THE EIGHTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE GEOLOGY OF AFRICA P-P VII- 99 - VII-131 (NOV. 2015) ASSIUT- EGYPT

MACRO-BIOSTRATIGRAPHY INTEGRATION OF THE - TRANSITION AT NORTH EASTERN DESERT AND SOUTHWESTERN SINAI, EGYPT

Mahmoud H. Darwish, Mohamed S. Zakhera, Nasr A. Abdel-Maksoud and Nageh A. Obaidalla Geology Department, Faculty of Science, New Valley Branch, Assiut University, New Valley, Egypt Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Aswan University, Aswan, Egypt Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt E-mail: [email protected]

ABSTRACT

The Cenomanian-Turonian successions are well exposed at north Eastern Desert (Wadi Tarfa and Wadi El Dakhl) and southwestern Sinai (Wadi Abu Qada and Wadi Feiran). These successions are composed of siliciclastic and carbonate sediments belonging to the Raha (at the base), Abu Qada and Wata formations (at the top). These sediments yield a diverse and well preserved macro-fauna. Based on the vertical distribution of the macro-fauna, the Cenomanian–Turonian successions has been subdivided into five bivalve zones, and four echinoid zones coeval with eight ammonite zones. The bivalve zones are Ceratostreon flabellatum, Exogyra (Costagyra) olisiponensis, and Pycnodonte (Phygraea) vesiculosa for the Cenomanian age, Arca passyana and Crassatella sequenzai for the Turonian age. The echinoid zones are Mecaster cubicus, Mecaster pseudofourneli and Mecaster batnensis for the Cenomanian age and Mecaster turonensis for the Turonian age. The ammonite zones are Neolobites vibrayaenus, Metoicoceras geslinianum and Vascoceras cauvini for the Cenomanian age, praecursor, Vascoceras proprium, nodosoides, Choffaticeras segne and Coilopoceras requienianum for the Turonian age. The index ammonite Watinoceras devonense is here recorded for the first time in Egypt. This was used as a marker for the base of the Turonian Stage at Pueblo, Colorado, U.S.A. (GSSP). The Cenomanian/Turonian (C/T) boundary is located within the Abu Qada Formation, coinciding with the base of the ammonite Watinoceras praecursor Zone, the bivalve Arca passyana Zone and the echinoid Mecaster turonensis Zone. It is characterized by the occurrence of irregular surface, which indicates the occurrence of a short hiatus at this boundary. Keywords: Cenomanian; Turonian; ammonites; bivalves; echinoids; Wadi Tarfa; Wadi El Dakhl; Wadi Abu Qada; Wadi Ferian; Eastern Desert; Sinai.

INTRODUCTION

The Cenomanian-Turonian (Upper ) successions are well exposed at the north part of Egypt, including beds extremely rich in macro-fauna. The Cenomanian-Turonian outcrops occur bording the northern-most Cretaceous belt, extending from northern and western Sinai, through the north Eastern Desert (between Gebel Shabrawet and Wadi Qena), and Western Desert (Baharya Oasis and Abu Roash). VII- 106 Macro-Biostratigraphy Integration Of The Cenomanian – Turonian,…

Generally, the Upper Cretaceous successions of the north Eastern Desert and Sinai have been studied by many authors. The Cenomanian-Turonian successions were studied separately or with these studies of Upper Cretaceous successions. Some relevant paleontologic and stratigraphic publications about these important areas of Egypt are those of: Kora and Hamama (1987a,b), Lüger and Gröschke (1989), Klitzsch and Hermmina (1989), Hamama and Kassab (1990), Malchus (1990), Kassab and Hamama (1991), Abdel-Gawad and Gameil (1992), Kora et al. (1993, 1994), Kassab and Zakhera (1999, 2002), El- Shiekh et al. (1998), Abdel-Gawad (1999), Zakhera (2001, 2002), Abdallah et al. (2001), Kassab and Obaidalla (2001), Abdel-Gawad and Gameil (2002), Abdel-Shafy et al. (2002a,b), Kora et al. (2002), Zakhera et al. (2002), Hewaidy et al. (2003), Abdel- Gawad et al. (2004a,b), El-Hedeny (2002), Abdel-Gawad et al. (2006, 2007), Kassab and Abdel-Maksoud (2007), El Qot (2004, 2006, 2008, 2010), Nagm (2009), Gertsch et al. ( 2010), Nagm et al. (2010), El-Sabbagh et al. (2011), Nagm and Wilmsen (2012), and Saber (2012). The aim of the present work is to study the macro-fauna of Cenomanian –Turonian succession exposed at four columnar sections, Wadi Tarfa and Wadi El-Dakhl at North Easrern Desert and Wadi Abu Qada and Wadi Ferian at West Central Sinai (Fig. 1) to construct an integrated macro-biostratigraphical scheme for a precise definition of the Cenomanian–Turonian boundary. The intercalibration method has been used for the integration of the proposed macro-fossil zones; the first occurrence datum (FOD) and last occurrence datum (LOD) of the identified fossils have been used for a precise definition of the biostratigraphical zonal limits.

LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY

By comparing the lithostratigrphic framework of the fossiliferous Cenomanian-Turonian successions exposed in the studied sections with the stratotypes of the lithostratigrphic units established for this stratigraphic interval in the Stratigraphy of Egypt, three rock units are advocated, namely: the Raha Formation of late Cenomanian age (at the base), Abu Qada Formation, late Cenomanian- early Turonian age (at the middle) and Wata Formation of middle–late Turonian age (at the top). Stratigraphical details of these formations are given in figures 2-5.

Fig. (1): Location map of the studied sections.

