Upper Bathonian ammonites of the Catalan Basin (Tivissa and Cap Salou, Spain)

Abstract

The two ammonite successions described in the present paper represent an unusually complete sequence of Upper Bathonian deposits. Ammonites of the Upper Bathonian from Tivissa and Cap Salou (province of Tarragona), two localities of the Catalan Basin, allow to recognize several bio- and chronostratigraphic units commonly missing in the Iberian Basin. The Retrocostatum and Angulicostatum zones (Upper Bathonian) and the lowermost Bullatus Zone (Lower Callovian) established for Submediterranean areas of Europe can be identified in the Catalan Basin. Epistrenoceras and Parapatoceras are common in certain levels. Phylloceratina and Lytoceratina are virtually absent. Two specimens of Upper Bathonian Clydoniceratinae have been identified. However, the Discus Zone established for NW European areas of the Subboreal Province has not been recognized. The ammonite fossil assemblages of the Catalan Basin are composed by Submediterranean taxa during the Late Bathonian - Early Callovian interval.