

Age Early Turonian.

C6- Mammites nodosoides Total-Range Zone

Boundaries: This zone is defined by the total range of the nominate taxon. It rests

conformably on the Vascoceras proprium Zone.

Occurrence: This zone is recorded from the upper most part of Abu Qada Formation at all

the studied sections sections.

Faunal Assemblage: Vascoceras durandi (Thomas & Peron), Paramammites

polymorphus (Pervinquiére), Neoptychites cephalotus (Courtiller), Choffaticeras quaasi

(Peron), Choffaticeras securiforme (Eck), Fagesia peroni (Pervinquière) and Thomasites

rollandi globosa (Thomas & Peron) are recorded from the stratigraphic interval of this

zone (Figs. 2-5).

Correlation: This zone is more or less equivalent to the Choffaticeras segne Zone of Kora

& Hamama (1987), Kassab & Obaidalla (2001), El- Hedeny (2002), Abdel–Gawad et al.

(2004a), and El- Sabbagh et al., (2011); and to Mammites nodosoides Zone of Zakhera

(2001), Zakhera & Kassab (2002), and Kassab & Abdel-Maksoud (2007). Inter-regionally,

the Mammites nodosoides Zone can be correlates partially or completely with Mammites

nodosoides Zone Wright & Kennedy, 1981; Wright et al., 1984; Robaszynski et al., 1993;

Abdallah et al., 1995; Abdallah & Meister, 1997; Lehmann, 1999; Gale et al., 2005; Caron

et al., 2006; V. birchbyi Bengtson, 1996; Watinoceras coloraddoense Zone (Kennedy &

Cobban 1991; Hancock et al. 1993; Abdallah et al. 2000); Thomasites rollandi (Caron et

al. 2006) (Tabs.2,3).

Age: Early Turonian.

C7- Choffaticeras segne Total-Range Zone


Boundaries: It is defined by the total range of the nominate taxon. It rests conformably on

the early Turonian Mammites nodosoides Zone.

Occurrence: This zone covers the interval sediments from the uppermost part of the Abu

Qada Formation to the lower part of the Wata Formation at all the studied sections.

Faunal Assemblage: Vascoceras durandi (Thomas & Peron), Choffaticeras securiforme

(Eck), Choffaticeras pavillieri Pervinquiére and Choffaticeras luciae (Pervinquiére) are

recorded from the stratigraphic interval of this zone (Figs.2-5).

Correlation: The present zone is equivalent to the Turonian Choffaticeras segne Zone of

Zakhera (2001), Zakhera & Kassab (2002) and Kassab & Abdel-Maksoud (2007), it

correlates to the Mammites nodosoides Zone of Aly & Abdel-Gawad (2001) and El-

Sabbagh (2008) (Tabs.2,3).

Age: Middle Turonian.

C8- Coilopoceras requienianum Partial-Range Zone

Boundaries: This zone is defined by the partial range of the nominate taxon from its FOD

to the top of the successions (Figs.4&5). It rests conformably over the Middle Turonian

Choffaticeras segne Zone.

Occurrence: The Coilopoceras requienianum Zone is recorded from the upper part of

Wata Formation at Wadi Abu Qada and Wadi Feiran sections. It is missing at north

Eastern Desert (Wadi Tarfa and Wadi El Dakhl sections) due to the absence of the upper

part of Wata Formation at this area.

Correlation: The present zone is equivalent to the Turonian Coilopoceras requienianum

Zone of Kora & Hamama (1987), Kassab (1999), Abdel-Gawad (1999), Kassab &

Obaidalla (2001), Zakhera (2001), Zakhera & Kassab (2002), Abdel-Gawad et al. (2004a),

El-Sabbagh (2008) and El-Sabbagh et al. (2011). It can be correlates with the

Coilopoceras inflatum Zone of Meister et al. (1992) and Pascal et al (1993) (Tabs.2,3).

Age: Late Turonian.

II-The bivalve Zones

B1- Ceratostreon flabellatum Interval Zone

Boundaries: This zone is delineated to cover the interval from the base of the studied

sections to the LAD of the nominate taxon.