Mahmoud H. Darwish, Mohamed S. Zakhera, Nasr A. Abdel-Maksoud and VII - 107 Nageh A. Obaidalla

BIOSTRATIGRAPHY

Based on the vertical distribution of the macro-fossils (Figs.2-5), the Cenomanian– Turonian successions exposed at the studied sections were subdivided into eight ammonite zones coeval to five bivalve zones and to four echinoid zones. The intercalibration method has been used for the integration of the proposed macrofossil zones (Tab. 1), the first occurrence datums (FOD) and last occurrence datums (LOD) of the identified fossils have been used for a precise definition of the biostratigraphical zonal limits. The zones are correlated with those established by previous authors for the same time interval of other Egyptian areas. Moreover, they are correlated with other inter-regional zonal schemes (Tabs. 2-4). The different invertebrate macro-fossils zones are discussed in the following:

I- The ammonite Zones: In an ascending order, the proposed ammonite zones are: A1- Neolobites vibrayeanus Total-Range Zone Boundaries: This zone is defined by the total range of the nominate taxon. It represents the oldest identified ammonite zone in the studied sections. Occurrence: This zone is recorded from the upper part of the Raha and lower part of the Abu Qada formations at Wadi Feiran section. At the remainder sections, the Raha Formation is unexposed, so that, Neolobites vibrayeanus Zone is only represented by the lower part of Abu Qada Formation. Faunal Assemblage: Neolobites fourtaui Pervinquiére and Angulithes mermeti (Coquand), are recorded from the stratigraphic interval of this zone (Figs. 2-5). Correlation: This zone is equivalent to the late Cenomanian N. vibrayeanus Zone of Abdel- Gawad (1999), Kassab & Obaidalla (2001), Zakhera (2001), Zakhera & Kassab (2002), Abdel- Gawad et al., (2004), and Kassab & Abdel-Maksoud (2007). Inter- regionally, this zone correlates with the Neolobites vibrayeanus Zone of Niger (Meister et al., 1992), occupied Palestine (Freund & Rabb, 1969), the Eucalycoceras pentagonum Zone of Tunisia (Robaszynski et al., 1993, and Abdallah & Meister, 1997), the Calycoceras guerangeri Zone of Europe (Wright & Kennedy, 1981, Gale et al., 2005) and the M. mosbyense of USA (Bengtson, 1996) (Tabs. 2,3). Age: Late Cenomanian. A2- Metoicoceras geslinianum Total-Range Zone Boundaries: It is defined by the total range of the nominate taxon. The Metoicoceras geslinianum Zone rests conformably on the Late Cenomanian Neolobites vibrayeanus Zone. Occurrence: This zone is recorded from the middle part of Abu Qada Formation at all the studied sections. Faunal Assemblage: Pseudaspidoceras pseudonodosoides (Choffat) are recorded from the stratigraphic interval of the zone (Figs. 2-5). Correlation: The Metoicoceras geslinianum Zone is equivalent to the M. geslinianum Zone of Kassab (1999,), Galal et al. (2001), Zakhera & Kassab (2002), and Kassab & Abdel-Maksoud (2007); and to part of Vascoceras cauvini - Pseudaspidoceras pseudonodosoides - R. alatum Zone of Abdel-Gawad et al. (2004a). Inter-regionally, it can be correlates with the M. geslinianum Zone of Tunsia and Europe (Wright & Kennedy, 1981; Lehmann, 1999 and Gale et al., 2005) (Tabs. 2,3). Age: Late Cenomanian.

VII- 108 Macro-Biostratigraphy Integration Of The Cenomanian – Turonian,…

A3- Vascoceras cauvini Total-Range Zone Boundaries: It is defined by the total range of nominate taxon. It is conformably rest on the Late Cenomanian Metoicoceras geslinianum Zone. Occurrence: It is recorded from the upper part of Abu Qada Formation at all the studied sections. Faunal Assemblage: Vascoceras gamai Choffat, Spathites (Jeanrogericeras) subconciliatus (Choffat) and Pseudaspidoceras pseudonodosoides (Choffat), are recorded from the stratigraphic interval of this zone (Figs. 2-5) Correlation: The Vascoceras cauvini Zone is equivalent to the Vascoceras gamai, Vascoceras rumeaui and Vascoceras cauvini zones of Lüger & Gröschke (1989), the V. cauvini Zone of Kassab (1999), Kassab & Obaidalla (2001), Zakhera (2001), El-Hedeny (2002), Zakhera & Kassab (2002), and Abdelhady (2007) and to V. cauvini / Pseuda. pseudonodosoides Zone of Kassab & Abdel-Maksoud (2007). Inter-regionally, it can be correlates with the V. cauvini Zone of Niger (Meister et al., 1992 and Pascal et al., 1993), Kanabiceras sp. and V. cauvini zones of occupied Palestine (Freund & Rabb, 1969), Pseudaspidoceras pseudonodosoides Zone of Tunisia (Robaszynski et al., 1993, Abdallah & Meister, 1997), juddii Zone of Europe (Wright & Kennedy, 1981, Lehmann, 1999) and Buttoceras clydense, Neocardioceras juddii and Nigericoceras scotti of USA (Bengtson, 1996) (Tabs.2,3). Age: Latest Cenomanian. A4- Watinoceras praecursor Total-Range Zone Boundaries: This zone is defined by the total range of the nominate taxon. At Wadi El Dakhl section this zone is characterized by the occurrence of W. devonense taxon which was used by Bengtson, 1996 to define the C/T boundary at the GSSP. The later taxon is here recorded for the first time in Egypt. It represents the Earliest Turonian ammonite zones at the studied sections. It rests unconformably (short hiatus) on the V. cauvini Zone of the Latest Cenomanian age at Wadi Tarfa, Wadi El Dakhl and Wadi Feiran sections. At Wadi Abu Qada section the W. praecursor Zone is absent which indicates the occurrence of a long hiatus at the C-T boundary. Occurrence: This zone is recorded from the upper part of Abu Qada Formation at Wadi Tarfa, Wadi El Dakhl and Wadi Feiran sections, but it is missing at Wadi Abu Qada section. Faunal Assemblage: Watinoceras devonense, Vascoceras durandi (Thomas & Peron), Vascoceras obessum (Taubenhaus), Vascoceras rumeaui (Collignon), Pseudaspidoceras paganum Reyment, Kamerunoceras calvertense (Powell), Paramammites polymorphus (Pervinquiére), Thomasites cf. rollandi (Thomas & Peron), Paravascoceras compressum (Powell), Fagesia superstes (Kossmat), and Neoptychites cephalotus (Courtiller) are recorded from the stratigraphic interval of the zone (Figs. 2-5). Correlation: This zone is equivalent to a part of the earliest Turonian V. durandi Zone of Lüger & Gröschke (1989); a part of the Pseudaspidoceras flexuosum/V. proprium Zone of Kassab (1999), and Zakhera & Kassab (2002); with a part of the V. proprium/V. obessum Zone of Kassab & Obaidalla (2001); with a part of Choffaticeras segne Zone of Abdel- Gawad (1999), Abdel–Gawad et al. (2004a); with a part of Vascoceras Proprium/Choffaticeras segne Zones of Khalil & Mashaly (2004); and a part of V. proprium/Watinoceras praecursor Zone of Kassab and Abdel-Maksoud (2007). Inter- regionally, it correlates with a part of the V. proprium Zone (Meister et al., 1992., Pascal et al., 1993); a part of the V. pioti Zone (Freund & Rabb, 1969., Lewy et al., 1984); a part of with the Pseudaspidoceras flexuosum Zone (Robaszynski et al., 1993; Abdallah & Meister, 1997; Cobban & Hook, 1983; Kennedy et al., 1987); with a part of the Mahmoud H. Darwish, Mohamed S. Zakhera, Nasr A. Abdel-Maksoud and VII - 109 Nageh A. Obaidalla

