Tortonian and Sarmatian microfauna from the Western Slovenske Gorice hills

Abstract

The succession of the Tortonian-Sarmatian strata of the Western Slovenske Gorice hills is ascertained by foraminifers. Six assemblages have been distinguished, three from the Tortonian and three from the Sarmatian beds. The characteristic representatives of the Lower Tortonian assemblage are Uvigerina macrocarinata and Uvigerina grilli accompanied by some forms from the two families Nodosariidae and Eouvigerinidae. In the Middle Tortonian series Uvigerina venusta venusta and Uvigerina cf. pygmaea are associated with some foraminifers marked by arenaceous tests. The Upper Tortonian series is characterized by Uvigerina venusta liesingensis and the representatives of the genera Bolivina, Bulimina, Hanzawaia, and Heterolepa. From the Lower Sarmatian sequence two assemblages have been recognized. In the first one Elphidium reginum and Cibicides badenensis occur associated with some other elphidiums, Ammonia beccarii, and Cytheridea hungarica. The second one comprises Elphidium hauerinum beside Elphidium antoninum, Elphidium josephinum, Articulina sarmatica, and Haplocytheridea dacica dacica. Finally the Middle Sarmatian assemblage is represented by Protelphidium subgranosum accompanied by Protelphidium tuberculatum and Elphidium flexuosum grilli. The vertical distribution of different Uvigerina species indicates five Tortonian biozones and that: U. macrocarinata, U. grilli, U. venusta venusta, U. cf. pygmaea, and U. venusta liesingensis. The three Middle Sarmatian biozones have been determined by Cibicides badenensis, Elphidium hauerinum, and Protelphidium subgranosum.