Eva of FOP Zonation - Oligo

THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
PALEONTOLOGICAL CONTRIBUTIONS
July 10, 1981 Paper 104
AN EVALUATION OF PLANKTONIC FORAMINIFERAL

ZONATION OF THE OLIGOCENE
R. M. STAINFORTH and J. L. LAMB
Exxon Production Research Company

P.O. Box 2189, Houston, Texas 77001
ABSTRACT
Planktonic foraminiferal content was recorded in detail through Oligocene deep-
water sediments in five coreholes (one continuously cored) and two surface sections
in Gulf Coast-Atlantic slope region. The sequence of planktonic taxa matches
worldwide zonal schemes of several authors and provides a basis for dividing the
Oligocene into five zones. Datum levels in upward sequence are extinction of Eocene
hantkeninids and globorotaliids, extinction of Pseudohastigerina micra, advent of
Globigerina angulisuturalis, extinction of Globorotalia opima pima, and advent of
Globorotalia kugleri s.s. A marked abnormality is the occurrence of the
Globigerinoides Datum a whole zone lower than its generally accepted position
within the Globorotalia kugleri Range-zone coincident with the Oligocene-Miocene
boundary. This and lesser peculiarities are tentatively attributed to paleoclimatic ef-
fects. As guide to the Oligocene-Miocene boundary, the level of joint advent of
Globo quadrina altispira aff. altispira and Globorotalia fohsi peripheroronda is sug-
gested.
INTRODUCTION
The main objective of this study was to extinction of many planktonic foraminifers,
determine the most reliable taxa for defining a and these were not replaced immediately.
sequence of planktonic foraminiferal zones Thus, the Oligocene began with assemblages
spanning the Oligocene. As noted previously of planktonic foraminifera commonly having
(Stainforth & others, 1975, p. 74), the base of a nondescript aspect because neither Eocene
the Oligocene is generally marked by abrupt indices nor equally distinctive Miocene
markers occur. Moreover, the early Oligocene
'Manuscript received November 3, 1980. interval, characterized mostly by a relatively
2 The University of Kansas Paleontological ContributionsPaper 104
cool climate and lowered sea level, is rather Consequently we are sufficiently aware of the
inadequately represented in most surface sec- status of Oligocene studies to feel that our
tions. Consequently, zonation of the Oligo- data still deserve presentation as a significant
cene has seemed notably less detailed and less example of microfaunal changes in the inter-
precise than that of other Tertiary intervals. val from Late Eocene to Early Miocene.
A secondary objective has been to obtain a The following references are representa-
detailed biostratigraphic framework that will tive of recent contributions to the theme and
facilitate integration of zonal schemes based deserve study, even though they are not spe-
on other microfossil groups (e.g., dinoflagel- cifically mentioned in the following text:
lates, calcareous nannofossils) whose occur- Alvinerie and others (1977); Anonymous
rence and differentiation in the same sections (1977, 1978); Berggren (1978); Berggren and
are presently being studied. Geographic scope Aubert (1976); Bizon and MIler (1979a, b);
of the study was purposely restricted, there- Borsetti and others (1979); Drooger and
fore, to avoid anomalies related to latitudinal others (1976); Gonzalez Donoso and Molina
and paleoclimatic differences. (1978); Hardenbol and Berggren (1978); Meul-
Five submarine coreholes and two well- enkamp (1975); Poignant and Pujol (1976,
known surface sections were selected as the 1979); Poore and Brabb (1977).
basis of the study. The analysis consisted Repository. Specimens used in obtaining
primarily of detailed but routine listing of all the original SEM photographs here repro-
planktonic foraminiferal taxa observed in duced are filed at Exxon Production Research
washed residues. "Type" and supplementary Company, Houston. Unfigured materials, in-
slides of all forms were prepared and referred cluding "type" and supplementary slides for
to repeatedly during the study, partly to en- the identified taxa and picked slides for each
sure uniform identification and partly to assist of the core and surface samples, are also on
in identifying evolutionary changes. The rela- file.
tive abundance of species was also recorded. Acknowledgments. We are indebted
For each section a detailed distribution chart especially to J. F. van Sant, Jan Hardenbol,
was plotted, on which potential zonal datum- and L. E. Stover of Exxon Production Re-
levels were discernible as clear-cut extinctions search Company for guidance in carrying on
and/or first appearances of distinctive taxa. these investigations, and to others of the same
Later, data from these individual charts were organization, especially J. H. Beard, who in-
integrated into a plot of zones and subzones itially investigated the foraminifera and other
recognizable throughout the study area. A microfossils in the coreholes. Dr. Isabella
few apparent anomalies between local records Premoli Silva of Milan, Italy, and Woods
and the regional zonal pattern were then in- Hole and Hermann Duque Caro of Bogota,
vestigated by reexamination of the samples in Colombia, supplied important information on
question, some anomalies being verified and occurrences of the Globigerinoides Datum.
others disproved. Most of the scanning electron microscope
The text and illustrations of this paper (SEM) photographs were made by Hardie
were ready for publication late in 1977 but did Turnbull, Imperial Oil Ltd. in Calgary; a few
not go to press until three years later. In the were prepared by R. D. Hockett of Exxon Pro-
meantime, numerous papers on definition, duction Research Company in Houston. Ac-
correlation and zonation of the Oligocene had knowledgment is made to R. M. Jeffords,
appeared, engendered to an appreciable extent Exxon Production Research Company, for
by international groups such as IGCP Projects editing the manuscript and for adjusting the
25, 114, and 174; the Regional Committee on format for publication.
Mediterranean Neogene Stratigraphy; and the Special appreciation is expressed to Exxon
JUGS Working Group on the Paleogene- Company, U.S.A. for making available for
Neogene Boundary. One of us (RMS) at- this analysis the cores from the Atlantic slope
tended recent meetings of these groups in and the northern Gulf of Mexico. The work
Bratislava (1975), Tokyo (1976), California was supported by Exxon Production Research
(1977, 1978), Italy (1978), and Athens (1979). Company, whose management gave permis-
Stain forth & LambForaminiferal Zonation of the Oligocene 3
sion to publish this report and approval to in- Papers .sponsored by Exxon Company,
clude it in the Harold Norman Fisk Memorial U.S.A.
MATERIAL STUDIED
The backbone of this study is a set of con- possible because of poor preservation result-
tinuous or evenly spaced cores from several ing from preburial carbonate solution or post-
submarine coreholes in the northern Gulf of burial glauconitization. Presence of such in-
Mexico and Atlantic slope (Fig. 1). Being determinate material explains apparent gaps
mostly from deep, offshore facies, these cores in some species ranges plotted on accompany-
yield phenomenally rich assemblages within ing charts (Figs. 2-5).
which chronologically significant changes are Specifically, use was made of the follow-
reasonably closely spaced because of the slow ing coreholes; depths indicate feet below sea
rates of deposition in deep water. In a few, level.
identification of species was difficult to im-
111 1441111 NORFOLK"

AT CITY
UNITED STATES
WILMINGTON
5/58
ALA
A BAM,
ST. STEPHENS QUARRY'?

LITTLE STAVE CREEK
JACKSONVILLE
NEW
ORLEANS

29-42 ST. PETERSBURG
35-46 5 5 30-43
32-45
MIAMI
BROVVNSVILLE 0 161
16-4/4A
KM
GULF OF MEXICO
0 100
MILES
FIG 1. Distribution of Atlantic slope and northern Gulf of Mexico coreholes and Alabama surface sections; solid circles
indicate study localities, solid squares major cities.
Northern Gulf of Mexico to 5,204 feet. Intermittent coring of basal

Corehole 16-4/4A (25 58.4' N., 95 43' W.); Oligocene and Eocene; sparse, poorly
2,246 to 2,524 feet. Intermittent coring of preserved planktonic assemblages.
mid-Oligocene to mid-Eocene. Other
Corehole 29-42 (28 45.9' N., 87 20.7' W.);
4,681 to 5,060 feet. Intermittent coring A few corecatcher samples from JOIDES
from top of the Oligocene to top of the Corehole 3-14 (Charm, Nesteroff, & Valdes,
Eocene (Fig. 2). 1969) were examined; these appear to match
Corehole 32-45 (27 07.8' N., 85 13.9' W.); other sequences studied, but the data are not
5,391 to 5,777 feet. Intermittent coring incorporated here because the locality is far
from lower half of the Oligocene to top of distant in the west-central Atlantic.
the Eocene (Fig. 3).
Corehole 30-43 (28 01.1' N., 86 24.7' W.) Data from Gulf Coast surface sections in
and Corehole 35-46 (28 131.1' N., 86 Alabama [2 separate samplings each from the
49.1' W.) were examined briefly, but the Little Stave Creek section (Bandy, 1949), NW
Oligocene is missing in both at an un- of Jackson, Clarke Co., and St. Stephens
conformity. quarry, old St. Stephens, Sec. 14, T. 7N., R.
1W., Washington Co.], intended to supple-
Atlantic Slope ment the corehole data, were disappointing.
Corehole 5/5B (33 08' N., 77 15' W.); 951 Although the Oligocene interval is physically
to 1,673 feet. Continuous coring of entire thick and contains some richly foraminiferal
Oligocene; the key section (Fig. 4). beds, the identifiable planktonic assemblages
Corehole 15 (38 46' N., 72 48' W.); 5,081 represent only the lowermost zone.
ZONATION IN STUDY AREA
FAUNAL SEQUENCE AND ZONAL species are given key importance in biostrati-
CRITERIA graphic subdivision of the Upper Eocene to
lowest Miocene interval (Fig. 5). A compar-
Distribution charts of the recorded able number of additional taxa are plotted on
planktonic species were prepared for all the distribution charts for the coreholes as being
sections studied; those for Coreholes 5/5B, representative of all or part of the interval,
29-42, and 32-45 are included here (Figs. 2,3, but for various reasons they are unsuited for
4A,B,C), and the others are summarized in use as zonal markers. The section on nomen-
the text. Species are thereby shown to occur in clature and stratigraphic distribution of taxa
essentially the same sequences and patterns at mentions yet other taxa that were recorded in
all localities. Furthermore, ranges of species the faunal analyses but seem to be of little
having limited extent agree closely on the stratigraphic significance.
whole with patterns already postulated in ac- In broadest terms the Oligocene is readily
cepted zonal schemes. Specific deviations divisible into a lower part typified by plentiful
from the general pattern are noted in the fol- Globigerina ampliapertura, a middle part
lowing discussion. Some of the data presented characterized by Globorotalia opima opima,
here were summarized by Lamb and Stain- and an upper part lacking diagnostic markers;
forth (1976), who referred to Coreholes 5/5B but to define and refine these bold divisions,
and 32-45 as A and B, respectively. attention must be paid to other species. Sub-
Desirable features of zonal markers are division of the Oligocene into five zones is
morphologic distinctness, well-defined lower here recommended (Fig. 6). The datum levels
and/or upper limits of range, and consistent differ markedly in their sharpness of defini-
presence between these limits. Based on these tion and ease of recognition, as explained
criteria, 21 taxa ranging from genus to sub- below.

The few Middle Eocene assemblages exam- talia. Small, sparse examples of these species
ined were not analyzed in detail but could be reappear in the Oligocene of several sections,
distinguished readily, in particular by the where they are attributed to reworking. Pres-
abundance of large hispid species of Globoro- ence of any form of Hantkenina s.l. or
Depth (feet) 5000 4900 48004700

NORTHERN GULF t
COREHOLE 29-42 Core No. 17 16 15 14 13 12 11
(intermittent cores) Sample 14112110 6 10 15 1211016 10 15 1211016 0 15 12 10 6 0 15 0 0
EOCENE FORMS
Hantkenina spp. X /
Globorotalia cerroazulensis subspp.
Abundant
G. c. cerroazulensis st. X /
0 Common
G. c. cocoaensis 0 I
Els Fairly Common
G. c. cunialensis 0 I 1
X Scarce
EO-OLIGOCENE FORMS
/ Present
Pseudohastigerina micra X / / / X
Globorotalia increbescens XXXX X X X X , ) - X
Globigerina ampliapertura 00000
LARGE GLOBIGERINAS
G. eocaena 000000XO<DX
G. venezuelana X X OX00000000000000000
G. tripartite 0x00000000XX0XX I XXX
G. linaperta s.s. 0 0
G. corpulenta X / X / / / / / / X0/4, 0 X
X
G. gortanii ? I XXX XXO(Dx
SMALL GLOBIGERINAS
G. "praebulloides" 0000000000000 0 ,
G. "occlusa" I X / XX X X XXX
.
G. "ouachitensis" I / X XX
G. angustiumbilicata X XX / / / / XX X X X 00 000000
G. angulisuturalis 0
G. ciperoensis I 0 0 1 I 1 i
OLIGO-MIOCENE FORMS
Cassigerinella chipolensis I I I
Catapsydrax unicavus 00000XX XXXX XX I X I I
Globorotalia opima nana I 1XXX I XXX 1 X X X X X X XX
G. opima opima ? 0 0
G. postcretacea I IX /X / 000X X X 0
G. siakensis X 0 0 0
G. "obesa" I I
G. kugleri s.l. I I
G. kugleri s.s. 0 /
G. peripheroronda ?
Globoquadrina altispira globularis X0000 1 I 0
G. altispira aft. altispira 0
Globigerinoides quad. primordius OXXXX 0
quadrilobatus s.l. / X X
Globigerinita spp. 0 X X
Grt Ps. Globigerina Grt Globigerina Get