Occurrence: This Zone is recorded from the Raha and Abu Qada formations at all the

studied sections.

Faunal Assemblage: Ilymatogyra (Afrogyra) africana (Lamarck), Exogyra (Costagyra)

olisiponensis (Sharpe), Rhynchostreon mermeti (Coquand), Gyrostrea delettrei (Coquand),

Exogyra pseudoafricana (Choffat), Maghrebella forgemoli (Coquand), Curvostrea

rouvillei (Coquand), Plicatula auressensis Coquand, Plicatula batnensis Coquand,

Venericardia (Venericardia) deserti (Douvillé), Arctica picteti (Coquand), Granocardium

productum (Sowerby), Acesta ( Acesta) hoernesi (Zittel), Protocardia hillana (Sowerby),

Dosinia delettrei, (Coquand), Cucullaea (Idonearca) diceras (Seguenza), Plectomya

humei (Fourtau) and Glossus (Glossus) solimani,are recorded from the stratigraphic

interval of this zone (Figs.2-5).

Correlation: This zone is equivalent to a part of Ilymatogyra (Afrogyra) africana and

Exogyra (Costagyra) olisiponensis zone of Kassab & Ismael (1996) (Tab.4).




B2- Exogyra (Costagyra) olisiponensis Interval Zone

Boundaries: It is delineated to define the interval from the LOD of the Ceratostreon

flabellatum to the FOD of the Pycnodonte (Phygraea) vesiculosa.

Occurrence: This zone is recorded from the Abu Qada Formation at all the studied

sections.

Faunal Assemblage: Ilymatogyra (Afrogyra) africana (Lamarck), Gyrostrea delettrei

(Coquand), Exogyra pseudoafricana (Choffat), Astarte (Astarte) tenuicostata (Seguenza),

Plicatula auressensis Coquand, Plicatula batnensis Coquand, Plicatula (Plicatula)

reynesi Coquand, Plicatula fourneli Coquand, Neithea (Neithea) aequicostata (Lamark),

Arctica picteti (Coquand), Rastellum carinatum (Lamark), Cucullaea (Idonearca) diceras

(Seguenza), Arctica humei (Cox), Meretrix plana (Sowerby), and Granocardium

productum (Sowerby), are recorded from the stratigraphic interval of this zone (Figs.2-5).

Correlation: This zone is equivalent to Pycnodonte vesiculosum, Exogyra (Costagyra)

olisiponensis, Ilymatogyra (Afrogyra) africana and Ceratostreon flabellatum zones of

Abdel-Gawad (1999 Exogyra (Costagyra) olisiponensis, , Ilymatogyra (Afrogyra)

africana zones of Khalil & Mashaly (2004) (Tab.4) .


B3- Pycnodonte (Phygraea) vesiculosa Total-Range Zone

Boundaries: It is delineated to define the interval which is covered by the total

stratigraphic range of the nominate taxon.

Occurrence: It is recorded from the Abu Qada Formation of all the studied sections.

Faunal Assemblage: Plicatula auressensis Coquand, Plicatula (Plicatula) reynesi

Coquand, Plicatula fourneli Coquand, Neithea (Neithea) aequicostata (Lamark), Glossus

aquilina (Coquand), Liopistha (Liopistha) aequivalves Goldfuss, Arctica orientalis

(Hamlin), Granocardium hassani Abbass, Arca (Barbatia) gigantea Abbass, Falventia

plana (Sowerby), Cucullaea (Idonearca) diceras (Seguenza), Granocardium productum

(Sowerby) and Anatina jetti Coquand are recorded from the stratigraphic interval of this

zone (Figs.2-5).

