Finding of two new radiolarian associations calibrated with ammonoids in the Vaca Muerta Formation (Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous), Neuquén Basin, Argentina

Accepted Manuscript Finding of two new radiolarian associations calibrated with ammonoids in the Vaca Muerta Formation (Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous), Neuquén Basin, Argentina Verónica V. Vennari, Ignacio Pujana PII:

S0895-9811(17)30018-4

DOI:

10.1016/j.jsames.2017.01.003

Reference:

SAMES 1644

To appear in:

Journal of South American Earth Sciences

Received Date: 31 May 2016 Revised Date:

20 December 2016

Accepted Date: 9 January 2017

Please cite this article as: Vennari, V.V., Pujana, I., Finding of two new radiolarian associations calibrated with ammonoids in the Vaca Muerta Formation (Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous), Neuquén Basin, Argentina, Journal of South American Earth Sciences (2017), doi: 10.1016/j.jsames.2017.01.003. This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.

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FINDING OF TWO NEW RADIOLARIAN ASSOCIATIONS CALIBRATED WITH

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AMMONOIDS IN THE VACA MUERTA FORMATION (LATE JURASSIC–EARLY

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CRETACEOUS), NEUQUÉN BASIN, ARGENTINA

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Verónica V. Vennaria*, Ignacio Pujanab

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a

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Ambientales (IANIGLA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas

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(CONICET), San Rafael, Mendoza, Argentina.

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Grupo vinculado al Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias

Museo de Historia Natural de San Rafael, Parque Mariano Moreno s/ n, 5600, San

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Rafael, Mendoza, Argentina.

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*Corresponding author.

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b

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Road, ROC 21, Richardson, Texas 75080-3021, USA.

Department of Geosciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W. Campbell

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E-mail addresses: [email protected] (V.V. Vennari);

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[email protected] (I. Pujana)

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ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT ABSTRACT: An association of ammonoids and radiolarians retrieved from a

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sedimentary section of the Vaca Muerta Formation at Vega de Escalone, Neuquén

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Basin, Argentina, was analized under a strict stratigraphic control. Nine ammonoid

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assemblage biozones were identified, indicating an age span from Early Tithonian to

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Late Berriasian/ earlymost Valanginian for the Vaca Muerta Formation at the studied

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section. In connection to the ammonoid record, two radiolarian faunas were identified

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and named J3A1 and J3B1. Fauna J3A1, corresponding to the Virgatosphinctes

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andesensis Biozone, is dominated by nasellarian genera and represents the first Lower

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Tithonian radiolarian fauna described from the Neuquén Basin. Fauna J3B1, linked to

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the interval assigned to the Substeueroceras koeneni Biozone (Late Tithonian–Early

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Berriasian), yields abundant representatives of the Pantanellid Family. The presence of

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Complexapora kozuri (Kiessling and Zeiss) and Loopus primitivus (Matsuoka and Yao),

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two important radiolarian primary markers of the Late Jurassic in North America,

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supports a Late Tithonian age for at least part of the S. koeneni Biozone in the studied

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area. Nor certain Berriasian radiolarian faunas nor elements of the Vallupinae Family

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were identified so far at the Vega de Escalone section.

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KEYWORDS: Upper Jurassic–Lower Cretaceous; Radiolaria; Ammonoids;

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Biostratigraphy; Vaca Muerta Formation; Neuquén Basin.

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1. INTRODUCTION The Jurassic–Cretaceous transition is recorded in Argentina in the marine rocks of the Vaca Muerta Formation, whose deposition was related to a sudden and

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widespread marine transgression that started in the late Lower Tithonian in the Neuquén

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Basin (Legarreta and Uliana, 1991). This basin (Fig. 1) is widely known for its nearly

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uninterrupted sedimentary infill from Late Triassic to Cenozoic times, its large extended

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outcrops and by the fine quality of its fossil record. All these features have made the

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Neuquén Basin the source of a great variety of both geological and paleontological

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studies in former times. Nevertheless, much remains to be described and interpreted to

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improve our knowledge of this western Gondwana basin.

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The radiolaria have proven to be one of the most abundant zooplankton groups in Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous rocks (Pessagno 1976, 1977a, b; Pessagno et al.,

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1984, 1987, 1993; Baumgartner et al., 1995) with important biostratigraphic and

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taxonomic implications. Representatives of this time interval are well known worldwide

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but in the Neuquén Basin they were only studied by one of us in a number of articles

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(Pujana, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1995, 1996a, 1996b, 2000). In this contribution, we present

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two new radiolarian faunas, one of Early Tithonian (Fauna J3A1), and the other of Late

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Tithonian to Early Berriasian age (Fauna J3B1). Both are recorded in northern Neuquén

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province, Argentina and in connection with an accurate ammonoid based

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biostratigraphic control.

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Figured ammonoid specimens are stored at the Paleontological Collection of the

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University of Buenos Aires, Argentina under numbers CPBA 21240.5, 21560-21563;

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21566-21571, and fertile radiolarian slides containing the illustrated specimens are held

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at the Micropaleontological Collection of the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina

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under numbers LM-FCEN Nº 3670-3671.

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[Fig. 1 around here]

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2. GEOLOGICAL SETTING

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2.1. Regional setting The Neuquén Basin (Fig. 1) is a retroarc basin formed on a convergent

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continental margin (Legarreta and Uliana, 1996) at the foothill of the Andes. It extends

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over Chile and west-central Argentina between 33 and 39° southern latitude. During

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Mesozoic times the basin was limited eastward by the Sierra Pintada System,

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southeastward by the Patagonian Massif and to the west by a discontinuous active

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volcanic arc which allowed its communication with the Pacific Ocean (Howell et al.,

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2005).

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The Lower Tithonian–Upper Berriasian marine rocks of the Vaca Muerta Formation (Weaver, 1931; emend. Leanza, H., 1972) are the result of a sudden marine

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transgression that, in the studied area (Fig. 2A, B), flooded the earlier continental

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siliciclastic sediments of the Tordillo Formation. Both lithostratigraphic units integrate

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the base of the Mendoza Group in the study area (Groeber, 1946; emend. Stipanicic et

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al., 1968).

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[Fig. 2 around here]

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The Vaca Muerta Formation is characterized by the rhythmic alternation of bituminous dark shales, marls and calcareous beds deposited over an homoclinal

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carbonate-siliciclastic ramp system dominated by external ramp facies during the

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Tithonian (Spalletti et al., 2000; Scasso et al., 2002; Kietzmann et al., 2008; Kietzmann

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and Palma, 2009), which leaded to a more inclined or a distally steepened ramp during

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the Berriasian (Mitchum and Uliana, 1985; Kietzmann et al., 2008). The prevailing

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oxygen deficient bottom conditions allowed the excellent preservation of both micro

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and macrofauna among which ammonoid shells are the most abundantly represented.

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These environmental conditions also promoted the formation of extended organic-rich

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facies that turned the Vaca Muerta Formation as the most important hydrocarbon source

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of the Neuquén Basin (Mitchum and Uliana, 1985; Vergani et al., 2011).