Watinoceras cloradoense Zone (Wright & Kennedy, 1981; Lehmann, 1999., Gale et al., 2005) and with the Watinoceras devonense Zone (Kennedy & Cobban, 1991, Hancock et al., 1993) of USA (Bengtson, 1996) (Tabs. 2,3). Age: Earliest Turonian. A5- Vascoceras proprium Total-Range Zone Boundaries: It is defined by the total range of the nominate taxon. It rests conformably on the Watinoceras praecursor Zone. Occurrence: This zone is recorded from all the studied sections. Faunal Assemblage: Vascoceras durandi (Thomas & Peron), Vascoceras obessum (Taubenhaus), Vascoceras pioti (Peron & Fourtau), Kamerunoceras calvertense (Powell), Paramammites polymorphus (Pervinquiére), Fagesia peroni Pervinquière, Neoptychites cephalotus (Courtiller), Thomasites cf. rollandi (Thomas & Péron), Choffaticeras securiforme (Eck) and Choffaticeras quaasi (Péron), are recorded from the stratigraphic interval of this zone (Figs. 2-5). Correlation: This zone is equivalent to a part of the Early Turonian V. durandi Zone of Lüger & Gröschke (1989); a part of the Pseudaspidoceras flexuosum/V. proprium Zone of Kassab (1999), Zakhera (2001) and Zakhera & Kassab (2002); a part of the V. proprium/V. obessum Zone of Kassab & Obaidalla (2001); a part of Choffaticeras segne Zone of Abdel- Gawad (1999), Abdel–Gawad et al. (2004a); and a part of V. proprium/W. praecursor Zone of Kassab and Abdel-Maksoud (2007). Inter-regionally, it correlates with a part of the V. proprium Zone (Meister et al., 1992; Pascal et al., 1993); a part of the V. pioti Zone (Freund & Rabb, 1969;); a part of the Pseudaspidoceras flexuosum Zone (Robaszynski et al., 1993; Abdallah et al., 1995; Abdallah & Meister, 1997; Kennedy et al., 1987); a part of the Watinoceras cloradoense Zone (Wright & Kennedy, 1981; Wright et al., 1984; Lehmann, 1999; Gale et al., 2005) and Pseudaspidoceras flexuosum Zone of (Caron et al.; 2006, Robaszynski et al., 2010) of USA (Bengtson, 1996) (Tabs. 2,3). Age Early Turonian. C6- Mammites nodosoides Total-Range Zone Boundaries: This zone is defined by the total range of the nominate taxon. It rests conformably on the Vascoceras proprium Zone. Occurrence: This zone is recorded from the upper most part of Abu Qada Formation at all the studied sections sections. Faunal Assemblage: Vascoceras durandi (Thomas & Peron), Paramammites polymorphus (Pervinquiére), Neoptychites cephalotus (Courtiller), Choffaticeras quaasi (Peron), Choffaticeras securiforme (Eck), Fagesia peroni (Pervinquière) and Thomasites rollandi globosa (Thomas & Peron) are recorded from the stratigraphic interval of this zone (Figs. 2-5). Correlation: This zone is more or less equivalent to the Choffaticeras segne Zone of Kora & Hamama (1987), Kassab & Obaidalla (2001), El- Hedeny (2002), Abdel–Gawad et al. (2004a), and El- Sabbagh et al., (2011); and to Mammites nodosoides Zone of Zakhera (2001), Zakhera & Kassab (2002), and Kassab & Abdel-Maksoud (2007). Inter-regionally, the Mammites nodosoides Zone can be correlates partially or completely with Mammites nodosoides Zone Wright & Kennedy, 1981; Wright et al., 1984; Robaszynski et al., 1993; Abdallah et al., 1995; Abdallah & Meister, 1997; Lehmann, 1999; Gale et al., 2005; Caron et al., 2006; V. birchbyi Bengtson, 1996; Watinoceras coloraddoense Zone (Kennedy & Cobban 1991; Hancock et al. 1993; Abdallah et al. 2000); Thomasites rollandi (Caron et al. 2006) (Tabs.2,3). Age: Early Turonian. C7- Choffaticeras segne Total-Range Zone VII- 110 Macro-Biostratigraphy Integration Of The Cenomanian – Turonian,…

