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The new coralline demosponge Acanthochaetetes fischeri n. sp. is described from the upper Paleocene (Thanetian) of Iraq (Kurdistan Region, Khurmala Formation) and Iran (Sistan Suture Zone). The genus Acanthochaetetes Fischer is a long-ranging genus known from the Upper Jurassic (A. foroiuliensis), through Upper Cretaceous (e.g., Coniacian A.? krumbachensis) and Eocene (A. eocenica) to Recent. A. fischeri n. sp. is the first record from the Paleocene following the K-Pg mass-extinction, thereby closing the gap within the Santonian-Eocene interval. It occurs in platform-margin/upper slope depositional settings associated with coralline algae, corals, and echinoids.

Rostroporella oviformis Segonzac represents the type species of the monospecific genus Rostroporella described from the Thanetian of France (type locality). Well preserved material of this large-sized dasycladale from the Paleocene of Iran (central and east Iran, and Zagros Zone, SW Iran), allows a better characterization of the algal thallus, e.g.,shape of the thallus, reproductive structures and the ranges of biometric parameters. The thallus is thought to be moniliformwith ovoid articles. The reproduction with comparably large, elongated gametophores disposed laterally above the first order laterals refers to the goniosporate type. The suprageneric position of Rostroporella, previously placed within the family Polyphysaceae (formerly Acetabulariaceae), is discussed and transferred into the family Bornetellaceae.

Bakhtiariella, a new genus of Larger Benthic Foraminifera is described from the upper Maastrichtian Tarbur Formation of Iran. The new taxon is characterised by a trochospirally coiled initial test ...

In his monograph on Mesozoic-Cenozoic Larger Benthic Foraminifera from the area of Middle East and south-western Asia, Henson (1948) erected the genus Dictyconella for more or less "compressed-conical" dictyoconids including D. complanata (type-species) and D. minima. Both are however, structurally completely different, e.g. aligned (in the latter) versus alternating structural elements (in the former), and cannot either belong to the same genus or the same subfamily (Dictyoconinae versus Dictyorbitolininae). Therefore, the new genus Gusicella is erected with the type-species Dictyoconella minima, resulting in the new combination Gusicella minima. Gusicella represents the only taxon of the Dictyorbitolininae in the Upper Cretaceous Global Community Maturation Cycle of Larger Benthic Foraminifera (here: conical agglutinated). Due to the revision, Dictyoconella is described as a monospecific genus and an assumed Maastrichtian newcomer which, like Gusicella, became extinct shortly afterwards, namely at the K-Pg boundary mass-extinction event. Both taxa appear to be restricted to the former Arabian Plate of the southern Neotethyan margin. The new data provided are based on material from the Maastrichtian Tarbur Formation of southwestern Iran (Zagros Zone).

The micropalaeontological inventory of the shallow-water carbonates of the Paleocene Chehel-Kaman Formation cropping out in the Kopet-Dagh Basin of north-eastern Iran is poorly known. New sampling has evidenced for the first time the occurrence of layers with abundant calcareous green algae including Dasycladales and Halimedaceae. The following dasycladalean taxa have been observed: Jodotella veslensis Morellet & Morellet, Cymopolia cf. mayaense Johnson & Kaska, Neomeris plagnensis Deloffre, Thyrsoporella-Trinocladus, Uteria aff. merienda (Elliott) and Acicularia div. sp. The studied section is devoid of larger benthic foraminifera and can be referred to the middle-upper Paleocene (SBZ 2-4) due to the presence of Rahaghia khorassanica (Rahaghi). Some of the dasycladalean taxa are herein reported for the first time not only from Iran but also the Central Neotethyan realm.

Based on material from the area of Rafsanjan, Central Iran (P.? iranica Bucur et al.), and southeastern France (type-species P. fragilis Conrad), the genus Pseudoactinoporella Conrad is revisedwith respect to thallusmorphology and suprageneric classification. Reported as possessing a cylindrical or presumably club-shaped thallus, Pseudoactinoporella was assigned to the tribe Salpingoporellinae. In fact, P.? iranica represents a species displaying a capitulum-shaped, stalked thallus whose original description refered to the stalk only. The stalk of P.? iranica shows a spinose aspect due to individualized laterals and is well calcified. The “head” (capitulum) only preserves a thin wall displaying a pattern of cup-like depressions each with a central pore communicating with the fully cemented interior and interpreted as a cortex. P. fragilis is typically presented by trumpet-shaped fragments belonging to the stalk and the transition to the unpreserved (eroded? uncalcified?) “head”. For both species, a goniosporate reproduction type (= ampullae disposed laterally along the ramifications) is assumed herein. Due to these characteristics, it appears reasonable to leave apart the generic uncertainty of P. iranica as expressed in the original description. Consequently, Pseudoactinoporella is removed from the Salpingoporellinae and assigned to the family Bornetellaceae and the tribe Bornetelleae.

