Nicola Perilli

Università di Pisa | UNIPI · Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering

Dactylioceras (Eodactylites). The Pliensbachian/ Toarcian boundary (PLB/TOA) is contained in a continuous section forming over 450m of carbonate-rich sediments. Tectonics, syn-sedimentary disturbance, metamorphism or significant diagenesis do not significantly affect this area. At the PLB/TOA, no vertical facies changes, stratigraphical gaps or hiatuses have been recorded. The base of the Toarcian Stage is marked in the bed 15e by the first occurrence of D. (E.) simplex, co-occurring with D. (E.) pseudocommune and D. (E.) 460 Articles

An accurate biostratigraphic study of the Paleocene-middle Eocene calcareous nannofossils was performed on the turbiditic successions that characterize the Northern Apennines Mt. Caio, Farini d'Olmo, Mt. Sporno and Mt. Penice Units, belonging to the "Tertiary Flysch Auctt." and referable to the External Ligurides. These succession accumulated in a link key area, located between the oceanic Ligure-Piedmontese domain and the Adria continental margin. The reference biostratigraphic scheme used in the study is the recently published calcareous nannofossil biozonation proposed for the Paleogene by Agnini et al. (2014). The obtained biostratigraphic and chronostratigraphic data suggest that further investigation is needed to clarify the tectono-sedimentary evolution and to unravel the complex architecture of the External Ligurides.

This paper provides a synthesis of the Upper Sinemurian–Lower Toarcian (Lower Jurassic) calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy for the Cantabrian Range (Northern Spain), based on four sections from the Basque–Cantabrian Basin and one section from Asturias. Data derive from previously published bio -stratigraphic schemes and unpublished data, based on results obtained from semi-quantitative analysis of more than 485 calcareous nannofossil assemblages. Calcareous nannofossil main and secondary events are calibrated to the ammonite zonations established for the studied areas. We propose 5 main events: the first occurrences (FOs) of Similiscutum cruciulus, Biscutum novum, Lotharingius hauffii, Lotharingius sigillatus and Carinolithus superbus, based on continuously recorded and common taxa, and 5 secondary events: the FOs of Biscutum grande, Biscutum finchii and Lotharingius barozii and the first common occurrences (FCOs) of Calcivascularis jansae and L. hauffii, on the basis of rare taxa with a discontinuous record. A new biostrati - graphic scheme, consisting of 4 calcareous nannofossil Zones (CNZs; NJ3 Crepidolithus crassus, NJ4 Similiscutum cruciulus, NJ5 Lotharingius hauffii and NJ6 Carinolithus superbus), two new calcareous nannofossil Subzones (CNSzs; NJ4a Crepidolithus cantabriensis and NJ4b Biscutum novum) and one emended CNSz (NJ5a Biscutum finchii), is proposed here for the Lower Jurassic of the Cantabrian Range. The new biostratigraphic scheme is compared to schemes from NW Europe, Portugal and Italy/S France. The FOs of S. cruciulus and C. superbus are reproducible in all the compared areas. However, the FOs of L. hauffii and L. sigillatus seem to be diachronous events in the Boreal and Tethyan Realms, probably due to the absence of a refined and precise ammonite zonation, to differential preservation or to provincialism of the ammonite faunas. It is possible that the FO of L. hauffii recognized in Portugal and Italy/S France with the Spinatum ammonite Zone (AZ) could be correlated with the FCO of L. hauffii identified in Cantabrian Basin. Probably the Lotharingius species firstly appeared in the Boreal Realm, and later spread into the Tethyan Realm. This study confirms the potential of calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy for dating Lower Jurassic sections and intra- and for inter-regional correlation.

This paper aims to provide new insights on the Caporalino-Sant'Angelo Unit outcropping north of Corte, in the Caporalino-Omessa area (NE Corsica). It belongs to the stack of the units from the "Alpine" Corsica, which overlies the "Hercynian" Corsica basement and its sedimentary cover. Based on a geological mapping, a refined lithostratigraphy and new datings, the Caporalino-Sant'Angelo Unit is a fake Middle Jurassic-Middle Eocene succession, sedimented on the European continental margin, because it is a Middle Eocene clastic wedge, accumulated in a synorogenic compressive basin located between the European distal continental margin and the deforming "Corsican" accretionary wedge. This basin received the siliciclastic input from the "Hercynian" Corsica basement, and the carbonatic input from the sedimentary cover of tectonic units, subsequently involved into the complex "Corsican" accretionary wedge.