Correlation: This zone is equivalent to Ostrea olisiponensis Zone of Hume (1911), a part

of Exogyra suborbiculata Zone of Awad & Issawi (1975), Exogyra olisiponensis

/Ilymatogyra africana Zone of Kora & Hamama (1987a), Exogyra olisiponensis/

Hemiaster pseudofourneli Zone of Shahin (1988), Exogyra olisiponensis Zone of Kora et

al. (1993), Ilymatogyra africana/Costagyra olisiponensis Zone of Kassab & Ismael

(1996), Pycnodonte vesiculosum/Exogyra olisiponensis Zone of Abdel-Gawad (1999),

Acesta obliquistriata Zone of Kassab & Zakhera (1999), Exogyra olisiponensis Zone of

Kora et al., (2001), and Khalil & Mashaly (2004), Pycnodonte vesicularis Zone of

Abdelhady (2007), and Exogyra (Ceratostreon) olisiponensis Zone of El-Sabbagh (2008)

(Tab.4).


B4- Arca (Eonavicula) passyana Interval Zone

Boundaries: This zone is delineated to cover the interval LOD of Pycnodonte (Phygraea)

vesiculosa to the LOD of the nominate taxon.

Occurrence: It is recorded from the upper part of Abu Qada Formation at all the studied

sections.

Faunal Assemblage: Plicatula auressensis Coquand, Plicatula (Plicatula) reynesi

Coquand, Plicatula fourneli Coquand, Plicatula batnensis Coquand, Plicatula instabilis

Stoliczka, Neithea (Neithea) aequicostata (Lamark), Arctia cordata (Sharpe), Liopistha

(Liopistha) aequivalves Goldfuss, Flaventia plana (Sowerby), Flaventia faba (Sowerby),

Flaventia brongniartina (Leymerie), Linearia (Linearia) subtenuistriata (ďOrbigny),


Septifer (Septifer) samiri, (Abbass), Schedotrapezium trapezoidale (Römer), Cucullaea

(Idonearca) thevestensis (Coquand), Pteria (Electroma) hadhirensis Abbass, Pholadomya

vignesi Lartet, Pholadomya pedernalis Römer, Priscomactra angulata (Sowerby) are

recorded from the stratigraphic interval of this zone (Figs.2-5).

Correlation: This zone is equivalent to Mytiloides opalensis elongate and Arca passyana

zones of Zakhera (2001), Crassatella incurva Zone and a part of Inoceramus labiatus-

Arca passyana Zone of Kassab and Zakhera (1999), Neithia (Neithia) dutrugei Zone of

Abdelhady (2007) and Durania humei Zone of Awad and Issawi (1975) (Tab.4).


B5- Crassatella (Crassatella) seguenzai Interval Zone:

Boundaries: This zone is delineated to cover the interval from the LOD of Arca

(Eonavicula) passyana to the LOD of the nominate taxon.

Occurrence: This zone is recorded from the lower part of Wata Formation at all the

studied sections.

Faunal Assemblage: Plicatula (Plicatula) reynesi Coquand, Plicatula fourneli Coquand,

Plicatula instabilis Stoliczka, Flaventia plana (Sowerby), Flaventia faba (Sowerby),

Flaventia brongniartina (Leymerie), Pholadomya pedernalis Römer, are recorded from

the stratigraphic interval of this zone (Figs.2-5).

Correlation: This zone is equivalent to Inoceramus (Mytiloides) labiatus Zone of Zakhera

(2001) and a part of Inoceramus labiatus-Arca passyana Zone of Kassab and Zakhera

(1999) (Tab.4).

Age: Middle-Late Turonian.

III -The echinoid Zones

E1- Mecaster cubicus Total-Range Zone

Boundaries: This zone is delineated to define the interval which is covered by total

stratigraphic range of the nominate taxon.

Occurrence: This zone is recorded from the Raha and Abu Qada formations at all the

studied sections except for Wadi Abu Qada.

Correlation: It is equivalent to the Hemiaster cubicus Zone of Khalil & Mashaly, (2004)

and Abdel-Gawad et al. (2006, 2007).


E2- Mecaster pseudofourneli Interval Zone

Boundaries: It is delineated to cover the interval from the LOD of Mecaster cubicus to

the LOD of the nominate taxon.

Occurrence: The Mecaster pseudofourneli Zone is recorded from the Abu Qada

Formation at all the studied sections except for Wadi Abu Qada.

Faunal Assemblage: Coenholectypus pulvinatus (Desor) and Mecaster batnensis

(Coquand) (Figs.2-5).