A new larger benthic foraminifera is described as Broeckinella hensoni from the upper Maastrichtian Tarbur Formation of SW Iran (Zagros Zone). In comparison to the type species of the genus, Broeckinella arabica Henson, which also occurs in the Tarbur Formation, the new species has distinctly larger dimensions (e.g., size and thickness of test, chamber height). The first record of a microspheric specimen of B. arabica shows previously unrecorded annular chambers in the final test stage. Therefore, the generic diagnosis is herein emended. In the Tarbur Formation, both B. hensoni n. sp. and B. arabica occur in foraminiferal-algal wackestones. However, B. arabica occurs in a wider range of microfacies, including packstones and grainstones. It is assumed that Broeckinella originated in the Upper Cretaceous with Broeckinella neumannae Gendrot. The upper Albian Broeckinella aragonensis Peybernès is herein transferred to the porcellaneous genus Peneroplis Montfort.

The upper Palaeocene shallow-water carbonates of the Qorban member (Sachun Formation) in Iran are characterised by a well-diversified larger Foraminifera and green algae assemblages. A new ornatoro...

The new Larger Benthic Foraminifera Pseudochoffatella minima n. sp. is described from the uppermost Barremian? to early upperAptian of the Taft Formation of theYazd Block, Central Iran. It differs from the upperAptian-lowermostAlbian type-species P. cuvillieri Deloffre by its reduced dimensions (test size, chamber height, diameter of proloculus), and can be considered as its direct ancestor. P. minima n. sp. occurs in wackestone in often monotypic assemblages. Differences to Balkhania balkhanica Mamontova (syn. Pseudochoffatella giganteaKaever), an allied taxon recorded from the lower Aptian of the Tirgan and Taft formations are constrained. P. minima n. sp. represents the third species of the genus besides the type-species P. cuvillieri Deloffre and the Cenomanian P. algeriana Peybernès, Calvez and Ciszak.

The upper Maastrichtian Tarbur Formation of the Zagros Zone, SW Iran, contains a rich assemblage of larger benthic Foraminifera including agglutinating, porcelaneous, and lamellar-perforate taxa. T...

A new microgranular-imperforate foraminifera, attributed to the family Pfenderinidae, is described as Pseudochablaisia subglobosa gen. et sp. nov. from the upper Maastrichtian Tarbur Formation (Zagros Zone, SW Iran). It occurs in inner platform wackestones/packstones associated with other larger benthic foraminifera (e.g., Loftusia, Omphalocyclus, Gyroconulina) and dasycladacean green algae (e.g., Cymopolia, Dissocladella, Thyrsoporella). Pseudochablaisia gen. nov. is compared with possible ancestral morphotypes, the Middle Jurassic to Oxfordian homeomorph Chablaisia Septfontaine, 1978 and sections of a taxon classically assigned to the middle-Late Cretaceous “Nezzazatinella” Darmoian (1976) which type-material is incompletely known from loose isolated specimens. These two homeomorphic taxa and the new genus Pseudochablaisia possess a trochospirally coiled test, with a pseudokeriothecal wall texture (sometimes hardly visible). The central structure of the test comprises an umbilical (“siphonal”) hollow columella in early stages continuing in a deep umbilical cavity in later stages. The chamber interior is occupied by a zone of coalescence of the septa and a septal button, lacking in sections of “Nezzazatinella".

A new Dasycladale is described as Dissocladella? chahtorshiana Rashidi & Schlagintweit n. sp. from Selandian carbonates of Mount Chah Torsh, Central Iran (type locality). Other occurrence is from the Sistan Suture Zone of Eastern Iran (Selandian?, Thanetian?). The medium-sized taxon displays cylindrical to slightly claviform thalli with a relatively large main axis bearing alternating primaries of variable shape. The latter show either slowly widening towards the distal end or are club-shaped displaying very short secondaries. The morphological variability of the primaries, both typical and atypical for Dissocladella, account for some doubts on the generic assignment of the new species. Dissocladella? chahtorshiana occurs in bioclastic packstones with Cymopolia mayaense Johnson & Kaska, Acroporella cf. anceps Segonzac, Halimeda sp., and benthic foraminifera (e.g., soritiids) at its type locality.

The Maastrichtian carbonates of the Tarbur Formation from the Zagros zone (SW Iran) are very rich in larger Foraminifera. Additionally, smaller benthic Foraminifera occur as well, one of them presented here as Zagrosaria pinnata gen. et sp. nov. It occurs abundantly at the Mandegan section within two levels corresponding to the lower photic zone. Based on the existence of a central pile along with an umbilical plate, and the lacks of true interiomarginal apertures, likely represented by a perforate surface, the suprageneric placing of Zagrosaria gen. nov. remains controversial. The ultimate aperture is represented by a central elongate double-bifid slot that arguably lies on a finely perforated and heavy feathered apertural face. Based on the reduced dimensions and lack of dimorphism the new taxon could be considered an epifaunal or shallow-infaunal r-strategist.