Boundaries: It is defined by the total range of the nominate taxon. It rests conformably on the early Turonian Mammites nodosoides Zone. Occurrence: This zone covers the interval sediments from the uppermost part of the Abu Qada Formation to the lower part of the Wata Formation at all the studied sections. Faunal Assemblage: Vascoceras durandi (Thomas & Peron), Choffaticeras securiforme (Eck), Choffaticeras pavillieri Pervinquiére and Choffaticeras luciae (Pervinquiére) are recorded from the stratigraphic interval of this zone (Figs.2-5). Correlation: The present zone is equivalent to the Turonian Choffaticeras segne Zone of Zakhera (2001), Zakhera & Kassab (2002) and Kassab & Abdel-Maksoud (2007), it correlates to the Mammites nodosoides Zone of Aly & Abdel-Gawad (2001) and El- Sabbagh (2008) (Tabs.2,3). Age: Middle Turonian. C8- Coilopoceras requienianum Partial-Range Zone Boundaries: This zone is defined by the partial range of the nominate taxon from its FOD to the top of the successions (Figs.4&5). It rests conformably over the Middle Turonian Choffaticeras segne Zone. Occurrence: The Coilopoceras requienianum Zone is recorded from the upper part of Wata Formation at Wadi Abu Qada and Wadi Feiran sections. It is missing at north Eastern Desert (Wadi Tarfa and Wadi El Dakhl sections) due to the absence of the upper part of Wata Formation at this area. Correlation: The present zone is equivalent to the Turonian Coilopoceras requienianum Zone of Kora & Hamama (1987), Kassab (1999), Abdel-Gawad (1999), Kassab & Obaidalla (2001), Zakhera (2001), Zakhera & Kassab (2002), Abdel-Gawad et al. (2004a), El-Sabbagh (2008) and El-Sabbagh et al. (2011). It can be correlates with the Coilopoceras inflatum Zone of Meister et al. (1992) and Pascal et al (1993) (Tabs.2,3). Age: Late Turonian.

II-The bivalve Zones

B1- Ceratostreon flabellatum Interval Zone Boundaries: This zone is delineated to cover the interval from the base of the studied sections to the LAD of the nominate taxon. Occurrence: This Zone is recorded from the Raha and Abu Qada formations at all the studied sections. Faunal Assemblage: Ilymatogyra (Afrogyra) africana (Lamarck), Exogyra (Costagyra) olisiponensis (Sharpe), Rhynchostreon mermeti (Coquand), Gyrostrea delettrei (Coquand), Exogyra pseudoafricana (Choffat), Maghrebella forgemoli (Coquand), Curvostrea rouvillei (Coquand), Plicatula auressensis Coquand, Plicatula batnensis Coquand, Venericardia (Venericardia) deserti (Douvillé), Arctica picteti (Coquand), Granocardium productum (Sowerby), Acesta ( Acesta) hoernesi (Zittel), Protocardia hillana (Sowerby), Dosinia delettrei, (Coquand), Cucullaea (Idonearca) diceras (Seguenza), Plectomya humei (Fourtau) and Glossus (Glossus) solimani,are recorded from the stratigraphic interval of this zone (Figs.2-5). Correlation: This zone is equivalent to a part of Ilymatogyra (Afrogyra) africana and Exogyra (Costagyra) olisiponensis zone of Kassab & Ismael (1996) (Tab.4). Age: Late Cenomanian.

Mahmoud H. Darwish, Mohamed S. Zakhera, Nasr A. Abdel-Maksoud and VII - 111 Nageh A. Obaidalla

B2- Exogyra (Costagyra) olisiponensis Interval Zone Boundaries: It is delineated to define the interval from the LOD of the Ceratostreon flabellatum to the FOD of the Pycnodonte (Phygraea) vesiculosa. Occurrence: This zone is recorded from the Abu Qada Formation at all the studied sections. Faunal Assemblage: Ilymatogyra (Afrogyra) africana (Lamarck), Gyrostrea delettrei (Coquand), Exogyra pseudoafricana (Choffat), Astarte (Astarte) tenuicostata (Seguenza), Plicatula auressensis Coquand, Plicatula batnensis Coquand, Plicatula (Plicatula) reynesi Coquand, Plicatula fourneli Coquand, Neithea (Neithea) aequicostata (Lamark), Arctica picteti (Coquand), Rastellum carinatum (Lamark), Cucullaea (Idonearca) diceras (Seguenza), Arctica humei (Cox), Meretrix plana (Sowerby), and Granocardium productum (Sowerby), are recorded from the stratigraphic interval of this zone (Figs.2-5). Correlation: This zone is equivalent to Pycnodonte vesiculosum, Exogyra (Costagyra) olisiponensis, Ilymatogyra (Afrogyra) africana and Ceratostreon flabellatum zones of Abdel-Gawad (1999 Exogyra (Costagyra) olisiponensis, , Ilymatogyra (Afrogyra) africana zones of Khalil & Mashaly (2004) (Tab.4) . Age: Late Cenomanian. B3- Pycnodonte (Phygraea) vesiculosa Total-Range Zone Boundaries: It is delineated to define the interval which is covered by the total stratigraphic range of the nominate taxon. Occurrence: It is recorded from the Abu Qada Formation of all the studied sections. Faunal Assemblage: Plicatula auressensis Coquand, Plicatula (Plicatula) reynesi Coquand, Plicatula fourneli Coquand, Neithea (Neithea) aequicostata (Lamark), Glossus aquilina (Coquand), Liopistha (Liopistha) aequivalves Goldfuss, Arctica orientalis (Hamlin), Granocardium hassani Abbass, Arca (Barbatia) gigantea Abbass, Falventia plana (Sowerby), Cucullaea (Idonearca) diceras (Seguenza), Granocardium productum (Sowerby) and Anatina jetti Coquand are recorded from the stratigraphic interval of this zone (Figs.2-5). Correlation: This zone is equivalent to Ostrea olisiponensis Zone of Hume (1911), a part of Exogyra suborbiculata Zone of Awad & Issawi (1975), Exogyra olisiponensis /Ilymatogyra africana Zone of Kora & Hamama (1987a), Exogyra olisiponensis/ Hemiaster pseudofourneli Zone of Shahin (1988), Exogyra olisiponensis Zone of Kora et al. (1993), Ilymatogyra africana/Costagyra olisiponensis Zone of Kassab & Ismael (1996), Pycnodonte vesiculosum/Exogyra olisiponensis Zone of Abdel-Gawad (1999), Acesta obliquistriata Zone of Kassab & Zakhera (1999), Exogyra olisiponensis Zone of Kora et al., (2001), and Khalil & Mashaly (2004), Pycnodonte vesicularis Zone of Abdelhady (2007), and Exogyra (Ceratostreon) olisiponensis Zone of El-Sabbagh (2008) (Tab.4). Age: Latest Cenomanian. B4- Arca (Eonavicula) passyana Interval Zone Boundaries: This zone is delineated to cover the interval LOD of Pycnodonte (Phygraea) vesiculosa to the LOD of the nominate taxon. Occurrence: It is recorded from the upper part of Abu Qada Formation at all the studied sections. Faunal Assemblage: Plicatula auressensis Coquand, Plicatula (Plicatula) reynesi Coquand, Plicatula fourneli Coquand, Plicatula batnensis Coquand, Plicatula instabilis Stoliczka, Neithea (Neithea) aequicostata (Lamark), Arctia cordata (Sharpe), Liopistha (Liopistha) aequivalves Goldfuss, Flaventia plana (Sowerby), Flaventia faba (Sowerby), Flaventia brongniartina (Leymerie), Linearia (Linearia) subtenuistriata (ďOrbigny), VII- 112 Macro-Biostratigraphy Integration Of The Cenomanian – Turonian,…

