Albian

La série mésocrétacée (Albien supérieur-Cénomanien inférieur) des monts des Ouled Naïl (Atlas saharien oriental, Algérie) est représentée par des alternances marno-calcaires qui sont caractérisées par une bioturbation modérée à faible. Cette dernière comprend Gyrolithes isp., Oichnus isp., Planolites isp., Skolithos isp., Thalassinoides isp., T. paradoxicus Woodward, 1830, T. suevicus Rieth, 1930 et Tisoa siphonalis de Serres, 1840. L'ichnoassemblage enregistré ici est représenté par des traces d'habitat (domichnia), de nutrition (fodinichnia) et de prédation (praedichnia), produites essentiellement par des crustacés décapodes, des vers (surtout des polychètes) et des gastéropodes naticidés. Il reflète les ichnofaciès à Skolithos et à Glossifungites. Aussi, les terriers de Thalassinoides paradoxicus et la trace bioérosive (boring) Oichnus sont enregistrés pour la première fois en Algérie. Sédimentologiquement, quinze (15) faciès-types ont été décrits et interprétés sur le plan environnemental. Les données sédimentologiques et l'évolution verticale des traces fossiles corroborent un milieu marin très peu profond à influence tidale dans la partie basale de la série, qui est caractérisée par l'abondance des trois ichnoespèces de Thalassinoides et par la présence des séquences loféritiques. Un approfondissement a eu lieu dans la partie centrale de la série, marquée surtout par la dominance des calcaires micritiques, la rareté de la faune benthique et la présence de la trace bioérosive Oichnus. L'étude sédimentologique de la partie sommitale de la série suggère un environnement marin peu profond, soumis à l'action des vagues de tempêtes et de marées, indiqué par la fréquence des figures sédimentaires (HCS, SCS, laminations entrecroisées…) et des traces fossiles qui supportent des conditions pareilles (ex. Skolithos isp., Tisoa siphonalis).

2013.29 These maps (rectilinear projection) are from the PALEOMAP PaleoAtlas for ArcGIS (Scotese, 2013a-f).  This is a digital atlas of plate tectonic, paleogeographic, and paleoclimatic reconstructions designed for use with the GIS software, ArcMap (ESRI).  Table 1 lists the various types of maps that comprise the PALEOMAP PaleoAtlas.  The maps included in this folio are highlighted in bold text (Table 1).
The last map in each folio is a rectilinear graticule that can be overlain on the maps to provide a geographic reference frame.  A rectilinear projection was used because it can be easily georeferenced in ArcMap and transformed into a variety of other map projections.  The rectilinear, or plate caree map projection can also be directly “wrapped” onto a spherical projection, like the oneused by Google Earth. A set of Google Earth paleoglobes has made from the maps in this folio. These Google Earth paleoglobes can be downloaded at: www.globalgeology.com. 
If the map you need is missing, or if there doesn’t seem to be a map folio for the exact time interval of interest, please contact me ([email protected]). Table 2 lists all the time intervals that comprise the PALEOMAP PaleoAtlas for ArcGIS. The PaleoAtlas contains one map for every stage in the Phanerozoic, as well as 6 maps for the late Precambrian.  Eventually, Map Folios, like this one, will be published for every time interval in the PALEOMAP PaleoAtlas.  The following section is a brief description of the maps that makeup the Map Folio.

Place names with roots Arb / Alb / Alp are across Europe, the Mediterranean Sea, the Americas, Asia, and Oceania.

And the Albanian Tongue (Shqip) version of this paper is here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/19JH2_hE-gluUErP3bwfXNTkywOfyYglj/view?usp=sharing

The present paper documents and discusses a new Albian–early Cenomanian carbon isotope (13Ccarb and 13Corg) curve from the subequatorial Eastern Pacific in Peru. Chemostratigraphic evidences for the expression of the OAE1b set and for OAE1c and OAE1d are presented. This dataset is relevant inasmuch as previous work is strongly biased towards study sites in North America (Western Interior Basin), in Europe (Tethys) and the Pacific realm. A comparison of the carbon isotope stratigraphy obtained in Peru with published sections from the Central and Western Pacific, the Western Atlantic and Northern and Western Tethys reveals an overall good agreement supporting the global nature of the isotope patterns described here. The 13C from Peru record is constrained by biostratigraphic evidence and 87Sr/86Sr isotope stratigraphy using well-preserved oyster shells. Furthermore, we document the development of a heterozoan epeiric-neritic mixed carbonate-siliciclastic ramp in the Western Platform of Peru and its corresponding sedimentary facies associations. This dataset was used to elucidate the complex interplay of climatic changes, nutrient supply, and platform drowning, leading to the following conclusions: (i) An upper Aptian–lower Albian major change from siliciclastic-dominated to carbonate sedimentation coincided with the impact of the Kilian Level. (ii) A lower Albian incipient platform drowning linked to the impact of the Paquier Level. (iii) A lower middle Albian major demise of neritic carbonate production that coincides with the Leenhardt Level, followed by middle Albian condensed sedimentation that reports prominent negative values in 13Ccarb prior to the onset of OAE1c. (4) Finally, renewed carbonate ramp production during the upper Albian–lower Cenomanian. The data shown here represent the foundation for future work documenting the mid–Cretaceous of Peru and its implications for the palaeoceanography of the SE subequatorial Pacific.