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2.2. Fossil locality The Vega de Escalone section (37º 11' S; 69º 48' W) is easily accessible. It is

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located in the Pampa Tril area (Fig. 2A), 72 km north of Chos Malal City. It can be

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reached through the intersection of the national road n° 40 with a narrow gravel road

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situated some kilometers north of the Chihuido del Tril (a Cenozoic basaltic neck). The

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gravel pathway heads to a small farm inside a marsh (vega in Spanish), situated over the

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eastward boundary of the Yesera del Tromen evaporites. The contact of the Vaca

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Muerta Formation with the Tordillo Formation can be reached after a 1.5 km walk

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either through the gravel road or through an old seismic line parallel to it. The analyzed

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section lies over the eastern flank of the most conspicuous structure in the region, the

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Yesera del Tromen Anticline (Herrero-Ducloux, 1946). Nearby Vaca Muerta Formation

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outcrops and faunal content have been also studied by Leanza and Hugo (1977),

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Gulisano and Gutiérrez-Pleimling (1994), Spalletti et al. (1999) and Parent et al. (2015).

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2.3. Description of the section

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In Vega de Escalone the Vaca Muerta Formation is 482 m thick (Fig. 3). The unit starts with thinly laminated microbialite layers and continues upwards with an

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abundant intercalation of mudstones, wackestones and marls forming massive,

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laminated and nodular beds. Calcareous nodules up to 1.5 m in diameter are common in

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the first part of the section, a feature which has also been observed in other areas of the

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basin (Damborenea and Leanza, H., 2016). Some tuff layers, siltstones and calcareous

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sandstones had also been recorded scattered over the column, as well as ferruginous

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surfaces and thin fibrous calcite layers. The later usually occur parallel to the

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ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT stratification and are more frequent near the top of the section. These fibrous calcite

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layers have been formerly observed in many others localities (e.g. Leanza, H., 1973,

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Leanza, H., et al. 2001), and frequently yield ammonoid and bivalve imprints (e.g.

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Damborenea and Leanza, H., 2016). Their formation has been recently associated with

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fluid overpressure episodes during hydrocarbon generation (Rodrigues et al., 2009). The

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top of the Vaca Muerta Formation in this locality is transitional with the coarser and

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shallower deposits of the Valanginian Mulichinco Formation.

Ammonoid shells are by far the most abundant fossil invertebrates through all

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the section, recorded both as three-dimensional internal molds holding neomorfic shell

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remains, or as detailed imprints. Small gastropods (e.g. Protohemichenopus), oysters,

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epibisated and shallow burrower bivalves are also found (e.g. Liostrea, Huncalotis, and

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"Lucina"). Vertebrates are usually represented by small disarticulated fish scales and

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bones; however a Late Tithonian to Early Berriasian crocodile skull from this locality

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has been recently described (Herrera, 2012; Herrera and Vennari, 2014).

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[Fig. 3 around here]

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3. MATERIAL AND METHODS

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Ammonoid specimens were collected bed by bed in Vega de Escalone section.

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Shells were prepared at the laboratory with the assistance of pneumatic tools and a

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diluted solution of hydrochloric acid (HCL) before their taxonomic identification.

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To separate and study the radiolarian skeletons, several disaggregation

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techniques were applied according to the nature of the matrix and the replacement of the

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original opal. A summary of these techniques, including the use of dilute and

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concentrated acids, is described in Pessagno (1977a). Particularly useful for our material

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was the use of diluted hydrofluoric acid technique as described in Pessagno and

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Newport (1972). 6

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4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

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4.1. Ammonoid biostratigraphy A twofold division of the Tithonian is adopted here, making it easier the

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comparision between Standard ammonoid and radiolarian biozonation schemes and

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following Riccardi (2015) suggestions.

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Nine ammonoid assemblage biozones have been identified in Vega de Escalone

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section (Figs. 4–5, 8) from a total of thirty-two ammonoid fertile beds (Fig. 3). Those

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biozones are consistent with the traditional Andean biostratigraphic scheme of Leanza,

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H. (1980, 1981a, b) and Riccardi (1984, 1988), and its recent modifications introduced

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by both authors, mainly involving the late Early and Late Tithonian interval (Zeiss and

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Leanza, H., 2008, 2010; Riccardi et al., 2011; Riccardi, 2015). Lowermost Tithonian

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biozonation follows the proposal of Vennari (2016), where the new name

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Virgatosphinctes andesensis Assemblage Biozone is recommended to be used instead of

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V. mendozanus Assemblage Biozone, since the former is the valid name of the index

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species by priority of publication. Also, the V. andesensis Biozone was tentatively

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subdivided into two interval subzones, of which the uppermost, the Indansites

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malarguensis Interval Subzone is well represented at the studied section.

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Lower Cretaceous ammonoid biozones and their correlation with the Tethys

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region were based on those presented by Aguirre-Urreta et al. (2007) and Reboulet et al.

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(2014).

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[Figure 8 around here]

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The faunal composition of each ammonoid biozone and their correlation with the

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current Mediterranean Standard biozonation (Hardenbol et al., 1998; Reboulet et al.,

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2014) is presented below:

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Ammonoid beds VE 1–VE 3: Virgatosphinctes andesensis Assemblage Biozone (Vennari, 2016). Lower Tithonian, Upper Darwini to Lower Semiforme Zones. It

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includes abundant and well preserved specimens of Indansites malarguensis (Spath,

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1931) (Fig. 4.1), less numerous representatives of Virgatosphinctes andesensis

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(Douvillé, 1910) and Choicensisphinctes choicensis (Burckhardt, 1903), and only one

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specimen assigned to Pseudovolanoceras cf. P. aesinense kranzense (Cantú-Chapa,

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1990). This species, a simoceratid usually ascribed to the younger Pseudolissoceras

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zitelli Biozone, is poorly represented in the Neuquén Basin and can be correlated with

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the Semiforme standard Zone (Villaseñor et al., 2011). Two morphotypes temporally

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ascribed to the tethyan genera "Subplanitoides sp." and "Torquatisphinctes sp." have

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also been recognized. Dominance of representatives of Subfamilies Virgatosphinctinae

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and Lithacoceratinae at this association is in agreement with previous records of this

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stratigaphic interval in other areas of the basin (Leanza, H., 1980; Vennari and Aguirre-

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Urreta, 2014; Vennari, 2016) and enables recognizing an Indansites malarguensis

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Interval Subzone (Vennari, 2016) in this section.

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Ammonoid bed VE 4: Pseudolissoceras zitteli Assemblage Biozone. Lower Tithonian, Upper Semiforme to Lower Fallauxi Zones. Mainly represented by abundant

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and well preserved specimens of Pseudolissoceras zitteli (Burckhardt, 1903) (Fig. 4.2),

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Cieneguiticeras perlaevis (Steuer, 1897) and some Lamellaptychus remains usually

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related to haploceratid ammonoids (Trauth, 1938; Engeser and Keupp, 2002).

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Ammonoid beds VE 5–VE 6: Aulacosphinctes proximus Assemblage Biozone.

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Lower Tithonian, Upper Fallauxi to Ponti Zones. Represented by poorly preserved

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Aulacosphinctes proximus? (Steuer, 1897) remains.

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Ammonoid beds VE 7–VE 8': Windhauseniceras internispinosum Assemblage Biozone. Upper Tithonian, Lower Microcanthum Zone. Yields representatives of 8

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Windhauseniceras internispinosum? (Krantz, 1926), Aspidoceras euomphalum Steuer,

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1897, "Subdichotomoceras" araucanense Leanza, H., 1980 (Fig. 4.4), Corongoceras

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lotenoense Spath, 1925 and some aptychi of Lamellaptychus and Laevaptychus type; the

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later usually ascribed to aspidoceratids (Trauth, 1931; Cloos, 1961). Ammonoid beds VE 9–VE 12: Corongoceras alternans Assemblage Biozone.