Septifer (Septifer) samiri, (Abbass), Schedotrapezium trapezoidale (Römer), Cucullaea (Idonearca) thevestensis (Coquand), Pteria (Electroma) hadhirensis Abbass, Pholadomya vignesi Lartet, Pholadomya pedernalis Römer, Priscomactra angulata (Sowerby) are recorded from the stratigraphic interval of this zone (Figs.2-5). Correlation: This zone is equivalent to Mytiloides opalensis elongate and Arca passyana zones of Zakhera (2001), Crassatella incurva Zone and a part of Inoceramus labiatus- Arca passyana Zone of Kassab and Zakhera (1999), Neithia (Neithia) dutrugei Zone of Abdelhady (2007) and Durania humei Zone of Awad and Issawi (1975) (Tab.4). Age: Early Turonian. B5- Crassatella (Crassatella) seguenzai Interval Zone: Boundaries: This zone is delineated to cover the interval from the LOD of Arca (Eonavicula) passyana to the LOD of the nominate taxon. Occurrence: This zone is recorded from the lower part of Wata Formation at all the studied sections. Faunal Assemblage: Plicatula (Plicatula) reynesi Coquand, Plicatula fourneli Coquand, Plicatula instabilis Stoliczka, Flaventia plana (Sowerby), Flaventia faba (Sowerby), Flaventia brongniartina (Leymerie), Pholadomya pedernalis Römer, are recorded from the stratigraphic interval of this zone (Figs.2-5). Correlation: This zone is equivalent to Inoceramus (Mytiloides) labiatus Zone of Zakhera (2001) and a part of Inoceramus labiatus-Arca passyana Zone of Kassab and Zakhera (1999) (Tab.4). Age: Middle-Late Turonian.

III -The echinoid Zones

E1- Mecaster cubicus Total-Range Zone Boundaries: This zone is delineated to define the interval which is covered by total stratigraphic range of the nominate taxon. Occurrence: This zone is recorded from the Raha and Abu Qada formations at all the studied sections except for Wadi Abu Qada. Correlation: It is equivalent to the Hemiaster cubicus Zone of Khalil & Mashaly, (2004) and Abdel-Gawad et al. (2006, 2007). Age: Late Cenomanian. E2- Mecaster pseudofourneli Interval Zone Boundaries: It is delineated to cover the interval from the LOD of Mecaster cubicus to the LOD of the nominate taxon. Occurrence: The Mecaster pseudofourneli Zone is recorded from the Abu Qada Formation at all the studied sections except for Wadi Abu Qada. Faunal Assemblage: Coenholectypus pulvinatus (Desor) and Mecaster batnensis (Coquand) (Figs.2-5). Correlation: This zone is equivalent to the Ilymatogyra africana- Heterodiadema libycum- Hemiaster (Mecaster) pseudofourneli Zone of Abdel-Gawad et al., (2006). Age: Late Cenomanian. E3- Mecaster batnensis Interval Zone Boundaries: This zone is delineated to cover the interval from the LOD of Mecaster pseudofourneli to the FOD of Mecaster turonensis. Occurrence: It is recorded from all the studied sections except for Wadi Abu Qada. Mahmoud H. Darwish, Mohamed S. Zakhera, Nasr A. Abdel-Maksoud and VII - 113 Nageh A. Obaidalla

Faunal Assemblage: Mecaster pseudofourneli (Peron and Gauthier), Heterodiadema libycum (Agassiz and Desor), Coenholectypus pulvinatus (Desor) and Micropedina olisiponensis (Forbes) (Figs.2-5). Correlation: This zone is equivalent to the Mecaster batnensis Zone of Kassab & Abdel- Maksoud, (2007). Age: Latest Cenomanian. E4- Mecaster turonensis Total-Range Zone Boundaries: This zone is delineated to define the interval which is cover by the total range of the nominate taxon. Occurrence: This zone is recorded from the upper part of Abu Qada Formation at all the studied sections except for Wadi Abu Qada. Faunal Assemblage: Coenholectypus turonensis (Desor) (Figs.2-5). Correlation: This zone is equivalent to the Hemiaster (Mecaster) heberti turonensis – Coenholectypus turonensis Acme Zone of Abdel-Gawad et al. (2004a, 2007) and Hemiaster heberti turonensis Zone of Kassab and Abdel-Maksoud (2007). Age: Early Turonian.

VII- 114 Macro-Biostratigraphy Integration Of The Cenomanian – Turonian,…

Fig. (2): Stratigraphic-range of the identified macro-fossils and zonation of the Cenomanian–Turonian successions at Wadi Tarfa section

Fig. (3): Stratigraphic-range of the identified macro-fossils and zonation of the Cenomanian–Turonian successions at Wadi El Dakhl section

Mahmoud H. Darwish, Mohamed S. Zakhera, Nasr A. Abdel-Maksoud and VII - 115 Nageh A. Obaidalla

Fig. (4): Stratigraphic-range of the identified macro-fossils and zonation of the Cenomanian–Turonian successions at Wadi Abu Qada section

VII- 116 Macro-Biostratigraphy Integration Of The Cenomanian – Turonian,…

Fig. (5): Stratigraphic-range of the identified macro-fossils and zonation of the Cenomanian–Turonian successions at Wadi Feiran section

Mahmoud H. Darwish, Mohamed S. Zakhera, Nasr A. Abdel-Maksoud and VII - 117 Nageh A. Obaidalla

