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Calcareous algae from the Jurassic and Cretaceous of LebanonAuthor(s): P. W. Basson and H. S. EdgellReviewed work(s):Source: Micropaleontology, Vol. 17, No. 4 (Oct., 1971), pp. 411-433Published by: The Micropaleontology Project, Inc.Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/1484871 .

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P. W. Basson Department of Biology American University of Beirut Beirut, Lebanon

H. S. Edgell Department of Geology American University of Beirut Beirut, Lebanon

ABSTRACT

Carbonate strata of Middle Jurassic to Late Cretaceous age, sampled from outcrops in Mount Lebanon, have been found to contain a wide variety of marine calcareous algae. These consist predominantly of green algae (Chlorophyceae), which are most numerous in the Lower Cretaceous limestones. Species here identified as occurring in Lebanon include cosmopolitan representatives of the families Dasycladaceae and Codiaceae of the green algae, and Corallinaceae and Solenoporaceae of the red algae. Each algal species is apparently confined to a certain stratigraphic interval and a certain paleoenvironment.

Calcareous algae from the Jurassic and Cretaceous of Lebanon

INTRODUCTION

Apart from isolated references to Lebanon by Koert (1924) and Grambast (1968), previous paleobotanical studies of the country are almost nonexistent owing chiefly to the fact that more than 80% of the exposed stratigraphic section consists of hard carbonate rocks of shallow marine origin.

When thin sections were prepared, many of these strata were found to contain numerous small calcareous algae, where the carbonates were not recrystallized or dolomitized.

Most of the samples collected by the present writers came from well- exposed strata in Mount Lebanon, in areas situated between 20 to 40 kilometers northeast of Beirut and recently mapped in detail by one of us (text-figure 1). Additional samples have been provided from geological investigations carried out in the Mount Lebanon area by graduate students of the American University of Beirut.

The exposed Mesozoic and Cenozoic stratigraphy of Lebanon is similar to that of other Middle East countries. Equivalent strata in neighboring countries, such as Palestine (Reiss, 1 961 ) and Iraq (Elliott, 1955, 1968), have been shown to contain numerous algae useful for dating to stage level. This research was conducted to prove the presence of calcareous algae in Lebanon, both to add to the paleobotanical knowledge of the country and to provide further index fossils by which the thick carbonate sequence may be more accurately correlated. Elliott (1968) has stressed the homogeneity of the distinctive algal floras at various stratigraphic levels within the central Tethyan belt of the Middle East.

The occurrence of numerous marine calcareous algae at many horizons within the exposed Jurassic and Cretaceous carbonate succession of Lebanon is clear evidence that most of these strata accumulated under repeated shallow, warm-water, marine conditions.

PREVIOUS WORK

No detailed studies of fossil algae from the rocks of Lebanon have been published previously, with the exception of the specialized study of charophytes from the Jezzine area by Grambast (1 968). Elliott (1957, 1958), recorded the occurrence of Polygonella incrustata in the subsurface Jurassic strata of the Jabal Terbol well in north Lebanon, among many other localities given for the Middle East. In a recent publication Johnson (1 968b) described fossil calcareous algae from Lower Creta- ceous formations in adjacent areas of Palestine. A stratigraphic article by

micropaleontology, vol. 17, no. 4, pp. 411-433, pis. 1-7, october, 1971 411



BASSON and EDGELL

TEXT-FIGURE 1 Index map of algal sample localities. Scale: 1/100,000.

Saint-Marc (1 970) on some foraminifera and algae of Aptian to Cenomanian age from central Lebanon was received as the present paper was being completed. It mentions and figures some of the calcareous algae discussed here without giving taxonomic descriptions.

GEOLOGY

Lebanon consists basically of two north-northeast- trending mountain ranges separated by the narrow, interior rift valley of the Beka'a. The larger of these ranges is known as Mount Lebanon and borders the eastern Mediterranean between Beirut and Tripoli. From a structural viewpoint, this prominent, uplifted mountain range may be described as a horst-anticline, sharply flexed toward the Mediterranean. The algae described are mainly from conspicuously outcropping

strata along the deeply eroded west flank of Mount Lebanon. Because of the relatively simple structure of the range, with the exposed Mesozoic strata draped over a deep-seated horst, it is possible to sample an almost continuous stratigraphic succession from the Middle Jurassic in the eroded core of Mount Lebanon to the Upper Cretaceous near the Lebanese coast.