2013.31 These maps (rectilinear projection) are from the PALEOMAP PaleoAtlas for ArcGIS (Scotese, 2013a-f).  This is a digital atlas of plate tectonic, paleogeographic, and paleoclimatic reconstructions designed for use with the GIS software, ArcMap (ESRI).  Table 1 lists the various types of maps that comprise the PALEOMAP PaleoAtlas.  The maps included in this folio are highlighted in bold text (Table 1).
The last map in each folio is a rectilinear graticule that can be overlain on the maps to provide a geographic reference frame.  A rectilinear projection was used because it can be easily georeferenced in ArcMap and transformed into a variety of other map projections.  The rectilinear, or plate caree map projection can also be directly “wrapped” onto a spherical projection, like the oneused by Google Earth. A set of Google Earth paleoglobes has made from the maps in this folio. These Google Earth paleoglobes can be downloaded at: www.globalgeology.com. 
If the map you need is missing, or if there doesn’t seem to be a map folio for the exact time interval of interest, please contact me ([email protected]). Table 2 lists all the time intervals that comprise the PALEOMAP PaleoAtlas for ArcGIS. The PaleoAtlas contains one map for every stage in the Phanerozoic, as well as 6 maps for the late Precambrian.  Eventually, Map Folios, like this one, will be published for every time interval in the PALEOMAP PaleoAtlas.  The following section is a brief description of the maps that makeup the Map Folio.

Phylogenetic analysis of the subfamily Anahoplitinae (sensu wright 1996) suggests a very different content and classification to that proposed by the Treatise. Since Anahoplitinae are the ultimate source of Placenticeratidae, here Anahoplitinae and descendent Semenoviceratinae are removed from Hoplitidae and transferred to Placenticeratidae as primitive rootstock. Within Anahoplitinae, Lepthoplites is resurrected from synonymy, Hengestites is transferred from Placenticeratidae (sensu wright 1996), Sulcohoplites post-dates the Treatise and Euhoplitoides n. g. is new. Resurrected Semenoviceratinae, a paraphyletic taxon, embraces Neanahoplites n. g., Planihoplites which was too late for the Treatise, Semenoviceras and broadly-interpreted Karamaites (with numerous alleged synonyms); the latter is the direct ancestor of Late Cretaceous placenticeratines. Neotypes are designated and figured for a number of species.

The Aptian/Albian oceanic anoxic event 1b contains the record of several perturbations in the global carbon cycle and multiple black shale levels, particularly in the Western Tethys. The local lithological expression of an oceanic anoxic event depends on palaeogeographical and depositional setting as well as on regional palaeoclimate. Marine sediments at a particular location may therefore be more or less organic-rich (or not at all) and they may consist of different lithologies. In most studies, however, much of the lithological variability associated with oceanic anoxic events is left unaccounted for and, thus, the exact processes leading to the enrichment of organic matter in these marine sediments and their subsequent preservation in the geological record are unknown. This study focuses on the local sedimentary processes behind the deposition of organic-rich sediments at Deep Sea Drilling Project Site 545 and Ocean Drilling Program Sites 1049 and 1276 in the North Atlantic during oceanic anoxic event 1b. Although specifically dealing with the sediments deposited during this particular event at these localities, it is expected that the same processes were responsible for determining the exact sedimentary products at localities in similar settings, as well as during other similar events in the Mesozoic. Here, it is shown that the deposition of organic-rich sediments during oceanic anoxic event 1b was a consequence of the enhanced productivity favoured by upwelling and by riverine nutrient input, or aeolian fertilization of the euphotic zone depending on geographical location. Slope instability processes resulted in the transfer of part of these organic-rich sediments from the shelf to deep sea depocentres as mud-laden organic-rich turbidites, especially in the northern North Atlantic. The so-called ‘black shales’ are much more varied than their name implies. The end product of sedimentation during an oceanic anoxic event at a particular location is commonly the result of several equifinal processes acting on a local scale rather than the direct result of basinal or even global mechanisms.

An Early Cretaceous (Aptian or earliest Albian) impression flora is described from the upper part of the Maryborough Formation in the Maryborough Basin, southern Queensland. The flora is preserved in marine sediments hosting an abundant invertebrate fauna dominated by bivalve molluscs. The flora incorporates single species attributable to the Polypodiophyta, Pentoxylales and Bennettitales. Two cuneate leaves have affinities either with the Ginkgoales or seed-ferns. Four species of conifer foliage are represented together with araucarian ovulate cones. Fossils considered by previous workers to be plant roots are reinterpreted as invertebrate burrows, and forms attributed to equisetalean nodal diaphtragms may alternatively represent gastropod opercula. An Aptian or earliest Albian age based on past studies of the fossil fauna is supported by the presence of the stratigraphic index fossil Phyllopteroides serrata Cantrill & Webb.