A new dasycladalean alga is described as Uteria naghanensis n. sp. from the late Maastrichtian Tarbur Formation of the Zagros Zone, SW Iran. It is a small to medium-sized, rather well calcified species with small articles each bearing one fertile ampulla, alternating with close-set verticils of numerous sterile laterals. Another characteristic is its comparably wide main axis. The genus Uteria Michelin was so far only known from the Paleogene (Danian-Lutetian). The discovery of U. naghanensis n. sp. in inner platform wackestone of the Tarbur Fm. documents the origination of the genus already in the uppermost Cretaceous within an area belonging to the Arabian Plate.

The shell architecture of Fissoelphidium operculferum Smout from the Tarbur Formation, Maastrichtian of Zagros, has been re-studied. Based on the characters of the canal system geometry and that of folia, Fissoelphidium became comparable with the Maastrichtian-Paleocene genus Laffitteina Marie. A radial network of infolded folia builds the umbilical ornamentation of Fissoelphidium. After these thoughts, the suprageneric position of F. operculiferum is out from the family Miscellaneidae and considered under Cuvillierinidae (subfamily Laffitteininae). The associated lamellar perforate benthic Foraminifera, including rotaloideans, from the studied Tarbur Formation outcrops are here illustrated and commented. Although most of them remain under open nomenclature, they could be critical to characterize the dispersal of fauna between the Mediterranean Tethys and the Middle East domain, evidencing their paleobiogeographic as well as the possible biostratigraphic importance.

The new crustacean microcoprolite Broennimannia persica n. ichnogen., n. ichnosp., is described from the Paleocene (Danian-Selandian) of eastern Iran. The new microcoprolite is characterized by a bilateral symmetrical system of longitudinal “canals” that in transverse sections display an irregular (labyrinthine) outline with concave infoldings and rounded protuberances. The crescentic outline of parts of the canal system recalls the long-ranging ichnogenus Palaxius Bronnimann & Norton (Carboniferous to Pleistocene). In the latter ichnogenus, however, the canals are isolated. A general determination key for microcoprolites in transverse section is provided. The new microcoprolite occurs in poorly sorted foram-algal grainstones/packstones with a fine-grained siliciclastic content. The associated microfauna and –flora includes common miliolids, among the agglutinating Haymanella, Stomatorbina sp., serpulids, and dasycladalean algae (Cymopolia sp., Trinocladus atacis Segonzac). From Iran, fossil microcoprolites have been described so far only from the Upper Jurassic, Lower Cretaceous, and Miocene. Broennimannia persica represents the first Paleocene record from this area.

Mount Chah Torsh in the Yazd area of Central Iran exposes the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary within a carbonatic siliciclastic shallow-water succession. From the territory of Iran the K/Pg boundary was so far only recorded from deeper-water successions of the Kopet Dagh Basin in the northeast and the Zagros Zone (Gurpi Formation) in the southwest. From the Paleocene (Danian–Selandian, Shallow Benthic Zones 1–2) carbonates of Mount Chah Torsh the new porcelaneous Larger Benthic Foraminifera Serrakielina chahtorshiana n. gen. et n. sp. is described. In the uniserial adult part the chambers are subdivided by radial partitions. Together with the single, stellate foramina Serrakielina n. gen. compares closely to the soritacean Praerhapydionina Henson. It differs in its juvenile stage (trochospiral in the former vs. planispiral in the latter). From the same section, Haymanella ex. gr. paleocenica Sirel, Kolchidina paleocenica (Cushman), Sistanites iranicus Rahaghi, Orduella sphaerica Sirel, and other taxa (rotaliids, miliolids) are reported. Anew larger agglutinated taxon is described as Socotraella? yazdiana n. sp. Socotraella ashawqi the type-species of the genus was described from the Lower Oligocene of Yemen (Socotra Island) and Oman. The samples from the Mount Chah Torsh section also display a comparably rich association of Dasycladales and other algae. The locality can be considered a standard section for Danian–Selandian shallow-water carbonates in Iran. Exposing also the K/Pg boundary in a conformable transition, this locality offers several topics for future research.

Hamulusella sedalanensis represents the type species of the genus Hamulusella Elliott described from the Paleocene of Iraq (type locality) and Iran. Well preserved material from the Paleocene of Iran (East Iran, and Zagros Zone, SWIran), allows a better characterisation of the algal thallus including its ranges of biometric parameters. The thallus of H. sedalanensis consists of superimposed articles each composed of two verticils. This leads to characteristic biverticilate articles after disintegration. This thallus organization challenges the taxonomic status of the Lower Cretaceous H. durandelgai (Fourcade and Jaffrezo), and H. liburnica (Radoicic). The latter is transferred to the genus Aloisalthella Granier due to the alternation of fertile and sterile whorls thus excluding its belonging either to Clypeina Michelin or Hamulusella Elliott. The occurrence of larger benthic foraminifera (LBF) allows the dating of the Iranian specimens to the Selandian–Thanetian. The occurrence of H. sedalanensis in Eocene strata has so far not reliably been evidenced. Among the associated LBF, taxonomic notes on Azzarolina daviesi (Henson) are provided.