STRATIGRAPHY

The outcropping Jurassic and Cretaceous sequence in Mount Lebanon comprises nearly 1800 meters of sediments, most of which are of shallow marine origin. In fact, 89% of these strata are marine carbonates, and many of them contain algae or algal fragments. It should be mentioned that large intervals of the thicker carbonate formations have undergone complete or

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SERIES STAGE FORMATION LITHO- PALEONTOLOGICAL LOGY DETERMINATIONS

v, A BIAN KNEMICERAS I Lithocodium regulare ALBIAN 0 BEDS I Neomeris pfenderae

v v v v

UPPER APTIAN JEZZINE LIMESTONEorella podolia w . g Actinoporella podolica

Carpathoporella occidentalis c LOWER APTIAN ORBITOLINA BEDS Cayeuxia piae

t,:w~~~~~ LIN D I I Coptocampylodon lineolatus I : Cylindroporella sugdeni

J NEOCOMIAN BASAL SANDSTONE *.t-'.*- -.- Lithocodium aggregatum NEOCOMIAR BASAL SANDSTONE (.urn.'ggr-'.?t??n *.--. J- * - Macroporella pygmaea

PORTLANDIAN BIKFAYA LIMESTONE Munieria baconica Neomeris cretacea

lI l l Pianella dinarica Salpingoporella sp.

2tn g I Actinoporella podolica KIMMERIDGIAN I I Carpathoporella occidentalis

aI :I T z Coptocampylodon lineolatus I Lithophyllum(?) shebae

Munieria baconica Permocalculus inopinatus

I I Salpingoporella carpathica

KESROUANE I Permocalculus inopinatus OXFORDIAN LIMESTONE

Acicularia elongata Actinoporella podolica

- Carpathoporella sp. CALLOVIAN I Cayeuxia piae C A

Lithophyllum sp. A I I

[ Permocalculus ampullaceas I X T Polygonella incrustata

BATHONIAN I I Salpingoporella annulata ,,, BAi NiNSolenopora liasica

o X t I Cayeuxia piae

BAJOCIAN I Salpingoporella annulata

TEXT-FIGURE 2 Stratigraphic column of Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous outcrops in Lebanon. Scale: 1/5,000.

partial secondary dolomitization. Samples were collected from all of the outcropping limestone formations in which calcareous algae were likely to be present.

A brief summary of the formations and their characteristics is given below in ascending sequence (text- figures 2-3). The oldest strata exposed in Lebanon are of Middle Jurassic age and were sampled in the deep gorge of Nahr Ibrahim, near the hydroelectric power station of the Compagnie Electrique Souterraine de Chouane. Most of the Middle and Upper Jurassic strata combine to form the Kesrouane Limestone, which is a massive carbonate formation.

1) Kesrouane Limestone (580+ m.). The lower part of this lithostratigraphic unit is Middle Jurassic. It consists of rather massive, grayish-blue, interbedded dolomites and dolomitic limestones, rarely containing the pelecypod Eligmus rollandi Douville6. Upper Jurassic, light-gray limestones form the upper part of the Kesrouane Limestone. They are less dolomitized and contain specimens of the brachiopod Somalirhynchia, as well as numerous representatives of the stromatoporoid Cladocoropsis toward the top of the formation. The boundary between the Middle and Upper Jurassic is still not accurately known.

TEXT-FIGURE 3 Stratigraphic column of Upper Cretaceous outcrops in Lebanon. Scale: 1/5,000.

2) Bhannes Volcanics (50 m.). Overlying the Kes- rouane Limestone there is a distinctive formation of red-brown tuffs and basalts of Late Jurassic age.

3) Bikfaya Limestone (27 m.). This scarp-forming limestone occurs toward the top of the Upper Jurassic in Mount Lebanon and is a compact, gray, shallow- water, marine limestone with numerous algae and stromatoporoids. It is of lower Portlandian age and is generally covered by an unnamed formation of volcanic tuffs similar to the Bhannes Volcanics.

4) Salima Limestone (0-6 m.). A yellowish, very marly limestone containing numerous echinoids occurs in some areas at the top of the Upper Jurassic sequence, but, owing to an erosional discordance, it was rarely observed in the area sampled and is thus not represented on the accompanying stratigraphic section (text- figure 2).