Resumen
Se describe una especie nueva del género Leptosalenia Smith & Wright, 1990 con material procedente del Albiense de la sierra de Aralar (Nafarroa), de la cuenca Vasco-Cantábrica: L. botanzi sp. nov. Se revisan las diferencias entre todas las especies del genero Leptosalenia entre el Aptiense y el Cenomaniense. L. botanzi es grande para el género, alta, con largas fosetas suturales perpendiculares a las líneas de sutura entre las placas del sistema apical y apuntando hacia los gonoporos; la placa suranal es de menor tamaño que el periprocto; tiene 4 tubérculos principales por serie en los interambulacros. La especie nueva se ha encontrado junto a una abundante fauna de braquiópodos, lo que implicaría una salinidad marina normal, y diversidad de corales, de la que se puede deducir una profundidad moderada. De hecho el yacimiento está muy cerca de importantes arrecifes fósiles de la misma edad, lo que quizás indicaría un mar de poca profundidad y, es muy posible, que con cierta protección del mar abierto. Esta es la tercera especie de Leptosalenia registrada en la cuenca Vasco-Cantabrica; las otras
dos son L. prestensis (Desor, 1856) y L. barredai Forner, 2014. El listado para toda la península ibérica se completa con L. grasi (Cotteau, 1861). L. botanzi es la segunda especie de este género que se describe, recientemente, en el Albiense de la península ibérica. La otra especie L. barredai descrita en la cuenca del Maestrat ha sido encontrada también en la cuenca Vasco-Cantábrica, confirmando la fácil comunicación entre las dos cuencas.
Abstract
A new species of genus Leptosalenia Smith & Wright 1990 is described, with material from the Albian of the Sierra de Aralar (Nafarroa, N Spain), of the Basque-Cantabrian basin: L. botanzi sp. nov. The differences between all species of the genus Leptosalenia between the Aptian and
Cenomanian are revised. L. botanzi is large, for the genus, high and with elongated sutural pits, perpendicular to the suture line and pointing to gonopores; suranal plate smaller than the periproct; it has 4 primary tubercles in series in the interambulacra. The new species has been
found with an abundant fauna of brachiopods, which would mean a normal marine salinity, and diversity of corals, from which a moderate depth can be deduced. In fact, the site is very close to important fossil reefs of the same age, which may indicate a shallow sea and it is very
possible that it had some protection from the open sea. This is the third kind of Leptosalenia recorded in the Basque-Cantabrian basin; the other two are L. prestensis (Desor, 1856) and L. barredai Forner, 2014. The listing for the entire Iberian Peninsula is completed with L. grasi (Cotteau,
1861). L. botanzi is the second species of this genus that has been recently described in the Albian of the Iberian Peninsula. L. barredai, the other species described in the Maestrat basin, has also been found in the Basque-Cantabrian basin, confirming the easy communication between the two basins

Spodnokriedový paleokras v bradle čorštynskej jednotky severne od Zázrivej (pieninské bradlové pásmo, oravský úsek, severné Slovensko) Abstract: New locality with well preserved palaeokarst surface was discovered north of the Zázrivá village in the Orava sector of the Pieniny Klippen Belt. The klippe belongs to the Czorsztyn Succession and is known among the local settlers as "Erdútsky kostol". The outcropping succession starts with red nodular limestone of the Czorsztyn Limestone Formation of the Kimmeridgian to the Middle Tithonian age, followed by the Dursztyn Limestone Formation. The latter consists of red bedded micritic limestones of the Korowa Limestone Member and white micritic limestones of the Sobótka Limestone Member. Stratigraphically, the succession covers the time span from the Kimmeridgian to the Early Berriasian. The Sobótka Limestone Member displays unusual succession of calpionellids and is terminated by uneven palaeokarstic surface domi-nated by hummocky...

A revision of the Caprinuloideidae Damestoy is undertaken investigating the myocardinal arrangements, the presence or absence of an external ligamental groove, and the distribution of pallial canals in order to arrive at a phylogenetically sound method of classification of the family. The Caprinuloideidae are placed in the Caprinoidea d'Orbigny under the suborder Radiolitidina Skelton, together with three other families: the Caprinidae d'Orbigny, the Ichthyosarcolitidae Douvillé and the Antillocaprinidae Mac Gillavry. The Caprinuloideidae is here subdivided into three subfamilies: the Amphitriscolinae subfam. nov., the Caprinuloideinae Damestoy, and the Youngicaprininae subfam. nov. The Amphitriscolinae subfam. nov. are characterized by a thin ventral wall adjacent to the body cavity that lacks pallial canals, the Caprinuloideinae, by a thickened ventral wall with pallial canals, and the Youngicaprininae subfam. nov. by a modified myocardinal arrangement with a tooth-like anterior myophore and a ribbed posterior myophore. Two new genera are described; Neokimbleia gen. nov. and Youngicaprina gen. nov.; and three new species: Neokimbleia acutus gen. et sp. nov., Youngicaprina sangabrieli gen. et sp. nov. and Y. gloria gen. et sp. nov.

Acanthoceras gevreyi JACOB, 1907 originates from a condensed Albian horizon at La Perte du Rhône, Belle garde (Ain, F rance). This species is still v ery poorly known and its taxonomic interpretation in the literature is most often er roneous. New and abundant material from SE F rance, North Africa and South America allows the revision of this taxon and shows that Lyelliceras flandrini DUBOURDIEU, 1953, is one of its minor subjecti ve synonyms. As a consequence the systematic position, stratigraphic range and palaeobiogeographic distribution of Acanthoceras gevreyi JACOB are discussed. Prolyelliceratidae fam. nov. is proposed.

Based on new material collected from the Risan Aneiza Formation at Gabal Maaza (Maghara area, Sinai), the occurrence of the cosmopolitan Albian genus Douvilleiceras is unequivocally documented for the first time in Egypt. Douvilleiceras orbignyi, a species known to characterise the middle to uppermost lower Albian of Western Europe, is identified. The taxonomy, palaeogeography and population dynamics of the hypernodose forms of Douvilleiceras, e.g. the "aequinodum" group of the literature are discussed.