ZONES
cerroaz. micra ampliapertura opima op/ma ciperoensis kugleri
iM
ASSIGNED AGE EOC. OLIGOCENE 11
:0
FIC. 2. Planktonic toraminifera in samples from Corehole 29 - 42 in the northern Gulf of Mexico.
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1 0 z 0 2 2 1-,,- -0 o -,- --,--,-, 2 0 o se, 'i. o ) . o. o o N a
i x E ur zz, .,- - 2o e, - .:-.. -' Z z f:- ,:i -- -1 , ..?. -E t.-, .. = .. -Ci f'.;
iii k i; 2 ''' 0 - 2 e &, , c- 5 < n ;'., 1, 2.. c, , 2 : .-: 0 q, t , % z ,' i ; 2 4-; ?,- Z-. .
Cr ' Z . if, 15, 20 79 : -c, 2, 4 LU 'Cf, Z Z., - Z
9 fi
- -1 :el. ,:+"' , 0 Z' Z' . S 6 ';2 ' O. 2,
O C) UJ 0 Z 49,- (0 0 0 C 4' '''.- L' CY' . -j ' ' . '''' n' L' 0 e, 41' 0
z u '-= 8 ,D
i e..' 6 (D (D Tc 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 ;c 6 6 6 6 6 6 = C 0 Z .5
i L.L,
.L, _, ci, o
FIG. 3. Planktonic foraminifera in samples from Corehole 32-45 in the northern Gulf of Mexico. For explanation of sym-
bols, see key on Figure 2.
Globorotalia cerroazulensis distinguishes tion by earlier authors of two zones, the lower
Eocene from Oligocene faunas. defined by presence of Globigerinatheka semi-
Detailed study of the Upper Eocene faunal involuta and the upper by presence of Globo-
sequence was not an objective of this study rotalia cerroazulensis cunialensis and absence
beyond establishing a faunal datum coinci- of the genus Globigerinatheka (except perhaps
dent with the Eocene-Oligocene boundary. for tiny, indeterminate specimens).
The few cores available substantiated recogni- Somewhat unexpected and indicative of a
condensed section or even hiatus is variability search unless moderately common in a sam-
of the planktonic assemblage recorded in the ple. Second, the same Oligocene sections
highest Eocene sample at different localities. A which yield tiny Eocene Globorotalia show an
seemingly complete and normal sequence, anomalously high upward range of P. micro,
diagnosed in particular by presence of strongly suggestive that reworked Eocene
Globorotalia cerroazulensis cunialensis, was specimens are responsible. The solution
noted in Coreholes 15 and 29-42 as well as in adopted is placement of the zonal boundary at
the surface sections. In the continuously cored the highest level of persistent presence of the
section of Corehole 5B, however, core 30 is index. In a few places, however, it may be bet-
Oligocene devoid of Eocene markers, but core ter to ignore this zone (Fig. 4).
31 represents the lower zone of the Upper Presence of Pseudohastigerina micra is the
Eocene. In Corehole 32-45 the Upper Eocene sole distinction of the basal zone from the next
assemblage in core 16 is rather sparse but sug- higher Oligocene interval, namely the Globi-
gests the lower zone, whereas less than 50 feet gerina atnpliapertura Zone. Above its first ap-
higher core 15 is Oligocene. In Corehole 16- pearance in the Upper Eocene, the distinctive
4/4A, Oligocene and Middle Eocene plankton name fossil of this zone persists in the low
were recorded in successive cores less than 40 Oligocene faunas and generally is accompa-
feet apart. nied by somewhat scarcer specimens of its
A result of inadequate representation of close relative Globorotalia increbescens. Its
the Eocene-Oligocene boundary is that no extinction is abrupt and might well be used to
useful comment can be made on the sharpness define the top of the zone, following BoIli
of its definition by ranges of planktonic (1957), but we prefer to use the level of first
foraminifera. Blow (1969) and some later appearance of Globigerina angulisuturalis, ar-
authors assert that a sequence of extinctions bitrarily following Blow (1969) and Postuma
and evolutionary events serves for recognition (1971). Levels of first appearance of indices
of short time increments through the bound- are reputedly more reliable for defining
ary interval. Other authors state or imply that stratigraphic datum-levels than are extinc-
the extinctions of conspicuous taxa were tions, although in the present instance eco-
essentially synchronous and define a single logic factors may influence recorded ranges.
datum corresponding to the standard Eocene- Approximately but not precisely as Globi-
Oligocene boundary. The latter, simpler gerina ampliapertura disappears from the
definition matching the faunas available is ac- assemblages, Globorotalia opima opima ap-
cepted here, but validity of the alternative pears and persists as a conspicuous species
concept is not disproved by this study. through the middle segment of the Oligocene.
The oldest Oligocene assemblages are dis- This is the obvious name fossil for the cor-
tinguished by absence of normal-sized speci- responding zone, but, as can be seen on the
mens of the standard Eocene indices. An distribution charts, both its upper and lower
exception must be made for diminutive spec- limits are unstable relative to other taxa that
imens of hispid species of Globorotalia, in display a fixed pattern. The presumption in-
particular, which have to be attributed to re- troduced by W. H. Blow (1969, p. 217, 353) is
working. If specimens of Cassigerinella that the large nominate subspecies developed
chipolensis can be found, they verify iden- from the small, long-ranging G. opima nana
tification of the Oligocene, but this species is in areas and at times of specially favorable
far too scarce for use as a zonal index. For this ecologic conditions. Consequently, formal
reason its name is dropped from the title usu- definition of the base of the G. opima opima
ally assigned to the lowest Oligocene interval, Zone must be based on another index; the
which is here called simply the Pseudohasti- datum chosen is the level of first appearance
gerina micra Zone. of Globigerina angulisuturalis.
Nominally this basal zone is defined by the In all four coreholes yielding samples from
upward range of Pseudohastigerina micro this interval, Globigerina angulisuturalis was
above the top of the Eocene, but in practice recorded as appearing abruptly and not by
this criterion may be difficult to apply. First, evolution from a similar but four-chambered
the index is a tiny species requiring intensive form (G. anguliofficinalis Blow, 1969). The

latter is present and was initially recorded tura.

separately in the faunal analyses, but for lack The top of the Globorotalia opima opima
of stratigraphic utility it was subsequently ab- Zone is defined by last appearance of the in-
sorbed as merely a variant of G. anguli- dex as a common and persistent element of the
suturalis. Also noteworthy is the recorded ap- faunas. Presence of sparse and sporadic indi-
pearance of Globigerina ciperoensis abruptly viduals at higher levels is ignored for zonal
at almost precisely the same level as G. purposes. A more rigid criterion would be
angulisuturalis. This level is generally slightly desirable.
higher than the extinction of G. ampliaper- The Oligocene above extinction of Glob-
ATLANTIC SLOPE Depth (feet) 1650 1600
CORE HOLE 5/5B Core No 31 30 29 28 27 26 25

Icohtiouous cores) Sample 8 AFEDBAEDBADE1 EDBEDBEDB
EOCENE FORMS
11,40,1.
1 Globigennarheka spp X 0 X , X
2 Hantkemna spp. X X
Globorotaha cerroasulensrs subsPO.
3 G. c. pomeroli 0 x
4 G. c. cerroazurensiss.s. 0 X
5 G. c. cocoaensa X
6 G. c. cunialensis
/ 7 Hispid Globorotalias (tiny) XX 000 000XXXX0XXXX /

EO-OLIGOCENE FORMS
/ 8 Pseudohastrgerina mtcra X (DXOXXXX / / / /
9 Globorotalia increbescens I X X X XX XX
10 Globigerina ampliapertura XO XX XX XXOX
LARGE GLOBIGERINAS
IX 11 G. eocaerra 00XXXXXXX IX I XXX X

12 G. venesuelana 00XXXX00000 I I XXX000 X0
13 G. tripartrta 00 XXX00000XX0001XX
14 G. linaperta ss X X X X X
15 G. corpulenta X X / / / / / /
16 G. gortanii I I
17 G. refill , I I
SMALL GLOBIGERINAS
18 G "praebulloides" 00x000011 00000
19 G. 'one/usa" X X X X X X X
20 G "ouachitensis" X X X XX 0 / x 00O
21 G. angustiumbilicara XXXXXX XXX 0 10000 0
22 G. angulisururalis I X00 0
23 G. ciperoensis . X X 0 0 'X 0
OLIGO-MIOCENE FORMS
24 Caigerinella chipolensis ? X X X / / X / / / X X EP
25 C.taPSYdrax unicavus X X X 0 X / / / X X / / / X
26 C. dissimilis ? ? ?
27 Globorotalia opima nana X X X X X X X X X / / / / /
28 G. oprma opima X000X 000001610
29 G. posrcretacea X X X X X X X X / X X XX
30 G. siakensis
I 31 G. "obesa" I
32 G. kugleri s.l.
33 G. kugleri ss.
34 G. peripheroronda
35 Groboguadrina altispira globularis I
36 G. altispira aft altispira
37 Globigerinoides quad prirnordius
38 G. quadrilobatus s.l.
39 Globigerinita s P 0 .
Gtk. Pseudohastigerina Globig. Globorotaba

ZONES
semi, micra amp f. opima op/ma
ASSIGNED AGE EOC. OLIGOCENE
FIG 4A. Planktonic foraminifera in samples from Corehole 5B on the Atlantic slope ;
cores 25-31, mid-Oligocene to Late Eocene. For explanation of symbols, see key on
Figure 2.
orotalia opima opima mostly falls within the primitive forms (G. mendacis Blow, 1969; G.
Globigerina ciperoensis Zone, for which pseudokugleri Blow, 1969) here referred to as
faunal characteristics are mainly negative. It G. kugleri s.l. Other forerunners of important
contains an assemblage of long-ranging spe- Neogene taxa, first seen sparsely near the base
cies, especially of Globigerina, and lacks taxa of the zone and becoming commoner up-sec-
distinctive of either the lower Oligocene or the tion, are Globorotalia siakensis, the earlier
Miocene. The top of the zone is formally de- forms of Globo quadrina altispira (including
fined by appearance of Globorotalia kugleri subspecies globosa and globularis), and
s.s., foreshadowed by sparse and sporadic diminutive specimens of Globigerinita in-
ATLANTIC SLOPE 1550 1500 1450

Depth (feet)
COR E HOLE 5/58 Core No 24 23 22 21
7 1 20 19 18 1 16 15
(continuous core s/ Sample F EDBF EDBF ED 8 EDEDBEDBFEDBEOBFEDBFED
FI FI A
EOCENE FORMS
1 Globfgeronarheka SOP
7 Flistaid Globorotelies (tiny) / / / /

EO-OLIGOCENE FORMS
8 Pseuriohasbgerona rrucra 7
LARGE GLO8IGERINAS
11 G. aocaana x / / / / / Xi /1 / / / / / / / / / / / il / / /
12 G vanerualana $00000000000000000XX00XXX I XXXX X I I
13 G. troparbra I 9 XX 00 / X / X / X OX X X X X / X / X X X X X X EF, / X / / / X /
15 G corpulenta I X /
/ / /
16 G gorsanto / ,
17 G sail, r r 7 7 / / I I
SMALL GLOBIGERINAS
18 G "preabullotdes" 000000000000000000000 00 000 0. 0 0 0 0 0
19 G "occlusa" I X / 00 00x X 00000X X X OX X X OX 0000 X X X X

20 G. "ouachitensis" 0_19 I X0000000000000X0000X0 00000000
21 G. angustiumbilicata 0000000000X 00X 000000X000000000,,
22 G angulosururalts 0 0 x OOOOOOOO G00 OOOOO 0000
23 G tweroans's 00X 1 00000000XX0000X0X00000 0 0 n`
OLIGO-MIOCENE FORMS
24 Cassrgeronella chipolansos 0000000000000 s I ' I I X / / / / / / X X
25 Carapsydraa urucavus / / I I I I X X / / X 0X X X
26 C chsbmIlos ? I I I I 1 I I I X
27 Globorotaloa optrna ban', I / x / x xxxxDooxxxxooxxxx /xxxx
28 G oplana opfma X90000X0000000XXXXOXXX I 1 1
29 G postbretabea 00000000000000XXX XXXX 0 XX 00000
30 G. vakenps 7 7 7
31 G -Wm."' I I.,- I !el H-
35 Globoquadrona 'slow'', globular's I I 1
37 Globigennoidos quad pm-bars:bus I I I I
39 G/obwrin i to SOP
Globorotalia Globigerina
ZONES opima opma ciperoensis
ASSIGNED AGE OLIGOCENE
FIG. 4B. Planktonic toraminitera in samples from Corehole 5B on the Atlantic slope; cores 15 to 24, Oligocene. Species
numbered as on Figure 4A; explanation of symbols on Figure 2.
crusta. Within this interval Globigerina Globorotalia opima opima, and the genus
angulisuturalis, G. ciperoensis, and G. sellii Globigerinoides becomes steadily more abun-
all dwindle in number, and their disap- dant and morphologically advanced toward
pearance from the fauna is a guide to the top the top of the zone. Empirically this pattern
of the zone. must be accepted as a zonal criterion in the
In the two coreholes that penetrated the G. region studied, although it represents a strik-
ciperoensis Zone the evolutionary appearance ing departure from the accepted norm.
of Globigerinoides quadrilobatus prim ordius The first appearance of Globorotalia
is recorded just above the extinction of kugleri s.s. is the highest clear-cut datum
CH5.
ATLANTIC SLOPE Depth (feet) 1400 1300 1200 1100 1000
COREHOLE 5/58 Core No 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7. 6 5 4 3 2 1 24 23 21 20191817161514 131211 10
(continuous cores) Sample F E DBE E DB F E D.BA"A - DDDDDDDDDDDIDDDDIDDDDODDDDO
EOCENE FORMS
LARGE GLOGIGERINAS
11 G. eocaana I I X0IXIX1 XI 111111 XII I I I III
12 G. venacuslana I IXIXIXIXXXIXXI 'XXI II /XXXXXX /X / XX / XXO
113 G tripartite I I XX0 , 0 1010XX I OX I 1 XX I I I I XXXXXXXOXX / X X0
14 G. linaparsa ,e,
15 G. co.pulanta I I
16 G. gortan I I 1 I X X I
17 G. mild I ? ? I 1 X 1 0 X ? ? I fi II I X 1 I
SMALL GLOBIGERINAS
8 G "orasbulloldes" 0 X 0 000 000X0000x000
19 G. "occlusa" X X 00XX0X00X00X00 00X X----or-
20G. "ouachttensis" 0 0 00X 0 000000000000
21 G. angusournbilicata 00X0000X00000000 0000000xXXX X
22 G angulosururalis 0000X OXX99 I f f X f X IN / / / / ." 1 " i
23 G. ciperoansu 000XXXX 1 00X I 1 I OX 1 XXX0XX XX I I I I I I