5) Basal Cretaceous Sandstone (38 m.). This formation, commonly known in Lebanon as "gres de base", consists of ocher-colored, ferruginous sandstones with rare lignitic interbeds. The age of the formation is Lower Cretaceous and probably late Neocomian to early Aptian. Since the "gres de base" has been deposited

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under continental to paralic conditions, it contains no calcareous algae.

6) Orbitolina Beds (78 m.). A formation of yellowish- brown-weathering, somewhat argillaceous limestones overlies the basal Cretaceous sandstones. The Orbitolina beds are richly fossiliferous and contain the foraminifera 0. conoidea and 0. discoidea in certain horizons, as well as rare specimens of the echinoid Heteraster oblongus Brongniart and frequent calcareous algae. This formation represents the lower part of the Aptian Stage.

7) Jezzine Limestone (37 m.). The upper part of the Aptian in most of Lebanon is represented by a remark- ably consistent, scarp-forming limestone formation, referred to by Dubertret (1955) as the "Falaise de Djezzine". It consists predominantly of rather pure bioclastic limestones with frequent algal remains.

8) Knemiceras Beds (71 m.). Intercalated yellowish- green marls and hard limestones comprise a lithostratigraphic unit conventionally regarded as Albian on the basis of the presence of the ammonite Knemiceras syriacum (von Buch). The formation is richly fossiliferous with many larger gastropod and pelecypod remains, indicating a shallow-water origin.

9) Sannine Limestone (650 m.). This thick, well- bedded to massive carbonate sequence constitutes the most widely outcropping formation of Mount Lebanon. It can be divided into three lithological members: a lower dolomite unit some 167 m. in thickness, a middle, rather massive limestone unit 293 m. in thickness, and an upper unit some 190 m. in thickness composed of interbedded dolomite and limestone. The entire formation consists of shallow- water marine carbonates with distinctive molluscan fossils, such as the rudistid Eoradiolites lyratus (Con- rad), the gastropod Nerinea cretacea Conrad and the pelecypod Ceratostreon flabellatum (Goldfuss). Despite the thickness of the Sannine Limestone, it was found to contain very few calcareous algae, and most of the thin sections examined show a predominance of primary fragmental limestone (biosparite), which must have formed under very shallow depositional conditions.

10) Hippurites Beds (200 m.). These beds are charac- terized by rudistids, particularly Hippurites resectus Defrance, and are in part reefal. They constitute a massive limestone formation of Turonian age, directly overlying the Sannine Limestone.

11) Chekka Marl (110 m.). Alternating gray to brown marls and marly limestones constitute this formation, which is of Senonian age. It is generally present only

on the flanks of Mount Lebanon, as at Ras Chekka and Zahle, having been eroded from the higher parts of the range. Samples collected at Zahle showed the presence of numerous planktonic foraminifera, especially Globotruncana arca (Cushman) and G. elevata (Brotzen). Calcareous algae were not observed in this uppermost Cretaceous formation. The predominance of planktonic microfossils indicates a deeper- water environment unsuitable to the growth of calcareous algae.

The stratigraphic units previously established in Lebanon are not always in accordance with the International Rules of Stratigraphic Nomenclature, as a mixture of lithologic, fossil and geographic names have been applied to lithostratigraphic units. To attempt a revision is outside the scope of this paper. The tra- ditional units for north-central Lebanon have been employed in anglicized form.

ALGAL SEQUENCE

The stratigraphic occurrence of distinctive species of calcareous algae in the Jurassic and Cretaceous beds of Lebanon provides a useful means by which to date the strata. In general, the succession of characteristic algal microfloras is similar to that established by Elliott (1958) for Iraq and also to that given by Praturlon (1 966) for the central Apennines.

Middle Jurassic

In Lebanon the lowest exposed strata are of Middle Jurassic (Bajocian to Callovian) age. They are largely recrystallized and dolomitized carbonates, but contain a flora consisting of Cayeuxia piae Frollo and Sal- pingoporella annulata Carozzi.

Upper Jurassic

Upper Jurassic strata contain a quite separate group of algal species, among which Polygonella incrustata Elliott is most characteristic, being widely known in the Late Jurassic beds of the Arabian Gulf states and Oman. Other algal species in this interval include Solenopora liasica Le Maitre, Lithophyllum sp. and Cayeuxia piae Frollo.

