Systematic Paleontology, Biostratigraphy, Paleobiogeography of Loftusia (Foraminifera) and Rudist Assemblages in a Regressive Sequence in the Hekimhan-Malatya Area (Eastern Anatolia) Turkey

Abstract

The Maastrichtian regressive sequence of the Hekimhan-Malatya area in Eastern Turkey consists of dolomitic limestones, limestones and calcareous mudstones which are dominated by rudists and Loftusia (foraminifera) assemblages. Several Loftusia species indicating middle to late Maastrichtian age such as Loftusia anatolica Meri, L. baykali Meri, L. coxi Henson, L. harrisoni Cox, L. minor Cox and L. morgani Douville have been recorded. Other benthic foraminifers present include Orbitoides medius d' Archiac, Omphalocyclus macroporus (Lamarck), Laffitteina conica Drooger, Laffitteina mengaudi (Astre) and Laffitteina oeztuerki Inan. The rudists are abundant in the dolomitic limestones in the study area. The genus Miseia Patrulius is dominant and represented by Miseia bilacunosa Ozer and Miseia hekimhanensis Karacabey-Oztemur. The Loftusia species and the Rudists assemblage indicates middle to late Maastrichtian age for the formation. The paleobiogeographic distribution of the assemblage has been discussed taking this find into account.