OLIGO-MIOCENE FORMS
24 Cassogermalla chipolonsis I I I I I XX X/ /X/ / X / XXX / / / /XXX/ / /
25 Carapsydras unicasus I I I I X
26 C. dissasulis I X ? ? ? / / / /
27 Globorotalia owns nana X000XXXX XXXX /00X / X / / / / / / / / /
28 G. pima Spam.
29 G. postcretacaa 000 0 1 1 50XX0 X909500000 0000X
0 0 .11. n w u..
30 G. soakensis x x x . f 1 i x s coo x x a rX0000000000000000000
31 G. obtot //////kfiX--8///-01 XOXX / X XX00XX000X f XXX

32 G. kugleri s.I. I I XII X 10X 1 XXXXXX I I
33 G. kugleri s.s. X X X000X /
34 G. peopherolonda ? X I 1
35 Globoquadrfna alospira globularis I 1 I / X / / / 000X00XX X / X / XXX / / /
36 G. slowing aft. altisoira I 1 0
37 Globlgeonoisles quad. prunorchus 1 XX / XXX X / X XX0000X---er-

38 G. quadrilobatos s.l.
39 Globiperinita soP. XXXX 0 00 X 0 0 X )7(0XXX I I /xxi
Globigerina Globorotalia
ZONES
ciperoensis kugleri
I
ASSIGNED AGE OLIGOCENE 'MIOCENE
I
FIG 4C. Planktonic foraminifera in samples from Coreholes 5 and 5B on the Atlantic slope; cores 10 through 24 of Core-
hole 5 and cores 1 through 14 of Corehole 5B, Early Miocene (7) and late Oligocene. Species numbered as on Figure 4A;
explanation of symbols on Figure 2.

recognized in these studies. The base of the Zonal division of this interval ties in
Globorotalia kugleri Zone is sharply defined directly with placement of the Oligocene-
by this datum, but in contrast no easily de- Miocene boundary, which by current conven-
fined top could be established. The basic diffi- tion coincides with the Globigerinoides
culty is shortage of evidence inasmuch as the Datum and falls at mid-level within the
range zone of Globorotalia kugleri was sam- stratigraphic range of Globorotalia kugleri.
pled in only two coreholes, and in both young Inapplicability of the main criterion poses a
Neogene beds lie unconformably on or imme- major problem. Apparently the level of first
diately above it. Specifically, in Corehole 5 appearance of either Globoquadrina altispira
Globorotalia kugleri was recorded in the aff. altispira or Globorotalia fohsi
highest core available (10), and Exxon Pro- peripheroronda, or both together, serves for
duction Research paleontologists reported a identification of top of the Oligocene, but this
Pliocene fauna in core 8; in Corehole 29-42 G. is based on rather scanty evidence.
kugleri was recorded in cores 13 and 12 and a
Miocene-Pliocene fauna in core 10. Possibly ZONATION OF INDIVIDUAL SECTIONS
cores 9 of Corehole 5 and 11 of Corehole
29-42 represent a post-kugleri zone, but the Atlantic Slope Coreholes 5/58 and north-
evidence is not firm enough for formal treat- ern Gulf of Mexico Coreholes 29-42 and 32-
ment. 45. Detailed faunal analyses (Fig. 2-4, 7) il-
Turning to published zonal schemes for a lustrate the zonal criteria already discussed.
possible solution, we find that BoIli (1957) Atlantic Slope Corehole 15. This hole
first used the total range of Globorotalia (cores 6 to 10-5,081 to 5,204 feetsupple-
kugleri to define a zone within which the mented by bit scrapings) contributed little to
genus Globigerinoides first appeared. Blow the study because of sparse planktonic assem-
(1969) recorded similar relative ranges of the blages coupled with limited stratigraphic
taxa but used the Globigerinoides Datum as a penetration and some confusion in the lower
zonal boundary and gave no formal role to samples (Fig. 7). The residues of cores 6 to 8
first appearance of G. kugleri. Postuma (1971) are glauconitic and contain siliceous micro-
followed BoIli in defining the base of his Glob- fossils and benthonic foraminifera in greater
orotalia kugleri Zone by first appearance of abundance than planktonic foraminifera.
the name fossil but approximately followed Their aspect suggests partial solution below
Blow in applying Globigerinoides evolution to the carbonate compensation depth.
subdividing the range zone of the index. The species present, although seldom com-
Thus, the suggested solution is to apply mon, constitute a typical assemblage of the
the Globigerinoides Datum as an upper Pseudohastigerina micra Zone with the joint
boundary of our Globorotalia kugleri Zone, presence of Globorotalia increbescens, Globi-
which seemingly is not wholly represented in gerina ampliapertura, and Pseudohastigerina
our study area. Unfortunately, however, this micra being the most diagnostic feature. Ab-
procedure is inhibited by the abnormally low normal but also recorded at the same level in
levels of first appearance of subspecies of Coreholes 5B and 32-45 is persistent occur-
Globigerinoides quadrilobatus in the study rence of tiny hispid species of Globorotalia
area. Two distinctive taxa seen only in the presumed to be reworked from Eocene beds.
highest cores some distance above the G. Core 9 was not recovered. In the top 29
kugleri Datum are Globo quadrina altispira inches of core 10 the residue changes to fine,
aff. altispira and Globorotalia fohsi subangular sand. Planktonic foraminifera are
peripheroronda. At least tentatively, their ap- again scarce but include acute-peripheried
pearance provides a substitute for the Globi- subspecies of Globorotalia cerroazulensis in-
gerinoides Datum. For formal purposes, how- dicative of Late Eocene age. Bit scrapings sup-
ever, use of the range zone of Globorotalia posedly from the same interval yielded an en-
kugleri is recommended on the assumption tirely different assemblage of pure white
that extinction of the name fossil is as sharply plankton containing such Middle Eocene
defined in this region as in the many other markers as Globorotalia lehneri, Trun-
regions for which there are published records. corotaloides rohri, and species of Globi-

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gerinatheka. Comparison with data on deeper terms of Bandy's 1949 scheme. The Eocene-
cores indicates that a labeling error must be Oligocene boundary is sharply defined in both
assumed. by abrupt disappearance at the top of the
Northern Gulf of Mexico Corehole 16 - 4 Jackson Formation of all subspecies of
and Corehole 4A. Because of limited strati- Globorotalia cerroazulensis (including ad-
graphic penetration (cores 1 to 5 at 2,246 to vanced cocoaensis-cunialensis forms) and all
2,472 feet in Corehole 16 - 4; cores 1 and 2 at Hantkeninidae (Locs. 57-60). In the overlying
2,355 to 2,524 feet in Corehole 4A), this sec- Red Bluff-Mint Spring-Marianna sequence
tion was not analyzed in detail, although it (Locs. 61-67), planktonic assemblages are
deserves note for containing an outstandingly either sparse or, if reasonably rich, are dom-
rich representation of the large Oligocene inated by long-ranging species. Zonally most
species of Globigerina (Fig. 7). significant are Globigerina ampliapertura,
In downward sequence, Holocene (prob- Globorotalia increbescens, and Pseudo-
ably due to contamination) at the top of the hastigerina micra; the latter is almost common
highest core gives place to beds diagnosed as in the base of the Marianna Limestone (Loc.
the Globorotalia opima opima Zone by joint 66).
presence of the name species, Globigerina Two sets of samples were also available
angulisuturalis, and G. ciperoensis. At ap- from St. Stephens quarry in Alabama, cover-
proximately 2,362 feet within Core 4A-1, dis- ing the same interval at the base and extending
appearance of the latter two species indicates up into the Byram and Chickasawhay forma-
the top of the Globigerina ampliapertura tions. Above the Marianna Limestone, how-
Zone, which is further indicated by occur- ever, planktonics are sparse and not zonally
rence below this level of Globorotalia in- diagnostic. One Chickasawhay sample
crebescens, Globigerina ampliapertura, and yielded a sandy residue containing sparse
forms intermediate between them (Fig. 7). plankton as in the Marianna; reworking is
Globorotalia opima opima remains common suspected. The Marianna also contains Globi-
down to the base of this core. gerina ampliapertura, Globorotalia in-
The Pseudohastigerina micra Zone is iden- crebescens, and sparse Pseudohastigerina
tified by presence of its name fossil (almost micra. In the more many underlying
common at some levels) in the next deeper Yazoo-Red Bluff sequence, the planktonic
core (4-4). Joint presence of Cassigerinella foraminifera are more abundant, but the com-
chipolensis was not observed, although this position of the assemblage does not differ
species was recorded sparsely in higher cores. basically down through the Shubuta Member.
The two deeper cores (4-5, 4A-2) are from Below this level (top of Pachuta Member)
Eocene clay, which, although not studied in large hantkeninids and advanced subspecies
detail, is faunally suggestive of Middle of Globorotalia cerroazulensis occur.
Eocene. Significant taxa noted are species of In all the surface material studied, no
Globigerinatheka, hispid Globorotalia, and specimens of later Oligocene index species
the more primitive (pomeroli-like) subspecies were observed, in particular Globorotalia
of Globorotalia cerroazulensis. opima opima and Globigerina angulisuturalis.
Surface Sections. Sample sequences from
well-known Gulf Coast surface sections were
studied but gave disappointing results. REWORKING
Although individual samples are rich in well-
preserved planktonic foraminifera, many in- Tiny hispid species of Globorotalia re-
tervals contained no age-diagnostic indices. corded in the lower half of the Oligocene in
Especially above the lower Oligocene, the Coreholes 5B, 15, and 32 - 45 would normally
assemblages are too sparse to be applied in be identified unhesitatingly as Eocene forms.
zonation. The corehole samples provide a Several colleagues have examined them and
basis better beyond comparison for establish- confirmed this opinion. Within the same sets
ing stratigraphic ranges. of samples, the tiny index Pseudohastigerina
Separate samplings of the Little Stave micra ranges abnormally high above the top
Creek section were available, numbered in of the Eocene, locally reaching the extinction
level of Globigerina ampliapertura. This dou- miles E. of Grove Hill, Ala." and "Ala. Geol.
ble anomaly is best explained by reworking. It Soc. Field Trip 4, Stop 10, Bed 6." Both
is noteworthy, however, that only diminutive assemblages match the Red Bluff faunas al-
forms are involved. Neither normal-sized spe- ready mentioned, but in the Grove Hill sam-
cies of hispid Globorotalia nor specimens of ple five specimens of Han tkenina alabamensis
larger Eocene forms (e.g., Hantkenina, Globi- and two of Globorotalia cerroazulensis
gerinatheka, subspecies of Globorotalia cer- cocoaensis were noted. The opinion com-
roazulensis) were recorded as allochthonous monly expressed is that presence of such
elements within the Oligocene faunas. A feasi- Eocene species in the Oligocene Red Bluff
ble explanation is that the fine, misplaced ma- results from reworking. This is a matter for
terial represents the extreme tips of turbidite local geologists to decide by evaluation of all
tongues. lines of evidence; we merely observe that the
Two outcrop samples of the Red Bluff anomalous specimens do not differ obviously
Clay yielded rich microfaunas in which ben- in preservational aspect from the rest of the
thonic foraminifera outnumbered planktonic microfauna.
forms. Locality data are given as "Hwy. 84.10
COMPARISON WITH OTHER ZONATIONS
When planktonic foraminiferal zonation Postuma's book is an updated version of a

was first applied successfully to stratigraphic Royal Dutch-Shell manual dating back to
correlation on a regional and interregional 1960.
scale, the concept arose of a single set of cir- The zonal divisions, formal criteria, and
cumglobal zones defined everywhere by ranges of significant taxa postulated by these
ranges of the same taxa. Contined study authors are summarized on the accompanying
proved that this hope was too idealized. Ob- composite range chart (Fig. 5), which includes
jective difficulties arose, especially the effects the corresponding interpretation of the pres-
of varying sensitivity of plankton to tempera- ent study. Readily apparent is the good agree-
ture, resulting in individual distribution pat- ment on logical choice of zone boundaries and
terns related to latitude and paleoclimate. zonal indices. Datum levels given particular
These difficulties were aggravated by subjec- importance, from older to younger, are the
tive aspects in the realm of taxonomy, such as extinction of several Eocene lineages, first ap-
postulation of evolutionary linkages and fine pearance of Globigerina angulisuturalis, ex-
splitting of taxa. tinction of Globorotalia opima opima, and
With full recognition of these difficulties, appearance of the short-lived Globorotalia
several authors have proposed zonal schemes kugleri s.s. The sources cited indicate less con-
having wide zonal applicability for marine stancy in the ranges of other taxa plotted on
Tertiary sediments. Representative are those the chart. Nevertheless, a sequential pattern
of H. M. Bolli, particularly his Trinidad paper of appearances and disappearances is clearly
of 1957 and circumglobal summary of 1966 seen, such that a given assemblage of these in-
but also several supplementary studies dices would be assigned to essentially the
(Toumarkine & Bolli, 1970; Bolli, 1972); same portion of the Oligocene no matter
W. H. Blow, primarily his voluminous paper which authority might be selected.
of 1969 incorporating earlier work, much of it The range of Globorotalia kugleri is par-
jointly with F. T. Banner, and also a short ticularly important as a guide to the
paper of 1970 including a modification of the Oligocene-Miocene boundary. From confer-
Oligocene zonation; and the manual of J. A. ences in 1967 (e.g., Cita, 1968, p. 10-12; Blow,
Postuma (1971). Publication dates are some- 1969, p. 201, 223-224; Ikebe and others, 1972,
what misleading because Blow's magnum p. 50, 68) arose general acceptance that the
opus was essentially complete before 1967, Globigerinoides Datum is the best
when a summary was presented at the First foraminiferal criterion for recognizing the
Planktonic Conference in Geneva, and Oligocene-Miocene boundary and that it is
Age Zone Primary datums Secondary datums
Top of zone not defined; extinction

