Articles | Volume 44, issue 2
https://doi.org/10.5194/jm-44-573-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/jm-44-573-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
25 Nov 2025
Research article |
| 25 Nov 2025
| 25 Nov 2025
Chronostratigraphic ranges of Early–Middle Miocene larger benthic foraminifera calibrated by planktonic foraminiferal assemblages (Sierra de Marmolance, Granada, SE Spain)
Mónica Bolivar-Feriche
Dipartimento di Fisica e Scienze della Terra, Università degli Studi di Ferrara, Via Saragat 1, 44122 Ferrara, Italy
Jesús Reolid
Departamento de Estratigrafía y Paleontología, Universidad de Granada, Campus Fuentenueva, 18071, Granada, Spain
Julio Aguirre
Departamento de Estratigrafía y Paleontología, Universidad de Granada, Campus Fuentenueva, 18071, Granada, Spain
Dipartimento di Fisica e Scienze della Terra, Università degli Studi di Ferrara, Via Saragat 1, 44122 Ferrara, Italy
Juan C. Braga
Departamento de Estratigrafía y Paleontología, Universidad de Granada, Campus Fuentenueva, 18071, Granada, Spain
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In the Marmolance succession (SE Spain), in limestones intercalating marls with planktonic foraminifera, we documented Langhian Nummulites species as well as Serravallian lepidocyclinids and Risananeiza. Papazzoni et al. questioned our results, arguing that the larger benthic foraminifera (LBF) must be reworked. However, the quantitatively defined LBF assemblages are spatially and temporally segregated, which can only be due to in situ accumulation across different facies belts of the carbonate ramp.
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In the Marmolance succession (SE Spain), in limestones intercalating marls with planktonic foraminifera, we documented Langhian Nummulites species as well as Serravallian lepidocyclinids and Risananeiza. Papazzoni et al. questioned our results, arguing that the larger benthic foraminifera (LBF) must be reworked. However, the quantitatively defined LBF assemblages are spatially and temporally segregated, which can only be due to in situ accumulation across different facies belts of the carbonate ramp.
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Short summary
The Sierra de Marmolance (SE Spain) offers a valuable record of Early–Middle Miocene larger benthic foraminifera (LBF) in limestones overlying and laterally changing to marls. Dating by planktonic foraminiferal assemblages in the marls entails significant changes in the last occurrence ages of some LBF used for dating shallow-water carbonates. Key findings include the record of Nummulites still living in the Indo-Pacific but thought to have disappeared in the fossil record at the end of the Oligocene.
The Sierra de Marmolance (SE Spain) offers a valuable record of Early–Middle Miocene larger...