The study of calcareous nannofossil assemblages recovered from the External Ligurian Units allows us (1) to reconstruct the distribution patterns of selected Late Cretaceous taxa, (2) to identify the biohorizons helpful in recognizing and characterizing the standard zones of Sissingh (1977), some of which have been grouped, and (3) to propose a synthesis of the ages achieved until now for the External Ligurian Units. According to the available dataset, rooted on published and unpublished data, the here proposed biostratigraphic scheme is based on 24 age-indicative taxa and 16 first occurrences, and its biostratigraphic resolution is comparable with the resolution of the scheme of Sissingh (1977), only considering FOs. Calcareous nannofossils are hence a fossil group useful to furnish a new and more complete chronostratigraphic framework of the main External Ligurian Units, helpful to better constrain the tectono-sedimentary and the geodynamic evolution of the Western Tethys Domain.

This paper focuses on the «Alpine» Caporalino-Sant'Angelo Unit outcropping between Corte and Ponte Leccia (NE Corsica). The achieved results show that the Caporalino-Sant'Angelo Unit is a Middle Eocene clastic prism, accumulated in a basin located between the European continental margin and the deforming Corsican accretionary wedge. Consequently, the previous hypothesis that considers the Caporalino-Sant'Angelo Unit as a Middle Jurassic to Eocene stratigraphic succession sedimented in a distensive basin on the European continental margin is rejected, and the early hypothesis that considers the Caporalino-Sant'Angelo Unit as a clastic Eocene unit is partly recover. © 2011, Societa Toscana di Scienze Naturali. All rights reserved.

Based on calcareous nannofossil assemblages identified in four expanded and well-dated sections from the Basque-Cantabrian Basin, the main objective of this paper is to improve the knowledge of the Pliensbachian calcareous nannofossil events, and to calibrate these events to the ammonite zones established for this area. The semiquantitative analysis of more than 140 smear slides from the Tudanca and Santotis sections, and the re-analysis of more than 200 smear slides from the Camino and San Andrés sections, have been carried out in order to describe the succession of calcareous nannofossil assemblages. Related to their composition changes, we have recognized and calibrated to the ammonite zones two main events: the first occurrences (FOs) of Similiscutum cruciulus and Lotharingius hauffii, and six secondary events: the FOs of Biscutum novum, Biscutum grande, Biscutum finchii, Lotharingius barozii and the FCOs (first common occurrences) of Calcivascularis jansae and L. hauffii. In the Camino and San Andrés sections, we also identify the FOs of Biscutum dubium, Bussonius prinsii and Lotharingius sigillatus. The obtained data allow us to assess the degree of reproducibility of the Pliensbachian calcareous nannofossil events in the studied area. The biohorizon succession recognized in the Basque-Cantabrian Basin are compared to those proposed for NW Europe, Lusitanian Basin, Italy and Southern France.

Since the 60s geologists have discussed if the Tuscan Nappe includes the Macigno, the Mt. Modino Sandstone and the olistostromes interposed between these two clastic wedges or instead the foredeep deposits of the Tuscan Nappe is the Macigno and, therefore, the Mt. Modino Sandstone sedimented in a distinct basin and belongs to a different tectonic unit. One of the main difficulties to unraveling the Macigno-Mt. Modino Sandstone relationships is the absence of continuous biostratigraphic records, helpful in dating these formations and the underlying units. To fill this gap, a quantitative biostratigraphi-cal analysis of calcareous nannofossils was performed on a large number of smear slides. The results confirm the stratigraphic continuity between the Tuscan Shale and the Macigno, and prove the stratigraphic continuity between the Fiumalbo Shale, the Marmoreto Marl and the Mt. Modino Sandstone (Mt. Modino Unit auctt.), supporting the tectonic superposition of the Mt. Modino Unit onto the Tuscan Nappe. In fact, the upper portion of the Tuscan Nappe ranges from the Late Eocene (MNP19/20) to the lower Miocene (MNNlc) and the Tuscan Shale-Macigno boundary lies within the upper Rupelian-Chattian (MNP24-MNP25a), whilst the sampled pan of the Mt. Modino Unit spans in age the middle Eocene-lower Miocene (MNP15-MNNlc), and the Fiumalbo Shale-Marmoreto Marl and Marmoreto Marl-Mt. Modino Sandstone boundaries lie within the Rupelian (MNP23) and the uppermost Chattian (MNP25b-MNNla).