MIOCENE of Globorotalia kugleri presumed
GLOBOROTALIA applicable here as elsewhere First appearances of
Globoquadrina altispira aft. altispira
KUGLERI and Globorotalia fohsi peripheroronda
First appearance of
Globofotalia kugleri s.s.
First appearance of primitive

IGERINA
GL OB
forms of Globorotalia kugleri
CIPEROENSIS
Last appearance of Globorotalia
opima opima as a common and
OLIGOCENE
persistent component of fauna
GLOBOROTALIA
OP/MA OP/MA
First appearance of
Globigerina angulisuturalis
Extinction of
GLOBIGERINA Globigerina ampliapertura
AMPLIAPERTURA
Extinction of
Pseudohastigerina micra
PSEUDOHASTIGERINA
MICRA Extinction of
Han tkenina spp. and
Globorotalia cerroazulensis subspp.
GLOBOROTALIA
CERROAZULENSIS Extinction of
LATE
s.l.
EOCENE Globigerinatheka semiinvoluta
GL OBIGERINATHEKA
SEMIINVOLUTA
Extinction of
numerous Middle Eocene indices
MIDDLE
EOCENE
FIG. 6. Zonation used in the present study, with primary and secondary datums.
straddled by the Globorotalia kugleri Range- tinuing up-section, they merge into an abun-
zone. The Globigerinoides Datum is treated as dance of larger and more elaborate forms re-
commensurate with the Miocene Orbulina ferable to several subspecies of Globigeri-
Datum, and both have been regarded by noides quad rilobatus (e.g., quad rilobatus s.s.,
many as exceptionally firm levels in the triloba, immaturus, sacculifer, altiapertura).
chronologic sense because each is defined by a It is puzzling, however, that the Globigeri-
distinct phase within an evolutionary lineage. noides Datum as defined by these first ap-
In the present study the criteria for pearances of Globigerinoides quadrilobatus
recognizing the Globigerinoides Datum were primordius falls much lower in the section
clearly observed in Coreholes 5/5B and 29 - 42. than the conventionally accepted level. The
In the plexus of small species of Globigerina, key subspecies is recorded at the base of the
the form designated G. "occlusa becomes - Globigerina ciperoensis Zone, well below the
more common and more persistent up-sec- first appearance of even the primitive forerun-
tion. Then a very few specimens can be found ners of Globorotalia kugleri. Furthermore,
in which the final chamber carries a tiny evolution into more advanced types of Globi-
secondary aperture at the spiral suture, thus gerinoides is established below (see Corehole
becoming Globigerinoides quadrilobatus 5/5B, Fig. 4) or no higher than (see Corehole
primordius. These in turn become persistently 29 - 42, Fig. 2) the level where Globorotalia
present and steadily more common until, con- kugleri s.s. first appears.
This anomaly is almost the only notable Globorotalia kugleri, but this is a firmly
difference between the present study (already established datum in worldwide zonation.
reviewed for this aspect by Lamb & Stain- A deeper significance of diachroneity of
forth, 1976) and the established zonal the Globigerinoides Datum is its seeming
schemes, but it is a resounding one. The disproof of what many regard as an axiom of
evidence might be doubted were it not that biostratigraphy, namely that the appearance
other authors (e.g., Jenkins, 1960; Caralp, of each successive morphologic phase in an
Valeton, & Vigneaux, 1965; Anglada, 1971; evolving lineage is a unique event, occurring
Cicha, Hagn, 8r Martini, 1971; Poag, 1972; synchronously throughout the geographic
Alvinerie & others, 1973; Cati, 1974; Groupe spread of the taxon. This diachroneity has
Franais d'Etude du Nogne, 1974) with var- been taken to indicate that joint application of
ious degrees of certainty have recently docu- unrelated evolutionary lineages provides the
mented primitive Globigerinoides in beds most accurate biochronology, being generally
which, on other evidence, must be assigned to more reliable than use of first and last ap-
the Oligocene (in the Globigerina ciperoensis pearances of arbitrarily chosen species. Blow
Zone or the equivalent Sphenolithus distentus (1969), for instance, laid particular stress on
and Sphetzolithus ciperoensis nannofossil basing zonal boundaries on evolutionary de-
zones). We have knowledge of such cases in velopments and for this reason he selected
the Caribbean-Gulf Coast region and also in several datum levels different from those of
France and Italy, the Carpathians and Alps, earlier authors.
Australia, and New Zealand. The sequential
pattern of other taxa corresponds so closely in Northern Gulf Coraholes Atlantic Slope
the present study and in published zonations 16-4 16-4A 29-42 32-45 5/5 6 15
that the abnormality has to be attributed to o 4681 951
the range of Globigerinoides. In other words,

Globorotalia t I
_4696
. . 1012
kugleri 47 4 1
it would be illogical to take the Globigeri- f
Zone 4820 /
noides Datum as irrevocably fixed and then 1086
Globigerina 4865
seek explanations for the abnormal ranges of
/
Globorotalia opima opima, Globigerina angu- ciperoensis
4880
lisuturalis, Globorotalia kugleri, and the z Zone /
1460

whole suite of Oligocene species. Lu Globorotalia

2246 4925 5391
For pragmatic purposes failure here of the . opirna opirna i 1

2348 4940 54t 7
o 2355
Globigerinoides Datum deprives us of what Zone
1
0 2370 1610
elsewhere seems simultaneously a sharp zonal _ Globigerina 4137 5514
boundary and a conveniently clear boundary , ampliaperru ra

5002 516
between Oligocene and Miocene. As a local O
Zone
2395
'1630
substitute for this datum, the level of first ap- Pseudohastrgerma
24110
5635 1 50181

pearance of Globo quadrina altispira aff. micra

1
5650 5126
altispira and Globorotalia fohsi peripheror- Zone
5T5 1658
onda is tentatively suggested. These two 5060 5189
G loboro ta I ia
forms were seen only in the youngest cores ex- 7 5 t0 4
Z cerroazulensis 0..
amined, and the cited authors agree in show- Lu
0
0
ing their earliest appearance at or just above Lu
Zone
5697
the Oligocene-Miocene boundary. Neverthe- cc
Lu
o_
Globigerinaea
th k ;
5777
1658
less, a zonal boundary is not formally desig- semiinvolu ta
nated pending confirmatory evidence from Zone

1670
additional sections. For the present our pro- LIJ LL1
, Z
0 Lu
2457
t 2%09
5i67
posai is to revert to the usage of Bolli (1957, 00

0 t 2e24
1700 5653
2 Lu 25495
1966) and recognize the range zone of Globo-
rotalia kugleri as a unit straddling the Cored interval
Oligocene-Miocene boundary. Truncation of FIG. 7. Summary of zonal positions of cored intervals in

both the available sections prevented confi- northern Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic slope coreholes.
dent detection of the extinction level of Numbers indicate depths in feet.
The broad validity of the axiom is sup- gerina ampliapertura (Blow, 1969, p.
ported by many examples in all families of 216-218). Furthermore, contrary to the usual
planktonic foraminifera. Nevertheless, the American pattern, at some European localities
evolution of Globigerinoides from Globi- Globigerina ampliapertura s.l. persists as late
gerina is a demonstrable exception, not being as Globorotalia opima opima (Cicha, 1970;
fixed in time. The simplest explanation is that Cati, 1974). The closely related Globigerina
the diagnostic feature (i.e., appearance of sup- ciperoensis and Globigerina augulisuturalis
plementary dorsal apertures) was not a ge- appear abruptly at a mid-Oligocene level in
netic development, as are comparable features the study area, whereas elsewhere the former
in most lineages, but a functional response to is recorded back into the earliest Oligocene
environmental change. In a detailed review of and the latter is linked to older species by
the Globigerinoides quadrilobatus complex, transitional forms. Further examples of local
Banner and Blow (1965) already ascribed its anomaly are the near-absence of Catapsydrax
variability to both ecologic and genetic fac- dissimilis and the early appearance of
tors. For open-sea denizens the prime ecologic Globigerinita incrusta in the study area.
factor is temperature; hence the further sug- In modern studies of Pliocene-Pleistocene
gestion made independently by Jenkins (1973) sequences the variability of local ranges of
and Seiglie (1973) is reasonable, that the species is an accepted fact related to paleo-
development of Globigerinoides was symp- clima tic cycles and applicable to interpretative
tomatic of warming after the worldwide cool- biostratigraphy (e.g., Ingle, 1973; Stainforth
ing episode that characterized the Oligocene. & others, 1975). Cifelli (1969), Berggren
This evaluation of the Globigerinoides (1969b), and many others have presented evi-
anomaly leads to the concept that seemingly dence that the Oligocene was markedly colder
discrepant ranges reported for Oligocene taxa than the Late Eocene and Early Miocene. By
by different authors may simply reflect analogy, the recommendation emerges that
temperature-control producing inconstancies interpretation of the Oligocene assemblages
of distribution. An obvious example is the would benefit from application of the
first appearance of Globorotalia opima opima statistical and other special biogeographical
variously recorded as preceding, coinciding techniques developed in Pleistocene studies.
with, or following the extinction of Globi-
NOMENCLATURE AND STRATIGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF TAXA

NOMENCLATURAL AND Species-group taxa are reviewed here by
PHOTOGRAPHIC TREATMENT genera in alphabetical order. In keeping with
The following comments express our opin- the pragmatic concept of this report, synon-
ions on differentiation of taxa for the ymies of the species reviewed are not given in
pragmatic purpose of zoning and correlating any detail. Those concerned with this aspect
Oligocene sediments. We have tried to follow should consult cited references, in particular
recognized authorities but admit openly to in- Blow (1969) and Stainforth and others (1975).
ability in certain cases, notably by failure to Stratigraphically significant taxa are il-
discern the sequential evolution and other lustrated by SEM photographs of selected
relationships postulated by our late friend specimens considered to be representative of
Walter Blow. The reason may well be limita- each form as seen under a binocular micro-
tions of our powers of perception, but we scope at normal magnifications. Loss of the
prefer the explanation that ecologic factors final chamber is evident in some specimens
play a greater role in the distribution and but is no hindrance to recognizing the distinc-
variability of the Oligocene plankton than tive features of the taxa in question. Contrary
was suspected until quite recently. Blow to usual practice in reports illustrated by SEM
himself (1969) observed the variable range of photographsnamely, use of a different spec-
Globorotalia opima opima and deduced an imen for each aspect depictedeach taxon is
ecologic cause, and other evidence of paleo- here represented by differently oriented views
climatic influences has been noted already. of single specimens. This advantageous pro-

cedure results from the manipulative skill of Oligocene-Miocene zonations, C. dissimilis is
Mr. Hardie Turnbull, whose services were unaccountably scarce and is represented only
kindly made available by Imperial Oil Ltd. in by occasional isolated specimens, although
Calgary. Trochospiral taxa are illustrated by these few are entirely typical of the species.
self-explanatory standard views (dorsal, ven-
tral, peripheral) plus a few supplementary
views explained in the captions. A uniform Genus GLOBIGERINA D'Orbigny, 1826
magnification of X 78 is used for all except the Globigerina ampliapertura Bolli, 1957
smallest forms, some of which are illustrated
at X 130. An exception is Globorotalia cer- Plate 3, figure 3
roazulensis cocoaensis Cushman, illustrated Globigerina ampliapertura is readily dis-

