Numerical distribution of Santonian to Danian corals (Scleractinia, Octocorallia) of Southern Limburg, the Netherlands

Abstract

The stratigraphical occurrence of 35 known species from the Upper Cretaceous and Danian of Southern Limburg is presented based on existing collections and newly collected material. Corals are relatively rare, except in the Meerssen Member of the Maastricht Formation. Two faunas were recognised in the Meerssen Member: a fauna dominated by Cyclolites cancellata at the base of this member - which coincides with the sequence boundary of the third-order sequence cycle TA1.1 of Haq et al. (1988) - and a fauna dominated by mushroom-shaped and encrusting colonies at the top of the transgressive systems tract of the same sequence cycle.