New dating based on calcareous nannofossils recovered from the Calcari di Groppo del Vescovo Fm. is presented in this paper. This unit and the Argille e calcari di Canetolo Fm. belong to the Canetolo Unit (Subligurian Units) which is interposed between the Ligurian and Tuscan Units. Due to tectonics, the lateral extension and thickness of the outcrops of the Calcari di Groppo del Vescovo Fm. are limited and the contact with the Argille e calcari di Canetolo Fm. is usually tectonized. The aim of this paper is to refine the dating of the Calcari di Groppo del Vescovo Fm. in order to clarify the relationship with the Argille e calcari di Canetolo Fm. in the investigated areas of the Ligurian-Emilian-Tuscan Apennine. Based on semiquantitative analysis of the assemblages, the Calcari di Groppo del Vescovo Fm. ranges in age from Early Eocene (NP11) to Middle Eocene (NP14). Our data point out for the first time the existence of latero-vertical relationships between this unit and the Argille e calcari di Canetolo Fm. which dates from Late Paleocene (NP5) to Early Eocene (NP11) and Middle Eocene (NP14 to NP15) in age.

For the first time is here documented the presence of Lower Toarcian black shales in the lower portion of the Calcari e marne a Posidonia (Posidonia Marls auctt.) belonging to the Tuscan Nappe. It consists of alternations of 30 cm to 5 m thick black laminated marlstone and marly claystone, with TOC values ranging from 0.43% to 2.49%. Based on calcareous nannofossils, the basal portion of the Calcari e marne a Posidonia spans the Lotharingius hauffii to Carinolithus superbus zones, and the organic-rich interval lies within the Carinolithus superbus Zone.

The target of this paper is to study the succession of the Pliensbachian calcareous nannofossil assemblages recovered from the Santotis section (Northern Spain) in order to calibrate the biohorizons against the ammonite zones. In this section, one hundred nineteen marly and carbonate-dominated levels have been recognized and forty-one of them have been sampled. The semiquantitative analysis has been carried out on smear slides and reveals that the majority of the assemblages show a bad to moderate degree of preservation and the species abundance varies from rare to frequent. In the studied section, the most relevant Pliensbachian composition changes of the assemblages are the first appearances of the genera Similiscutum (Jamesoni Zone) and Lotharingius (Stokesi Zone). The assemblages further change due to the appearance of the species belonging to the genus Biscutum. The succession of the assemblages have allowed the identification of two main events, the FOs of Similiscutum cruciulus (Jamesoni Zone) and Lotharingius hauffii (Stokesi Zone) as well as four secondary events, the FOs of Biscutum novum (Davoei Zone), Biscutum grandis (Stokesi Zone), Biscutum finchii (Stokesi Zone) and Lotharingius barozii (Stokesi Zone). Assemblages and biohorizons have allowed the identification of the upper part of the NJ3 Crepidolithus crassus Zone, the complete NJ4 Similiscutum cruciulus Zone and the almost complete NJ5 Lotharingius hauffii Zone.

In this paper is for the first time dated the inception of the Lower Jurassic marly sedimentation and the lower Toarcian black shales in the Tuscan Nappe, based on semiquantitative analysis of the calcareous nannofossils recovered from the Calcare selcifero di Lima-no/Calcari e marne a Posidonia transition and the lower part of this latter unit. The boundary between these formations lies within the nannofossil NJT5 Lotharingius hauffii Zone (uppermost Pliensbachian to lower Toarcian), the lower portion of the Calcari e marne a Posidonia ranges from the nannofossil NJT5 Lotharingius hauffii Zone to the NJT7 Discorhabus striatus Zone (middle Toarcian) and the organic-rich interval lies in the nannofossil NJT6 Carinolithus superbus Zone (lower Toarcian). Consequently, the changes from carbonate-dominated to marly-dominated sedimentation (NJT5 Zone) and the black shales accumulation (NJT6 Zone) in the Tuscan and Umbria-Marche basins are two coeval sedimentary events.