by SEM photographs of three different spec- tinguished from other species (particularly
imens taken at X96 to X130 by Mr. Ralph Globigerina venezuelana) by its arched and
Hockett of Exxon Production Research Com- partly extraumbilical aperture indicative of
pany in Houston. close relationship to Globorotalia in-
crebescens as shown by Blow and Banner
(1962, fig. 12b). Specimens with a lower aper-
Genus CASSIGERINELLA Pokorny, 1955
ture, which some might refer to Globigerina
Cassigerinella chipolensis (Cushman & prasaepis Blow (1969), are present through its
Ponton, 1932) whole range. G. arnpliapertura consistently
Plate 8, figure 1 disappears only a short distance below the
first appearance of Globigerina anguli-
This diminutive species is generally rare in suturalis; thus, its extinction level serves as a
this area and, consequently, not formally secondary datum in the zonal scheme of this
applicable to zonation although apparently report.
confined to post-Eocene beds. Increased abun-
dance was recorded in the Globorotalia opima Globigerina linaperta Group (Large Forms)
opima Zone in Corehole 5B but not in other Plate 1, figures 1-4; Plate 2, figures 1-4;
sections. The distinctive shell surface of well- Plate 3, figures 1-2
preserved specimens of this species is char-
acterized by scattered tuberculate pores (Pl. 8, Except for Globigerina arnpliapertura, just
fig. la). Without comment in the text, Jenkins reviewed, the large Globigerina typical of
and Orr (1972, pl. 1, fig. 7) illustrated this Eocene to Oligocene deep-water assemblages
feature. are regarded as a plexus centered on Globi-
gerina linaperta Finlay (1939). The subject has
been discussed in detail elsewhere (Stainforth,
Genus CATAPSYDRAX Bolli, Loeblich, 1974; Stainforth & others, 1975) and so is
& Tappan, 1957 treated summarily here. Classification of the
The name Catapsydrax is applied to group is based solely on chamber arrangement
globigerine forms with a simple umbilical and gross form of the test. Details of shell tex-
bulla and a distinctly cancellate surface, the ture, aperture, and umbilicus play almost no
latter feature distinguishing species of Catap- part in the recommended division into species.
sydrax from the smooth-shelled Globigerinita. For the record, the shell of well-preserved
specimens is coarsely reticulate, and for this
Catapsydrax unicavus Bolli, Loeblich, sole reason the plexus has been assigned by
& Tappan, 1957 some authors to the genus Subbotina Brotzen
Catapsydrax unicavus persists through the and Pozaryska (1961) as redefined by Loeblich
Late Eocene and all the Oligocene sections and Tappan (1964). In our opinion, however,
studied; thus it has negligible value for zona- assignment of widely differing species to Sub-
tion. botina merely on the basis of a single feature,
Catapsydrax dissimilis (Cushman & reticulation, tends to impede rather than
Bermildez, 1937) facilitate stratigraphic applications and the
An important index in most published understanding of evolutionary relationships.
Forms within the plexus intergrade in mul- (Pl. 3, fig. 1) intermediate between G. tripar-
tiple ways from the central form so that no- tita and G. corpulenta.
menclature of individual specimens is diffi- 5. As G. tri partita but rate of increase of
cult. The preferred solution is to name only chamber size further accelerated, resulting in
the main extremes of morphologic variation. forms with a hemispherical final chamber (Pl.
Forms transitional between these extremes are 3, fig. 2). These are assigned to Globigerina
not formally named. sellii (Borsetti, 1959), a senior synonym of
The central form, Globigerina linaperta Globigerina clarae BermUdez (1960) and
Finlay (1939) (Pl. 1, fig. 1), has a low, com- Globigerina oligocaenica Blow and Banner
pact coil in which each successive chamber is (1962). Globigerina sellii is further
approximately equal in size to the whole of characterized by spikes on its ventral surface.
the preceding test, so that the last whorl has In study of natural assemblages represent-
31/2 to 4 chambers visible dorsally but only 3 ing the Globigerina linaperta group, juveniles
visible ventrally. In gross aspect it is neither (diameter of less than 0.4 mm) should be dis-
compressed nor elevated, and chambers are regarded. The distinctive features of each
neither strongly appressed nor loosely at- species appear in its adult chambers (i.e., in
tached. specimens at least 0.5 to 0.6 mm in diameter).
Radiating from this central form are vari- Rarity of such large specimens in washed res-
ants in which the main trends of change are: idues (because of ecologic inhibition, non-
1. Flat to low-spired as G. linaperta but preservation, or fragility) reduces their poten-
developing a lower rate of increase in chamber tial value as stratigraphic indices. A further
size, resulting in forms with 4 to 5 chambers in difficulty arises from the common presence of
last whorl, all visible in both dorsal and ven- specimens with stunted or malformed (kum-
tral aspects (PI. 1, fig. 2). These are assigned merform) final chambers. Only trivial impor-
to Globigerina eocaena Giimbel (1868), a tance should be attached to these aborted
senior synonym of Globigerina yeguaensis chambers, and they should not be confused
Weinzierl and Applin (1929). with functional bullas.
2. As G. eocaena but further differing As regards stratigraphic and zonal signif-
from G. linaperta in appreciable elevation of icance, the conclusion reached in this study is
the spire. In intermediate forms the raised that only hazy linear patterns are discernible
chambers form a central turret projecting in the slow evolution of the G. linaperta
above the chambers of the outer whorl. These plexus from Middle Eocene through Oligocene
fall within Globigerina corpulenta Subbotina time. The threefold reason for this is that (1)
(1953) (Pl. 1, figs. 3-4), a species whose vari- in the Late Eocene and indefinitely into the
ability is well represented by the 17 figures of Oligocene most of the variants coexisted, (2)
6 specimens provided by Subbotina (1953, some forms whose first appearance has been
1971). Loftier forms (PI. 2, figs. 2, 3) belong to applied to zonation are in fact defined on such
Globigerina gortanii (Borsetti, 1959), which is elusive and transitional characters that their
a senior synonym of Globigerina turritilina routine identification is impractical (e.g.,
Blow and Banner (1962), whose division into Globigerina tapuriensis Blow & Banner,
subspecies is not supported by our study. 1962), and (3) the readily recognized, late-ap-
3. Initially as G. linaperta but growth of pearing forms (notably G. gortanii and G.
later chambers achieved by ventral prolonga- sellii) occur too sparsely and sporadically to
tion more than by radial growth, resulting in a serve as zonal indices.
taller, subglobular test (PI. 2, fig. 1). This is Details of occurrence of the seven princi-
Globigerina venezuelana Hedberg (1937). pal species are included on the faunal charts
4. As G. venezuelana but chambers in- (Figs. 2-4). Differences in the distribution pat-
creasing in size more rapidly, resulting in a terns of these species, presumably reflecting
form with only 3 chambers per whorl (Pl. 2, both ecologic and preservational aspects,
fig. 4). This is Globigerina tripartita Koch hinder summarization; in broad terms the dis-
(1926), a senior synonym of Globigerina rohri tribution of individual species is as follows.
BoIli (1957). In the present study numerous G. linaperta s.s. Seldom common. Lo-
examples were noted of a high-spired variant cally confined to the Eocene but elsewhere re-
corded up through the Globorotalia opima up through the Globorotalia opima opima
opima Zone. and Globigerina ciperoensis zones, but
G. eocaena. May be common to abun- becoming abruptly sparser and disappearing
dant up through the Globorotalia opima from the assemblages near the level of first ap-
opima Zone, then sparse but still present to pearance of Globorotalia kugleri.
the top of the Oligocene. Globigerina angulisuturalis Bolli (1957)
G. venezuelana and G. tripartita. These (Pl. 7, fig. 2) appears so consistently just
two have virtually the same distribution pat- above the extinction level of Globigerina
tern, both being present in almost every sam- ampliapertura that its incipience is used for-
ple from Upper Eocene to Lower Miocene; mally to define the base of the Globorotalia
commonly the most conspicuous species in the opima opima Zone, above which level its dis-
planktonic assemblage. tribution is almost identical with that of G.
G. corpulenta and G. gortanii. For prac- ciperoensis. Blow (1969) postulated evolu-
tical purposes these can be treated jointly, tionary development of G. angulisuturalis
both being recorded sporadically and seldom from a similar but tetracamerate species,
as common from Upper Eocene to Upper which he named Globigerina anguliofficinalis.
Oligocene. In the present study the latter form was
G. sellii. Recorded very sparsely in the observed but only within the recorded range
Globorotalia opima opima Zone and more of normal G. angulisuturalis.
consistently in the overlying Globigerina Globigerina angustiumbilicata Bolli (1957)
ciperoensis Zone. (Pl. 7, fig. 3) is persistent and generally plen-
tiful through the entire Late Eocene to Early
Miocene interval, so that it has no biostrati-
Small Pentacamerate Species of Globigerina graphic utility in the present context. Many
specimens differ from G. ciperoensis only in
Plate 7, figures 1-3
their smaller umbilici, so that a subspecific
Small pentacamerate species of Globi- relationship might be postulated, but others
gerina (diameters typically 0.2 to 0.3 mm) differ gradationally from the norm and appear
were recognized by several authors as a diag- to link it with such distinct planktonic species
nostic element of American Oligocene micro- as Globorotalia postcretacea and Globigerina
faunas but were erroneously assigned to quinqueloba. Comparable difficulty of de-
Globigerina concinna Reuss (1850). Their tax- limiting G. angustiumbilicata was mentioned
onomy was formalized by proposal of the spe- by Asano, Ingle, and Takayanagi (1968) and
Berggren (1969a, p. 147-148).
cies Globigerina ciperoensis Bolli (1954) and
its later subdivision into the three subspecies
Globigerina ciperoensis s.s., G. ciperoensis Small Tetracamerate Species of Globigerina
angulisuturalis Bolli (1957), and G. ciperoen-
sis angustiumbilicata Bolli (1957). Later
authors have generally treated the three forms Abundant at all levels are small species of
as separate species, and this procedure is Globigerina comparable in size to the pen-
adopted here mainly to avoid the use of long tamerous Globigerina ciperoensis group but
trinomials. Globigerina ciperoensis and G. differing in their quadrate mode of coiling,
angulisuturalis are certainly closely related, as which results from more rapidly increasing
indicated by plentiful intermediate specimens, size of successive chambers. Within this group
despite their assignment to unrelated lineages individuals can readily be selected with suffi-
by Blow and Banner (1962) and Blow (1969). cient differences to justify their treatment as
Globigerina ciperoensis Bolli (1957) (Pl. 7, separate species, but closer study reveals
fig. 1) is typified by its large umbilicus and the intergradational forms linking the extremes
geometric regularity of the low spire of globu- (cf. Kiesel, Lotsch, & TrUmper, 1969). In
lar chambers. In the material examined this short, this is another plexus comparable to the
form was recorded as first appearing close to Globigerina littaperta group, although more
the extinction level of Globigerina ampliaper- limited in its variability; a similar approach to
tura, then persisting as a conspicuous element its nomenclature is warranted.
Choice of names for the variants presents a of these small species of Globigerina. Without
problem because many have been applied and further discussion, we now indicate the basis
authors have been inconsistent in their usage. used to define the species shown on the ac-
Nevertheless, an attempt was made in the companying charts.
present study to find a concrete solution In all forms, a nucleus no longer than 0.2
because several modern authors have claimed mm is observable; this consists of an indistinct
to discern evolutionary trends applicable to knot of chamberlets followed by two better
Paleogene zonation. Blow (1969), in partic- defined chambers set at right angles, each ap-
ular, retaining the nomenclature of Blow and proximately semicircular as viewed dorsally.
Banner (1962), assigned distinct ranges to six The aperture is a simple arch over the um-
Paleogene species or subspecies within this bilicus and may carry a light rim or lip. For
group (gnaucki, leroyi, occlusa, officinalis, purposes of discussion names are applied as
ouachitensis, praebulloides), as well as to follows to four distinguishable variants, but in
numerous homeomorphs in the Neogene. In part we regard them as convenient labels
the more recent literature, exemplified by rather than formal designations of taxa.
detailed reports on materials from the Deep Globigerina "ouachitensis" Howe and
Sea Drilling Project, these small forms receive Wallace (1932) (Pl. 6, fig. 2). Slow rate of in-
scant attention. crease in size of adult chambers. Last two
Deliberately ignoring published studies, chambers may be subequal or the last may be
we attempted to divide this group into readily smaller.
recognizable variants. An immediate conclu- Globigerina "praebulloides" Blow (1959)
sion was that trifling variation in tightness of (Pl. 6, fig. 1). Adult chambers increase in
coiling or in posture of the final chamber size regularly, successively occupying more
could produce disproportionately large dif- than a third but less than half the area of test
ferences in the umbilicus or aperture or both, as viewed dorsally.
which for this reason were adjudged unsuit- Globigerina occlusa Blow and Banner
able features to apply to speciation. Conse- (1962) (Pl. 6, fig. 4). Similar to G.
quently, we base division on the gross form of "praebulloides" but chambers increase in size
the spire, placing prime emphasis on the rate somewhat more rapidly. Final chamber com-
of size increase of the adult chambers and at- monly as large as whole preceding test and
taching secondary significance to elevation may appear elongate.
and other features of the spire. The outcome Globigerina sp. indet. Chamber se-
was recognition of five variants that, although quence as in G. "ouachitensis" but coil slightly
intergradational to each other, could be iden- elevated and tighter so that final chamber is
tified expeditiously. partly tucked under nuclear portion, produc-
The next step should have been to identify ing an impression of tricamerate coiling.
them with published species, but this was not Distinctive enough to put on record but strat-
achieved with any degree of certainty. Au- igraphically unimportant.
thors have varied between narrow and broad Globorotalia obesa Bolli (1957) (Pl. 6, fig.
definition of species (Subbotina, 1953, 1971, 3). Forms similar to Globigerina "praebul-
for example, figured seven distinct forms as loides" in dorsal aspect, but coil slightly
G. officinalis) and in their choice of diagnostic looser, hence more quadrate. Aperture swiv-
criteria. Blow and Banner (1962) and Blow eled to an atypical position almost or com-
(1969) in addition emphasize the very features pletely extraumbilical. Name used with
(aperture and umbilicus) that we regard as misgivings although Jenkins (1971, p. 127,
least reliable. They also attach importance to 141) also hints at a linkage between Globoro-
shell surface, but SEM photographs reveal talia obesa and Globigerina "praebulloides.
that this is governed as much by preserva- As a group, small tetracamerate species of
tional history as by genetics of the individual. Globigerina are abundant through the Late
The theme could be expanded by reference to Eocene to Early Miocene interval, but we
the classifications of Bandy, Bolli, Poag, and could discern little chronologic significance in
many others, but enough has been said to their distribution pattern. Such intergradation
show how subjective has been the treatment with pentacamerate forms as exists (e.g., be-

tween G. ouachitensis and G. angustiumbil-
- abnormally small specimens noted in the
icata) was reiterative in character and is not lower Oligocene of Corehole 5B being pref-
diagnostic of any specific interval. In sum- erably regarded as reworked from the Eocene.
mary:
1. Globigerina praebulloides" and G.
-
"ouachitensis" occur persistently through the