A new pfenderinid taxon is described as Pachycolumella nov. gen. with the two species P. elongata n. sp. (type-species), and P. acuta n. sp. The type material comes from the upper Maastrichtian Tarbur Formation of the Zagros Zone, SW Iran. Areconstruction of Pachycolumella nov. gen is presented including allmorpho-structural elements such as a conspicuous central columella. The wall of the elongate and triserially coiled test is microgranular-agglutinated displaying a pseudokeriothecal texture. Pachycolumella species are also reported from the Paleocene (Danian–early Thanetian) of Turkey,Oman, Iran (this paper), India, and Pakistan, thus representing aK–Pg survivor taxon. In Iran Pachycolumella is reported from various localities belonging to both the former northern and the southern Neo-Tethyan margin. In the western Neo-Tethyan realm (e.g., Adriatic Carbonate Platform), Pachycolumella seems to be absent.

The shell architecture of the benthic foraminifera Elphidiella multiscissurata Smout 1955 has been reviewed using material from Tarbur formation in Zagros Mountains isochronous to the type-level in Qatar (Borehole; Maastrichtian of Jebel Dukhan). Characterized by planispiral geometry and wide canaliculate umbilical plugs, the Middle-East species multiscissurata is removed from the Cenozoic genus Elphidiella Cushman 1936 (type species Polystomella artica Parker and Jones) and attributed to Palaeoelphidium gen. nov. In the new genus, spiral umbilical canals border the umbilical plugs. The spiral umbilical canal is constrained between the umbilical plate, folium and the adjacent coil and is produced by the fusion of consecutive foliar chamberlets. Vertical canals pierce the umbilical plug, thus producing communication with the spiral canals and the intraseptal interlocular spaces. Massive ponticuli lie on chamber sutures, nevertheless no retral process were defined in Smout's original description nor seen in the thin sections at our disposition. These characters place the species Palaeoelphidium multisciussuratum gen. nov. within the family Elphidiellidae at the base of the Elphidiids (sensu lato) architecture as the oldest representative of the group. The stratigraphic range of P. multiscissuratum is constrained into the Maastrichtian and its palaeogeography circumscribed to the central-eastern part of the Arabian plate (Qatar, Iraq and Zagros mountains in Iran).

The poorly known dasycladalean alga Cymopolia eochoristosporica Elliott, 1968 is reported for the first time from the upper part of the Tarbur Formation (Zagros Zone, SW Iran) assigned to a late Maastrichtian age. It was reported so far from the Maastrichtian Aruma Formation of Saudi Arabia (type-locality), the Maastrichtian Simsima Formation of Oman, and the Maastrichtian (e.g., Zongshan Formation) of Tibet. All these Maastrichtian occurrences belong to the southern Tethyan margin, with special concentration within the Arabian plate, evidencing its palaeobiogeographic as well as biostratigraphic importance. C. eochoristosporica occurs in algal-foraminiferan wackestones together with other dasycladaleans (e.g., Salpingoporella pasmanica Radoicic) and halimedaceans, benthic foraminifera (Broeckina, Tarburina, Laffiteina, Gyroconulina, Loftusia, Omphalocyclus), rudists, gastropods, as well as corals. As a peculiarity, the calcification of the alga is made up of light-brownish calcite, presumably replacement of the original aragonitic composition. The dasyclad-bearing deposits are assigned to an internal infralittoral, possibly polyhaline depositional setting.

A new larger benthic foraminifera is here described as Neodubrovnikella maastrichtiana n. gen., n. sp. from thin-sections of the upper Maastrichtian Tarbur Formation of southwestern Iran (Zagros Zone). This Maastrichtian genus is homeomorphic to the Middle Jurassic Dubrovnikella Schlagintweit and Velic. Differences are due to the type of foramina and the coarseness/fineness of the pores in the wall. Neodubrovnikella n. gen. represents the second taxon ascribed to the Biokovinidae besides Zagrosella Schlagintweit and Rashidi due to the presence of a pseudokeriothecal wall texture. Representatives of this family exhibited a latest Cretaceous "revival" before finally becoming extinct at the K/Pg boundary. In agglutinating conical forms however the pseudokeriotheca may be still present in the Early Paleogene.