Se estudian los nanofósiles calcáreos identificados en materiales del Pliensbachiense de la sección de Tudanca (Cuenca Vasco-Cantábrica, España). Se han reconocido doscientos catorce niveles estratigráficos constituidos, fundamentalmente, por una alternancia de margas y calizas, de los que se han tomado un total de sesenta y cinco muestras. Se ha realizado un análisis semicuantitativo sobre las smear slides preparadas observándose, en la mayoría de ellas, un estado de preservación de malo a moderado y una abundancia total de nanofósiles calcareos de rara a frecuente. Se han identificado dos divisiones, dos clases, cinco órdenes, siete familias, una subfamilia, trece géneros y veintiséis especies. Los datos obtenidos han permitido establecer una bioestratigrafía de detalle con nanofósiles calcáreos, calibrada con las zonas de ammonites y marcar con precisión la primera y la última aparición de las especies más abundantes e índices de zona. Se han identificado las zonas de nanofósiles calcáreos, NJ4 Similiscutum cruciulus y NJ5 Lotharingius hauffii completas, así como la parte superior de la Zona NJ3 Crepidolithus crassus. Se han reconocido algunos cambios significativos en la composición de las asociaciones de nanofósiles. El primero de ellos, la aparición del género Similiscutum en la Zona Jamesoni de ammonites. Otro cambio relevante en la composición tiene lugar en el Pliensbachiense Superior, e incluye la primera aparición del género Biscutum, un incremento en la abundancia de C. jansae, la primera aparición del género Lotharingius, y una disminución en la abundancia de los géneros Similiscutum, Crucirhabdus, Crepidolithus y Parhabdolithus. El mayor cambio registrado en las asociaciones de nanofósiles calcáreos durante la Zona Spinatum es el fuerte aumento en la abundancia de L. hauffii. Los eventos principales en la sección de Tudanca son: 1. FO de S. cruciulus. 2. FO de L. hauffii. Los eventos secundarios son: 1. FO de B. novum. 2. FO de B. finchii. 3. FO de B. grandis. 4. FO de L. barozii. 5. FCO de C. jansae. 6. FCO de L. hauffii. This study deals with Pliensbachian calcareous nannofossils from the Tudanca section (Basque-Cantabrian Basin, Spain). In this section, two hundred fourteen marly and calcareous stratigraphic levels have been recognized and sixty five horizons have been sampled. A semiquantitative analysis has been undertaken on the sixty and five smear slides, showing most of them, a bad to moderate state of preservation and a rare to frequent total abundance of calcareous nannofossils. Two divisions, two classes, five orders, seven families, one subfamily, thirteen genera and twenty-six species, have been identified. The resulting data allow us to recognize a calcareous nannofossil detailed biostratigraphy calibrated with ammonite zones, and to highlight the first occurrence and the last occurrence of some of the most abundant species. The entire calcareous nannofossil zones NJ4 Similiscutum cruciulus and NJ5 Lotharingius hauffii, have been identified, as well as the upper part of NJ3 Crepidolithus crassus Zone. Some significant changes in the nannofossil assemblages have been recognised. The first change is the appearance of Similiscutum genera in the ammonite Jamesoni Zone. Other relevant composition change occurred in the Upper Pliensbachian, and includes the first occurrence of Biscutum genus, the increase in numbers of C. jansae, first appearance of the Lotharingius genera, and the decrease in numbers of the genera Similiscutum, Crucirhabdus, Crepidolithus and Parhabdolithus. Within the Spinatum Zone, the main change is the marked increase of L. hauffii. The main events in the Tudanca section are: 1. FO of S. cruciulus. 2. FO of L. hauffii. Secondary events are: 1. FO of B. novum. 2. FO of B. finchii. 3. FO of B. grandis. 4. FO of L. barozii. 5. FCO of C. jansae. 6. FCO of L. hauffii.

The calcareous nannofossil content of the Toarcian succession, widespread in the Lusitanian Basin (Central Portugal), has been studied on the basis of a closely spaced sampling and a refined lithostratigraphic frame dated by ammonites. The almost continuous calcareous nannofossil record allows to calibrate the biohorizons and zone boundaries (NJ5/NJ6, NJ6/NJ7, NJ7/NJ8) with respect to the ammonite zones, and to characterize Toarcian nannofossil zones. The easily recognizable events include the LCO of Calcivascularis jansae (Levisoni Zone), the FOs of Carinolithus cantaluppii and Carinolithus superbus (Levisoni Zone), the FO of Discorhabdus striatus (Bifrons Zone), the AE of Lotharingius hauffii (Gradata Zone) and the FO of Watznaneria contracta (Aalensis Zone). The other events are helpful to increase the biostratigraphic resolution, albeit they are defined by taxa with a low abundance and discontinuous occurrence. They comprise the LOs of Biscutum grande and Biscutum finchii (Levisoni Zone) and the FOs of Discorhabdus criotus (Gradata Zone), Retecapsa incompta (Bonarelli Zone) and Triscutum sullivanii (Speciosum Zone). Both biohorizons and zone boundaries are compared with previous findings from the Basque-Cantabrian area and Iberian Range (Spain) as well as from NW Europe and Italy/S France.