THE CENOMANIAN/TURONIAN (C/T) BOUNDARY The C/T boundary at north Eastern Desert and southwestern Sinai is marked by the occurrence of thin bed consists of silty shale which is intercalated within the marl and limestone rocks of the upper part of Abu Qada Formation (Fig. 6). This interval is rich in ammonites belonging to the Latest Cenomanian - Earliest Turonian time, and is occurred at all the studied sections except for Wadi Abu Qada section due to a hiatus at the C/T boundary. The boundary is characterized by the occurrence of irregular surface at Wadi Tarfa, Wadi El Dakhl and Wadi Feiran. This irregular surface indicates the occurrence of interzonal hiatus (short hiatus) at these sections. The C/T boundary coincides with the contact between the Late Cenomanian ammonite Vascoceras cauvini and the basal Turonian Watinoceras praecursor zones at Wadi Tarfa, Wadi El Dakhl and Wadi Feiran sections. At Wadi Abu Qada section the basal Turonian sediments are missing due to the occurrence of a long hiatus than the remainder sections. This hiatus is evidenced by the absence of the Earliest Turonian ammonites taxa (e.g. Watinoceras praecursor). The C/T boundary corresponds to the contact between the late Cenomanian bivalve Pycnodonte vesiculosa Zone and the basal Turonian Arca (Eonavicula) passyana Zone and the contact between the Late Cenomanian echinoid Mecaster batnensis Zone and the basal Turonian echinoid Mecaster turonensis Zone. The important bioevent which mark the C/T at the studied sections are (Fig.6): 1- The LOS of the ammonite Vascoceras cauvini, the bivalve Pycnodonte vesiculosa and the echinoid Mecaster batnensis taxas. 2- The FOS of the ammonite Watinoceras praecursor and Watinoceras devonense, the bivalve Arcca (Eonavicula) passyana and the echinoid Mecaster turonensis taxa.

VII- 118 Macro-Biostratigraphy Integration Of The Cenomanian – Turonian,…

Turonian

Cenomanian

Fig. (6): Bioevents at the Cenomanian-Turonian boundary at the studied sections

Mahmoud H. Darwish, Mohamed S. Zakhera, Nasr A. Abdel-Maksoud and VII - 119 Nageh A. Obaidalla

BIOSTRATIGRAPHY INTEGRATION

The integrated biostratigraphy is a technique that applied to establish simultaneous biostratigraphical zonal schemes of multi-fossil groups based on integrated sampling. At the present study, integration of the proposed ammonite, bivalve, and echinoid zones has been achieved using the inter-calibration method of Koutsoukos and Bengtson (1993). Integration of the established zones has revealed the following (Tab.1): 1- The late Cenomanian ammonite Neolobites vibrayeanus (A1) Zone is coeval to the bivalve Ceratostreon flabellatum (B1) and Exogyra olisiponensis (B2)(lower part) zones and to the echinoid Mecaster cubicus (E1)(upper part) and Mecaster pseudofourneli (E2)(lower part) zones. 2- The Late Cenomanian ammonite Metoicoceras geslinianum (A2) Zone is correlate with the middle part of the bivalve Exogyra olisiponensis (B2) Zone and with the upper part of the echinoid Mecaster pseudofourneli (E2) Zone. 3- The Latest Cenomanian ammonite Vascoceras cauvini (A3) Zone is coeval to the bivalve Exogyra olisiponensis (B2)(upper part) and Pycnodonte vesiculosa (B3) zones and moreless to the echinoid Mecaster batnensis (E3) Zone. 4- The early Turonian ammonite Watinoceras praecursor (A4), Vascoceras proprium (A5) and Mammites nodosoides (A6) zones are moreless coeval to the bivalve Arca (Eonavicula) passyana (B4) Zone and to the echinoid Mecaster turonensis (E4)(main part) Zone. 5- The middle Turonian ammonite Choffaticeras segne (A7) Zone is correlate to bivalve Arca (Eonavicula) passyana (B4) (upper part) Zone and Crassatella seguenzai (B5) Zone and upper part of the echinoid Mecaster turonensis (E4) Zone. 6- The stratigraphic interval which is covered by the Turonian ammonite Coilopoceras requienianum (A8) zone is nearly characterized by the absence of both bivalve and echinoid fauna. CONCLUSIONS

The Cenomanian–Turonian transition exposed at north Eastern Dersert and southwestern Sinai, Egypt, has been classified lithostratigraphy into three formations, namely: Raha (at base), Abu Qada (at middle) and Wata (at top). Based on vertical distribution of the macrofauna, 8 ammonite zones coeval with 5 bivalve and 4 echinoid zones have been established. The ammonite zones are: Neolobites vibrayaenus, Metoicoceras geslinianum, Vascoceras cauvini, Watinoceras praecursor, Vascoceras proprium, Mammites nodosoides, Choffaticeras segne and Coilopoceras requienianum. The bivalve zones are Ceratostreon flabellatum, Exogyra (Costagyra) olisiponensis, Pycnodonte (Phygraea) vesiculosa, Arca passyana and Crassatella sequenzai. The echinoid zones are Mecaster cubicus, Mecaster pseudofourneli, Mecaster batnensis and Mecaster turonensis. The established , bivalve and echinoid zones have been integrated based on the inter-calibration method and correlated with zonal schemes established in literature for other well dated regional and inter-regional sections. The proposed zonal schemes have been used to define the C/T boundary which has been located at the upper part of the Abu Qada Formation at the contact between the late Cenomanian Vascoceras cauvini and the earliest Turonian Watinoceras praecursor ammonite zones. In general, the C/T boundary is characterized by the occurrence of a short hiatus at Wadi Tarfa, Wadi El Dakhl and Wadi Feiran. This hiatus is recorded within Abu Qada Formation and lies within irregular surface. This irregular surface lies at the Vascoceras cauvini (latest Cenomanian) and Watinoceras praecursor (earliest Turonian) zonal boundary. On the other hand, the C/T boundary at Wadi Abu Qada section is marked VII- 120 Macro-Biostratigraphy Integration Of The Cenomanian – Turonian,… by the absence of the earliest Turonian ammonite Zone (Watinoceras praecursor Zone). This indicates that the hiatus at Abu Qada section is longer than that at the remainder sections. The important bioevents at the C/T boundary are the LOS of ammonite Vascoceras cauvini, the bivalve Pycnodonte vesculosa and echinoid Mecaster batnensis taxa, and FOS of ammonite Watinoceras praecursor, Watinoceras devonense, the bivalve Arca (Eonavicula) passyana and the echinoid Mecaster turonensis taxa. Table (1): Integration of the cephalopod, bivalve and echinoid zones proposed for the Cenomanian–Turonian in the studied sections.