The new dasycladalean alga Dissocladella compressa is described from the lower part of the Tarbur Formation of SW Iran (Zagros Zone). The medium-sized representative of the genus is characterized by rather large primaries displaying slight vertical compression. It occurs in a foraminiferan-algal packstone associated with larger benthic foraminifera typically Omphalocyclus macroporus Lamarck, Loftusia sp., Siderolites cf. calcitrapoides Lamarck, and scattered corals. Associated algae include Trinocladus tripolitanus Raineri, Thyrsoporella longa Radoicic, Ovulites delicatula Elliott, accessory udoteaceans, and corallinaceans.

Pseudocymopolia anadyomenea, the type-species of the genus, was described by ELLIOTT (1959) from the Maastrichtian of Iraq. Besides the type-locality, it was also recorded from the upper Maastrichtian Tarbur Formation of Iran, from Afghanistan and Tibet. A rich but moderately preserved material is analyzed herein, evidencing the presence of two discrete species: P. anadyomenea and P. acuta n. sp. The new species is characterized by its thallus morphology displaying tapering, keeled segment margins. Besides the morphology, both are also distinguished by biometric parameters such as the outer diameter (D), inner diameter (d), and the d/D ratio. All other Lower Cretaceous species of Pseudocymopolia as well as the Maastrichtian P. anadyomenea have rounded segment margins. Both taxa from the Tarbur Formation occur in inner platform quiet water depositional settings whereas the Lower Cretaceous representatives typically characterize platform margin deposits.

The species Salpingoporella arumaensis Okla, 1995 was so far only reported from its type-locality, the Campanian?-Maastrichtian of Saudi Arabia. It is here reported for the first time from the upper Maastrichtian of the Tarbur Formation, Zagros Zone, SW Iran. It is taxonomically discussed and with some reservation newly combined as Zittelina? arumaensis (Okla). Suppiluliumaella tarburensis n. sp. is a small to medium-sized species of the genus characterized by a comparably small number of close-set laterals of two orders typical for the genus. It represents the youngest representative of the genus described so far. The new discoveries contribute to a better knowledge of the so far poorly known microflora of the Tarbur Formation of Iran. Z.? arumaensis might be an endemic taxon like Pseudocymopolia anadyomenea (Elliott) or Cymopolia eochoristosporica Elliott, restricted to the Arabian Plate and Tibet.

Pianella turgida , originally described from Cenomanian limestones of the external Dinarids, was subsequently transferred to the genus Salpingoporella . In the middle of the last century, Varma described the genus Morelletpora with Morelletpora nammalensis as type species from the Paleocene of India. Varma considered the new alga to be articulated, with club-shaped segments and only first order laterals. This foundation of Morelletpora was questioned for a long time. Attribution of a second species to Morelletpora , Morelletpora dienii , from the uppermost Cretaceous of southern Italy by Parente, reopened discussion of the genus. Subsequently, Barattolo attributed Salpingoporella turgida to Morelletpora , as Morelletpora turgida nov. comb., and considered the species as being “structurally similar to M. dienii ”. Recent studies of Lower Cretaceous deposits from Iran revealed the existence of numerous, well-preserved specimens of Morelletpora turgida in the upper Barremian-Aptian Taft Formation of the Ardekan–Hersisht and Anarak areas of central Iran. These specimens allow a thorough morphological re-description of this alga and provide clear evidence for both the segmented character of the thallus and the characteristic shape of the laterals. These new data reinforce the assignment of this alga to Morelletpora , adding observations that support emendation of the diagnosis. Morelletpora turgida has been identified in limestones of Barremian-Cenomanian age from numerous regions representing the southern and central part of the Tethyan Domain.