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Upper Tithonian, Upper Microcanthum to Lower "Durangites" Zone. Includes

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representatives of Micracanthoceras lamberti Leanza, A., 1945 (Fig. 4.3),

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Aulacosphinctes mangaensis? (Steuer, 1897), Corongoceras sp. cf. C. mendozanum

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(Behrendsen, 1922) (Fig. 4.6) and some specimens of "Berriasella" australis Leanza,

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A., 1945. A single specimen assigned to Parodontoceras calistoides (Behrendsen,

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1922) was recorded on the topmost fossiliferous bed of this association along with

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representatives of M. lamberti and A. mangaensis?.

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Ammonoid beds VE 13–VE 23: Substeueroceras koeneni Assemblage Biozone. Uppermost Tithonian to Lower Berriasian, "Durangites" to Jacobi Zones. Includes

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abundant representatives of P.calistoides (Fig. 4.5). In addition were identified some

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specimens of Aulacosphinctes? azulensis Leanza, A., 1945 (Fig. 5.1), Corongoceras?

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sp., C.? steinmanni Krantz, 1926, Micracanthoceras? spinulosum Gerth, 1925,

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Micracanthoceras? aff. M.? spinulosum, M.? sp. cf. M. koellikeri (Steuer 1897 non

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Oppel), M. vetustum (Steuer, 1897), Aspidoceras rogoznicense (Zeuschner, 1846),

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Chigaroceras sp. (Fig. 5.3), Substeueroceras koeneni? (Steuer, 1897), S. extans Leanza,

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A., 1945, S. striolatissimum (Steuer, 1897), and a single litoceratid fragment, a group

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traditionally interpreted as offshore dwellers (Kennedy and Cobban, 1976). Upper age

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limit indicated for this biozone is in accordance to the recently proved co-occurrence of

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representatives of this biozone with Nannoconus kamptneri minor, as a marker for the

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base of the Berriasian, in Las Loicas section, Mendoza (see Vennari et al., 2014).

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Ammonoid bed VE 24: Argentiniceras noduliferum Assemblage Biozone.

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Lower Berrisian, Jacobi to Occitanica Zones. Represented by few specimens of

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Argentiniceras sp. (Fig. 5.2). Ammonoid beds VE 25?, VE 26–VE 32: Spiticeras damesi to Neocomites

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wichmanni Assemblage Biozone. Upper Berriasian to lowermost Valanginian. Boissieri

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to Pertransiens Zone. It only includes shell imprints on fibrous calcite layers or on

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calcareous siltstones. Nonetheless, some specimens of Cuyaniceras transgrediens

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(Steuer, 1897) (Fig. 5.5), Cuyaniceras sp., "Thurmanniceras" discoidale (Gerth, 1925)

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(Fig. 5.4) and indeterminate neocomitids were identified to the top of the interval. Lack

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of identification of index species of the Neocomites wichmanni Biozone prevented

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separating this biozone from the previous one.

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[Fig. 4–5 around here]

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4.2. Radiolarian taxonomy and biostratigraphy

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The micropaleontologic analysis is based on a total of thirty-two samples taken

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consecutively along the section. Of these, the most abundant and well preserved

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material recovered from two main intervals with ammonoids is described below. The

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poor preservation of the fauna impedes conducting a statistical analysis of abundance

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and to assess the relative taxonomic composition of the fauna. However, many forms

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are described for first time in the Neuquén Basin as also is the radiolarian association

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from the V. andesensis Biozone.

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A total of seven fertile samples (Fig. 3) allow discriminating two faunas of

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radiolarians (Figs. 6–8). The first one, Fauna J3A1 (Fig. 6), is recognized from three

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samples obtained from beds VE 1, VE 2 and VE 3, included in the V. andesensis

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Biozone (Lower Tithonian). Fauna J3A1 is dominated by nasellarians, among which

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Parvicingula, Archaeodyctiomitra and Xitus are the most abundant forms. Among the 10

ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT members of the Pantanellidae Family, only Pantanellium aff. P. ranchitoensis is

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abundant. This J3A1 Fauna constitutes the first fauna of radiolarians thoroughly

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described from levels of the Virgatosphinctes andesensis Biozone in the Neuquén

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Basin. It corresponds to the lower part of J3A radiolarian association from late Early

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Tithonian to middle Late Tithonian age identified in the basin by Pujana (2000, in

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Ballent et al., 2011). In particular, the sample from bed VE 2 can be as old as Zone 4,

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base of Subzone 4β2 of Pessagno et al. (2009) due to the presence of Complexapora

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kozuri (Fig. 6.10, 8–9).

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The second fauna of radiolarians, named J3B1 (Fig. 7), is determined from four fertile samples recovered from beds VE 17, 18, 19 and 20, corresponding to levels

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assigned to the Substeueroceras koeneni Biozone (uppermost Tithonian to Lower

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Berriasian). In particular, the sample obtained from bed VE 19 allows to assign a Late

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Tithonian age to the fauna, based on the presence of C. kozuri (Fig. 7.15) and Loopus

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primitivus (Fig. 7.6) primary markers for Zone 4 Subzone 4α2 of Pessagno et al. (2009).

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Fauna J3B1, which is assigned to the lowest part of J3B radiolarian association from

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Late Tithonian to Early Valanginian age (Pujana, 2000), has a strong representation of

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the Pantanellidae Family with genera Gorgansium and Pantanellium. Also recognized

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are Napora, Podobursa, Acanthocircus, Pseudocyrtis, Neoparonaella and Xitus. It is

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remarkable the absence on these levels of members of Parvicingula as well as any

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species of the Vallupinae Subfamily.

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Between faunas J3A1 and J3B1 there is a 154 m thick interval barren of any

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radiolarians. Some local environmental factors may have inhibited radiolarian

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preservation in the middle portion of Vega de Escalone section. However, this upper

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Lower to middle Upper Tithonian interval has provided a rich radiolarian fauna in

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several other Vaca Muerta sections both in Neuquén, (i.e. Mallín Quemado, Portada 11

ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT Covunco) and Mendoza, (i.e. Bardas Blancas) (Pujana, 1991, 1995, 1996). Those faunas

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held elements of the Subfamily Vallupinae which allow recognizing two conspicuous

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evolutive events named “Vallupus hopsoni Event” and “Vallupus japonicus Event”. The

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older "Vallupus hopsoni" event is characterized by the presence of specimens with

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multiple cortical collars and indentations. These forms always have a cylindrical to

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conical cortical collar that expands continuously towards an aperture with irregular

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borders. The occurrence of that event is on the lower part of the Pseudolissoceras zitelli

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Biozone to at least the upper part of the Aulacosphinctes proximus Biozone (middle to

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upper Lower Tithonian). The younger "Vallupus japonicus" event is also defined by an

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abundance of forms with multiple and indented cortical collars with a distinctive bell-

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like shape, and also includes some Vallupus hopsoni specimens. This event occurs in

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coincidence with the upper part of the Windhauseniceras internispinosum Biozone and

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in the Corongoceras alternans Biozone (lower to middle Upper Tithonian).

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Finally, the fauna observed in a single sample obtained from bed VE 24,

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included in the Argentiniceras noduliferum Biozone (Lower Berriasian), do not present

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significant differences in its composition with the J3B1 fauna, despite its higher

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stratigraphic position. However poor preservation as well as relatively less diversity and

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abundance hinder its significance.

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[Fig. 6-7 around here]

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Radiolarian Taxonomy

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The classification of De Wever et al. (2001) is followed up to the Order level,

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Families are alphabetically ordered. Biostratigraphic ranges of genera and species

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follow the biostratigraphic scheme proposed by Pessagno et al. (2009). (Fig. 9).