Lower Cretaceous

1) Berriasian-Valanginian-Hauterivian. There is no evidence of the presence of strata representing these stages in Lebanon. Most of the Neocomian was evidently an interval of non-deposition.

2) The Basal Sandstone ("gres de base") is not older than Barremian, as shown by intercalcations containing the foraminifer Choffatella decipiens Schlumberger.

3) Aptian (lower part). The microflora of this time interval is found in the Orbitolina Beds underlying the

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Jezzine Limestone. It consists of the dasycladacean species Actinoporella podolica (Alth) Alth, Carpatho- porella occidentalis Dragastan, Coptocampylodon lineolatus Elliott, Munieria baconica Deecke and Salpingoporella carpathica Dragastan. Fragments of the gymnocodiacean form Permocalculus inopinatus Elliott are common. Coralline algae are very rare and are represented by a form referred to Lithophyllum( ?) shebae Elliott. The crustacean coprolite form species Favreina salevensis Parejas is an associated micro- faunal element.

4) Aptian (upper part). The Jezzine Limestone forms the upper part of the Aptian in Mount Lebanon. It is considered questionable whether the Aptian Stage, of only 6 million years in duration, can be divided into two major time units on the basis of foraminifera or species of pelecypods and gastropods. This type of time division of the Aptian has been attempted by Dubertret (1955), Heybroek (1942) and Saint-Marc (1970). Although it is possible to distinguish Aptian from Albian, only general reference to the upper or lower part of the local Aptian sequence can be made with validity.

The greatest concentration of calcareous algae in our samples occurs in the bioclastic Jezzine Limestone, in the upper part of the Aptian sequence of Mount Lebanon. The algal microflora contains numerous dasycladaceans, such as Macroporellapygmaea Carozzi, Cylindroporella sugdeni Elliott and, in particular, Pianella dinarica (Radoicic) Praturlon and Radoicic. These are all characteristic Lower Cretaceous (Barre- mian to Aptian) species. In addition, distinctive codiacean species are found in the Jezzine Limestone, including Lithocodium aggregatum Elliott and the wide- ranging form Cayeuxia piae Frollo. Associated with this wide variety of algal species are numerous representatives of the problematic Coptocampylodon lineolatus Elliott.

5) Albian. The fossiliferous limestones intercalated in the typical green marls of the Albian Knemiceras Beds contain relatively few calcareous algae. Those identified are Neomeris pfenderae Konishi and Epis and quite numerous specimens of Lithocodium regularis Johnson.

Upper Cretaceous

It has been a matter of habit to refer the Albian, Ceno- manian, and Turonian strata of Lebanon to a series known as Middle Cretaceous. By standard definition there are, however, only two series within the Creta- ceous System, namely, the Upper Cretaceous and the Lower Cretaceous. The Cenomanian and Turonian of

Lebanon should be properly referred to the Upper Cretaceous Series.

1) Cenomanian. The thick Sannine Limestone contains relatively few algae. Among the few dasycladaceans rare examples of Neomeris cretacea Steinmann were noted. Perhaps the most frequently occurring species is the gymnocodiacean alga Permocalculus irenae Elliott. The finely structured algal species Ethelia alba (Pfender) is also present, as well as rare coralline algae referred to Lithophyllum sp.

2) Turonian. The massive reefal Turonian limestones, referred to as the Hippurites Beds in Lebanon, contain relatively numerous coralline algae, also of the genus Lithophyllum.

3) Senonian. The soft marls of the Senonian on the flanks of Mount Lebanon contain a predominantly deeper-water microfauna, with Globotruncana and species of globigerinids. No calcareous algae have been noted in the Senonian Chekka Marl.

PALEOECOLOGY

The environmental conditions under which the calcareous algae of Lebanon thrived during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods can be deduced from the ecology of similar present-day algal groups. In addition, the character of the fossil fauna with which they are associated and the nature of the sediments themselves provide means by which to interpret the ancient environment.

Calcareous algae are known to thrive mainly under very shallow, clear, warm-water marine conditions. The prevalence of such environments during the Jurassic and Cretaceous in Lebanon is clearly indicated by the predominance of marine limestones. These limestones contain a large percentage of molluscan shell debris together with the calcareous algae. In the Cretaceous formations, with the exception of the "gres de base". numerous ostreids, nerineids, and rudistids are present. These all provide evidence of shallow, shelf conditions in the Cretaceous limestones. The presence of stromatoporoids, such as Cladocoropsis, and large nerineids in the Jurassic is also an indication of shallow marine to reefal conditions. A striking feature of almost all limestone sections examined is their fragmental nature, which is clearly a primary sedimentary feature caused by the accumulation of carbonate deposits within the reach of the wave base.