The Lower Cretaceous benthic Limestone in Yazd Block (Central Iran zone) is known as the Taft and Shahkuh Formations. In this study, the age of the Taft and Shahkuh Formation, is examined based on biostratigraphic and paleontological investigations of Taft Formation in sections of Herisht (NE Ardakan) and Abanbar (NE Ardakan) and Shahkuh Formation in Chahpalang section (North Ardakan). According to the lithostratigraphic investigations, the taft and Shahkuh Formation in these sections include of thin bedded to medium bedded and massive limestone. Micropaleontology study of the Taft and Shahkuh Formation has led to the recognition of numerous genus and species which belong to Orbitolinidae Families such as: Dictyoconus pachymarginalis, Montseciellaarabica, Mesorbitolina parva, Paleodictyoconus sp., Paleodictyoconusactinostoma, Palorbitolina sp., Palorbitolina lenticularis, Praeorbitolinacormyi, Praeorbitolina cf. wienandsi, Praeorbitolina claveli, Praeorbotolinasp., cf. Paleodictyoconus sp., Palorbitolina ultima. and Calcareous Algae such as: Acroporella sp., Acroporella cf. Radoicicae, Actinoporella sp., Arabicodiumsp., Arabicodium cf. elongates, Augioporella cf. fouryae, Bacinellairregularis, Bueina sp., Boueina cf. hochstetteri, Boueina minima, Bueina cf.pygmaea, Cayeuxia sp., Cayeuxia anae, Garwoodia sp., Garwoodia cf. maxima,Girvanella sp., Griphoporella aff. Cretacea, Halimeda sp., Kopedagaria sp.,Kopedagaria sphaerica, Lithocodium aggregatum, Marinella sp., Montiellaelitzae, Marinella lugeoni, Marinella cf. yogoslavica, Neomeris sp., Neomeriscf. cretacea, Neomeris cf. pfenderae, Parachaetetes asvapatii, Permocalculussp., Permocalculus dragastani, Permocalculus minutes, Pseudoactinoporella sp.,Pseudoactinoporella iranica, Pseudoactinoporella cf. iranica, Pycnoporidiumlobatum, Rivularia sp., Salpingoporella sp., Salpingoporella cf. patruliusi,Salpingoporella cf. johnsoni, Salpingoporella pygmaea, Salpingoporellamehlbergii, Salpingoporella aff. Turgida, Salpingoporella cf. dinarica,Suppiluliumaella cf. praebalkanica, Udotea flabellum. Based on the identified Microfossil, such as Orbitolinid fossil, the age of the Taft Formation in the Kuh-e Herisht is assigned to Upper Barremian-Middle Aptian, and in the Abanbar area is determined as Upper Barremian-Lower Aptian, at least the age of the Shahkuh Formation in the Chahpalang area is determined as Upper Barremian-Lower Aptian.

Lower Cretaceous orbitolinid assemblages from Central Iran yield various bioerosional structures. The omnipresent traces of different boring taxa and groups ( e.g ., sponges, calcimicrobes, incertae sedis) represent a characteristic feature of the investigated thin-section material. The assemblage can be attributed to the Entobia ichnofacies dominated by borings assigned to the activity of sponges. The boring galleries are often concentrated in a plane parallel to the test surface, along the boundary of the marginal and the central zone of the orbitolinid tests. The borings are observed in foraminiferan-dasycladalean wackestones to poorly washed-out packstones, which can be referred to a subtidal palaeoenvironment.

The larger benthic foraminifer Torremiroella hispanica Brun and Canerot, 1979, so far only known from its type-locality in southern Spain, is described from the Late Barremian–Early Aptian of Central Iran (Ardakan and Yazd areas). It is reported from foraminiferan pack- to grainstones associated with Balkhania balkhanica Mamontova, 1966, dated as early Aptian (Bedoulian). A review of the literature data suggests that both are typical northern Tethyan faunal components as indicated also by the assemblages of orbitolinid foraminifers and dasycladalean algae.

The new orbitolinid foraminifer, Praeorbitolina claveli n.sp., is described from the Lower Ap- tian (Bedoulian) of Central Iran. It is characterized by an eccentric embryonic apparatus displaying both a subdivided subembryonic zone and a deuteroconch. The Barremian-Aptian orbitolinid association of this area has a typical northern Tethyan character (e.g., "association a Valserina" of CHERCHI and SCHROEDER, 1973).

Calcareous algae and microproblematica have been studied in the Middle Permian part of the Dalan Formation in Dena Mountain, Zagros, southwest Iran. Murgabian (=Wordian) microfossils are the most diversified. The assemblages encompass, among the dasycladales, Anthracoporella spectabilis, Epimastopora piae, Epimastoporella japonica, E. likana, Paraepimastopora? cf. densipora n. comb., Gyroporella cf. nipponica, G.? aff. fluegeli n. comb., G.? aff. symmetrica, G.? aff. digitula n. comb., Mizzia yabei; among the gymnocodiaceans, Gymnocodium bellerophontis, G. nodosum, Permocalculus cf. digitatus, P. forcepinus, P. cf. fragilis, P. plumosus, P. cf. solidus, Tauridium? sp.; among the “phylloid algae” Eugonophyllum? sp.; among the other incertae sedis algae Stacheoides sp., Ungdarella uralica, Fourstonella (Efluegelia) johnsoni, and among some microproblematica alternatively assigned to foraminifers or algae Aeolisaccus dunningtoni, Tubiphytes obscurus, Pseudovermiporella nipponica, P. sodalica, and P. longipora. Each taxon is briefly characterized, whereas a more detailed analysis of the epimastoporacean algae is given. Among them, the genera Epimastopora and Epimastoporella are emended. All the described microfossils have a relatively broad stratigraphic distribution in the Permian period but they are paleoecologically important. They are indeed confident micropaleontological Middle Permian proxies, particularly for shallow-marine, warm, well-oxygenated and relatively high-energy environments. They were affected by the end-Guadalupian crisis because they strongly decrease in the upper carbonate unit of the Dalan Formation and are not found in the Triassic sediments of the area.