TMadagascar is an emerging country, characterized by wonderful landscapes and environments. Madagascar Geoheritage, an international association which groups scientist worldwide (Canada, France, Italy, Poland, Madagascar), is working on a project aimed at protection and valorization of places characterized by outstanding geological and paleontological features. The association wants to emphasize protection of sites and promoting geotourism and geoparks. The valorization of a site for geotouristic purposes must be preceded by its protection and this is the work done at the paleontological site of Mahajanga. One place for which is necessary an urgent protection is the paleontological site belonging to the Upper Cretaceous (Albian) sedimentary formations of the southern sector of Mahajanga Basin (northwestern Madagascar); in the last fifteen years, the site has become the destination of an illegal commercial exploitation for its fossiliferous content. The intensive excavation of these sites could implicate their complete disappearance. The establishment of protected paleontological sites is essential for saving the Mahajnga paleontological record. The Mahajanga basin has recently received increasing attention from scientists and stakeholders concerned about a territory under threat, and they have concentrated their efforts to increase its preservation status and to acknowledge the site as a paleontological heritage site. An inventory of these fossil sites, considered important both scientifically and educationally, and the assessment of their degradation will provide important clues in the development of guidelines about paleontological research and collection of fossils. The latter will also have an impact on the activities of local populations, an impact strongly associated to the intensity and form of degradation here questioned.

This paper reports a new Early Cretaceous flora discovered recently near the village of Estercuel (Teruel province, northeastern Spain). Thee plant bearing beds belong to the uppermost part of the Early Cretaceous succession, at the top of the fluvial deposits of the Utrillas Formation. The site has yielded a diverse assemblage of plant compressions including lycopods and ferns, various gymnosperms as well as terrestrial and aquatic angiosperms. Leaves of aquatic lycopods (Isoetites sp.) constitute a minor component of the palaeobotanical assemblage. Filicales are not very common, with Dicksoniales (Onychiopsis sp.) and a few specimens of Cladophlebis type fronds. The gymnosperms are represented by fragmented remains of long parallel veined Desmiophyllum leaves as well as a great abundance of conifer axis corresponding to the form-genus Pagiophyllum and female cones. Terrestrial angiosperms include pinnately lobed leaves of the genus Myricompia, simple leaves with spatulate lamina and some petiolate leaves both corresponding to angiosperms of uncertain affinity. Aquatic angiosperms consist of Nelumbo-like floral receptacles (Nelumbonaceae, Proteales) and Aquatifolia cf. fluitans (Nympheales). The palynological assemblage is dominated by pollen of gymnosperms (mainly Taxodiaceaepollenites hiatus, Classopollis major and Araucariacites australis). It also includes many angiosperm grains (Afropollis jardinus, Clavatipollenites spp., Dichastopollenites spp., Liliacidites doylei, Monosulcites chaloneri, Penetetrapites mollis, Pennipollis spp., Phimopollenites augathellaensis, Retimonocolpites textus, Rousea spp., Senectotetradites varireticulatus, Stellatopollis barghoornii, Striatopollis spp., Transitoripollis sp. cf. T. similis, Tricolpites spp., Tricolporoidites sp.) and records the first occurrence of tricolporate forms in the uppermost part of the Utrillas Formation. Both macroflora and microflora assemblages present taxa similar to those of the uppermost Albian Shaftesbury Formation in northwestern Alberta in Canada, the uppermost Albian Denton Shale Member of Bokchito Formation in southern Oklahoma, the lower part of the Upper Albian Dakota Formation from the mid-west of North America, and Subzone II C of the Potomac Group, eastern United States. Both macro- and microflora assemblages display boreal influence with some similar taxa to those of the Upper Albian Kome Formation in western Greenland and some taxa as Afropollis jardinus and Stellatopollis barghoornii more frequently found in the tethyan and gondwanan realms. A gondwanan affinity is also indicated by the presence of Klitzschophyllites leaves.

Despite the exceptional palaeontological richness of the renowned Santana Group from the Early Cretaceous Araripe Basin of Brazil, only one specimen of true crabs (Brachyura) has been discovered to date. Here we present two new genera and species of brachyuran crabs from the upper Aptian-lower Albian Romualdo Formation of the Santana Group, represented by 30 specimens from several localities across the Araripe Basin in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. One taxon, Exucarcinus gonzagai Prado and Luque gen. et sp. nov., is similar to several endemic stem raninoidans (Orithopsidae) from the late Aptian and early Albian of Colombia and the USA, respectively, while Romualdocarcinus salesi Prado and Luque gen. et sp. nov., seems to be closer to "higher" true crabs (Eubrachyura) from the Cenomanian of Spain. The presence of taxa similar to those from the mid-Cretaceous of northern South America, southern North America, and western Europe, reinforces the view of a Tethyan marine influence in Araripe during the breakup of South America and Africa, and adds to the growing data that suggest a generic and specific degree of endemism of true crabs in tropical South America during the mid-Cretaceous.