Among the algal genera identified in the exposed Mesozoic strata of Lebanon, approximately 75% belong to the green algae or Chlorophyceae and principally to the family Dasycladaceae. Johnson (1 961) has shown that living dasycladacean algae occur in very shallow

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water, being most abundant in depths down to 10 m. and rarely found at depths below 25 m. Living codiacean algae, such as Halimeda, also thrive best in relatively shallow waters from tide level down to depths of 1 5 or 20 m. Thus, comparison with the ecology of modern calcareous algae confirms the shallow-water nature of the environment under which the Jurassic and Cretaceous algae of Lebanon accumulated. Studies of living coralline algae show that they also form mostly in shallow water from the intertidal zone to a depth of 200 m. but commonly considerably less than 100 m.

Investigations of the paleoecological value of various groups of organisms in the Jurassic to Tertiary carbonate sequence of Yugoslavia have shown that dasycladacean and codiacean algae flourished in the very shallow marine waters of the intertidal and restricted shelf environments. They were of minor importance on the open marine shelf. On the other hand, coralline algae predominated on local shoals and reefs within the open marine shelf and were found only as displaced particles in the deeper marine conditions of the inner and outer slope.

An analysis of the paleoecological significance of various species of algae suggests that Pianella dinarica (Radoicic), Munieria baconica Deecke, Actinoporella podolica Alth, Cylindroporella sugdeni Elliott and Lithocodium aggregatum Elliott were all characteristic of the intertidal and restricted shelf environment. A glance at the stratigraphic distribution of species shows that this ecological condition prevailed during the Aptian and probably during the Albian in the area of Mount Lebanon.

Species of the Melobesieae, together with Cayeuxia piae Frollo and Salpingoporella annulata Carozzi, as well as the associated stromatoporoid Cladocoropsis mirabilis Felix, flourished in open marine shelf conditions. This environment apparently prevailed during deposition of the Middle and Upper Jurassic carbonate sequence in Lebanon.

SIGNIFICANCE OF ALGAE AS ROCK BUILDERS

Apart from their importance as indicators of age and environment, the calcareous algae are also significant as active contributors to the building of the thick Jurassic and Cretaceous limestone formations of Lebanon. The green algae belonging to the families Codiaceae ind Dasycladaceae have made the most important con- tributions to the accumulation of limestone, particularly during the Aptian. The red algae have also been significant rock builders in the Cretaceous of Lebanon, as shown by the abundance of fragments of the gymnocodiacean species Permocalculus inopinatus

Elliott and P. irenae Elliott, mainly as fragmentary material in the Aptian and Cenomanian respectively. Parts of the Jezzine Limestone consist of Permocal- cu/us fragments to the extent of at least 33% by volume.

In the Middle and Upper Jurassic limestones of Lebanon calcareous algae appear to have played a less significant role as rock builders. The most frequent form is the coralline alga Polygonella incrustata Elliott, but there are also rare patches of Solenopora and Cayeuxia. Many of the Upper Jurassic limestones that appear to be algal actually contain numerous specimens of the stromatoporoid Cladocoropsis mirabilis Felix, as well as anthozoans and molluscan fragments. Although detailed sampling of the Jurassic has yet to be made, the present investigation shows that calcareous algae have been of minor importance in its accumulation, whereas they played a conspicuous role in the building of the Lower Cretaceous limestones, particularly those of the Aptian.

The large amounts of secondary dolomite in the carbonate strata of Lebanon can be partly explained by the calcareous algae. These plants secrete not only calcium carbonate but also large amounts of magnesium carbonate. The Corallinaceae secrete a higher percentage of magnesium carbonate than is known in any other organism, and figures of from 9% to 25% of magnesium carbonate by weight are known in ash analyses. On the other hand, analyses of present-day marine Chlorophyceae, such as Halimeda, show a much smaller concentration of magnesium carbonate, generally of the order of 1% and not greater than 5%. It is clear that calcareous algae have been the most important contributors to biogenic magnesium enrichment of the Jurassic and Cretaceous limestones of Lebanon, and that this enrichment can be considered as a preliminary stage toward dolomitization.