whole interval studied, and are generally com- Genus GLOBIGERINITA Briinnimann,
mon to abundant. Patchiness seen on the 1951
charts probably results from variable preser- Globigerinita incrusta Akers, 1955
vation.
2. Globigerina occlusa is initially scarce Plate 8, figure 3
and sporadic, becoming common to abundant
This diminutive species is scarce to com-
only near the top of the Globorotalia opima
mon in Corehole 5B upward from the middle
opitna Zone and on up through the Globi- of the Globigerina ciperoensis Zone and in
gerina ciperoensis Zone. By development of a Corehole 29 - 42 in the pre-Miocene portion of
small dorsal aperture, this form gives rise to
the Globorotalia kugleri Zone. Most
Globigerinoides quadrilobatus primordius, of
specimens are typical in possessing a rec-
which the earliest specimens appear at the
tangular bulla with only four openings, but
base of the Globigerina ciperoensis Zone.
some resemble G. arnbitacrena (Loeblich &
3. Globorotalia obesa is represented by
Tappan, 1957) in presence of multiple infra-
such sparse and sporadic examples in the
lamina! openings.
lower Oligocene that these might better be
Globigerinita incrusta has a wide reputa-
treated as teratoid individuals. Within the up-
tion as an index of Neogene age (e.g., Blow,
per half of the Globigerina ciperoensis Zone,
1969; Jenkins, 1971). Its presence in the
however, and on up into the Miocene this
Oligocene is an abnormality comparable with
form becomes a persistent element in the
the unusually early appearance of Globigeri-
faunas. noides in the study area.
4. Globigerina sp. indet. (as described
herein) is generally scarcer than other variants
but nevertheless was recorded in fair abun-
dance locally at all levels from the Upper Genus GLOBIGERINOIDES Cushman, 1927
Eocene to the Globorotalia kugleri Zone.
Globigerinoides quadrilobatus primordius
Blow & Banner, 1962
Genus GLOBIGERINATHEKA Briinnimann, Plate 6, figure 5
1952
(Emended Proto Decima & Bolli, 19701 Small tetracamerate species of Globigerina
are abundant in the interval studied. The
variant assigned to Globigerina occlusa
Excellent specimens of Globigerinatheka becomes plentiful in the upper part of the
were seen in Middle Eocene cores, but Globorotalia opima opima Zone and higher.
representation of this genus is poor in the Up- In the basal part of the Globigerina ciperoen-
per Eocene of the coreholes studied. Most sis Zone careful search reveals specimens dif-
specimens are too small or too poorly pre- fering in presence of a small but well-formed
served for ready identification in the scheme supplementary aperture located on the final
of Bolli (1972). On Plate 5, figures 7a and 7b chamber at the spiral suture. These clearly
are different views of a bullate specimen re- belong to Globigerinoides quadrilobatus
ferred to G. tropicalis (Blow & Banner, 1962); primordius as defined and described by Blow
figure 8 depicts G. semiinvoluta (Keijzer, and Banner (1962, p. 115, 136 - 138). Continu-
1945) identifiable by its smoothly orbiform ing up-section, this primitive representative of
test interrupted by lunate apertures of which Globigerinoides is seen more persistently and
one is visible in profile at upper right. The it becomes common at the level of first ap-
genus is regarded as an index for the Eocene, pearance of forerunners of Globorotalia
kugleri. At approximately the same level, altispira altispira, known from high in the
larger and more elaborate forms appear, as- Lower Miocene, by its lower trochospiral pro-
signable to various subspecies of Globigeri- file and less appressed chambers. It is recorded
noides quad rilobatus s.l. only in the higher part of the Globorotalia
kugleri Zone, appearing at approximately the
same level as Globorotalia fohsi peripheror-
Globigerinoides quadrilobatus (d'Orbigny, onda. Because the Globigerinoides Datum is
1840) s.l. abnormally low and therefore not applicable
Plate 6, figure 6 in its usual key role, use of first appearance of
Globo quadrina altispira aff. altispira is sug-
Globigerinoides quadrilobatus primordius gested as a substitute guide to the Oligocene-
maintains the same small size as its immediate Miocene boundary in this area.
ancestor, Globigerina occlusa. The offshoots
that developed from it prolifically in the later
part of the Globigerina ciperoensis Chrono- Globoquadrina7 spp. indet.
zone are, however, considerably larger and Isolated individuals reminiscent of the
have two or more dorsal apertures. The speci- quadrate forms centered on Globo quadrina
men chosen to illustrate this group is assign- dehiscens (Chapman, Parr, & Collins, 1934)
able to G. q. quadrilobatus, but other were observed at scattered levels in the top
subspecies are well represented, in particular three zones, but we prefer to dismiss them as
G. q. triloba and G. q. sacculifer. teratoid specimens of Globigerina vene-
zuelana.
Genus GLOBOQUADRINA Finlay, 1947
Genus GLOBOROTALIA Cushman, 1927
Globoquadrina altispira globularis BermUdez,
1960 Globorotalia cerroazulensis (Cole, 1928)
subspp.
Plate 5, figure 2
Plate 3, figure 5; Plate 4, figures 3-6; Plate 7, figure 7
This small, usually four-chambered
subspecies ranges from the Upper Eocene to The treatment of Globorotalia cerroa-
Lower Miocene. It is grossly similar to Globi- zulensis by Toumarkine and BoIli (1970) is ac-
gerina eocaena but differs in looser coiling cepted. Evolution is discernible from the sub-
and, especially, in presence of "apertural species G. c. pomeroli Toumarkine and BoIli
teeth" (i.e., a tapering prolongation of each (1970), with round periphery, through the
adult chamber into the umbilicus). Blow nominate subspecies, with shoulders, to G. c.
(1969) considered this subspecies to be the im- cocoaensis Cushman (1928), with an acute
mediate common ancestor of G. altispira periphery. In the present study these forms
alt ispira (Cushman & Jarvis, 1936) and G. a. served jointly to distinguish Eocene from Oli-
globosa BoIli (1957). It differs from the former gocene assemblages. The most advanced form
subspecies in the more globular shape of its of the lineage, the lenticular and lightly keeled
chambers and from the latter subspecies in subspecies G. c. cunialensis Toumarkine and
having fewer chambers in the adult. Although Bo lli (1970), was recorded only at the top of
also recorded very sparsely in the middle the Eocene in sections where the Eocene-
Oligocene, the first persistent appearance is in Oligocene contact appears to be normal and
the upper part of the Globigerina ciperoensis was absent where a hiatus or condensed sec-
Zone of late Oligocene age. tion was suspected. The evidence accords with
acceptance of this form elsewhere as an index
to latest Eocene age.
Globoquadrina altispira aff. altispira
(Cushman & Jarvis, 1936) Globorotalia increbescens (Bandy, 1949)
Plate 5, figure 3 Plate 3, figure 4
This form differs from the typical G. A quadrate species characterized by its

gaping aperture set at a right angle to the Upper Eocene through the Oligocene but dif-
curve of the spire, Globorotalia increbescens fers in abundance from one corehole to
is recorded rather sparsely in the Upper another. In Coreholes 5 - B and 29-42 it tends
Eocene and lower Oligocene to the same ex- to be scarce or absent where G. opima opima
tinction level as its offspring, Globigerina is present, but this relationship is not seen in
ampliapertura, which is distinguished by an Corehole 32 - 45.
obliquely placed aperture and generally more
globose test.
Globorotalia postcretacea (Myatliuk, 1950)
Globorotalia opima opima BoIli, 1957
Plate 8, figure 2
Plate 4, figure 2
A very small pentacamerate species
The two subspecies of Globorotalia opima characterized by its compressed, almost dis-
are similar in their coiling parameters, the coidal test and bluntly rounded margin,
prime difference being size. Nevertheless, dis- Globorotalia postcretacea is a characteristic
tinction is generally easy as transitional spec- element of Oligocene microfaunas. It is of
imens are rare. Large specimens of Globoro- negligible stratigraphic utility because of its
talia siakensis may resemble G. o. opima but long range, into the Late Eocene and pre-
generally exhibit a slower rate of increase of sumed Early Miocene. Test morphology be-
chamber size, resulting in 5 to 6 rather than 4 comes more variable in its upper range, in-
to 5 chambers in the outer whorl. In our opin- cluding forms comparable to Globigerina
ion, the paratype figured by BoIli (1957) is angustiumbilicata except for their smooth,
more representative of a natural population of matte surface.
Globorotalia o. opima than is his holotype.
Globorotalia o. opima is diagnostic of
Oligocene age and has appropriately been se- Globorotalia obesa BoIli, 1957
lected as name fossil of the middle zone in
modern subdivisions. Nevertheless, its strati- Plate 6, figure 3
graphic limits are indefinite relative to those Note prior discussion of small tetra-
of other zonal indices. On empirical evidence camerate species of Globigerina.
three successive events in the early Oligocene
were the extinctions of Pseudohastigerina
micra and of Globigerina ampliapertura and
the first appearance of Globigerina angulisu- Globorotalia siakensis LeRoy, 1939
turalis, but recorded levels of local first ap- Plate 5, figure 1
pearance of Globorotalia o. opima vary ap-
preciably relative to these fixed datum levels. The test is a thick, discoidal trochospire
The reason is presumed to be ecologic control with 5 to 7 chambers in its last whorl. Main
of development of the large G. o. opima from differences from Globorotalia opima opima
the small G. o. nana. By analogy, ecologic are its looser coil and more numerous
control of the upper stratigraphic limit of G. chambers, lower diameter-to-thickness ratio,
o. opima is a logical supposition but not read- and commonly oblique setting of dorsal su-
ily verified because no clear-cut extinctions or tures. Nevertheless, intraspecific variation
arrivals of unrelated foraminiferal taxa are within both species is such that peripheral
recorded at a comparable level. For lack of variants may be difficult to distinguish.
anything better, the extinction level is there- Globorotalia mayeri of authors is included in
fore used to define a zonal boundary. this taxon.
Globorotalia siakensis first appears near
the level of extinction of G. opima opima. In-
Globorotalia opima nana BoIli, 1957 itially represented by sparse and small speci-
Plate 4, figure 1
mens, it becomes steadily more plentiful up-
section and is a conspicuous element in upper
Globorotalia opima nana is present from Oligocene and Lower Miocene assemblages.
Globorotalia kugleri Bolli, 1957 s.l. the anomalously low position of the Globi-
Plate 7, figure 4-6 gerinoides Datum here. As a substitute guide
to the Oligocene-Miocene boundary the earli-
At an indefinite level above the extinction est appearance of Globorotalia fohsi periph-
of Globorotalia opima opima, near the first eroronda (jointly with Globo quadrina
persistent occurrence of Globorotalia siaken- altispira aff. altispira) appears satisfactory.
sis, a new Globorotalia starts to appear. It is a
small species (diameter 0.2 to 0.3 mm) with no
obvious ancestors in the middle Oligocene
faunas. The delicate discoidal test is typified Hispid species of Globorotalia
by 6 to 7 chambers in the outer whorl and in- Plate 8, figures 4, 5
tercameral sutures that are radial to oblique
on the dorsal side, radial on the ventral side. Conspicuous in microfaunas of the lower
The periphery is evenly rounded and the sur- Paleogene are several groups of Globorotalia
face finely cancellate. From the somewhat characterized by a hispid to spinose shell.
variable initial forms arises a more constant These are distinctive enough to be referred to
species in which the margin is asymmetrically the subgenus Acarinina Subbotina (1953) by
offset toward the flattened dorsal surface and several authors. Wholesale extinction of these
the dorsal intercameral sutures are all forms is an accepted criterion for recognizing
obliquely recurved. Its asymmetry is more the top of the Middle Eocene. In the present
readily apparent under a binocular micro- study, for instance, large and plentiful speci-
scope than in SEM photographs. mens were observed in Middle Eocene cores,
The planoconvex form is assigned to whereas the only Globorotalia in the Late
Globorotalia kugleri BoIli s.s. as emended by Eocene assemblages are the smooth-shelled
Blow (1969), and the level of its evolutionary species already reviewed, referred by some
appearance defines the boundary between the authors to the subgenus Turborotalia Cush-
Globigerina ciperoensis and Globorotalia man and Burmilidez (1949).
kugleri zones. In both coreholes that pene- In view of this established pattern, it came
trated the interval, this datum is sharply de- as a surprise to encounter hispid species of
fined. In further agreement with Blow (1969), Globorotalia in certain intervals assigned
we include the earlier, more discoidal forms in unhesitatingly to the Oligocene. The preferred
Globorotalia kugleri s.l.: but no stratigraphic explanation is a form of reworking such that
utility is perceptible in his separation of two only fine-grained allochthonous (Eocene) ma-
primitive subspecies (rnendacis, pseudo- terial is present. Evidence in support of this in-
kugleri). Their presence is diagnostic of the terpretation includes the following: (1) There
upper portion of the Globigerina ciperoensis is no record of hispid species of Globorotalia
Zone, but the level of first appearance is too as a normal element in Oligocene assem-
indefinite to serve as a zonal datum. blages. (2) The size of specimens is consis-
tently small (ca. 0.2 mm) relative to that of
average Middle Eocene specimens (0.3 to 0.5
Globorotalia fohsi peripheroronda Blow & mm). (3) Also present are the equally small
Banner, 1966 Eocene-Oligocene index Pseudohastigerina
micra, here ranging above its normal strati-
Well-known and employed as a worldwide graphic limit, and sparse, very small spec-
zonal index in the Miocene is the earliest form imens assigned to the Eocene genus Globi-
of the Globorotalia fohsi lineage, now given gerinatheka. (4) As recorded in Corehole 5B,
the trivial name peripheroronda in replace- the pattern of initial abundance of these tiny
ment of barisanensis, the name earlier used ex- forms at the base of the Oligocene, dwindling
tensively but erroneously. It grossly resembles away indefinitely toward complete disappear-
Globorotalia kugleri but in the outer whorl ance within the Globorotalia opima opima
has fewer chambers (5 to 6), which increase Zone, is contrary to the abrupt extinctions
progressively in size. In the present study this generally recorded for these taxa. (5) Absent
species would be unimportant were it not for from the same intervals is any suggestion of
Stain forth & LarnbForaminiferal Zonation of the Oligocene 27
reworking from the Eocene of such larger Cushman (1925) may also be present. De-
species as normal-sized Han tkenina, sub- tached chambers of a more inflated hantken-
species of Globorotalia cerroazulensis, or inid are suggestive of Cribrohantkenina in-
representative benthonic foraminif era. flata (Howe, 1928), but no specimen was
found carrying the accessory apertures char-
acteristic of that species.
Presence of species of Hantkenina is a
Genus GLOBOROTALOIDES Bolli, 1957 reliable guide to Eocene age with the sole ex-
Globorotaloides suteri Both, 1957 ception of some outcrop samples of the Oligo-
Plate 5, figures 4,5
cene Red Bluff Clay. This anomaly has been
discussed in the literature (cf. Jones, 1958) and
Specimens of Globorotaloides suteri were is generally attributed to reworking.
recorded at all levels through the Oligocene,
varying in frequency from one corehole to
another. The species was not plotted on the Genus PSEUDOHASTIGERINA Banner &
distribution charts because it has no strati- Blow, 1959
graphic utility in the present context and, fur-
thermore, is so variable that its separation Pseudohastigerina micra (Cole, 1927)
from other taxa (e.g., Catapsydrax unicavus) Plate 8, figure 6
is difficult.
Pseudohastigerina micra (assigned to the
genus Globanomalina Hague, 1956, by some
modern authors, cf. Loeblich & Tappan,
Genus HANTKENINA Cushman, 1925 1964) is smaller than most taxa selected as
Hantkenina spp. zonal indices but is readily recognized by its
planispiral coiling. Generally it has a well-
Plate 5, figure 6
defined stratigraphic range, and we follow
The genus Hantkenina is mainly several authors (Blow & Banner, 1962; Bolli,
represented by single chambers of broken 1966) in applying its extinction level to define
specimens. The figured specimen is one of the the lowest zone in the Oligocene. Never-
few fairly complete examples observed. Prob- theless, in some sectors the utility of this
ably the commonest species is Hantkenina datum is vitiated by presence through the
alabamensis Cushman (1925) but H. primitiva lower Oligocene of a reworked Eocene micro-
Cushman and Jarvis (1929) and H. longispina fauna containing P. micra.
CONCLUSIONS
Submarine cores provide assemblages of graphic level but not employed in formal
Oligocene planktonic foraminifera infinitely zonation: for instance, appearance in the
richer than those obtained from classic out- highest Eocene of the carinate subspecies
crop localities in the Gulf Coast region. Globorotalia cerroazulensis cunialensis;
The material should therefore be fully il- development within the Oligocene of
lustrative of evolutionary patterns and line- Globorotalia opirna opima from G. o. nana,
ages. Without recourse to statistical analysis, conspicuous but influenced by ecologic fac-
we conclude, however, that very few cases of tors; and evolution within the Globo quadrina
evolutionary development are so sharply altispira lineage here accepted as a guide to the
defined as to be applicable to zonation. The Oligocene-Miocene boundary.
single example used in definition of a zonal Morphologic development from Globi-
boundary is the evolution of Globorotalia gerina occlusa to the simple Globigerinoides
kugleri s.s. from more primitive subspecies. quad rilobatus primordius and on to the com-
Other examples are useful guides to strati- plex group of G. q. quadrilobatus is clearly
recorded, but the Globigerinoides Datum thus low position in this area of the Globigeri-
defined occurs at an appreciably lower (older) noides Datum. Whether defined as the level of
level than elsewhere recorded. Other inter- earliest individuals referable to the primordius
relationships of taxa postulated by Blow and form or of abrupt proliferation of the genus
Banner (1962), Blow (1969), and others either Globigerinoides, the datum falls here within
were not observed or had a different strati- the Globigerina ciperoensis Zone, whereas its
graphic connotation. The suggested reason is conventional placement is within the over-
a greater effect of paleoclimatic factors on lying range-zone of Globorotalia kugleri.
distribution patterns of Oligocene plankton Local anomalies in the form of hiatuses or
than has generally been considered the case. A condensed sections hinder study of the
clear example is the abrupt appearance within Eocene-Oligocene boundary here, but its main
the Oligocene in this area of Globigerina criterion is abrupt extinction of prominent
angulisuturalis and its close relative G. Eocene taxa such as the hantkeninids and
ciperoensis. Elsewhere they are recorded, Globorotalia cerroazulensis s.l. Presence of
respectively, as evolving from an ancestor (G. the carinate subspecies G. c. cunialensis
anguliofficinalis) that ranged back into the typifies the highest Eocene. Cassigerinella
Late Eocene and as first appearing (suppos- chipolensis was not encountered in the Eocene
edly by evolution from G. ouachitensis) but is far from common in the Oligocene.
within the Late Eocene. Comparable inter- The Oligocene-Miocene boundary is con-
regional discrepancies of range are well ventionally defined by the Globigerinoides
documented among temperature-sensitive Datum within the Globorotalia kugleri Range-
taxa in the Pleistocene and confidently at- zone, but the study area is anomalous. The
tributed to paleoclimatic fluctuations. suggested local substitute is the level of joint
In broad terms, and to a great extent in appearance of Globo quadrina altispira aff.
detail, the five natural divisions of the altispira and Globorotalia fohsi peripher-
Oligocene in the study area coincide with oronda.
those of existing zonal schemes (e.g., Bo lli, Reworking is suspected only in the lower
1966; Blow, 1969; Postuma, 1971). In upward part of the Oligocene, where in some sections
sequence the zones are conveniently named diminutive hispid species of Globorotalia of
for Pseudohastigerina micra, Globigerina Eocene type occur in some abundance, and
ampliapertura, Globorotalia opima opima, Pseudohastigerina micra ranges higher than
Globigerina ciperoensis, and Globorotalia elsewhere. Considered jointly with abnormal-
kugleri; only the last named is the range-zone ities at the Eocene-Oligocene boundary, the
of it name fossil. A minor departure from es- reworking suggests turbidity flows associated
tablished practice is rejection of first ap- with eustatism or local uplift at the end of the
pearance of Cassigerinella chipolensis as a Eocene. The corehole samples of the Eocene-
datum coincident with the Eocene-Oligocene Oligocene interval represent open-sea, deep-
boundary because that taxon is too sparsely water facies so that hiatuses (as in Corehole
recorded for acceptance here as a zonal index. 5B) are more readily explained by slumping
The main discrepancy encountered is the than by emergence and erosion.