A new paleontological finding is coming from Majella National Park. On an erratic calcareous block, a rich ammonites assemblage has been found. The block comes from the heart-side of Majella Mountain, between the town of Pennapiedimonte (CH) and the locality of Gobbe di Selva Romana (CH). Within the block, ammonites are preserved in two levels and in each level the association is classed; specimens are predominantly iso-oriented. On higher level ammonites are randomly-oriented in some case. The spatial position of block is given by the presence of empty or crystallized cavities inside fossils, together with infaunal echinoid in living position.
The sizes, orientation and fabric of specimens, the presence of cavities inside fossils, together with the presence of infaunal echinoids and some bioclast seem to suggest an inter-tidal to sub-tidal paleo-environment. A "paleo-beach" characterized by two shell-accumulation events.
Each level shows an own ammonites association which gives biostratigraphic information. The lower level is characterized by several specimen of lower Albian Brancoceras senequieri. Upper Albian Tetragonites timotheanus is present in the upper level.
In conclusion, even though only the first step of study is presented here, the scientific importance of sample appears clear. It is a very powerful instrument to reconstruct the Albian world preserved in the most hidden side of so-called Mother Mountain.

The palynocomplexes of different facies Albian sediments Ukraine are determined and described: Volyn-Podillia plate, Ukrainian shield, Prichernomorskaya depression, Mountain Crimea, part akvatoryy Ukrainian Azov Sea. Early Albian, Middle Albian and Late Albian palynocomplexes are determined in some region. The Albian sediments the studied region Ukraine subdivided correlation on palynological data.
Key words: palynocomplex, Albian sediments, Ukraine.
Установлены и охарактеризованы палинокомлексы с разнофациальных альбских отложений Украины: Волыно-Подольской плиты, Украинского щита, Причерноморской впадины, Горного Крыма, украинской части акватории Азовского моря. В некоторых регионах установлены ранне-, средне- и позднеальбские палинокомплексы. Проведено корреляцию альбских отложений изученых регионов Украины по палинологическим данным.
Ключевые слова: палинокомплекс, альбские отложения, Украина.

Spodnokriedový paleokras v bradle čorštynskej jednotky severne od Zázrivej (pieninské bradlové pásmo, oravský úsek, severné Slovensko) Abstract: New locality with well preserved palaeokarst surface was discovered north of the Zázrivá village in the Orava sector of the Pieniny Klippen Belt. The klippe belongs to the Czorsztyn Succession and is known among the local settlers as "Erdútsky kostol". The outcropping succession starts with red nodular limestone of the Czorsztyn Limestone Formation of the Kimmeridgian to the Middle Tithonian age, followed by the Dursztyn Limestone Formation. The latter consists of red bedded micritic limestones of the Korowa Limestone Member and white micritic limestones of the Sobótka Limestone Member. Stratigraphically, the succession covers the time span from the Kimmeridgian to the Early Berriasian. The Sobótka Limestone Member displays unusual succession of calpionellids and is terminated by uneven palaeokarstic surface dominated by hummocky karren forms with rounded tops which are typical for karst evolved under thick soil cover. The karstic surface is covered by a condensed succession of the Late Albian red pelagic marly limestones and marlstones (Chmielowa Formation). The stratigraphic gap encompasses a time span from the Berriasian to the Late Albian.

A new species of the genus Leptosalenia Smith & Wright, 1990 (Echinoidea: Saleniidae) from the Albian of Traiguera (Maestrat basin, NE of the Iberian Peninsula). A new species of genus Leptosalenia (Echinoidea: Saleniidae) from the Albian of the Maestrat basin (Traiguera, el Baix Maestrat, Castelló province, NE Spain) is described. The new species increases the record of genus Leptosalenia in the Maestrat basin formed until now by Leptosalenia prestensis (Desor, 1865) and L. grasi (Cotteau, 1861), and represents the first record of a Leptosalenia species in the Albian of Europe.

Es descriu una nova espècie del gènere Leptosalenia (Echinoidea: Saleniidae) de l’Albià de Traiguera (el Baix Maestrat, Castelló, NE de la península Ibèrica). El registre d’espècies d’aquest gènere a la conca del Maestrat, fins ara constituït per Leptosalenia prestensis (Desor, 1865) i L. grasi (Cotteau, 1861), es veu incrementat per la que constitueix la primera cita en l’Albià d’Europa d’una espècie de Leptosalenia.

A revised ammonoid biostratigraphy is presented for the Aptian of NW Africa, Essaouira-Agadir Basin (EAB), Morocco, based on a detailed analysis of 5 key sections. A number of bio-events are documented and 26 genus and 43 species are fully documented, forming the largest published Aptian ammonite collection made from NW Africa. The section at Tiskatine is documented as the type section, and 8 zones and subzones are defined, of which 5 are new. This work allows the correlation of the Aptian of the EAB to the Standard Mediterranean Ammonite Scale (SMAS).

Two main hiatuses are identified at the scale of the basin-scale: a major one that includes most of the lower Aptian and the base of the upper Aptian and a second one encompass the top of the upper Aptian and the base of the lower Albian. The ammonite fauna displays a clear Tethyan palaeobiogeographic character affected by a fairly high degree of endemism at the genus and species level. The new genus and species Elsaisabellia tiskatinensis is introduced.

Based on new material collected from the Risan Aneiza Formation at Gabal Maaza (Maghara area, Sinai), the occurrence of the cosmopolitan Albian genus Douvilleiceras is unequivocally documented for the first time in Egypt. Douvilleiceras orbignyi, a species known to characterise the middle to uppermost lower Albian of Western Europe, is identified. The taxonomy, palaeogeography and population dynamics of the hypernodose forms of Douvilleiceras, e.g. the "aequinodum" group of the literature are discussed.