Correlation: This zone is equivalent to the Ilymatogyra africana- Heterodiadema

libycum- Hemiaster (Mecaster) pseudofourneli Zone of Abdel-Gawad et al., (2006).


E3- Mecaster batnensis Interval Zone

Boundaries: This zone is delineated to cover the interval from the LOD of Mecaster

pseudofourneli to the FOD of Mecaster turonensis.

Occurrence: It is recorded from all the studied sections except for Wadi Abu Qada.



Faunal Assemblage: Mecaster pseudofourneli (Peron and Gauthier), Heterodiadema

libycum (Agassiz and Desor), Coenholectypus pulvinatus (Desor) and Micropedina

olisiponensis (Forbes) (Figs.2-5).

Correlation: This zone is equivalent to the Mecaster batnensis Zone of Kassab & Abdel-

Maksoud, (2007).


E4- Mecaster turonensis Total-Range Zone

Boundaries: This zone is delineated to define the interval which is cover by the total

range of the nominate taxon.

Occurrence: This zone is recorded from the upper part of Abu Qada Formation at all the

studied sections except for Wadi Abu Qada.

Faunal Assemblage: Coenholectypus turonensis (Desor) (Figs.2-5).

Correlation: This zone is equivalent to the Hemiaster (Mecaster) heberti turonensis –

Coenholectypus turonensis Acme Zone of Abdel-Gawad et al. (2004a, 2007) and

Hemiaster heberti turonensis Zone of Kassab and Abdel-Maksoud (2007).



Fig. (2): Stratigraphic-range of the identified macro-fossils and zonation of the

Cenomanian–Turonian successions at Wadi Tarfa section


Cenomanian–Turonian successions at Wadi El Dakhl section




Cenomanian–Turonian successions at Wadi Abu Qada section



Cenomanian–Turonian successions at Wadi Feiran section



THE CENOMANIAN/TURONIAN (C/T) BOUNDARY The C/T boundary at north Eastern Desert and southwestern Sinai is marked by the

occurrence of thin bed consists of silty shale which is intercalated within the marl and

limestone rocks of the upper part of Abu Qada Formation (Fig. 6). This interval is rich in

ammonites belonging to the Latest Cenomanian - Earliest Turonian time, and is occurred

at all the studied sections except for Wadi Abu Qada section due to a hiatus at the C/T

boundary. The boundary is characterized by the occurrence of irregular surface at Wadi

Tarfa, Wadi El Dakhl and Wadi Feiran. This irregular surface indicates the occurrence of

interzonal hiatus (short hiatus) at these sections.

The C/T boundary coincides with the contact between the Late Cenomanian ammonite

Vascoceras cauvini and the basal Turonian Watinoceras praecursor zones at Wadi Tarfa,

Wadi El Dakhl and Wadi Feiran sections. At Wadi Abu Qada section the basal Turonian

sediments are missing due to the occurrence of a long hiatus than the remainder sections.

This hiatus is evidenced by the absence of the Earliest Turonian ammonites taxa (e.g.

Watinoceras praecursor). The C/T boundary corresponds to the contact between the late

Cenomanian bivalve Pycnodonte vesiculosa Zone and the basal Turonian Arca

(Eonavicula) passyana Zone and the contact between the Late Cenomanian echinoid

Mecaster batnensis Zone and the basal Turonian echinoid Mecaster turonensis Zone. The

important bioevent which mark the C/T at the studied sections are (Fig.6):

1- The LOS of the ammonite Vascoceras cauvini, the bivalve Pycnodonte vesiculosa

and the echinoid Mecaster batnensis taxas.

2- The FOS of the ammonite Watinoceras praecursor and Watinoceras devonense,

the bivalve Arcca (Eonavicula) passyana and the echinoid Mecaster turonensis taxa.


Fig. (6): Bioevents at the Cenomanian-Turonian boundary at the studied sections

Cenomanian

Turonian



BIOSTRATIGRAPHY INTEGRATION

The integrated biostratigraphy is a technique that applied to establish simultaneous

biostratigraphical zonal schemes of multi-fossil groups based on integrated sampling. At

the present study, integration of the proposed ammonite, bivalve, and echinoid zones has

been achieved using the inter-calibration method of Koutsoukos and Bengtson (1993).