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[Figure 9 around here]

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Class ACTINOPODA 12

ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT Subclass RADIOLARIA (Müller, 1858)

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Superorder POLYCYSTIDA Ehrenberg, 1838, emend. Riedel 1967)

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Order SPUMELLARIINA Ehrenberg, 1875, emend. De Wever et al., 2001

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Family PANTANELLIIDAE Pessagno, 1977a

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Type genus: Pantanellium Pessagno, 1977a; sensu Pessagno and Blome, 1980.

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Range: Late Triassic (Carnian) to Early Cretaceous (Aptian/ Albian).

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Occurrence: Worldwide.

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Subfamily PANTANELLIINAE Pessagno, 1977a; sensu Pessagno and Blome, 1980

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Type genus: Pantanellium Pessagno 1977a; sensu Pessagno and Blome 1980.

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Range and occurrence: Same as for family.

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Genus Gorgansium Pessagno and Blome, 1980

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Type species: Gorgansium silviesense Pessagno and Blome, 1980.

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Range and occurrence: Late Triassic (Norian) to Early Cretaceous (Berriasian). Same

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as for the family.

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Gorgansium sp. A (Fig. 7.8)

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Remarks: This form is characterized by well-developed nodes and slender polar spines

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similar to the form under Pantanellium sp. A (see Fig. 7.4). The remainder basal spine,

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wider and longer is deviated from the polar axis by approximately 30 degrees.

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Range and occurrence: Vaca Muerta Formation, Neuquén Basin, Vega de Escalone,

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Argentina. Sample VE 19; Fauna J3B1; Substeueroceras koeneni Biozone. Rare. 13

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Genus Pantanellium Pessagno, 1977a, sensu Pessagno and Blome, 1980

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Type species: Pantanellium riedeli Pessagno, 1977a.

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Range and occurrence: Same as for family.

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318

Pantanellium meraceibaense Pessagno and Macleod, 1987 (Fig. 7.9)

320

1987 Pantanellium meraceibaense Pessagno and Macleod, p. 22, pl. 5, figs. 5–6, 18–19;

321

pl. 7, fig. 4.

322

1991 Pantanellium sp. aff. P. meraceibaense Pessagno and Macleod; Pujana, p. 399, pl.

323

1, figs. 6–7.

324

1993 Pantanellium meraceibaense Pessagno and Macleod; Pessagno et al., p. 130, pl. 4,

325

fig. 17.

326

1993 Pantanellium meraceibaense Pessagno and Macleod; Yang, p. 15, pl. 2, figs. 6,

327

22.

328

2013 Pantanellium meraceibaense Pessagno and Macleod; Pujana in Staerker et al., p.

329

115, pl. 3, fig. b.

M AN U

TE D

EP

330

SC

319

Range and occurrence: Superzone 1, Zone 11 to Zone 4, Subzone 4β; Lower Oxfordian

332

to Lower Berriasian. Taman Formation, East-central Mexico; Argolis Peninsula,

333

Greece; Stanley Mountain, California; strata overlying the Josephine Ophiolite,

334

Klamath Mountains; northwestern California and southwestern Oregon; Mazapil, Sierra

335

de Santa Rosa, Mexico; Haynesville Formation, North Louisiana Salt Province, Gulf of

336

Mexico; Vaca Muerta Formation, Neuquén Basin, Mallín Quemado and Vega de

337

Escalone, Argentina. Sample VE 19; Fauna J3B1; Substeueroceras koeneni Biozone.

AC C

331

338 14

ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT 339

Pantanellium neuquensis Pujana, 1991 (Fig. 7.2)

340

1991 Pantanellium neuquensis Pujana, p. 399, pl. 1, figs. 3, 6.

341

Range and occurrence: Vaca Muerta Formation, Neuquén Basin, Mallín Quemado

343

(Windhauseniceras internispinosum Biozone) and Vega de Escalone, Argentina. Sample

344

VE 19; Fauna J3B1; Substeueroceras koeneni Biozone.

345

RI PT

342

Pantanellium quintachillaense Pessagno and Macleod, 1987 (Fig. 7.3, 7.7)

347

1987 Pantanellium quintachillaense Pessagno and Macleod in Pessagno et al., p. 23, pl.

348

4, figs. 14, 23.

349

1999 Pantanellium quintachillaense Pessagno and Macleod; Kiesling, p. 22, pl. 4, figs.

350

6, 12.

351

2013 Pantanellium quintachillaense Pessagno and Macleod; Pujana in Staerker et al., p.

352

115, pl. 3, fig. b.

M AN U

TE D

353

SC

346

Range and occurrence: Zone 2, Subzone 2β to Zone 4, Subzone 4α; Oxfordian to Late

355

Tithonian. Taman Formation, east-central Mexico; Ameghino Formation, Antarctic

356

Peninsula; Haynesville Formation, North Louisiana Salt Province, Gulf of Mexico; and

357

herein, Vaca Muerta Formation, Neuquén Basin, Vega de Escalone. Sample VE 19;

358

Fauna J3B1; Substeueroceras koeneni Biozone.

AC C

359

EP

354

360

Pantanellium ranchitoense Pessagno and Macleod, in Pessagno et al., 1987 (Fig. 6.3)

361

1987 Pantanellium ranchitoense Pessagno and Macleod in Pessagno et al., p. 23, pl. 1,

362

figs. 1, 25; pl. 5, figs. 4, 8, 22; pl. 7, fig. 6.

15

ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT 1991 Pantanellium sp. aff. P. ranchitoense Pessagno and Macleod; Pujana, p. 400, pl. 1,

364

fig. 10.

365

1993 Pantanellium ranchitoense Pessagno and Macleod; Yang, p. 16, pl. 1, fig. 6; pl. 2,

366

fig. 3.

367

1999 Pantanellium ranchitoense Pessagno and Macleod; Kiessling, pl. 4, fig. 10.

368

2013 Pantanellium ranchitoense Pessagno and Macleod; Pujana in Staerker et al., p.

369

115, pl. 3, fig. b.

RI PT

363

SC

370

Range and occurrence: Zone 5; Callovian to Lower Berriasian. Taman Formation, east-

372

central Mexico; Titoniano Bianco, Southern Alps, Italy; Ameghino Formation,

373

Antarctic Peninsula; Haynesville Formation, North Louisiana Salt Province, Gulf of

374

Mexico; Vaca Muerta Formation, Neuquén Basin, Vega de Escalone, Argentina.

375

Sample VE 2, Fauna J3A1; Virgatosphinctes andesensis Biozone.

M AN U

371

TE D

376

Pantanellium sp. aff. P. riedeli Pessagno, 1977b (Fig. 7.5)

378

1977b Pantanellium riedeli Pessagno, p. 78, pl. 6, figs. 5–11.

379

EP

377

Remarks: This specimen differs from Pantanellium riedeli Pessagno by possessing less

381

massive primary spines and a less nodose cortical shell.

382

AC C

380

383

Range and occurrence: Vaca Muerta Formation, Neuquén Basin, Vega de Escalone,

384

Argentina. Sample VE 19; Fauna J3B1; Substeueroceras koeneni Biozone.

385 386

Pantanellium sp. A (Fig. 7.4)

387 16

ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT 388

Remarks: This species is characterized by large pores on a slightly wider cortical shell

389

and very long and slender polar spines. There is no similarity with to any published

390

Pantanellium species.

