Correlation of calcareous nannofossil zones to the local first occurrence of Pachydiscus neubergicus (von Hauer, 1858) (Ammonoidea) in European Upper Cretaceous sections

Abstract

The first occurrence (FO) of the ammonite Pachydiscus neubergicus (von Hauer, 1858) has been correlated to calcareous nannofossil zonations in several European sections along the northern margin of the Tethyan palaeobiogeographic realm. Both the proposed stratotype section of Tercis (SW France) and complete, ammonite-bearing sections in northern Spain document the FO of P. neubergicus within standard nannofossil zone CC23a (UC16), below the LO of Broinsonia parca constricta. Other sections such as the type locality Neuberg (Austria), Nagoriani (the Ukraine) and Bjala (Bulgaria) indicate considerable diachroneity of local FOs and show P. neubergicus to range up to nannofossil zone CC25b/c (UC20; Late Maastrichtian).