Stain forth & Lamb-Foraminiferal Zonation of the Oligocene 29
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25, p. 26-45, pl. 5-8. minifera: N. Z. Geol. Surv. Paleontol. Bull. 42, 278
& Jarvis, P. W., 1929, New Foraminifera from p., 2 fig., 23 pl.
Trinidad: Cushman Lab. Foraminiferal Res. Contrib., 1973 . The present status and future progress in
v. 5, p. 6-17, pl. 2-3. the study of Cenozoic planktonic Foraminifera: Rev.
1936, Three new Foraminifera from Esp. Micropaleontol., v. 9, p. 133-146, 4 fig.
the Miocene Bowden marl of Jamaica: Cushman Lab. , & Orr, W. N., 1972, Planktonic toraminiferal
ForaminiferalRes. Contrib., v. 12, no. 166, p. 3-5, 6 biostratigraphy of the east equatorial Pacific DSDP
fig. Leg 9: Initial Rep. Deep Sea Drilling Project, v. 9, p.
& Ponton, G. M., 1932, The Foraminifera of the 1059-1193, 9 fig., 41 pl.
Stain forth & Larnb-Forarniniferal Zonation of the Oligocene 31
Jones, D. J. 1958, Displacement of microfossils: J. Sedi- stratotype de l'Aquitanien Geobios, no. 9, p. 607-
ment. Petrol., v. 28, p. 453-467. 663, 5 fig., 16p1.
Keijzer, F. G., 1945, Outline of the geology of the eastern 1979, Les stratotypes du Bordelais
part of the Province of Oriente, Cuba (E. of 76 0 W. (Bassin d'Aquitaine, France); Aquitanien et Bur-
L.), with notes on the geology of other parts of the digalien, le - Sallomacien," leur microfaune et leur
island: Univ. Geogr. Geol. Meded. Physiogr. Geol. position biostratigraphique: 7th Int. Congr. Mediter-
Reeks Utrecht, ser. 2, no. 6, 238 p., 34 fig., 11131. ranean Neogene, Athens 1979, Ann. Geol. Pays Hell.,
Kiesel, Yvonne, Lotsch, Dieter, & Triimper, Erwin, 1969, spec. vol., P. 993-1001, 4 fig.
Planktonic Foraminifera from the Oligo/Miocene of Poore, R. Z., & Brabb, E. E., 1977, Eocene and Oligocene
the German Democratic Republic (GDR): 1st Int. planktonic foraminifera from the upper Butano Sand-
Conf . . Planktonic Microfossils, Geneva 1967, Proc., v. stone and type San Lorenzo Formation, Santa Cruz
2, p. 339-342, 2 pl. Mountains, California: J. Foraminifera!. Res., v. 7, p.
Koch, R. E., 1926, Mitteltertiare Foraminiferen aus 249-272, 3 fig., 8 pl.
Bulongan, Ost-Borneo: Eclogae Geol. Helv., v. 19, p. PokornY, Valdimif, 1955, Cassigerinella boudecensis n ,
722-751. gen., n. sp. (Foraminifera, Protozoa) from the
Lamb, J. L., & Stainforth, R. M., 1976, Unreliability of Oligocene of the Zdanice Flysch: Vestn, Ustred.
Globigerinoides Datum: Bull. Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Ustavu Geol., v. 30, p. 136-140, 3 fig.
v. 60, p. 1564-1569, 3 fig. Postuma, J. A., 1971, Manual of planktonic Foramin-
LeRoy, L. W., 1939, Some small Foraminifera, Ostracoda ifera: 420 p., illus., Elsevier Publishing Co., Amster-
and otoliths from the Neogene ( - Miocene") of the dam.
Rokan-Tapanoeli area, central Sumatra: Natuurk. Proto Decima, Franca, & Bolli, H. M., 1970, Evolution
Tijdschr. Ned. Indie, v.99, no. 6, p. 215-296, pl. 1-14. and variability of Orhulinoides heckmanni (Saito):
Loeblich, A. R., Jr., & Tappan, Helen, 1957, The new Eclogae Geol. Helv., v. 63, p. 883-905, 51 fig., 4 pl.
planktonic foraminiferal genus Tinophodella, and an Reuss, A. E., 1850, Neues Foraminiferen aus den
emendation of Globigerinita BrOnnimann, J. Schichten des Osterreichischen Tertiarbeckens: Akad.
Washington Acad. Sc., v. 47, p. 112-116, 1 pl. Wiss. Wien Denkschr., Math.-Nat. KI., v. 1, p. 365-
1964, Sarcodina, chiefly Thecamoebians and 390, pl. 46-51.
Foraminiferida; in Moore, R. C. (ed.), Treatise on in- Seiglie, G. A., 1973, Revision of Mid-Tertiary stratig-
vertebrate paleontology: Protista 2, Part C, 2 v., 900 raphy of southwestern Puerto Rico: Bull. Am. Assoc.
p., 653 fig., Geol. Soc. Am. & Univ. Kansas Press, Pet. Geol., v. 57, p. 405-406.
New York & Lawrence. Stainforth, R. M., 1974, Nomenclature of some large Eo-
Meulenkamp, J. E. (ed.), 1975, Report of the working Oligocene Globigerinas: Verh. Naturforsch. Ges.
group on micropaleontology, in J. Senes (ed.), Report Basel, v.84, p. 256-264, 1 fig., 2 pl.
on activity of the Regional Committee on Mediterra- Stainforth, R. M., & others, 1975. Cenozoic planktonic
nean Neogene Stratigraphy working groups (1971- foraminiferal zonation and characteristics of index
1975). p. 10-29, 1 fig. Bratislava. forms: Univ. Kansas Paleont. Contrib., Artic. 62, 425
Myatliuk, E. V., 1950, Stratigrafiya flishevykh osadkov p., 213 fig.
severnykh Karpat y cveta dannykh fauny foraminifer: Subbotina, N. N., 1953, Iskopaemye foraminifery USSR;
Tr. Vses. Nauchno-Issled. Geologorazved. Nef t. Inst., Globigerinidy, Khantkeninidy i Globorotaliidy: Tr,
n. ser., v. 51 [Mikrofauna SSSR, sb. 41, p. 225-287, 4 Vses. Nauchno-Issled. Geologorazved. Nef t. Inst., n.
pl. [The stratigraphy of the flysch deposits of the ser., no. 76, 296 p., 8 fig., 41 pl. [Fossil foraminifers of
northern Carpathian Mountains according to the f o- the USSR; Globigerinidae, Hantkeninidae, and
raminiferal faunas.) Globorotaliidae.)
dOrbigny, A. D., 1826, Tableau mthodique de la classe 1971, Fossil Foraminifera of the USSR;
des cphalopodes: Ann. Sci. Nat. Paris, ser. 1, y. 7, p. Globigerinidae, Hantkeninidae and Globorotaliidae:
95-314, pl. 10-17. 321 p., 8 fig., 40 pl., Collets Ltd., London and Well-
1840, Mmoire sur les foraminifres de la craie ingborough. [Translation by E. Lees of Subbotina,
blanche du bassin de Paris: Mem, Soc. Geol. Fr., v. 4, 1953.1
pt. 1, p.1-51, pl. 1-4. Toumarkine, Monique, & Bolli, H. M., 1970, Evolution
Poag, C. W., 1972, Planktonic foraminifers of the de Globorotalia cerroazulensis (Cole) dans l'Eocene
Chickasawhay Formation, United States Gulf Coast: moyen et suprieur de Possagno (Italie): Rev.
Micropaleontology, v. 18, p. 257-277, 5 fig., 1 pl. Micropaleontol., v. 13, p. 131-145, 7 fig., 2 pl.
Poignant, Armelle, & Pujol, Claude, 1976, Nouvelles Weinzierl, L. L., & Applin, E. R., 1929, The Claiborne
donnes micropalontologiques (foraminifres planc- formation on the coastal domes: J. Paleontol., v. 3, p.
toniques et petits foraminifres benthiques) sur le 384-410, pl. 42-44.
EXPLANATION OF PLATES
ventral, and peripheral view, x 78.
PLATE 1
FIGURE
PLATE 3

