ICHNOTAXONOMY AND ETHOLOGY OF BORINGS IN SHALLOW-MARINE BENTHIC FORAMINIFERS FROM THE MAASTRICHTIAN AND EOCENEOF NORTHWESTERN AND SOUTHWESTERN TURKEY

Larger benthic foraminiferal tests from the Maastrichtian and Eocene of western Turkey contain a large variety of borings. Two ichnospecies are defined. Maeandropolydora osmaneliensis isp. nov. in tests of Orbitoides is distinguished by a tube, winding sinuously in an irregular manner. This boring was formed by a foraging parasite or scavenger, where the tracemaker specifically exploited certain parts of its substrate. Trypanites helicus isp. nov. in tests of Nummulites is characterized by its tube coiled into a spiral. The boring is interpreted as a dwelling trace. As the boring may be considered to have both idiomorphic and stenomorphic features, it represents an ethological and taxonomic dilemma. To avoid inherent subjectivity within taxonomic classifications, we suggest the exclusion of ethological interpretations from diagnoses. The occurrence of borings may affect the preservational potential of the foraminiferal tests, and thus on the outcome of palaeoenvironmental analyses

FORMACIONES ANORMALES EN FORAMINÍFEROS PENERÓPLIDOS: UNIÓN DE PENEROPLIS- COSCINOSPIRA

A diverse and rich foraminifer fauna has been observed in core and grab samples obtained from Ayvalık (North Aegean coast of Turkey) and Antalya (Southwestern Turkey). Morphologically abnormal individuals of Peneroplis pertusus (Forskål) and P. planatus (Fichtel & Moll) showing Coscinospira characteristics were commonly observed in these sediment samples. Previous findings from Çeşme (East Aegean Sea) indicate that such anomalies in peneroplids are unrare events. The aim of this study is to determine the possible causes of this abnormal test development. Gametes and juveniles of different species of peneroplids may fuse to form such aberrant morphologies. On the other hand, the clusters of Amphicoryna spp. with two or three individuals observed in the Pacific and in the Mediterranean partially support the idea of colony formation.Se ha observado una rica y variada fauna de foraminíferos en muestras obtenidas con dragas y core en Ayvalık (costa norte del Egeo en Turquía) y Antalia (suroeste de Turquía). Frecuentemente se obtuvieron individuos morfológicamente anormales de Peneroplis pertusus (Forskål) y P. planatus (Fichtel & Moll), los cuales mostraban características de Coscinospira. Datos anteriores, obtenidos en Çeşme (este del Mar Egeo), indican que este tipo de anomalías no son raros en peneróplidos. El objetivo de este estudio es determinar las posibles causas del desarrollo anómalo. Los gametos y juveniles de diferentes especies de peneróplidos pueden fundirse en morfologías aberrantes. Por otro lado, las racimos de Amphicoryna spp. con dos o tres individuos, observados en el Pacífico y el Mediterráneo, apoyan, en parte, la idea de formación de colonia

Landet blir til - Norges geologi

Bogen Landet blir til - Norges geologi blev udgivet kort tid før jul sidste år og lanceret på en konference i det Norske Videnskapsakademi i Oslo. På initiativ fra Norsk Geologisk Forening er denne bog om Norges geologiske historie blevet til. Udover alle forventninger er bogen allerede blevet en stor succes i Norge - med over 2.100 forudbestillinger fra sponsorer, medlemmer og andre interesserede. Første oplag på 7.000 eksemplarer er blevet solgt på under 2 måneder. Den vil utvivlsomt få mange flere læsere. Andet oplag er netop trykt

Borings formed by Late Cretaceous endobiontic foraminifers within larger benthic foraminifers

Considering the fossil record, foraminifers constitute one of the most ubiquitous groups in marine deposits due to a high preservation potential of tests. Moreover, borings appear to be widely distributed in the tests. Findings of the borings have potential usefulness as palaeoecological markers and can be significant for taphonomical studies of foraminifers. Formal naming of the borings is needed to further their usefulness, and therefore a new ichnotaxon Curvichnus semorbis igen. et isp. nov. is erected