The latest Carboniferous–Early Permian Dorud Group in the Chaman-Saver area of eastern Alborz, Iran is more than 222 m thick and includes thick sequences of oncolitic limestone, sandy limestone, sandstones and shales. The Emarat and Ghosnavi formations of this Group are dated here as latest Gzhelian to early Sakmarian Stages. During the Asselian Stage, the sea level fell abruptly and epeirogenic episodes occurred. These events generated a broad, shallow carbonate platform suitable for the growth and diversity of smaller foraminifers in the Chaman-Saver area which, consequently, displays faunal differences with the rest of the Alborz Mountains. Three foraminiferal biozones are proposed: Nodosinelloides potievskayae–Vervilleina bradyi Zone (latest Gzhelian), Calcitornella heathi–Nodosinelloides sp. Zone (latest Gzhelian–Asselian), and Rectogordius iranicus n. gen. n. sp.–Hemigordius schlumbergeri Zone (early Sakmarian). The new taxa described herein include: Pseudovidalina iranica n. sp., P. damghanica n. sp., Rectogordius iranicus n. gen. n. sp. and Tezaquina sp. 1. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Dasycladalean green algae and some problematic algae from the Upper Triassic of the Nayband Formation (northeast Iran)This paper describes the dasycladales green algae from two sections of the Rhaetian Howz-e Khan Member of the Nayband Formation, northwest of the Dig-e Rostam motorway service area (south of the type locality of the Formation near the town Naybandan). Both sections are composed of bedded fine-grained limestones containing partly abundant dasycladales algae associated with foraminifers, which are mainly aulotortid types. Additionally scattered samples were collected from several beds of the Howz-e Khan Member in this area. The following dasycladalean taxa are described:Chinianella carpatica(Bystrický),Griphoporella curvata(Gümbel),Griphoporella lutensisnov. sp., some undetermined dasycladacean taxa, problematic algae likeLithocodium aggregatumElliott,Bacinella irregularisRadoicic, andThaumatoporella parvovesiculifera(Raineri). WhileChinianella carpaticais not numerous and the other described algae are rare,Griphoporella curvatais extremely abundant in the investigated material. This paper describesCh. carpaticafor the first time from the Triassic of Iran and also includes a discussion of the strong variability ofG. curvata. Additionally we include an informal description of a problematic fossil (animal: shell fragment?; plant: alga?).

The following paper describes the foraminiferal fauna and associated faunal assemblages of the bedded and reef carbonates of the Upper Triassic (most probably Rhaetian) Nayband Formation, which are exposed in a section south of the small town of Bagher-Abad, northeast of Esfahan. Foraminifers are extremely rare in sponge- or coral-dominated bioconstructions and in the bedded carbonates of the Nayband Formation in central Iran. Some carbonate beds are composed of bioclastic wackstone/packstone. These are exposed in the solenoporacean horizon at the uppermost part of the section. Here, the aulotortid- and trocholinid-type foraminifers are relatively abundant. The following foraminiferal taxa with different abundances were found within the carbonates of the investigated section: Trocholina umbo Frentzen, T. turris Frentzen, T. gracilis Blau, Aulotortustumidus (Kristan-Tollmann), Aulotortustenuis (Kristan), Aulotortus friedli (Kristan-Tollmann), Coronipora etrusca (Pirini), Semiinvoluta clari Kristan, Turrispirillina? liciavariabilis Blau, Galeanella? laticarinata Al-Shaibani, Carter and Zaninetti, Ophthalmidium sp., Agathammina sp., “Sigmoilina” schaeferae Zaninetti, Planiinvolutacarinata Leischner, Planiinvoluta sp., Nubecularia sp., Endothyra sp., Paeolituonella sp. and some sessile agglutinated and nodosariid types. All mentioned taxa are very rare, except the involutinid and trocholinid types. The following species are described as new: Trocholina blaui nov. sp., Spirilina? iranica nov. sp., and Coroniporaserraforma nov. sp. Trocholina blaui is usually attached to solenoporacean thalli. Four foraminiferal associations, which are named after the occurrence of the abundant species, were distinguished as Aulotortus tumidus association, Aulotortus friedli association, Trocholina umbo association, and Trocholina blaui association. Aulotortid types and Trocholina umbo were found within the bioclastic wackstone/packstone carbonates. Trocholina blaui is abundant in solenoporacean framestones. The foraminiferal association of investigated carbonates contains a mixed fauna, known from Upper Triassic–Liassic in the Tethyan realm. Carbonates of the whole investigated section are dated—due to occurrence of the genus Aulotortus, with species A. tumidus (Kristan-Tollmann), A. tenuis (Kristan), and A. friedli (Kristan-Tollmann)—as Upper Triassic (most probably Rhaetian). The “typical” foraminifers occurring in the reef biotopes in the northwestern Tethys are either missing or extremely rare in the Iranian bioconstructions.