Age Formation Cephalopod Zones Bivalve Zones Echinoid Zones Coilopoceras Barren Barren requienianum

Total - Range Zone (A8) Crassatella seguenzai Wata Choffaticeras segne Interval Zone (B5) Total - Range Zone (A7)

Mammites nodosoides Mecaster turonensis Total - Range Zone (A6) Total - Range Zone (E4)

Turonian Arca (Eonavicula) passyana Vascoceras proprium Interval Zone (B4) Total - Range Zone (A5)

Watinoceras praecursor Total - Range Zone (A4) Pycnodonte vesiculosa Vascoceras cauvini Total - Range Zone (B3) Mecaster batnensis Abu Qada Total - Range Zone (A3) Interval Zone (E3)

Metoicoceras geslinianum Exogyra olisiponensis Total - Range Zone (A2) Interval Zone (B2) Mecaster pseudofourneli

Cenomanian Interval Zone (E2)

Neolobites vibreanus Ceratostreon flabellatum Total - Range Zone (A1) Mecaster cubicus

Raha Interval Zone (B1) Total - Range Zone (E1)

Table (2): Possible regional Cenomanian–Turonian zones correlations proposed of this study with other localities in Egypt

Kora & Luger Kassab Kassab & Galal et al.,2001 Kora et al., Kassab, Kora et al., Hamama, & Gröschke, & Abdel-Gawad, Obaidalla, The present )north 1993 1999 2001

Age 1987 1989 Ismael, 1996 1999(Sinai) 2001 study Eastern Desert) (Sinai) (Gulf of Suez) (Gulf of Suez)

(Sinai) (Wadi Qena) (Sinai) (Sinai) Coilopoceras Coilopoceras Coilopoceras requenianum Coilopoceras Coilopoceras Coilopoceras requienianum requienianum Coilopoceras requienianum requienianum requienianum

newelli

M. nodosoides Mammites Choffaticeras Thomasites sp nodosoides segne Choffaticeras Fagesia cf. segne

segne segne superstes Choffateceras

Turonian

Choffaticeras Choffateceras Choffateceras segne Mammites segne nodosoides Choffaticeras segne Vascoceras P.flexuosum Mammites P.flexuosum V. proprium Mammites Vascoceras Vascoceras proprium / nodosoides / / nodosoides durandi proprium V. proprium V. proprium V. obesum Watinoceras praecursor P.vesiculosum V. cauvini

Vascoceras - Exogyra Vascoceras Vascoceras

V. rumeaui E. (C.) Vascoceras olisiponensis cauvini Exogyra cauvini cauvini V. gamai olisiponensis cauvini olisiponensis

E. (C.) Ilymatogyra Il. africana olisiponensis Metengo. cf Metoicoceras Barren Metoicoceras Il. africana- Metoicoceras africana / / acutum geslinianum Interzone geslinianum C. flabellatum geslinianum / Neolobites Ilymatogyra vibrayeanus

Costagyra Neolobites Cenomanian

africana Neolobites Il. africana olisiponensis vibrayeanus vibrayeanus Neolobites Neolobites Neolobites / vibrayeanus vibrayeanus vibrayeanus Hemiaster Neolobites Costagyra Hemiaster cubicus vibrayeanus cubicus olisiponensis

VII- 122 Macro-Biostratigraphy Integration Of The Cenomanian – Turonian,…

Table (2): Continued.

Gertsch et al., Aly & Zakhera & Kassab & Abdel- Abdel-Gawad et Zakhera, El-Hedeny, Abdel-Gawad et Khalil & 2010 (Sinai) & Abdel- Kassab, Maksoud, al., 2006, 2007 & The present 2001 2002 al., 2004a Mashaly, El-Sabbagh et

Age Gawad, 2001 2002 2007 Saber, 2012 (north study (Sinai) (Sinai) (Sinai) 2004 (Sinai) al., 2011 (NE (Sinai) (Sinai) (Sinai) Eastern Desert) Egypt) Coilopoceras Coilopoceras Coilopoceras Coilopoceras Coilopoceras Coilopoceras Coilopoceras requienianum requienianum requienianum requienianum requienianum requienianum requienianum

Choffaticeras Choffaticeras Choffateceras Choffaticeras Choffaticeras Mammites segne segne sinaticum segne segne nodosoides Choffaticeras

segne

ras

segne

Mammites Choffaticeras Mammites Mammites Mammites

Choffatice

/

Turonian nodosoides segne nodosoides nodosoides nodosoides

segne

Choffaticeras Vascoceras

P. flexuosum P. flexuosum segne V. proporium P. flexuosum Pseuda. Vascoceras Choffaticeras proprium

/ / / Vascoceras

flexuosum proprium segne Choffateceras Watinoceras Vascoceras proprium Vascoceras

V. proprium V. proprium W. praecursor proprium praecursor V. Cauvini

Vascoceras Vascoceras Vascoceras Vascoceras Exogyra / Vascoceras Vascoceras Vascoceras Vascoceras cauvini cauvini cauvini cauvini olisiponensis P. cauvini cauvini cauvini cauvini pseudonodosoides

P. Metoicoceras Metoicoceras Il. africana Metoicoceras pseudonodosoides Metoicoceras geslinianum geslinianum / geslinianum / geslinianum Neolobites R.alatum vibrayeanus Neolobites Neolobites vibrayeanus

Neolobites Neolobites Cenomanian

vibrayeanus vibrayeanus vibrayeanus Amphidonte Neolobites Neolobites Neolobites Neolobites flabellatum Neolobites vibrayeanus vibrayeanus vibrayeanus vibrayeanus Acanthoceras vibrayeanus Hemiaster amphibolum cubicus

Mahmoud H. Darwish, Mohamed S. Zakhera, Nasr A. Abdel-Maksoud and VII - 123 Nageh A. Obaidalla