Integration of the established zones has revealed the following (Tab.1):

1- The late Cenomanian ammonite Neolobites vibrayeanus (A1) Zone is coeval to the

bivalve Ceratostreon flabellatum (B1) and Exogyra olisiponensis (B2)(lower part)

zones and to the echinoid Mecaster cubicus (E1)(upper part) and Mecaster

pseudofourneli (E2)(lower part) zones.

2- The Late Cenomanian ammonite Metoicoceras geslinianum (A2) Zone is correlate

with the middle part of the bivalve Exogyra olisiponensis (B2) Zone and with the

upper part of the echinoid Mecaster pseudofourneli (E2) Zone.

3- The Latest Cenomanian ammonite Vascoceras cauvini (A3) Zone is coeval to the

bivalve Exogyra olisiponensis (B2)(upper part) and Pycnodonte vesiculosa (B3)

zones and moreless to the echinoid Mecaster batnensis (E3) Zone.

4- The early Turonian ammonite Watinoceras praecursor (A4), Vascoceras proprium

(A5) and Mammites nodosoides (A6) zones are moreless coeval to the bivalve Arca

(Eonavicula) passyana (B4) Zone and to the echinoid Mecaster turonensis (E4)(main

part) Zone.

5- The middle Turonian ammonite Choffaticeras segne (A7) Zone is correlate to bivalve

Arca (Eonavicula) passyana (B4) (upper part) Zone and Crassatella seguenzai (B5)

Zone and upper part of the echinoid Mecaster turonensis (E4) Zone.

6- The stratigraphic interval which is covered by the Turonian ammonite Coilopoceras

requienianum (A8) zone is nearly characterized by the absence of both bivalve and

echinoid fauna.

CONCLUSIONS

The Cenomanian–Turonian transition exposed at north Eastern Dersert and southwestern

Sinai, Egypt, has been classified lithostratigraphy into three formations, namely: Raha (at

base), Abu Qada (at middle) and Wata (at top).

Based on vertical distribution of the macrofauna, 8 ammonite zones coeval with 5 bivalve

and 4 echinoid zones have been established. The ammonite zones are: Neolobites

vibrayaenus, Metoicoceras geslinianum, Vascoceras cauvini, Watinoceras praecursor,

Vascoceras proprium, Mammites nodosoides, Choffaticeras segne and Coilopoceras

requienianum. The bivalve zones are Ceratostreon flabellatum, Exogyra (Costagyra)

olisiponensis, Pycnodonte (Phygraea) vesiculosa, Arca passyana and Crassatella

sequenzai. The echinoid zones are Mecaster cubicus, Mecaster pseudofourneli, Mecaster

batnensis and Mecaster turonensis. The established cephalopod, bivalve and echinoid

zones have been integrated based on the inter-calibration method and correlated with zonal

schemes established in literature for other well dated regional and inter-regional sections.

The proposed zonal schemes have been used to define the C/T boundary which has been

located at the upper part of the Abu Qada Formation at the contact between the late

Cenomanian Vascoceras cauvini and the earliest Turonian Watinoceras praecursor

ammonite zones. In general, the C/T boundary is characterized by the occurrence of a

short hiatus at Wadi Tarfa, Wadi El Dakhl and Wadi Feiran. This hiatus is recorded within

Abu Qada Formation and lies within irregular surface. This irregular surface lies at the

Vascoceras cauvini (latest Cenomanian) and Watinoceras praecursor (earliest Turonian)

zonal boundary. On the other hand, the C/T boundary at Wadi Abu Qada section is marked


by the absence of the earliest Turonian ammonite Zone (Watinoceras praecursor Zone).

This indicates that the hiatus at Abu Qada section is longer than that at the remainder

sections. The important bioevents at the C/T boundary are the LOS of ammonite

Vascoceras cauvini, the bivalve Pycnodonte vesculosa and echinoid Mecaster batnensis

taxa, and FOS of ammonite Watinoceras praecursor, Watinoceras devonense, the bivalve

Arca (Eonavicula) passyana and the echinoid Mecaster turonensis taxa. Table (1): Integration of the cephalopod, bivalve and echinoid zones proposed for the

Cenomanian–Turonian in the studied sections.