Quantitative analyses of the calcareous nannofossils collected by closely spaced sampling of the Ottone Unit in the Zignago area allow to refine the age of this succession and the timing of the main steps during its tectono-sedimentary evolution. The Casanova Complex/Ottone Flysch boundary lies within the Ceratolithoides aculeus Zone (uppermost early Campanian). The sampled Ottone Flysch spans from the Ceratolithoides aculeus (uppermost early Campanian) to Quadrum gothicum Zone (early/late Campanian boundary). Sedimentation of the Mt. Veri Complex, represented by mass-gravity deposits intercalated in the Ottone Flysch, ends within the Quadrum gothicum Zone (early/late Campanian boundary). Furthermore, based on our results and on the previous ages found in the Ottone Unit successions, the lower Campanian inception of the Helminthoid Flysch sedimentation is inferred to be isochronous for the western sector of the External Ligurian Domain. The same data suggest that the end of syntectonic sedimentation of the ophiolite-bearing mass-gravity deposits occurred close the early/late Campanian boundary.

Based on a refined mapping of the sedimentary wedges accumulated in the so-called Barga and Castelnuovo Garfagnana basins and on a review of previous studies, the distinguished formations are here described. The "Argille, sabbie e conglomerati di Fornaci di Barga" mainly consists of fine grained lithofacies with organic-rich horizons and coarse grained conglomerate. The "Conglomerati di Barga", dominated by coarse grained lithofacies, is also characterized by silty to sandy interbeds, whilst organic-rich levels and paleosol horizons are rare. Within this formation, the Mt. Alfonso member is also distinguished, albeit hardly mappable. Sedimented in two separated tectonic depressions, connected by the "Mt. Perpoli high", this succession has been interpreted in previous studies as ranging from cohesive sediment anabranching ("Argille, sabbie e conglomerati di Fornaci di Barga") to gravel bed-load braided river deposits ("Conglomerati di Barga"), roughly flowing from north to south. In the Castelnuovo Garfagnana area, the Mt. Alfonso member also records the development of a tributary river flowing from west to east and interpreted as a braided fluvial fan. In this frame, the "Mt. Perpoli high" acted as a sedimentary by-pass, since the beginning of the sedimentation.

This multidisciplinary study (facies analysis, sequence stratigraphy, calcareous nannofossils and carbon stable isotopes) focuses on the Lower to Middle Toarcian succession cropping out in the Coimbra region (Northern sector of the Lusitanian Basin), Portugal. Deposited on homoclinal carbonate ramp, the sampled hemipelagic series, consisting of marl/limestone alternations, can be subdivided into three third-order depositional sequences (ST1, ST2 and ST3) characterised by different vertical facies arrangements and paleontological contents. The sequence boundaries lie within the Polymorphum Zone, around the Polymorphum/Levisoni Zone boundary and in the Bifrons Subzone (Bifrons Zone). The calcareous nannofossils provide a continuous succession of age-significant assemblages, and a useful set of nannobiohorizons that include the LO of Calcivascularis jansae, the LOs of Biscutum grande and Biscutum finchii, and the FOs of Carinolithus cantaluppi, Carinolithus superbus, Discorhabdus striatus and Discorhabdus ignotus. The evolution of the δ13C agrees with the sequential developments of the series because the positive excursions roughly coincide with transgressive depositional phases, whereas a negative trend is observed during regressive phases.

