Development of the coral facies from the Oligocene to the Recent in Eastern Cuba).

Abstract

Coral formations of eastern Cuba occur around two anticlinoria in zones progressively further from the axis and nearer to the present coast. A lagoonal facies prevails. The oldest fauna, found in the Guantánamo Basin, is of Oligo-miocene age; it correlates with faunas of Antigua and the Panama Canal Zone. The fauna is of Indopacific type and grew on a gravel bottom in quiet water (Corallinacea-Lepidocyclina community). The temperature favoured true reefal growth. An abrupt change occurred at the boundary Early/Middle Miocene, possibly because of an interoceanic influx of cooler water. The development is mostly biostromic. More favourable conditions reappear in the Upper Pliocene. Pleistocene coral zonation resembles that of the Netherlands Antilles, but is less well outlined. Fifty percent of the fossil species listed occurs in Recent reefs and lagoons.