Table (3): Possible zones correlations proposed for the Cenomanian–Turonian successions of this study with other well Inter- regional. Wright & Cobban & Hook, Robaszynski et al., Freund & Kennedy, 1981, 1983, Cobban, Meister et al., 1993, Abdallah et Raab, 1969 Bengtson, Wright et al., Robaszynski et 1984, 1986 (New 1992 al., 1995 and Caron et al., 2006 he present and Lewy et 1996 1984, Lehmann, al., 2010

Age Mexico & USA) and Pascal et Abdallah & (Tunisia & USA) study al., 1984 (GSSP) 1999 and Gale et (Tunisia) and Kennedy et al., al.,1993 (Niger) Meister, 1997 (Negev) al., 2005 1987 (W. Texas) (Tunisia) (Europe) Coilopoceras Coilopoceras

inflatum requienianum

Collignoniceras Collignoniceras Choffaticeras woollgari woollgari Woollgari segne

n Mammites Mammites Mammites Mammites Choff. luciae nodosoides nodosoides nodosoides nodosoides trisellatum Mammites

Turonia Pseudotissotia Mammites Choff. quaasi Vascoceras Vascoceras nodosoides Thmasites rollandi

nigeriensis nodosoides birchbyi birchbyi Choffaticeras Watinoceras securiforme coloraddoense Pseudaspidoceras Pseudaspidoceras Pseudaspidoceras Vascoceras Vascoceras Pseudaspidoceras Vascoceras flexuosum Pseudaspidoceras flexuosum flexuosum proprium pioti flexuosum proprium Watinoceras flexuosum Watinoceras Watinoceras sp. Watinoceras sp. devonense praecursor Vascoceras Neocardioceras Nigericeras scotti Neocardioceras Pseudaspidaceras Pseudaspidaceras cauvini juddi Vascoceras Pseudaspidaceras Vascoceras Neocardioceras juddi juddi pseudonodosoids pseudonodosoids cauvini pseudonodosoids cauvini Kanabiceras Vascoceras Buttoceras clydense sp. cauvini Calycoceras Sciponoceras Nigericeras Sciponoceras sp. gracile gadeni gracile Euomphaloceras Metoicoceras Metoicoceras Metoicoceras Metoicoceras septemseriatum geslinianum geslinianum

Cenomanian geslinianum

Neolobites mosbyense Neolobites Metoicoceras vibrayeanus vibrayeanus mosbyense Calucoceras Eucalycoceras Calucoceras Neolobites

guerangeri pentagonum guerangeri vibrayeanus VII- 124 Macro-Biostratigraphy Integration Of The Cenomanian – Turonian,…

Table (4): Possible correlation of the bivalve zones proposed for the Cenomanian–Turonian successions of this study with other localities in Egypt.

Kora & Abdelhady, Zakhera, 1999 Kassab and Awad & Issawi, Shahin, Zakhera, Hume, 1911 Hamama, 2007 And Kassab & Abdel- El-Sabbagh, The present 1975 1988 2001

Age (Egypt) 1987a (N. Wadi Zakhera, 1999 Maksoud 2007 2008 study (Egypt) (Sinai) (Sinai) (Sinai) Qena) (N. E. Desert) (Sinai) Inoceramus Crassatella (Mytiloides) Hemitissotia sp. seguenzai Inoceramus labiatus / labiatus Pseudotissotia sp. Neithia Meretrix / (Neithea) Arca passyana dutrugei Mammites Arca passyana Arca dutrugei Turonian nodosoides Mytiloides (Eonavicula) Crassatella Durania humei opalensis passyana incurva elongata P. vesiculosum Ostrea Exogyra Pycnodonte Acesta Pycnodonte Pycnodonte Exogyra / olisiponensis suborbiculata vesicularis obliquistriata vesiculosa Exogyra (C.) vesiculosa olisiponensis Ex. olisiponensis / / olisiponensis Ostrea mermeti Exogyra (C.) Ostrea Hemiaster Costagyra olisiponensis Exogyra flabellata Exogyra africana pseudofourneli Ilymatogyra olisiponensis Barren / Ilymatogyra olisiponensis / africana Ilymatogyra africana Neolobites fourtaui Il. africana Exogyra (C.) / Ostrea africana / Ilymatogyra africana Exogyra / olisiponensis Aporrhais (A.)africana Cenomanian Ceratostreon Rhynchostreon olisiponensis Cer. flabellatum dutrugei flabellatum Mermeti - Ceratostreon / / -Opis Ostrea Ceratostreon Ceratostreon flabellatum Hemiaster Rh. sub- haldonensis suborbiculata flabellatum flabellatum pseudo-fourneli orbiculatum

Plate 1 1, 2 Neolobites vibrayeanus (ďOrbigny); 3, 4 Metoicoceras geslinianum (ďOrbigny); 5, 6 Vascoceras cauvini Chudeau; 7- 9 Watinoceras praecursor Wright & Kennedy. Scale bar = 1cm.

1 2 3

5 6 4

7 8 9 Plate 2 1, 2 Vascoceras proprium (Reyment); 3, 4 Mammites nodosoides (Schlüter); 5, 6 Choffaticeras segne (Solger); 1.2; Scale bar = 3cm; 3-6, Scale bar = 1cm.

1 2 3

5 6 4 VII- 126 Macro-Biostratigraphy Integration Of The Cenomanian – Turonian,…

Plate 3 1, 2 Coilopoceras requienianum (ďOrbigny); 3, 4 Ceratostreon flabellatum (Goldfuss); 5, 6 Exogyra (Costagyra) olisiponensis (Sharpe); 7, 8 Pycnodonte (Phygraea) vesiculosa (Sowerby); 9, 10 Arca (Eonavicula) passyana d’Orbigny. 1, 2; Scale bar = 3cm; 3- 10, Scale bar = 1cm.

1 2

3 4 5 6

9 7 8 1 Plate 4 0 1- 4 Crassatella (Crassatella) seguenzai (Thomas & Peron); 5, 6 Mecaster cubicus (Desor); 7, 8 Mecaster turonensis (Fourtau); 9, 10 Mecaster batnensis (Coquand); 11 Mecaster pseudofourneli (Peron & Gauthier). Scale bar = 1cm.

1 2 3 4

7 5 6

8

9 1 0 1 1

Mahmoud H. Darwish, Mohamed S. Zakhera, Nasr A. Abdel-Maksoud and VII - 127 Nageh A. Obaidalla

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