Based on a continuous succession of ammonite and calcareous nannofossil assemblages, the main purpose of this paper is the correlation between ammonite and calcareous nannofossil zone boundaries in two expanded sections from the Basque-Cantabrian area. The ammonite assemblages show clear euroboreal features and allow the identification of Pliensbachian-Toarcian zones and subzones established for NW Europe. Due to the presence of Mediterranean taxa documented at different levels, they are also helpful to improve the biocorrelations between Boreal and Tethyan successions. The calcareous nannofossil assemblage changes provide a useful set of easily recognizable events that facilitate the recognition of all the Pliensbachian-Toarcian zones described for NW Europe and Mediterranean Province. Based on the FO Similiscutum cruciulus (Jamesoni Zone), FO of Lotharingius bauffii (Stokesi/Margaritatus Zone boundary), FO of Carinolithus superbus (Serpentinus Zone), FO of Discorbabdus striatus (Serpentinus/Bifrons Zone boundary) and FO of Retecapsa incompta (Insigne Zone), the NJ3/NJ4, NJ4/NJ5, NJ5/NJ6, NJ6/NJ7 and NJ7/NJ8 Zone boundaries have been recognized. Besides, NJ4, NJ5 and NJ6 span almost the same ammonite-defined time interval in both NW Europe and Basque-Cantabrian area. With respect to the ammonite zone, the zone boundaries NJ3/NJ4 and NJ6/NJ7 coincides with NJT3/NJT4 and NJT6/NJT7 proposed for Mediterranean Province. Instead, the zone boundaries NJ4/NJ5 and NJ5/NJ6 not coincides with NJT4/NJT5 and NJT5/NJT6 proposed for Mediterranean Province. Furthermore, in NW Europe and Mediterranean Province the FO of Retecapsa incompta is placed in the Levesquei Zone or Meneghinii Zone respectively, whilst in the Basque Cantabrian area it lies in the Insigne Zone.

Common and diverse calcareous nannofossil assemblages were found in two continuous and expanded successions, sedimented on hemipelagic carbonate ramp. Based on refined ammonite biostratigraphy, closely spaced sampling and semiquantitative analysis, the main purpose of this paper is to calibrate against ammonite zones and subzones, the nannofossil composition changes and the identified biohorizons. In the study area, the first notable composition change is in the lower Carixian, with the appearance and abundance increase of the genus Similiscutum, that represents a large amount of the assemblages up to the lower Domerian. Although, the appearance of the genera Biscutum and Bussonius is easily detectable around the Carixian/Domerian Zone boundary, the other relevant Pliensbachian composition changes took place in the lower Domerian. It includes the sharp abundance increase of Calcivascularis and the abundance appearance of the genus Lotharingius, that dominate the upper Domerian assemblages, also characterized by the significant presence of the genus Biscutum. The set of easily recognizable and reliable events includes the First Occurrences (FOs) of Similiscutum avitum and Similiscutum cruciulus (Jamesoni Zone), the FOs of Lotharingius barozii and Lotharingius hauffii (Stokesi/Margaritatus Zone boundary), the First Common Occurrence (FCO) of Lotharingius hauffii (Margaritatus/Spinatum Zone boundary) and, probably, the FCO of Calcivascularis jansae (Stokesi/Margaritatus Zone boundary). Instead, the FOs of Biscutum dubium, Bussonius prinsii (Davoei Zone), Biscutum novum, Biscutum grande and Biscutum finchii (Stokesi Zone) are slightly difficult to calibrate against ammonite zones.

This work deals with refined nannofossil biostratigraphy in two well-documented lower–middle Toarcian sections, in the Iberian Range. The sampled shallow carbonate ramp deposits belong to the Turmiel Fm. and consist of an alternation of marls and limestones. Both lithologies yield common and well-preserved ammonite assemblages, which provide a refined ammonite biostratigraphic framework. A significant calcareous nannofossil composition change has been recognized within the Serpentinus Zone, and a useful succession of nannofossil events has been calibrated to the ammonite biostratigraphy. This succession includes: FO of Lotharingius sigillatus (Mirabile Subzone); LO of Mitrolithus jansae (Semicelatum Subzone); FO of Carinolithus cantaluppii (Strangewaysi Subzone); LOs of Biscutum grande and Biscutum finchii (lower part of the Serpentinus Zone); FO of Carinolithus superbus (Strangewaysi–Falciferum boundary); FO of Lotharingius velatus (Falciferum Subzone); FOs of Discorhabdus striatus and Discorhabdus ignotus (Serpentinus–Bifrons boundary) and “acme end” of Lotharingius hauffii (Variabilis–Illustris boundary). In the studied sections, the composition changes, the biohorizons recognized and their succession are closely comparable with other early–middle Toarcian Boreal sections.