The Aptian/Albian oceanic anoxic event 1b contains the record of several perturbations in the global carbon cycle and multiple black shale levels, particularly in the Western Tethys. The local lithological expression of an oceanic anoxic event depends on palaeogeographical and depositional setting as well as on regional palaeoclimate. Marine sediments at a particular location may therefore be more or less organic-rich (or not at all) and they may consist of different lithologies. In most studies, however, much of the lithological variability associated with oceanic anoxic events is left unaccounted for and, thus, the exact processes leading to the enrichment of organic matter in these marine sediments and their subsequent preservation in the geological record are unknown. This study focuses on the local sedimentary processes behind the deposition of organic-rich sediments at Deep Sea Drilling Project Site 545 and Ocean Drilling Program Sites 1049 and 1276 in the North Atlantic during oceanic anoxic event 1b. Although specifically dealing with the sediments deposited during this particular event at these localities, it is expected that the same processes were responsible for determining the exact sedimentary products at localities in similar settings, as well as during other similar events in the Mesozoic. Here, it is shown that the deposition of organic-rich sediments during oceanic anoxic event 1b was a consequence of the enhanced productivity favoured by upwelling and by riverine nutrient input, or aeolian fertilization of the euphotic zone depending on geographical location. Slope instability processes resulted in the transfer of part of these organic-rich sediments from the shelf to deep sea depocentres as mud-laden organic-rich turbidites, especially in the northern North Atlantic. The so-called ‘black shales’ are much more varied than their name implies. The end product of sedimentation during an oceanic anoxic event at a particular location is commonly the result of several equifinal processes acting on a local scale rather than the direct result of basinal or even global mechanisms.

Acanthoceras gevreyi JACOB, 1907 originates from a condensed Albian horizon at La Perte du Rhône, Bellegarde (Ain, France). This species is still very poorly known and its taxonomic interpretation in the literature is most often erroneous.

New and abundant material from SE France, North Africa and South America allows the revision of this taxon and shows that Lyelliceras flandrini DUBOURDIEU, 1953, is one of its minor subjective synonyms. As a consequence the systematic position, stratigraphic range and palaeobiogeographic distribution of Acanthoceras gevreyi JACOB are discussed. Prolyelliceratidae fam. nov. is proposed.

Les affleurements du Crétacé inférieur, et principalement le Barrémien supérieur-Albien du Haut Atlas occidental marocain, ont foumi une faune diversifiée constituée par des ammonites, des ostracodes et des foraminiferes. L'analyse détaillée de la microfaune et principalement les foraminiferes planctoniques a permis de caractériser diverses unités lithologiques, de les subdiviser et de les dater. Nous avons identifié différentes biozones a foraminiferes planctoniques reconnues a l'échelle de la Téthys et caractérisant le Barrémien supérieur-Albien. Ces différentes biozones ont été décrites et leurs limites ont été discutées. ABSTRACT The lower Cretaceous (mainly Upper Barremian and Albian) of the Westem High Atlas of Morocco displays a diversified fauna constitued by Ammonite, Ostracoda, and foraminifera. The analysis of the microfauna, especially the planctonic foraminifera, allowed the characterization of various lithologic units, and their subdivision and datation. We have identified different biozona with planctonic foraminifera typical of the Tethysian realm characterising the Upper Barremian to the Albian. These biozona are described and their limits are discussed.

Field characteristics, petrographic and geochemical signatures, as well as some petrophysical aspects of fault-related dolomite bodies in the Ranero area
(Karrantza Valley, NW Spain) are presented in this paper. These dolomite bodies are hosted by Albian slope to platform carbonates, which were deposited in the Basque-Cantabrian Basin. Replacive and void-filling dolomite phases – postdating palaeo- and hypogene karstification – are interpreted to have originated from hydrothermal fluid pulses, and are spatially related with faults and fractures.
Hydrothermal calcite cements pre- and postdate dolomitization. Mineralogical and geochemical investigations (XRD, ICP-MS/OES, XRF, stable and Sr isotopes) helped in distinguishing various dolomite and calcite phases. Dolomite phases can be grouped into ferroan (early) and non-ferroan (late).
Dolomites are generally stoichiometric and exhibit a broad range of depleted δ18O values (–18.7 to –10.5‰ V-PDB), which advocate for multiphase dolomitization and/or recrystallization at relatively high temperatures (150-200°C). The observation that bed-parallel stylolites pre- and post-date dolomites suggests that dolomitization occurred during the Late Albian regional tectonic activity and related fluid expulsions. Based on carbonate chemistry, authigenic silicate chemistry and replacement relationships,
two contrasting types of dolomitizing fluids are inferred. Both arguably may have initiated as sulphate dominated brines and/or basin compactional fluids, but they seemingly undergo sulphate reduction in contact with host rocks of contrasting compositions (Fe-rich silicate vs Fe-poor carbonate) thus evolving either to acidic and ferroan (limestone replacive) or to neutral, Fe-poor and sulfidic (Fe-dolomite
replacive). Fluid drives are not well constrained by our data, but both fluid types are focused along major faults that cross cut the platform edge and are associated with diapir tectonics.