391

Range and occurrence: Vaca Muerta Formation, Neuquén Basin, Vega de Escalone,

393

Argentina. Sample VE 19; Fauna J3B1; Substeueroceras koeneni Biozone.

RI PT

392

394

Family PATULIBRACCHIINAE Pessagno, 1971; emend. De Wever et al., 2001

396

Type genus: Patulibracchium Pessagno, 1971

397

Range and occurrence: Late Paleozoic to Late Cretaceous. Worldwide.

M AN U

SC

395

398

Genus Crucella Pessagno, 1971; emend. Baumgartner, 1980

400

Type species: Crucella messinae Pessagno, 1971.

401

Range and occurrence: Late Triassic (Rhaetian) to Late Cretaceous. Worldwide.

402

TE D

399

Crucella sp. cf. C. mexicana Yang, 1993 (Fig. 7.12)

404

1993 Crucella mexicana Yang, pl. 40, figs. 10–11, 14, 16; pl. 5, figs. 10, 21.

405

EP

403

Remarks: This form is related to Crucella mexicana Yang, differing by having the arm

407

ends gradually tapering into a spine.

408

Range and occurrence: Vaca Muerta Formation, Neuquén Basin, Vega de Escalone,

409

Argentina. Sample VE 19; Fauna J3B1; Substeueroceras koeneni Biozone.

AC C

406

410 411

Family TRITRABIDAE Baumgartner, 1980

412

Genus Neoparonaella Yang, 1993 17

ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT 413

Type species: Neoparonaella delicata Yang, 1993

414

Remarks: Kiessling (1999) noticed that the internal structure of arms is consistent with

415

the Tritrabidae rather than the Hagiastridae.

416

Range: Kimmeridgian to Late Tithonian.

RI PT

417

Neoparonaella delicata Yang, 1993 (Fig. 7.11)

419

1993 Neoparonaella delicata Yang, p. 30, pl. 3, figs. 1, 5–6, 9–10, 17, 22: pl. 7, fig. 12.

420

1996 Neoparonaella delicata Yang; Kiesssling and Scasso, pl. 2, fig. 2.

421

1997 Neoparonaella delicata Yang; Hull p. 43, pl. 15, figs. 2, 18.

SC

418

M AN U

422

Range and occurrence: Late Kimmeridgian to Late Tithonian. Ameghino Formation,

424

Antarctica; Taman Formation, east-central Mexico; volcano-pelagic strata at Stanley

425

Mountain, California, United States; Dachhornstein Formation, Germany; Rosso di

426

Aptici Formation, Italy. Vaca Muerta Formation, Neuquén Basin, Vega de Escalone,

427

Argentina. Sample VE 19; Fauna J3B1; Substeueroceras koeneni Biozone.

TE D

423

428

Order NASSELLARIINA Ehrenberg, 1875

430

Family ARCHAEODICTYOMITRIDAE, Pessagno, 1976; emend. Pessagno, 1977b

431

Type genus: Archaeodictyomitra Pessagno, 1976; emend. Pessagno, 1977b.

432

Range and occurrence: Jurassic to Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian). Worldwide.

AC C

433

EP

429

434

Genus Archaeodictyomitra Pessagno, 1976; emend. Pessagno, 1977b; Yang, 1993

435

Type species: Archaeodictyomitra squinaboli Pessagno, 1976.

436

Range and occurrence: Middle Jurassic (Bajocian) to Late Cretaceous (Campanian).

437

Worldwide. 18

ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT 438

Archaeodictyomitra sixi Yang, 1993 (Fig. 6.4)

440

1993 Archaeodictyomitra sixi Yang, p. 112–113, pl. 19, figs. 3, 19; pl. 20, figs. 9–10,

441

19.

442

1997 Archaeodictyomitra sixi Yang; Hull, p. 79, pl. 32, figs. 9, 22–23.

443

1999 Archaeodictyomitra (?) sixi Yang; Kiessling, p. 45, pl. 9, fig. 10.

RI PT

439

444

Remarks: This form was ascribed by Kiessling (1999) to Archaeodictyomitra (?) sixi,

446

because of the presence of primary pores and smooth constrictions on the distal

447

postabdominal chambers, similar to Thanarla Pessagno, 1977a. The definition of Yang

448

(1993) is followed here.

449

M AN U

SC

445

Range and occurrence: Zone 2, Subzone 2α to Zone 4, Subzone 4α; early Late

451

Kimmeridgian to Late Tithonian. Upper and lower members of the Taman Formation,

452

east-central Mexico; Volcanopelagic strata overlying the Coast Range ophiolite, Stanley

453

Mountain California; Japan; Antarctic Peninsula; Vaca Muerta Formation, Neuquén

454

Basin, Vega de Escalone, Argentina. Sample VE 2, Fauna J3A1; Virgatosphinctes

455

andesensis Biozone.

EP

AC C

456

TE D

450

457

Archaeodictyomitra sp. cf. A. vulgaris Pessagno, 1977b (Fig. 6.1–6.2)

458

1977b Archaeodictyomitra vulgaris Pessagno, 1977b; Pessagno, p. 44, pl. 6, fig. 15.

459 460

Remarks: This specimen differs from Archaeodictyomitra vulgaris Pessagno (Pessagno,

461

1977b) by possessing a shorter and broader test with more prominent irregular bladed

462

costae. The outline exhibits smooth constrictions on the postabdominal chambers. 19

ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT 463 464

Range and occurrence: Vaca Muerta Formation, Neuquén Basin, Vega de Escalone,

465

Argentina. Sample VE 2, Fauna J3A1; Virgatosphinctes andesensis Biozone.

466

Family PARVICINGULIDAE Pessagno, 1977a; emend. Pessagno and Whalen, 1982

468

Type genus: Parvicingula Pessagno, 1977a.

RI PT

467

469

Range and occurrence: Early Jurassic (Toarcian) to Early Cretaceous (Aptian).

471

Worldwide.

SC

470

M AN U

472 473

Genus Praeparvicingula Pessagno et al., 1993

474

Type species: Parvicingula profunda Pessagno and Whalen, 1982.

475

Range and occurrence: Same as for the family.

TE D

476

Praeparvicingula vacaensis Pujana, 1989 (Fig. 6.5, 6.7)

478

1989 Parvicingula vacaensis Pujana, p. 1046–1048, pl. 1, fig. 1.

479

1995 Praeparvicingula vacaensis Pujana, Kiessling, p. 346, pl. 40, fig, 19.

480

EP

477

Range and occurrence: Limanangcong Formation, Philippines (Tithonian); Vaca

482

Muerta Formation, Neuquén Basin, Mallín Quemado (Windhauseniceras

483

internispinosum Biozone) and Vega de Escalone, Argentina. Sample VE 2, Fauna J3A1;

484

Virgatosphinctes andesensis Biozone.

AC C

481

485 486

Praeparvicingula sp. A (Fig. 6.6)

487 20

ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT 488

Range and occurrence: Vaca Muerta Formation, Neuquén Basin, Vega de Escalone,

489

Argentina. Sample VE 2, Fauna J3A1; Virgatosphinctes andesensis Biozone.

490

Family PSEUDODICTYOMITRIDAE Pessagno, 1977b

492

Type genus: Pseudodictyomitra Pessagno, 1977b.

493

Range and occurrence: Middle Jurassic (Bathonian–Callovian) to Late Cretaceous

494

(Middle Turonian). Worldwide.