Age Formation Cephalopod Zones Bivalve Zones Echinoid Zones

Tu

ron

ian

Wa

ta

Coilopoceras

requienianum

Total - Range Zone (A8)

Barren Barren

Crassatella seguenzai

Interval Zone (B5)

Mecaster turonensis

Total - Range Zone (E4)

Choffaticeras segne


Ab

u Q

ad

a

Arca (Eonavicula)

passyana

Interval Zone (B4)

Mammites nodosoides


Vascoceras proprium


Watinoceras praecursor


Cen

om

an

ian

Vascoceras cauvini


Pycnodonte vesiculosa

Total - Range Zone (B3) Mecaster batnensis

Interval Zone (E3)

Exogyra olisiponensis

Interval Zone (B2) Metoicoceras geslinianum


Mecaster pseudofourneli

Interval Zone (E2)

Neolobites vibreanus


Ra

ha

Ceratostreon flabellatum

Interval Zone (B1) Mecaster cubicus

Total - Range Zone (E1)

Table (2): Possible regional Cenomanian–Turonian zones correlations proposed of this study with other localities in Egypt

The present

study

Kassab &

Obaidalla,

2001 (Sinai)

Kora et al., 2001

(Gulf of Suez)

Abdel-Gawad,

1999(Sinai)

Kassab

&

Ismael, 1996 (Sinai)

Kassab, 1999

(Gulf of Suez)

Kora et al., 1993

(Sinai)

Galal et al.,2001 north)

Eastern Desert)

Luger

& Gröschke,

1989 (Wadi Qena)

Kora &

Hamama,

1987 (Sinai)

Ag

e

Coilopoceras requienianum

Coilopoceras

requienianum



Choffateceras

segne

Mammites nodosoides

Coilopoceras

requenianum Coilopoceras

newelli

Fagesia cf. superstes


Tu

ron

ian

Choffaticeras segne

Choffaticeras

segne

Mammites nodosoides

M. nodosoides

Thomasites sp

Cho

ffate

cera

s

segn

e

Cho

ffate

cera

s

segn

e

Mammites nodosoides

Choffaticeras

segne

Choffaticeras

segne

Vascoceras

proprium V. proprium

/ V. obesum

Exo

gyr

a o

lisi

ponen

sis

Vascoceras proprium

P.flexuosum /

V. proprium

P.flexuosum /

V. proprium

Vascoceras

durandi

Mammites

nodosoides

Watinoceras praecursor

Vascoceras cauvini

Vascoceras cauvini

P.vesiculosum-

Exogyra

olisiponensis

Ilymatogyra

africana /

Costagyra olisiponensis

Vascoceras

cauvini

E. (C.) olisiponensis

Vascoceras

cauvini

V. cauvini

V. rumeaui V. gamai

E. (C.)

olisiponensis /

Ilymatogyra africana

Cen

om

an

ian

Metoicoceras

geslinianum

Neolobites vibrayeanus

Il. africana /


Il. africana- C. flabellatum

Metoicoceras geslinianum

Barren

Interzone


Metengo. cf acutum


Neolobites

vibrayeanus

Neolobites

vibrayeanus /

Costagyra

olisiponensis

Il. africana

Neolobites

vibrayeanus

Neolobites

vibrayeanus Hemiaster cubicus Hemiaster

cubicus


Table (2): Continued.