/. Globigerina linaperta Finlay; specimen from
FIGURE
Corehole 5B, core 1,658 to 1,674 feet, Upper
Eocene; la-c, dorsal, ventral, and peripheral
/. Globigerina tripartita Koch; lofty-spired
views, X 78.
2. Globigerina eocaena Giimbel; specimen from variant with surface somewhat leached, from
Corehole 5B, core 1,364 to 1,380 feet, Oligo- Corehole 32-45, core 5,697 to 5,712 feet, Upper
cene, Globigerina ciperoensis Zone; 2a-c, Eocene; la-c, dorsal, peripheral, and ventral
peripheral, dorsal, and ventral views, X 78. views, X78.
3-4. Globigerina corpulenta Subbotina; specimens 2. Globigerina sellii (Borsetti); specimen from
from Corehole 5B, core 1,626 to 1,642 feet, Corehole 5B, core 1,364 to 1,380 feet, Oligo-
lower Oligocene, Pseudohastigerina micra cene, Globigerina ciperoensis Zone; 2a-c,
Zone. 3a - c. Tetracamerate specimen, dor- peripheral, dorsal, and ventral views, X 78.
sal,ventral, and peripheral views, X 78. 3. Globigerina ampliapertura Bolli; smaller than
4a-c. Pentacamerate specimen, ventral, dorsal, average specimen from Corehole 5B, core
and peripheral views, x 78. 1,642 to 1,658 feet, Early Oligocene, Pseudo-
hast igerina micra Zone; 3a-c, dorsal, ventral,
and peripheral views; 3d, oblique view accen-
PLATE 2 tuating gaping, obliquely oriented aperture;

X 78.
FIGURE 4 Globorotalia increbescens (Bandy); specimen
from Corehole 5B, core 1,642 to 1,658 feet,
1. Globigerina venezuelana Hedberg; specimen Early Oligocene, Pseudohastigerina micra
from Corehole 5, core 1,012 to 1,027 feet, up- Zone; 4a-c, oblique, apertural, and dorsal
per Oligocene?, Globorotalia kugleri Zone; views, X 78.
la-c, dorsal, ventral, and peripheral views, 5. Globorotalia cerroazulensis pomeroli
X 78. Toumarkine and Bolli; specimen from Core-
hole 5B, core 1,658 to 1,673 feet, Upper Eo-
2-3. Globigerina gortanii (Borsetti); specimens from
Corehole 5B. 2a c. Specimen from core cene; 5a-c, dorsal, peripheral, and ventral
1,658 to 1,673 feet, Upper Eocene, dorsal, pe- views, X 78.
ripheral, and ventral views, x 78. 3a-c.
Specimen from core 1,626 to 1,642 feet, lower
Oligocene, Pseudohastigerina micra Zone, PLATE 4
peripheral, ventral, and dorsal views, X 78.
4. Globigerina tripartita Koch; specimen from FIGURE
Corehole 5B, core 1,532 to 1,548 feet, Oligo-
cene, Globorotalia opima opitna Zone; dorsal, I. Globorotalia opima nana Bolli; specimen from

Corehole 5B, core 1,658 to 1,673 feet, Upper Corehole 5B, core 1,423 to 1,439 feet, Oligo-
Eocene; la-c, ventral, dorsal, and peripheral cene, Globigerina ciperoensis Zone.-4a, b.
views, X 78. Bullate form, ventral and dorsal views, X 78.
Globorotalia opinia ()pima Bolli; specimen .5a c. Globorotaliid form, ventral, dorsal,
from Corehole 5B, core 1,610 to 1,628 feet, and peripheral views, X 78.

Oligocene, Globorotalia opima opima Zone; 6. Hantkenina sp.; specimen from Corehole 5B,
2a-c, dorsal, peripheral, and ventral views, core 1,658 to 1,673 feet, Upper Eocene; X 78.
X 78. 7. Globigerinatheka tropicalis (Blow & Banner);
Globorotalia cerroazulensis cerroazulensis specimen from Corehole 5B, core 1,658 to
(Cole); specimen from Corehole 5B, core 1,658 1,673, Upper Eocene; 7a, b, ventral and dorsal
to 1,673 feet, Upper Eocene; 3a-c, ventral, views, X 78.
peripheral, and ventral views, X 78. 8. Globigerinatheka semiinvoluta (Keijzer)?;
4-6. Globorotalia cerroazulensis cocoaensis poorly preserved specimen from Corehole 5B,
Cushman; specimens from Upper Eocene Ya- core 1,658 to 1,673 feet, Upper Eocene; x 78.
zoo Clay at Little Stave Creek, Alabama.
4. ventral view, X96. 5. Dorsal view,
X 105.-6. Peripheral view, X 130. PLATE 6
FIGURE
PLATE 5
1. Globigerina - praebulloides - Blow and Banner;
FIGURE specimen from Corehole 29-42, core 4,925 to
4,940 feet, Oligocene, Globorotalia opima
1. Globorotalia siakensis LeRoy; specimen from opima Zone; la-c, ventral, dorsal, and
Corehole 5, core 1,012 to 1,027 feet, upper peripheral views. X 78.
Oligocene?, Globorotalia kugleri Zone; la-c, 2 Globigerina - ouachitensis - Howe and Wallace;
dorsal, peripheral, and ventral views, X 78. specimen from Corehole 5B, core 1,532 to
2. Globo quadrina alt ispira globo fans BermUclez; 1,548 feet, Oligocene, Globorotalia opima
specimen from Corehole 5, core 1,101 to 1,117 opirna Zone; 2a-c, dorsal, peripheral, and ven-
feet, Upper Oligocene, Globigerina ciperoensis tral views, X 78.

Zone; 2a, apertural details, X 174; 2b-d, dor- 3. Globorotalia obesa Both; specimen from
sal, ventral, and peripheral views, X 78. Corehole 5, core 1,043 to 1,058 feet, upper
3. Globoquadrina altispira aff. altispira Oligocene?, Globorotalia kugleri Zone; 3a-c,
(Cushman & Jarvis); specimen from Corehole dorsal, peripheral, and ventral views, X 78.
5, core 951 to 966 feet, Lower Miocene?, Glo- 4. Globigerina occlusa Blow and Banner;
borotalia kugleri Zone; 3a-c, dorsal, specimen from Corehole 29-42, core 4,925 to
peripheral, and ventral views, X78. Note 4,940 feet, Oligocene, Globorotalia opima
calcite crystal simulating an apertural tooth in opima Zone; 4a-c, dorsal, ventral, and
c. peripheral views, X 78.

4-5. Globorotaloides suteri Bolli; specimen from 5. Globigerinoides quadrilobatus prim ordius
Blow and Banner; specimen from Corehole 5B, and dorsal views, X 130.-6a, b. Ventral
core 1,423 to 1,439 feet, Oligocene, in basal and dorsal views, X 130.
part of Globigerina ciperoensis Zone. 5a, 7. Globorotalia cerroazulensis cunialensis
c, d, dorsal, ventral and peripheral views, Toumarkine and Bolli; specimen from Core-
X 78; 5b, dorsal aperture, X 195. hole 29-43, core 5,045 to 5,060 feet, Upper
6. Globigerinoides quadrilobatus quadrilobatus Eocene; 7a, b, ventral and peripheral views,
(d'Orbigny); specimen from Corehole 5B, core X 78.
1,102 to 1,117 feet, upper Oligocene, top of
Globigerina ciperoensis Zone; 6a, oblique
peripheral view; 6b-c, ventral and dorsal PLATE 8
views; X78.
FIGURE
PLATE 7 1. Cassigerinella chipolensis (Cushman &

Ponton); specimen from Corehole 5B, core
FIGURE 1,364 to 1,380 feet, Oligocene, Globigerina
ciperoensis Zone; la, shell surface, X522;
1. Globigerina ciperoensis Bolli; specimen from lb-d, dorsal, peripheral, and ventral views,
Corehole 29-42, core 4,925 to 4,940 feet, Oligo- x 130.
cene, Globorotalia opima opima Zone; la-c, 2. Globorotalia postcretacea (Myatliuk);
dorsal, peripheral, and ventral views, X 78. specimen from Corehole 5B, core 1,610 to
2. Globigerina angulisuturalis BoIli; specimen 1,626 feet, lower Oligocene, Globigerina am-
from Corehole 29-42, core 4,925 to 4,940 feet, pliapertura Zone; 2a-c, dorsal, peripheral, and
Oligocene, Globorotalia opirna opima Zone; ventral views, X 130.
2a-c, dorsal, peripheral, and ventral views, 3. Globigerinita incrusta Akers; specimen from
X 78. Corehole 29-42, core 4,805 to 4,820 feet, upper
3. Globigerina angustiumbilicata BoIli; specimen Oligocene, Globorotalia kugleri Zone; 3a, b, d,
from Corehole 5B, core 1,642 to 1,658 feet, ventral, peripheral, and dorsal views, X 130;
lower Oligocene, Pseudohastigerina mica, 3c, enlargement of bulla, X 260.
Zone; dorsal, peripheral, and ventral views, 4-5. Globorotalia spp.; specimens from Corehole
X 78. 5B, core 1,642 to 1,658 feet, lower Oligocene,
4. Globorotalia kugleri BoIli s.1.; specimen of but presumably reworked from Eocene.
primitive form from Corehole 5B, core 1,193 to 4a-c. Hispid form with blunt periphery,
1,208 feet, Oligocene, Globigerina ciperoensis peripheral, dorsal, and ventral views, X 130.
Zone; 4a-c, dorsal, peripheral, and ventral 5a, b. Hispid form with acute periphery,
views, X 130. peripheral and ventral views, X 130.
5-6. Globorotalia kugleri BoIli s.s.; specimens from 6. Pseudo hastigerina micra (Cole); specimen from
Corehole 5, core 1,012 to 1,027 feet, uppermost Corehole 5B, core 1,642 to 1,658 feet, lower
Oligocene or lowest Miocene, Globorotalia Oligocene, Pseudohastigerina micra Zone; 6a,
kugleri Zone. 5a-c. Peripheral, ventral, b, oblique and side views, X 130.
The University of Kansas Paleontological Contributions
Stainforth & LambForaminiferal Zonation Paper 104, Plate 1
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2b

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THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS

AN EVALUATION OF PLANKTONIC FORAMINIFERAL

R. M. STAINFORTH and J. L. LAMB

Exxon Production Research Company

111 1441111 NORFOLK"

ST. STEPHENS QUARRY'?

Northern Gulf of Mexico to 5,204 feet. Intermittent coring of basal

ZONATION IN STUDY AREA

Stain forth & LambForaminiferal Zonation of the Oligocene 5

Depth (feet) 5000 4900 48004700

Grt Ps. Globigerina Grt Globigerina Get

8 The University of Kansas Paleontological ContributionsPaper 104

latter is present and was initially recorded tura.

ATLANTIC SLOPE Depth (feet) 1650 1600

CORE HOLE 5/5B Core No 31 30 29 28 27 26 25

/ 7 Hispid Globorotalias (tiny) XX 000 000XXXX0XXXX /

IX 11 G. eocaerra 00XXXXXXX IX I XXX X

Gtk. Pseudohastigerina Globig. Globorotaba

ASSIGNED AGE EOC. OLIGOCENE

ATLANTIC SLOPE 1550 1500 1450

7 Flistaid Globorotelies (tiny) / / / /

19 G "occlusa" I X / 00 00x X 00000X X X OX X X OX 0000 X X X X

21 G. angustiumbilicata 0000000000X 00X 000000X000000000,,

22 G angulosururalts 0 0 x OOOOOOOO G00 OOOOO 0000

23 G tweroans's 00X 1 00000000XX0000X0X00000 0 0 n`

29 G postbretabea 00000000000000XXX XXXX 0 XX 00000

31 G -Wm."' I I.,- I !el H-

35 Globoquadrona 'slow'', globular's I I 1

37 Globigennoidos quad pm-bars:bus I I I I

ASSIGNED AGE OLIGOCENE

23 G. ciperoansu 000XXXX 1 00X I 1 I OX 1 XXX0XX XX I I I I I I

31 G. obtot //////kfiX--8///-01 XOXX / X XX00XX000X f XXX

37 Globlgeonoisles quad. prunorchus 1 XX / XXX X / X XX0000X---er-

, --i 0:_, 0. '0D,7,

.., 0 t; ' = 3 ":"2 r. .S. St .. .E.;

li 1' .3.? -2I;-

COMPARISON WITH OTHER ZONATIONS

When planktonic foraminiferal zonation Postuma's book is an updated version of a

Age Zone Primary datums Secondary datums

Top of zone not defined; extinction

First appearance of primitive

that the abnormality has to be attributed to o 4681 951

the range of Globigerinoides. In other words,

whole suite of Oligocene species. Lu Globorotalia

For pragmatic purposes failure here of the . opirna opirna i 1

boundary and a conveniently clear boundary , ampliaperru ra

pearance of Globo quadrina altispira aff. micra

less, a zonal boundary is not formally desig- semiinvolu ta

nated pending confirmatory evidence from Zone

posai is to revert to the usage of Bolli (1957, 00

Oligocene-Miocene boundary. Truncation of FIG. 7. Summary of zonal positions of cored intervals in

NOMENCLATURE AND STRATIGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF TAXA

roazulensis cocoaensis Cushman, illustrated Globigerina ampliapertura is readily dis-

"ouachitensis" occur persistently through the

PLATE 7 1. Cassigerinella chipolensis (Cushman &

v.,:. ;-::: :':-.'s

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