SC

495

RI PT

491

Genus Loopus Yang, 1993

497

Type species: Pseudodictyomitra primitiva Matsuoka and Yao, 1985

M AN U

496

498

Loopus primitivus (Matsuoka and Yao, 1985); emend. Yang, 1993 (Fig. 7.6)

500

1985 Pseudodictyomitra primitiva Matsuoka and Yao, p. 131, pl. 1, figs. 1–6; pl. 3, figs.

501

1–4.

502

1993 Loopus primitivus (Matsuoka and Yao); Yang, p. 125, pl. 23, figs. 5–6, 13, 21.

503

1999 Loopus primitivus (Matsuoka and Yao); Kiessling, p. 54, pl. 12, fig. 15.

EP

504

TE D

499

Range and occurrence: Zone 2, Subzone 2α 1 to Zone 4, Subzone 4β; early Late

506

Kimmeridgian to early Late to Late Tithonian. Upper and lower members of the Taman

507

Formation, east-central Mexico; Japan; Stanley Mountain, southern California Coast

508

Range; Greece; Carpathians; Mazapil, Sierra de Santa Rosa, Zacatecas, Mexico;

509

Ameghino Formation, Antarctic Peninsula; and herein,Vaca Muerta Formation,

510

Neuquén Basin. Sample VE 19, Fauna J3B1; Substeueroceras koeneni Biozone.

AC C

505

511 512

Family SYRINGOCAPSIDAE Foreman, 1973; emend. Hull, 1997 21

ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT 513

Type genus: Syringocapsa Neviani, 1900.

514

Range and occurrence: Triassic to Cretaceous. Worldwide.

516

Genus Podobursa Wisniowski, 1889; emend. Foreman, 1973

517

Type species: Podobursa dunikowski, Wisnioski, 1889.

518

Range and occurrence: Triassic to Cretaceous. Worldwide.

519

Podobursa sp. A (Fig. 7.10)

SC

520

RI PT

515

521

Remarks: This form is characterized by a well-defined conical cephalous covered by

523

micro-granular silica, and a conical thorax with regularly distributed small pores.

524

Spherical post abdominal chamber, formed by a meshwork of medium size hexagonal

525

regularly distributed pores; without circumferential spines. Tubular extension slender

526

and composed of linearly arranged polygonal pore frames.

TE D

527

M AN U

522

Range and occurrence: Vaca Muerta Formation, Neuquén Basin. Sample VE 19; Fauna

529

J3B1; Substeueroceras koeneni Biozone.

530

EP

528

Family SETHOCAPSIDAE Haeckel, 1881

532

Type genus: Sethocapsa Haeckel, 1881.

533

AC C

531

534

Remarks: The proposed restrictions by Dumitrica (1995) of the Sethocapsidae to

535

dicyrtid forms with the last segment inflated are followed herein. See Hull (1997) for a

536

comprehensive discussion of this family.

537

Range and occurrence: Middle Jurassic to Recent. Worldwide. 22

ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT 538 539

Genus Gongylothorax Foreman, 1968; emend. Dumitrica, 1970

540

Type species: Dicolocapsa verbeeki Tan, 1927.

541

Range and occurrence: Middle Jurassic (Bajocian) to Late Cretaceous (Campanian).

543

Worldwide.

RI PT

542

544

Gongylothorax sp. A (Fig. 7.16)

546

1970 Gongylothorax favosus Dumitrica, p. 56, pl. 1, figs. l a–c, 2.

SC

545

M AN U

547 548

Range and occurrence: Vaca Muerta Formation, Neuquén Basin. Sample VE 19; Fauna

549

J3B1; Substeueroceras koeneni Biozone.

550

Family ULTRANAPORIDAE Pessagno, 1977b

552

Type genus: Napora Pessagno, 1977a= Ultranapora Pessagno, 1977b.

553

Range and occurrence: Middle Triassic to Late Cretaceous. Worldwide.

EP

554

TE D

551

Genus Napora Pessagno, 1977a

556

Type species: Napora bukryi Pessagno, 1977a.

557

Range and occurrence: Early Jurassic (Sinemurian) to Late Cretaceous. Worldwide.

558

AC C

555

559

Napora pacifica Kiessling, 1999 (Fig. 7.17)

560

1997 Napora pacifica Kiessling; Hull, p. 120, pl. 46, figs. 5–6, 17.

561

1999 Napora pacifica Kiessling, p.70, pl. 14, figs. 1, 6.

562 23

ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT 563

Remarks: Napora pacifica Kiessling is characterized by straight longer feet and a short

564

apical horn.

565

Range and occurrence: Zone 3, Subzone 3α to Zone 4, Subzone 4β; early Late to

567

Late Tithonian. Stanley Mountain, California; Antarctic Peninsula; Vaca Muerta

568

Formation, Neuquén Basin, Vega de Escalone, Argentina. Sample VE 19; Fauna J3B1;

569

Substeueroceras koeneni Biozone.

RI PT

566

SC

570

Family XITIDAE Pessagno, 1977b

572

Type genus: Xitus Pessagno, 1977b.

573

Range and occurrence: Kimmeridgian to Maastrichtian. Worldwide.

574

M AN U

571

Genus Xitus Pessagno, 1977b

576

Type species: Xitus plenus Pessagno, 1977b.

577

Range and occurrence: Same as for family.

578

TE D

575

Xitus antiquus Hull, 1997 (Fig. 7.1)

580

1997 Xitus antiquus Hull, p. 136, pl. 47, figs. 3, 9, 13, 18.

AC C

581

EP

579

582

Remarks: Xitus antiquus Hull, is characterized by an extremely irregular arrangement of

583

tubercles and rays on the outside of the skeleton.

584 585

Range and occurrence: Zone 4, Subzone 4β; early Late to Late Tithonian, insofar as

586

known. Volcanopelagic strata, Stanley Mountain, California; Vaca Muerta

24

ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT 587

Formation, Neuquén Basin, Vega de Escalone. Sample VE 19; Fauna J3B1;

588

Substeueroceras koeneni Biozone.

589 590

Xitus sp. A (Fig. 6.8)

RI PT

591

Remarks: This form possesses an elongate, slightly spindle-shaped test. Outer layer with

593

numerous well-developed pointed tubercles. However, preservation is not good enough

594

to assign it to species level.

SC

592

595

Range and occurrence: Vaca Muerta Formation, Neuquén Basin, Vega de Escalone,

597

Argentina. Sample VE 2, Fauna J3A1; Virgatosphinctes andesensis Biozone.

598 599

Xitus (?) sp. A (Fig. 6.11)

TE D

600

M AN U

596

Remarks: This form is questionably assigned to Xitus owing to the vanishing of the

602

nodose outer layer on distal segments.

603

EP

601

Range and occurrence: Vaca Muerta Formation, Neuquén Basin, Vega de Escalone,

605

Argentina. Sample VE 2, Fauna J3A1; Virgatosphinctes andesensis Biozone.

606

AC C

604

607

Family WILLIRIEDELLIDAE Dumitrica, 1970

608

Type genus: Williriedellum Dumitrica, 1970

609

Remarks: According to Hull, 1997, it includes cryptothoracic tricyrtid or tetracyrtid

610

Nassellaria; test open or closed, with or without sutural pore. Several forms assigned to

611

this family are only slightly cryptothoracic in nature. 25

ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT 612

Range and occurrence: Middle Jurassic to Cretaceous. Worldwide.

613

Genus Complexapora Kiessling and Zeiss, 1992

615

Type species: Complexapora tirolica Kiessling and Zeiss, 1992.