In the Alpine Corsica, the ophiolitic sequences are regarded as remnants of the Ligure-Piemontese oceanic lithosphere. The best preserved ophiolitic sequences are represented by the succession from the Balagne nappe, northern Corsica. This succession consists of a Jurassic ophiolite sequence topped by a Jurassic - Late Cretaceous sedimentary cover. This sedimentary cover, affected by very-low grade metamorphism, consists of deep-sea deposits, represented by Chert, Calpionella Limestone, San Martino Fm., Lydienne Flysch and Novella Sandstone. The latters two formations are characterized by terrigenous tur- bidite deposits supplied by Europe/Iberia continental margin. In this paper the age of the San Martino Fm. and the lower part of the Lydienne Flysch has been determined by the study of the calcareous nannofossil as- semblages. The collected data indicate for the San Martino Fm. an age spanning from Early Berriasian to Late Hauterivian - Early Barremian. Moreover, the lower part of the Lydienne Flysch is not older than Late Hauterivian and not younger than Early Barremian. By comparison with the data available from ophiolite sedimentary cover of Northern Apennine, the San Martino Fm. can be correlated with the lower part of the Palombini Shale. This correlation suggests that the upper part of the Palombini Shale can be considered as time equivalent to the Lydienne Flysch.

A detailed lithostratigraphy and calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy was carried out on the Calpionella Limestone and the lower portion of the Palombini Shale (Bracco/Val Graveglia Unit). The studied sections crop out in the Rocchetta di Vara area (eastern Ligurian Apennine), precisely, southeast of Mt. Nero, south of Rocchetta di Vara, between Beverone and the Cuccaro Peak and at Casa dei Cipressi. The calcareous nannofossil assemblages of the Calpionella Limestone are referable to the lower part of the Calcicalaihina oblongata Zone, whereas the assemblages from the upper part of the Palombini Shale are assignable to the upper part of the Calcicalathina oblongata Zone/lowest part of Litraphidites bollii Zone. The boundary between the Calpionella Limestone and the Palombini Shale lies in the lower part of the Calcicalathina oblongata Zone, before the disappearances of Rucinolithus wisei and Tubodiscus verenae. The Calpionella Limestone sampled at Mt. Nero, at Rocchetta di Vara and at Beverone-Cuccaro spans in age from ?latest Berriasian/earliest Valanginian to early/late Valanginian. The Palombini Shale sampled at Mt. Nero and at Beverone-Cuccaro ranges from early/late Valanginian to late Valanginian/early Hauterivian. At Casa dei Cipressi, the early/late Valanginian lower portion of the Palombini Shale stratigraphically overlies the Mt. Alpe Chert. These data suggest a ?latest Berriasian/earliest Valanginian beginning of the pelagic Calpionella Limestone deposition in the Rocchetta di Vara area. Sedimentation of the Palombini Shale, since the Valanginian, records an increased supply of terrigenous fines. The achieved results point to an inception of carbonate sedimentation slightly younger than that of the Calpionella Limestone cropping out in Southern Tuscany, which started during the late Berriasian. The beginning of the Palombini Shale deposition, instead, seems to have occurred during the Valanginian all over the Ligurian-Piedmontese Basin.

The biostratigraphical results from calcareous nannofossil assemblages in the upper Miocene terrigenous deposits of the Olevano-Antrodoco area are presented. The foreland ramp deposits and the overhanging siliciclastic deposits have been analyzed to date both the starting age of foreland flexure and foredeep basin formation. From the biostratigraphical results it is possible to distinguish two different areas: one located south of the Agosta tectonic line, and one north of the same line. These results indicate two different tectono-sedimentary events due to the late Miocene evolution of the Apenninic orogenic system. -from English summary