Resumen Con base en ejemplares bien conservados del equínido Washitaster delgadoi (de Loriol, 1884), encontrados en un nuevo yacimiento situado en Culla (península Ibérica; cuenca sedimentaria del Maestrat), se plantea la adscripción de la especie al género Washitaster Lambert, 1927, en lugar de al género Heteraster d'Orbigny, 1855, como se venia considerando por diversos autores. El género Washitaster se considera válido en este trabajo y sus dos caracteres diagnósticos principales: 1) presencia de múltiples fasciolas laterales y 2) disponer de unos tubérculos mucho mayores que el resto, crenulados y con las areolas hundidas en los interambulacros de la superficie aboral son evidentes en los ejemplares bien conservados de W. delgadoi. Se enmienda la diagnosis de W. delgadoi, se confirma su registro en la cuenca sedimentaria del Maestrat y se precisa la datación cronológica de la especie al Albiano. La cual es concordante con la de la cuenca sedimentaria próxima de Salou-Garraf, donde también aparece dicho equínido. Se propone la conveniencia de realizar una revisión del género Washitaster que incluya todas las especies nominales actuales, tanto las del área mexicano-texana, como las japonesas y la especie estudiadas en este trabajo, para establecer su posible origen, su distribución geográfica y estratigráfica, la validez de todas las especies nominales y la presencia en todos ellas de los caracteres diagnósticos del género.

Es descriu dos casos d’exemplars anormals de l’equínid Leptosalenia barredai, Forner 2014, de l’Albià de
la conca del Maestrat. El grau d’incidència dels exemplars anormals sobre la població total és d’un 6%.
On some abnormal specimens of Leptosalenia barredai (Echinoidea) from the Albian of Traiguera
Two cases of abnormal specimens of the equinoid Leptosalenia barredai, Forner 2014 from the Albian of the Maestrat Basin (Spain) are described. The incidence of abnormal specimens in the total population is 6%.

Es descriu un tàxon nou, Calzadina segurai. El nou gasteròpode prové de l’Albià de Cabanes de l’Arc (la Plana Alta), de la conca sedimentària del Maestrat. Es fa la segona cita de l’escleractini Angelismilia magnei Reig, 1995.
A new taxon, Calzadina segurai is described. The new species comes from the Albian of Cabanes de
l’Arc (la Plana Alta, NE Spain), in the Maestrat basin. The scleractinian Angelismilia magnei Reig 1995 is recorded here for the second time.

The Aptian/Albian oceanic anoxic event 1b contains the record of several perturbations in the global carbon cycle and multiple black shale levels, particularly in the Western Tethys. The local lithological expression of an oceanic anoxic event depends on palaeogeographical and depositional setting as well as on regional palaeoclimate. Marine sediments at a particular location may therefore be more or less organic-rich (or not at all) and they may consist of different lithologies. In most studies, however, much of the lithological variability associated with oceanic anoxic events is left unaccounted for and, thus, the exact processes leading to the enrichment of organic matter in these marine sediments and their subsequent preservation in the geological record are unknown. This study focuses on the local sedimentary processes behind the deposition of organic-rich sediments at Deep Sea Drilling Project Site 545 and Ocean Drilling Program Sites 1049 and 1276 in the North Atlantic during oceanic anoxic event 1b. Although specifically dealing with the sediments deposited during this particular event at these localities, it is expected that the same processes were responsible for determining the exact sedimentary products at localities in similar settings, as well as during other similar events in the Mesozoic. Here, it is shown that the deposition of organic-rich sediments during oceanic anoxic event 1b was a consequence of the enhanced productivity favoured by upwelling and by riverine nutrient input, or aeolian fertilization of the euphotic zone depending on geographical location. Slope instability processes resulted in the transfer of part of these organic-rich sediments from the shelf to deep sea depocentres as mud-laden organic-rich turbidites, especially in the northern North Atlantic. The so-called ‘black shales’ are much more varied than their name implies. The end product of sedimentation during an oceanic anoxic event at a particular location is commonly the result of several equifinal processes acting on a local scale rather than the direct result of basinal or even global mechanisms.

is paper reports a new Early Cretaceous flora discovered recently near the village of Estercuel (Teruel province, northeastern Spain). e plant bearing beds belong to the uppermost part of the Early Cretaceous succession, at the top of the fluvial deposits of the Utrillas Formation. e site has yielded a diverse assemblage of plant compressions including lycopods and ferns, various gymnosperms as well as terrestrial and aquatic angiosperms. Leaves of aquatic lycopods (Isoetites sp.) constitute a minor component of the palaeobotanical assemblage. Filicales are not very common, with Dicksoniales (Onychiopsis sp.) and a few specimens of Cladophlebis type fronds. e gymnosperms are represented by fragmented remains of long parallel veined Desmiophyllum leaves as well as a great abundance of conifer axis corresponding to the form-genus Pagiophyllum and female cones. Terrestrial angiosperms include pinnately lobed leaves of the genus Myricompia, simple leaves with spatulate lamina and some petiolate leaves both corresponding to angiosperms of uncertain affinity. Aquatic angiosperms consist of Nelumbo-like floral receptacles (Nelumbonaceae, Proteales) and Aquatifolia cf. fluitans (Nympheales). e palynological assemblage is dominated by pollen of gymnosperms (mainly Taxodiaceaepollenites hiatus, Classopollis major and Araucariacites australis). It also includes many angiosperm grains (Afropollis jardinus, Clavatipollenites spp., Dichastopollenites spp., Liliacidites doylei, Monosulcites chaloneri, Penetetrapites mollis, Pennipollis spp., Phimopollenites augathellaensis, Retimonocolpites textus, Rousea spp., Senectotetradites varireticulatus, Stellatopollis barghoornii, Striatopollis spp., Transitoripollis sp. cf. T. similis, Tricolpites spp., Tricolporoidites sp.) and records the first occurrence of tricolporate forms in the uppermost part of the Utrillas Formation. Both macroflora and microflora assemblages present taxa similar to those of the uppermost Albian Shaftesbury Formation in northwestern Alberta in Canada, the uppermost Albian Denton Shale Member of Bokchito Formation in southern Oklahoma, the lower part of the Upper Albian Dakota Formation from the mid-west of North America, and Subzone II C of the Potomac Group, eastern United States. Both macro-and microflora assemblages display boreal influence with some similar taxa to those of the Upper Albian Kome Formation in western Greenland and some taxa as Afropollis jardinus and Stellatopollis barghoornii more frequently found in the tethyan and gondwanan realms. A gondwanan affinity is also indicated by the presence of Klitzschophyllites leaves.