616

Remarks: Complexapora Kiessling and Zeiss, 1992 includes cryptothoracic, three-

617

chambered nassellarians which possess an inflated terminal chamber that is closed, and

618

have a well-developed, complex sutural pore at the lumbar stricture.

619

Range and occurrence: Late Jurassic. Worldwide.

SC

620

RI PT

614

Complexapora kozuri Hull, 1997 (Fig. 7.15, 6.10)

622

1997 Complexapora kozuri Hull, p. 124, pl. 37, figs. 11, 14, 17.

M AN U

621

623

Remarks: This form is assigned to Complexapora kozuri Hull, 1997 as was described by

625

Hull (1997). The presence of this radiolarian is an important primary marker in Late

626

Jurassic successions as defined on Pessagno’s zonation (Pessagno et al., 2009).

TE D

624

627

Range and occurrence: Jurassic, insofar as is known. First occurrence defines the base

629

of Zone 4, Subzones 4β2 and final occurrence defines the top of Subzone 4α2. Early to

630

Late Tithonian. Volcanopelagic strata overlying the Coast Range ophiolite, Stanley

631

Mountain, California. Mazapil, Sierra de Santa Rosa, Zacatecas, Mexico. Vaca Muerta

632

Formation, Neuquén Basin, Vega de Escalone, Argentina. Sample VE 2, Fauna J3A1;

633

Virgatosphinctes andesensis Biozone; and Sample VE 19; Fauna J3B1; Substeueroceras

634

koeneni Biozone.

AC C

EP

628

635 636

Complexapora sp. A (Fig. 6.9) 26

ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT 637

Remarks: Short torax, rare.

638

Range and occurrence: Vaca Muerta Formation, Neuquén Basin, Vega de Escalone,

639

Argentina. Sample VE 2, Fauna J3A1; Virgatosphinctes andesensis Biozone.

640

Complexapora sp. B (Fig. 6.12)

642

Remarks: Abdominal chamber with larger pores and pointy shape towards the end.

643

Range and occurrence: Vaca Muerta Formation, Neuquén Basin, Vega de Escalone,

644

Argentina. Sample VE 2, Fauna J3A1; Virgatosphinctes andesensis Biozone.

645

SC

RI PT

641

FAMILY EUCYRTIDIIDAE Ehrenberg, 1847

647

Type genus: Eucyrtidium Ehrenberg, 1847

648

Range and occurrence: Triassic to Recent. Worldwide.

649

Genus Pseudoeucyrtis (?)(Fig. 7.13–7.14)

M AN U

646

TE D

650

Remarks: This form possesses a relatively broad test without the characteristic spindle-

652

shape and irregular pore structure. Poor preservation hinders most of the pore structure

653

and a more assertive assignation.

654

Range and occurrence: Vaca Muerta Formation, Neuquén Basin, Vega de Escalone.

655

Sample VE 19; Fauna J3B1; Substeueroceras koeneni Biozone.

656

5. CONCLUSIONS

AC C

657

EP

651

The Vega de Escalone section holds 482 meters of exposures of the Vaca Muerta

658

Formation. Bed by bed ammonoid analysis resulted in the identification of nine Late

659

Jurassic to Early Cretaceous ammonoid assemblage biozones, spanning from Early

660

Tithonian to Late Berriasian/ earlymost Valanginian times.

27

ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT 661

Linked to the ammonoid record, two radiolarian faunas were identified, J3A1 and J3B1 based on seven fertile samples. On one hand, fauna J3A1, recovered from

663

three samples obtained from the base of the section, is dominated by nasellarian genera

664

and represents the first thoroughly described record of radiolarians from the Early

665

Tithonian Virgatosphinctes andesensis Biozone in the Neuquén Basin. While on the

666

other hand, Fauna J3B1, based on four samples coming from the Substeueroceras

667

koeneni Biozone interval, showed a remarkable abundance of representatives of the

668

Pantanellidae Family. Identification at the J3B1 Fauna of Complexapora kozuri and

669

Loopus primitivus, important primary markers of Late Jurassic according to Pessagno et

670

al. (2009), supports a Late Tithonian age for at least part of the S. koeneni Biozone in

671

the studied area, although still no Berriasian radiolarians have been identified on this

672

section to verify its upper age limit. No representatives of the Vallupinae Subfamily

673

were identified on neither of the described radiolarian faunas, and the stratigraphic

674

interval where they have been previously described in other localities of the Neuquén

675

Basin was unfortunately barren of any radiolarians in Vega de Escalone.

SC

M AN U

TE D

676

RI PT

662

Lastly, an additional sample VE 25, obtained from a bed bearing representatives of the Early Berriasian Argentiniceras noduliferum Assemblage Biozone, yielded a

678

poorly preserved radiolarian fauna of relatively low abundance and diversity, which did

679

not exhibit any significant compositional signature with respect to the previously

680

described faunas.

681

AKNOWLEDGMENTS

682

This research was supported by the Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y

683

Tecnológica through PICT-1413/2013 under the direction of Dr. Beatriz Aguirre-Urreta,

684

and PICT-2597/2014 awarded to Dr. Verónica Vennari. We are grateful to Celeste De

685

Micco for her support and to Andrea Caramés for inspiring this research. Beatriz

AC C

EP

677

28

ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT Aguirre-Urreta made valuable suggestions to improve this investigation, and Jonatan

687

Kaluza helped with ammonoid preparation. We appreciate Dr. Leanza, H. and an

688

anonymous reviewer constructive comments which greatly helped to improve a first

689

version of the manuscript.

690

REFERENCES

691

Aguirre-Urreta, M.B., Mourgues, F.A., Rawson, P.F., Bulot, L.G., Jaillard, E., 2007.

RI PT

686

The Lower Cretaceous Chañarcillo and Neuquén Andean basins: ammonoid

693

biostratigraphy and correlations. Geological Journal, 42, 143–173.

SC

692

Baumgartner, P.O., 1980. Late Jurassic Hagiastridae and Patulibracchiidae (Radiolaria)

695

from the Argolis Peninsula (Peloponnesus, Greece). Micropaleontology, 26, 274–

696

322.

697

M AN U

694

Baumgartner, P.O., O'Dogherty, L., Gorican, S., Urquhart, E., Pillevuit, A., Wever, P.D. (Eds.). 1995. Middle Jurassic to Lower Cretaceous radiolaria of Tethys:

699

occurrences, systematics, biochronology. Mémoires de géologie, 23, Lausanne,

700

1172 pp.

701

TE D

698

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Vennari, V.V., 2016. Tithonian ammonoids (Cephalopoda, Ammonoidea) from the Vaca Muerta Formation, Neuquén Basin, West-Central Argentina.

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Palaeontographica Abteilung A, 306, 85–165.

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Vennari, V.V., Aguirre-Urreta, M.B., 2014. Ammonoids of the basal section of the Vaca Muerta Formation, Neuquén Basin, Argentina. 4º International

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Palaeontological Congress, Abstract book, 631.

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Vennari, V.V., Lescano, M., Naipauer, M., Aguirre-Urreta, B., Concheyro, A., Schaltegger, U., Armstrong, R., Pimentel, M., Ramos, V.A., 2014. New

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constraints on the Jurassic–Cretaceous boundary in the High Andes using high-

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precision U–Pb data. Gondwana Research 26, 374–385.

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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gr.2013.07.005. Vergani, G., Arregui, C., Carbone, O. 2011. Sistemas petroleros y tipos de

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entrampamientos en la cuenca Neuquina. In: Leanza, H.A., Arregui, C., Carbone,

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O., Danieli, J.C., Vallés, J.M. (Eds.), Geología y Recursos Naturales de la

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Provincia del Neuquén, Relatorio, pp. 645–656.