Calcareous algae of the Permian Jamal Formation were studied in three sections of the Shotori Mountains, located in northeastern Iran. In this paper, four genera including Imperiella Elliott and Sussli, Nanjinoporella Mu and Elliott, Tabasoporella nov. gen., and Pseudotabasoporella nov. gen. are described from the Howz-e Dorah locality, which is exposed about 2 km northeast of the type section of Jamal Formation in Mount Jamal. Tabasoporella nov. gen. is characterized by metaspondyl arrangement of phloiophore and wine-glass-shaped laterals with a stalk grouped to tufts. The individual tufts are separated by a ring-like cavity appearing as triangular, oval, or trapezoid in longitudinally dissected section. The arrangement and shape of the laterals in Pseudotabasoporella nov. gen. is similar to Tabasoporella nov. gen., but there are no cavities between the tufts. All four genera are highly developed and limited to the Permian period. They disappear at the end of Permian and are not found in the Triassic sediments. Until today, two species of Imperiella are found in Iran and Afghanistan. I. iranica Elliott and Sussli was described only from the Ruteh Formation of Alborz Mountains in north Iran and I. afghanica was described from the Permian of Afghanistan. The Jamal Formation of the Shotori Mountains is the second locality where both species are discovered. Moreover, species I. crassiparietalis and I. gracilis are the two new species described here. The genus Nanjinoporella—with type species N. pagoda Mu and Elliott—was known from the Permian (Artinskian) Chishia Formation of Nanjing, China. We describe the new species Nanjinoporella iranica from the Permian Jamal Formation of the Shotori Mountains, northeast Iran.

The Permian bryozoan fauna of the Surmaq Formation exposed in a section near Kuh-e Hambast (Hambast Mountains, central Iran) includes ten species. Four species (Fistuliporasawatai Sakagami 1999, Fistulipora takauchiensis Sakagami 1961, Fistulipora monticulosa Nikiforova 1933, and Eridopora parasitica, Waagen and Wentzel 1886) indicate a Middle Permian (Murgabian) age of the formation. Six additional taxa, three cystoporates Fistulipora sp. 1, Fistulipora sp. 2, and Fistuliporidae gen. et sp. indet., as well as three trepostomes Dyscritella sp., Trepostomata gen. et sp. indet. 1 and Trepostomata gen. et sp. indet. 2 could not be identified at the genus and species level. The investigated fauna refers to the Middle Permian of Thailand, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Japan.

Upper Permian (Murghabian) sponges from the Surmaq Formation exposed in the Hambast Mountains, south of Abadeh, central Iran are described. The sponge fauna of the Surmaq Formation is composed of at least 26 taxa, including 12 species of sphinctozoans, 12 species of inozoans, one operculospongid, and one lithistid species. The following taxa were determined to genus or species level: Sphinctozoa: Family Sebargasiidae: Amblysiphonella hambastensis n. sp., Discosiphonella iranica n. sp., Family Colospongiidae: Colospongia cortexifera Senowbari-Daryan and Rigby, Exaulipora permica (Senowbari-Daryan), Platythalamiella sp. 1, Platythalamiella? sp. 2, Parauvanella minima Senowbari-Daryan, Colospongia? or Neoguadalupia? sp., Family Guadalupiidae: Cystothalamia surmaqensis n. sp., Imbricatocoelia cf. paucipora Rigby, Fan and Zhang, Family Thaumastocoeliidae: Sollasia ostiolata Steinmann, Family Cryptocoeliidae: Stylocoelia circopora Wu. Inozoa: Family Peronidellidae: Preperonidella cf. Preperonidella recta grossa (Wu), Heptatubispongia symmetrica Rigby and Senowbari-Daryan, Hambastella sincassa n. gen., n. sp., Hambastella cumcassa n. sp., Family Maeandrostiidae: Maeandrostia kansasensis Girty, Maeandrostia? dubia n. sp., Surmaqella pustulata n. gen., n. sp., Family Auriculospongiidae: Pseudopalaeoaplysina huayingensis Wang, Qiang and Zhang, Family Disjectoporidae: Disjectopora beipeiensis Fan, Rigby and Zhang, Lichuanopora cf. bancaoensis Fan, Rigby and Zhang, Family Khmeriidae: Imilce newelli Flugel. Lithistida: Family Astylospongiidae: Raanespongia iranica n. sp. Among the sphinctozoans A. hambastensis n. sp. is an extremely abundant species. Among the inozoans the genus Hambastella n. gen., with both species, is the most abundant genus. The genera Disjectopora, Lichuanopora, and Pseudopaleoaplysina, were described as hydrozoans by early workers, but are assigned to the inozoans in this paper. The Upper Permian sponge fauna, as well as the composition of other reef organisms, from the Hambast Mountains in central Iran is different from that of the assemblage in the Lower Permian reefal limestones of Bagh-e Vang from the Shotori Mountians (northeast Iran).