The present

study

Abdel-Gawad et al., 2006, 2007 &

Saber, 2012 (north

Eastern Desert)

Gertsch et al.,

2010 (Sinai) &

El-Sabbagh et al., 2011 (NE

Egypt)

Kassab & Abdel-Maksoud,

2007

(Sinai)

Khalil &

Mashaly, 2004 (Sinai)

Abdel-Gawad et

al., 2004a (Sinai)

El-Hedeny,

2002 (Sinai)

Zakhera & Kassab,

2002

(Sinai)

Aly & Abdel-

Gawad, 2001

(Sinai)

Zakhera,

2001 (Sinai)

Ag

e

Coilopoceras

requienianum

Coilopoceras

requienianum





Coilopoceras

requienianum

Tu

ron

ian

Choffaticeras

segne

Cho

ffati

cera

s

segn

e

Choffaticeras segne

Choffaticeras

segne

Va

sco

cera

s p

rop

riu

m

/

Cho

ffate

cera

s se

gn

e

Choffateceras sinaticum

Cho

ffati

ce

ras

segn

e

Choffaticeras

segne

Mammites nodosoides

Choffaticeras

segne

Mammites nodosoides

Mammites nodosoides

Choffaticeras segne

Mammites nodosoides

Choffaticeras segne

Mammites nodosoides

Vascoceras

proprium P. flexuosum Vascoceras proprium

V. proporium /

W. praecursor

Vascoceras

proprium

P. flexuosum /

V. proprium

Pseuda.

flexuosum

P. flexuosum /

V. proprium Watinoceras praecursor

Vascoceras cauvini

Vascoceras cauvini

Vascoceras cauvini

V. Cauvini /

P.

pseudonodosoides

Exogyra olisiponensis

Vascoceras cauvini

Vascoceras cauvini

Vascoceras cauvini

Vascoceras cauvini

Vascoceras

cauvini

Cen

om

an

ian

Metoicoceras

geslinianum Neolobites

vibrayeanus Neolobites

vibrayeanus

Metoicoceras

geslinianum

Il. africana

/ Neolobites

vibrayeanus

P. pseudonodosoides

/ R.alatum


Metoicoceras

geslinianum

Metoicoceras

geslinianum


Neolobites

vibrayeanus





Amphidonte flabellatum

Acanthoceras

amphibolum

Hemiaster cubicus



Table (3): Possible zones correlations proposed for the Cenomanian–Turonian successions of this study with other well

Inter- regional.

he present

study

Robaszynski et al., 2010

(Tunisia)

Caron et al., 2006

(Tunisia & USA)

Wright &

Kennedy, 1981,

Wright et al., 1984, Lehmann,

1999 and Gale et

al., 2005 (Europe)

Robaszynski et al., 1993, Abdallah et

al., 1995 and

Abdallah & Meister, 1997

(Tunisia)

Bengtson, 1996

(GSSP)

Meister et al.,

1992

and Pascal et al.,1993 (Niger)

Cobban & Hook, 1983, Cobban,

1984, 1986 (New

Mexico & USA) and Kennedy et al.,

1987 (W. Texas)

Freund &

Raab, 1969 and Lewy et

al., 1984

(Negev)

Ag

e

Coilopoceras

requienianum

Coilopoceras

inflatum

Tu

ron

ian

Choffaticeras

segne

Collignoniceras

Woollgari Collignoniceras

woollgari

Collignoniceras woollgari

Mammites nodosoides

Mammites nodosoides

Mammites nodosoides

Mammites nodosoides

Mammites nodosoides

Choff. luciae

trisellatum

Choff. quaasi

Choffaticeras

securiforme

Mammites nodosoides

Pseudotissotia nigeriensis

Thmasites rollandi

Watinoceras coloraddoense

Vascoceras birchbyi

Vascoceras birchbyi

Vascoceras

proprium Pseudaspidoceras

flexuosum

Pseudaspidoceras

flexuosum Pseudaspidoceras flexuosum

Pseudaspidoceras flexuosum Vascoceras

proprium

Pseudaspidoceras flexuosum

Vascoceras

pioti Watinoceras

praecursor Watinoceras sp. Watinoceras sp.

Watinoceras

devonense

Vascoceras cauvini

Pseudaspidaceras

pseudonodosoids

Pseudaspidaceras

pseudonodosoids

Neocardioceras

juddi

Pseudaspidaceras pseudonodosoids

Nigericeras scotti

Vascoceras cauvini

Neocardioceras juddi

Vascoceras cauvini

Cen

om

an

ian

Neocardioceras juddi

Buttoceras clydense Vascoceras

cauvini Kanabiceras

sp.