SYSTEMATICS

Phylum THALLOPHYTA Unger, 1 838 Class CHLOROPHYCEAE Kuetzing, 1833 Order SIPHONALES Wille, in Warming, 1 884, orth. mut. Blackman and Tansley, 1 902 Family CODIACEAE Trevisan, emend. Zanardini, 1 843 Genus LITHOCODIUM Elliott, 1956

Lithocodium aggregatum Elliott Plate 1, figure 1

Lithocodium aggregatum ELLIOTT, 1956, p. 331, pl. 1, figs. 2, 4-5.

Description: Thallus crustose, forming irregular growths. Tissue consisting of loosely packed, irregularly arranged tubes in two general regions. The interior portion has an irregular cellular meshwork without definite orienta- tion. The average distance across a mesh of the meshwork is 0.18 mm. The outer portion of the colony

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consists of dark, dense material with coarse pores or tubes 0.042 mm. in diameter.

Occurrence. This species is found commonly in the Lower Cretaceous, particularly the upper Aptian of Lebanon. It is also found throughout the Lower Cretaceous (Valanginian-Aptian) in Iraq, Iran and Oman. Outside the Middle East, it has been reported from the Blake Escarpment, western Atlantic Ocean (Johnson, 1968b), from the central Apennines of Italy, and from Yugoslavia.

Lithocodium regulare Johnson Plate 1, figures 2-3

Lithocodium regularis JOHNSON, 1968, p. 13, pl. 2, fig. 3; pl. 4, figs. 6-7.

Description. Thallus of irregular shape. The exterior portion of the colony shows walls which are well defined and fairly regular; cell size of tubes varies. The interior portion shows a very irregular chambered structure. The diameter of the thallus varies from 0.60 to 0.92 mm. The tube diameter is about 0.02 mm.

Occurrence: In Lebanon this algal species occurs in the Albian. It has previously been reported only from the Lower Cretaceous of the Blake Escarpment, western Atlantic Ocean.

Remarks. The material at hand compares closely with that figured by Johnson (1968b) but lies within the smaller dimensions of the species. The name given to this species by Johnson is incorrect according to Article 23 of the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature. We have therefore corrected the specific epithet so that it agrees grammatically with the generic name.

Genus CAYEUXIA Frollo, 1938

Cayeuxia piae Frollo Plate 1, figures 4-7

Cayeuxia piae FROLLO, 1938, p. 269, pi. 18.

Description.' Thallus a tufted mass about 0.48 mm. in size, composed of many loosely packed, branching tubes having a radial arrangement. Tube diameter between 0.030 and 0.070 mm., about 30 tubes per millimeter. Branches grow away from the straight parent stem at an angle of nearly 45?, then turn and grow approximately parallel to it.

Occurrence: Cayeuxia piae is found over a wide stratigraphic range in Lebanon, namely, from the Middle Jurassic to the Upper Cretaceous. It is also found in the Lower Cretaceous of Iraq, Oman, and the Blake Escarpment. This species is widely known in Europe and was given the stratigraphic range of Liassic to Albian for Italy by Praturlon (1 966).

Order DASYCLADALES Pascher, 1 931 Family DASYCLADACEAE Kuetzing, 1833, orth. mut. Stizen- berger, 1 860 Tribe DIPLOPOREAE Pia, 1920 Genus ACTINOPORELLA Gumbel, 1882

Actinoporella podolica (Alth) Alth Plate 3, figures 1-2

Gyroporella podolica ALTH, 1878, p. 83, pl. 6, figs. 1-8. Actinoporella podolica (Alth). - ALTH, 1882, p. 322.

Description: Cylindrical thallus with thick, slightly curved, primary branches regularly arranged in whorls. A prominent calcareous tube usually envelops each branch. Fragments of tubular rays 0.08-0.09 mm. across indicate a maximum external diameter of 0.26 mm. and a maximum internal diameter of 0.20 mm. Wall thickness 0.01 8-0.020 mm.

Occurrence: There are widespread geographic occur- rences of this species throughout Europe, Russia and the Middle East. Its over-all range is Upper Jurassic to Lower Cretaceous. In Lebanon Actinoporella podolica is found in Upper Jurassic to upper Aptian strata.