Calcareous nannofossils have proved to be very effective in determining the age of Cretaceous flysch sequences of the Northern Apennines. Here, we focus on the beginning of flysch sedimentation, which replaced previous pelagic deposition during the Late Cretaceous convergence stage. In all the examined sequences an early to late Campanian age has been determined for the bases of the flysch formations, implying an essentially synchronous start of orogenesis-controlled sedimentation within the Ligurian Apenninic (Ligurian) Ocean Basin.Data obtained from the siliciclastic turbidite sequence (Vat Lavagna/Mt. Gottero Sandstones) overlying Jurassic ophiolites and sedimentary cover, indicate continuous sedimentation from earliest Campanian to early Paleocene. Thus, either a forearc or ‘dormant trench’ tectonic setting seems to be required for this sequence.Regarding the calcareous Helminthoid Flysch, a minor diachrony in the basal ages suggest a general younging from south to north. The onset ages of flysch sedimentation range from early Campanian (Southern Tuscany Flysch), to early-middle Campanian (Mt. Caio/Ottone Flysch), to latest Campanian (S. Remo, Mt. Antola, Mt. Cassio, Mt. Caio/Orocco Flysch). This diachrony could be the consequence of Late Cretaceous-early Tertiary transcurrent tectonics in the Apenninic Basin and/or of multiple source areas (from both the European/Iberian and Adriatic margins). These tectonic implications are in agreement with the kinematic evidence of a transpressional regime along the Iberian/Adriatic plate boundary (Apenninic sector) during the Late Cretaceous.

This paper is aimed to give new insights useful to enlighten the relationships between the Alpine Units (Alpine Corsica Auctt.) outcropping in the NE sector of Corsica and hence helpful to reconstruct the geodynamic history of this sector of the alpine belt. In Corsica, the Alpine Units consists of a stack of (frequently laminated) oceanic and continental units which overlying the Variscan hasement (Hercynian Corsica Auctt.) of the Corso-European foreland. In some areas, the pile of the Alpine Units is still a puzzle and both lithostratigraphy and age of some units are still debatable. In the Omessa area, between Corte and Ponte Leccia, the tectonic pile includes the Tenda Unit (cfr. Tenda Massif Auctt.), the Caporalino-Sant'Angelo Unit, the Santa Lucia Nappe and the Schistes lustrks s.1. Among these units, the type of deposit and the age of the succession assigned to the Caporalino-Sant'Angelo Unit is still matter of debate. Earliest geologist consider the Caporalino-Sant'Angelo unit as a continuous sedimentary succession which spans in age from Lower Jurassic to Eocene. Later, some of these authors confirmed the continuity of the sedimentation of the Lower Jurassic to Eocene deposits assigned to the Caporalino-Sant'Angelo Unit and interpret the Caporalino limestone as a shallow-water platform deposit or a pelagic succession characterized by carbonate platform input. In contrast with this interpretation, the Caporalino-Sant'Angelo Unit was considered as coarse grained deposits with huge olistoliths sedimented in a distinct Eocene basin. Aim of this paper is to improve the lithoshatigraphy and the biostratigraphy of the Caporalino-S.Angelo Unit in order to the make clear the type of deposit and the age of this (Alpine) unit and to suggest the palaeogeographic location of its sedimentary basin. Based on a new geological mapping of the Corte-Pontee Leccia area and the lithostratigraphy of the three key composite. sections, the Caporalino-Sant'Angelo Unit consists of three coarse-grained clastic intervals and eight levels. The lower interval is composed of hreccias conglomerates and sandstones. The middle interval mainly consists of hreccias conglomerates and olithosliths (e.g. Caporalino Limestone); in the upper part of this interval are mark and breccias with clasts of Caporalino Limestone. Fine-grained sandstones with pelitic intercalation and rare conglomeratic beds characterize the upper interval. According to the recovered microfossil (calcareous nannofossils and foraminifera) assemblages the entire Caporalino-Sant'Angelo Unit is Early to Middle Eocene in age. Consequently, the previous model of a continuous Jurassic- Eocene stratigraphic succession is no longer valid and thj following scenario could he outlined: 1) during the Early-Middle Eocene the Caporalino-S.Angeh unit settled in an siliciclastic basin which received coarse graineb deposits such as breccias and conglomerates, olistoshomes and olistoliths (mainly composed by Upper Jurassic platform limestones) and sandstones and intercalation of silty mark and conglomerates, 2) the coarse-grained clastic sediments and the Upper Jurassic calcareous olistoliths , could have an inner place of origin (they probably represent the remnants of a carbonate platform emplaced over the Corso hasement); 3) consequently the Caporalino Sant'Angelo Unit was a foredeep basin, situated between the outer margin represented by the European foreland, and the inner margin, constituted yet by the corso hasement and its calcareous cover, 4) later the Santa Lucia Nappe and the Schistes lushb were thrusted on the Caporalino-S.Angelo basin.