Euomphaloceras septemseriatum

Sciponoceras gracile

Nigericeras

gadeni

Sciponoceras gracile

Calycoceras

sp.

Metoicoceras mosbyense


Metoicoceras

mosbyense Neolobites vibrayeanus


Calucoceras guerangeri

Eucalycoceras pentagonum

Calucoceras guerangeri


Table (4): Possible correlation of the bivalve zones proposed for the Cenomanian–Turonian successions of this study with other localities

in Egypt.

Ag

e Hume, 1911

(Egypt)

Awad & Issawi,

1975

(Egypt)

Kora &

Hamama, 1987a

(Sinai)

Shahin,

1988

(Sinai)

Abdelhady,

2007

(N. Wadi

Qena)

Zakhera, 1999

And Kassab & Zakhera, 1999

(N. E. Desert)

Zakhera,

2001

(Sinai)

Kassab and

Abdel-Maksoud 2007

(Sinai)

El-Sabbagh, 2008

The present study

Tu

ron

ian

Hemitissotia sp.

/

Pseudotissotia sp.

Mammites

nodosoides

Neithia (Neithea) dutrugei

Inoceramus (Mytiloides)

labiatus

Meretrix

dutrugei

Crassatella

seguenzai Inoceramus

labiatus /

Arca passyana Arca passyana

Arca

(Eonavicula)

passyana Durania humei

Crassatella incurva

Mytiloides

opalensis

elongata

Cen

om

an

ian

Ostrea olisiponensis

Exogyra suborbiculata

/

Ostrea mermeti Exogyra (C.)

olisiponensis

/ Ilymatogyra

africana

Exogyra

olisiponensis /

Hemiaster

pseudofourneli

Pycnodonte vesicularis

Acesta obliquistriata

P. vesiculosum /

Ex. olisiponensis

Pycnodonte

vesiculosa Exogyra (C.)

olisiponensis

Pycnodonte

vesiculosa

Ostrea flabellata

Exogyra (C.)

olisiponensis


/



/

Aporrhais dutrugei

-Opis

haldonensis

Costagyra olisiponensis

Exogyra

olisiponensis Exogyra africana

/ Neolobites fourtaui

Barren

Ostrea africana

Il. africana

/ Cer. flabellatum

/

Rh. sub- orbiculatum

Ilymatogyra (A.)africana Exogyra

olisiponensis

/

Hemiaster pseudo-fourneli

Rhynchostreon Mermeti -

Ceratostreon

flabellatum

Ceratostreon flabellatum Ostrea

suborbiculata


Plate 1

1, 2 Neolobites vibrayeanus (ďOrbigny); 3, 4 Metoicoceras geslinianum (ďOrbigny); 5, 6

Vascoceras cauvini Chudeau; 7- 9 Watinoceras praecursor Wright & Kennedy.

Scale bar = 1cm.

Plate 2

1, 2 Vascoceras proprium (Reyment); 3, 4 Mammites nodosoides (Schlüter); 5, 6

Choffaticeras segne (Solger); 1.2; Scale bar = 3cm; 3-6, Scale bar = 1cm.

1 2 3

4

5 6

1 2 3

4

5 6

7 8 9


Plate 3

1, 2 Coilopoceras requienianum (ďOrbigny); 3, 4 Ceratostreon flabellatum (Goldfuss); 5,

6 Exogyra (Costagyra) olisiponensis (Sharpe); 7, 8 Pycnodonte (Phygraea) vesiculosa

(Sowerby); 9, 10 Arca (Eonavicula) passyana d’Orbigny.

1, 2; Scale bar = 3cm; 3- 10, Scale bar = 1cm.

Plate 4

1- 4 Crassatella (Crassatella) seguenzai (Thomas & Peron); 5, 6 Mecaster cubicus

(Desor); 7, 8 Mecaster turonensis (Fourtau); 9, 10 Mecaster batnensis (Coquand); 11

Mecaster pseudofourneli (Peron & Gauthier). Scale bar = 1cm.

3 2 1 4

5 6

1

1

1

0

9

7

8

1 2

4 3 6 5

8 7

9

1

0



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