Villaseñor, A.B., Olóriz, F., González-Arreola, C., 2011. Lower Tithonian

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microconchiate simoceratins from eastern Mexico: Taxonomy, biostratigraphy

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and palaeobiogeography. Acta Paleontologica Polonica, 56, 133–158.

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Weaver, C., 1931. Paleontology of the Jurassic and Cretaceous of west-central Argentina. University of Washington Memoirs, 1, 1–595. 41

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Wisniowski, T., 1889. Beitrage zur Kenntniss der Mikrofauna aus der Oberjurassischen

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Feuersteinknollen der Umgegend von Krakau. Jahrbuch der Kaiserlich-

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Königlichen Geologischen Reichsanstalt, 38, 657–702.

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Yang, Q., 1993. Taxonomic studies of Upper Jurassic (Tithonian) radiolaria from the Taman Formation, east-central Mexico. Paleoworld, 3, 1–164.

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Zeiss, A., Leanza, H.A., 2008. Interesting new ammonites from the Upper Jurassic of

Argentina and their correlation potential: New possibilities for global correlations

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at the base of the Upper Tithonian by ammonites, calpionellids and other fossil

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groups. Newsletters on Stratigraphy, 42, 223–247.

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Zeiss, A., Leanza, H.A., 2010. Upper Jurassic (Tithonian) ammonites from the

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lithographic limestones of the Zapala region, Neuquén Basin, Argentina.

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Zeuschner, L., 1846. Nowe lub niedoklan opisane gatunki skamienialosci Tratowych. Mémoir sur la Tatra, 1º Cahier, 15–32.

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FIGURE CAPTIONS

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Figure 1. Neuquén Basin geographic situation in Argentina with indication of the study

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area.

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Figure 2. A. Geological map of the study area (modified from Gulisano and Gutiérrez-

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Pleimling, 1994). LM: La Manga Formation (Lower Oxfordian); Aq: Auquilco

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Formation (Upper Oxfordian); T: Tordillo Formation (Kimmeridgian); VM: Vaca

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Muerta Formation (Tithonian–Lower Valanginian); Q/M: "Quintuco"/ Mulichinco

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Formation (Lower Valanginian); Ag: Agrio Formation (Upper Valanginian–

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Mendoza Group in Central-northern Neuquén (modified from Leanza, H. et al., 2001).

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Figure 3. Vega de Escalone stratigraphic section (Vaca Muerta Formation) depicting

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the ammonoid zonation and stratigraphic position of radiolarian fertile samples.

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Figure 4. Ammonoids from Vega de Escalone section: 1, CPBA 21240.5, Indansites

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malarguensis (Spath, 1931); 2, CPBA 21560, Pseudolissoceras zitteli (Burckhardt,

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1903); 3, CPBA 21562, Micracanthoceras lamberti Leanza, A., 1945; 4, CPBA 21561,

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"Subdichotomoceras" araucanense Leanza, H., 1980; 5, CPBA 21568, Parodontoceras

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calistoides (Behrendsen, 1922); 6, CPBA 21563, Corongoceras sp. cf. C. mendozanum

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(Behrendsen, 1922). All specimens covered with ammonium chloride. All figures 1X

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except 1 at 3/4X. Graphic scale= 1 cm.

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Figure 5. Ammonoids from Vega de Escalone section: 1, CPBA 21566,

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Aulacosphinctes? azulensis Leanza, A., 1945; 2, CPBA 21569, Argentiniceras sp.; 3,

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CPBA 21567, Chigaroceras sp.; 4, CPBA 21570, "Thurmanniceras" discoidale (Gerth,

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1925); 5, CPBA 21571, Cuyaniceras transgrediens (Steuer, 1897). All specimens

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covered with ammonium chloride. All figures 1X except 2 at 2/3X. Graphic scale= 1

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cm.

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Figure 6. Upper Jurassic Nassellaria and Spumellaria from Vega de Escalone section.

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All figures are scanning electron micrographs of radiolarians from Sample VE 2,

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Fauna J3A1 (Virgatosphinctes andesensis Biozone): 1–2, Archaeodyctiomitra sp. cf.

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A. vulgaris Pessagno, Scale= 50 µm and 40 µm; 3, Pantanellium ranchitoense

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Pessagno and Blome, Scale= 46.15 µm; 4, Archaeodyctiomitra sixy Yang; Scale= 40

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µm; 5, Praeparvicingula vacaensis Pujana, Scale= 40 µm; 6, Praeparvicingula sp.

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A, Scale= 40 µm; 7, Praeparvicingula vacaensis Pujana, Scale= 40 µm; 8, Xitus sp.

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A, Scale= 40 µm; 9, Complexapora sp. A, Scale= 40 µm; 10, Complexapora kozuri,

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43

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Scale= 40 µm. Graphic scale (upper right)= number of microns cited for each figure.

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Figure 7. Upper Jurassic Nassellaria and Spumellaria from Vega de Escalone section.

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All figures are scanning electron micrographs of radiolarians from Sample VE 19,

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Fauna J3B1 (Substeueroceras koeneni Biozone): 1, Xitus antiquus Hull, Scale=

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66.66 µm; 2, Pantanellium neuquensis Pujana, Scale= 60 µm; 3, Pantanellium

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quintachillaensis Pessagno and MacLeod, Scale= 60 µm; 4, Pantanellium sp. A,

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Scale= 60 µm; 5, Pantanellium sp. aff. P. riedeli Pessagno, Scale= 60 µm; 6,

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Loopus primitivus Matsuoka and Yao, Scale= 40 µm; 7, Pantanellium

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quintachillaensis Pessagno and MacLeod; 8, Gorgansium sp. A, Scale= 60 µm; 9,

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Pantanellium meraceibaensis Pessagno and Blome, Scale= 66.66 µm; 10,

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Podobursa sp. A, Scale=60 µm; 11, Neoparonaella delicata Yang, Scale= 71.42

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µm, 12, Crucella sp. cf. C. mexicana Yang, Scale= 156.25 µm; 13–14,

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Pseudoeucyrtis(?) sp., Scale= 40 µm, 66.6 µm; 15, Complexapora kozuri, Scale= 50

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µm.; 16, Gongylothorax sp. A, Scale= 40 µm; 17, Napora pacifica, Kiessling,

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Scale= 60 µm. Graphic scale (upper right)= number of microns cited for each

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figure.

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Figure 8. Correlation of Andean, Standard ammonoid biozones and radiolarian faunas

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described in this study according to North American Radiolarian Zonation. Ammonoid

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zonation modified after Aguirre-Urreta et al. (2007), Vennari et al. (2014), Vennari

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(2016) and Reboulet et al. (2014). Radiolarian zonation modified after Pessagno et al.

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(2009).

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Figure 9. Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous radiolarian zonation from Pessagno et al.

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(2009).

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HIGHLIGHTS * The Vaca Muerta Formation yields one of the most interesting ammonoid and radiolarian associations of Western Gondwana.

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* The Vega de Escalone section, Neuquén Basin, was sampled for ammonoids and radiolarians.

* Ammonoid taxonomic and biostratigraphic analysis enable recognizing nine Early Tithonian to Late Berriasian/ earlymost Valanginian Biozones.

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* Two radiolarian faunas are described in connection with Virgatosphinctes andesensis and Substeueroceras koeneni Ammonoid Biozones.

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* First record of Early Tithonian radiolarians of the Neuquén Basin is thoroughly described.