The evolution of angiosperms significantly changed the composition of the terrestrial vegetation during the mid-Cretaceous. In contrast to the wealth of information available on the biology and systematic relationships of early angiosperms, the temporal patterns of their evolution and radiation are poorly constrained. Here we present a continuous angiosperm pollen record from well-dated shallow marine deposits in the Lusitanian Basin, Portugal. The São Julião section provides a solid stratigraphic framework to track angiosperm pollen distribution patterns from the early Albian to early Cenomanian at mid-latitudes. In comparison to previous angiosperm pollen records from the Lusitanian basin, the section shows an extended late Albian succession and provides new insights into the diversification of early angiosperms during this important interval. Productive palynological samples were analysed and 79 different angiosperm pollen types have been recorded. Throughout the Albian angiosperm pollen represent only a minor component of the total palynoflora. The early Albian pollen record is characterized by highly diverse assemblages of monoaperturate pollen of monocot or "magnoliid" affinity and by the first appearance of polyporate and tricolpate pollen of eudicot affinity. A distinct diversification phase among tri-and poly-aperturate pollen (e.g., Cretacaeiporites, Retitrescolpites, Rousea, Striatopollis and Tricolpites) and the presence of conspicuous pollen grains assigned to Dichastopollenites characterize the middle and late Albian palynological assemblages. Thus, the section records a striking sequence of appearances of important angiosperm pollen morphologies. Monocolpates, polyporates and tricolpates appear in the early Albian whereas tricolporates appear from the early part of the late Albian onwards. Furthermore, well-constrained biostratigraphic ranges of selected angiosperm pollen from mid-latitudes are presented. In view of these new data, the temporal framework of the palynological Subzones II-B and II-C in the Potomac Group succession from the Atlantic Coastal Plain, eastern USA is revised to a middle to late Albian age.

The Kazhdumi Formation is one of the most significant rock units in the Bangestan Group in Zagros Basin. In this study, one section of the Kazhdumi Formation (Kuh-e-Rahmat) was selected for research. The section is extended approximately 89 m thick. The lower lithostratigraphic limit of the Kazhdumi Formation is marked by an oxidized zone, while the upper boundary is described as gradational type. The stratigraphic distribution of foraminifer taxa confirms two biozones in the studied section: Hemicyclammina sigali and Mesorbitolina subconcava in the Assemblage Zone and Mesorbitolina aperta in the range zone. Based on the investigated calcareous algae, Trinocladus tripolitanus, Range Zone is described. The identified calcareous algae are well distributed along Kazhdumi Formation. According to the received data of the established biozones, the age of the Kazhdumi Formation is Albian.

The identification of the Albian in some parts of Provence and the sedimentological study of these areas point out complete marine sections, well-dated in good correspondence with Aptian sediments. Comparison of clays’ mineralogy with those of fossil woods and palynomorphs indicates the existence of warm semi-tropical climates with contrasted seasonal humidity, during the Albian, and a climatic drift characterized by increased variations during the Vraconian period.

Es descriu un tàxon nou, Calzadina segurai. El nou gasteròpode prové de l’Albià de Cabanes de l’Arc (la Plana Alta), de la conca sedimentària del Maestrat. Es fa la segona cita de l’escleractini Angelismilia magnei Reig, 1995. A new taxon, Calzadina segurai is described. The new species comes from the Albian of Cabanes de l’Arc (la Plana Alta, NE Spain), in the Maestrat basin. The scleractinian Angelismilia magnei Reig 1995 is recorded here for the second time.

Raninoida, also known as “frog crabs,” is a clade of extant true crabs (Brachyura) characterized by a fusiform carapace (raninid-type), narrow thoracic sternum, pleon partially exposed dorsally, and paddle-like limbs, all of which are well suited to their cryptic burrowing lifestyle. However, the most basal raninoids from the Cretaceous were morphologically different, with ornamented carapaces that were wider than long (necrocarcinid-type), a broader thoracic sternum, and the pleon fitting between the legs assisted by pleonal locking mechanisms. During Albian times (∼112 to 99.6 Ma.) both body plans flourished worldwide. In contrast, pre-Albian (older than ∼112 Ma.) fusiform families have not yet been reported. The discovery of <i>Notopocorystes kerri</i> n. sp., a fusiform crab from the upper Aptian (∼115 Ma.) of Colombia, South America, and the re-examination of <iIPlanocarcinus olssoni</i> (Rathbun, 1937) n. comb., a necrocarcinid- like crab from the same age...