Genus CYLINDROPORELLA Johnson, 1 954

Cylindroporella sugdeni Elliott Plate 2, figures 1-4

Cylindroporella sugdeni ELLIOTT, 1957, p. 227, pl. 1, figs. 1-6.

Description: Articulated thallus consisting of large, thick, cylindrical segments. Relatively narrow central canal usually surrounded by six large sporangia which alternate with primary branches. Diameter of cylinder 0.60-1.06 mm., diameter of central canal 0.14-0.24 mm., diameter of sporangium 0.1 6-0.18 mm. number of sporangia per whorl six. Vertical distance between whorls 0.22-0.36 mm. Canal size increase from interior to exterior 0.04-0.09 mm. in diameter.

Occurrence: Originally described from the Lower Cretaceous (Barremian and Aptian) of Oman, this distinctive species is also known from the Lower Cretaceous of Hadhramaut and Israel, and the Hauteri- vian of Iraq. C. sugdeni occurs in the upper Aptian of Lebanon.

Genus MACROPORELLA Pia, 1912

Macroporella pygmaea (Gumbel) Pia Plate 5, figures 1-3

Gyroporella pygmaea GUMBEL, 1891, pp. 306, 325. Gyroporella franconica GUMBEL, 1891, p. 600. Macroporella pygmaea (Gumbel). - PIA, 1924, p. 84, pi. 1, figs. 4-7. Pianella pygmaea (Gumbel).- Radoici6, 1962, p. 202.

Description: Thallus cylindrical, with a fairly thick central stem. Primary branches arranged in successive

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verticils, usually in an alternate arrangement. Diameter of thallus varying from 0.54 to 0.66 mm. Central stem diameter 0.28-0.30 mm. Pore diameter 0.03-0.06 mm.

Occurrence: This species was redescribed by Carozzi (1955) from the Upper Jurassic of the Swiss Alps. It is also known from Upper Jurassic to Lower Cre- taceous strata of other parts of Europe, and from the Upper Jurassic and Valanginian of the Middle East. In Lebanon itoccurs intheupperAptian.

Remarks. There is good agreement between the material from Lebanon, that first described by Pia in 1924, and Carozzi's own material (1955). Elliott (1968) referred all Jurassic and Cretaceous species of Macroporella to Pianella and Acroporella. There is excellent agreement with the description given by Elliott for Pianella pygmaea (Gumbel) Radoicic. The present authors prefer to use the original genus set up by Pia, as it has priority.

Genus MUNIERIA Deecke, 1883

Munieria baconica Deecke Plate 3, figures 3-4

Munieria baconica DEECKE, 1883, p. 9, pl. 1, figs. 4-8.

Description: Fragments of cylindrical thallus, 0.60- 0.65 mm. in length, with a diameter of 0.17-0.46 mm. A slender central stem, 0.15-0.23 mm. in diameter, is found within. Length of segments ranges from 0.1 5 to 0.23 mm. The central stem may pinch and swell slightly. It is reported that the primary branches, about 16 in number, are arranged regularly in widely spaced whorls perpendicular to the central stem. There are no secondary branches.

Occurrence: Found commonly in the Lower Cretaceous (Barremian-Albian) of the Middle East, specifically in

Oman, Hadhramaut, Iraq and Iran. It occurs in the Aptian of Lebanon. Munieria baconica is also widely recorded from the Upper Jurassic and Lower Cre- taceous of France, Switzerland, Italy and Yugoslavia.

Genus PIANELLA Radoicic6

Pianella dinarica (Radoicic) Praturlon and Radoicic Plate 3, figures 5-8

Salpingoporella dinarica RADOlI(C, 1959, p. 33, pls. 3-5. Hensonella cylindrica ELLIOTT, 1960, p. 229, pl. 8, fig. 1. Pianella dinarica (Radoici6). - PRATURLON and RADOI(IC, 1967, p. 137, fig. 2.

Description: Slender, cylindrical, visibly segmented thallus; minimum length 2.8 mm.; external diameter 0.25-0.58 mm. Branches are horizontally arranged in alternating whorls, are funnel-shaped, and are few in number per whorl. Central stem thick, 0.11-0.42 mm. in diameter. Wall thickness from 0.045 to 0.060 mm. Canals through the wall increase in diameter from interior to exterior, 0.004 to 0.035 mm., respectively.

Occurrence: This dasycladacean alga was originally described as a problematic microfossil from the Lower Cretaceous (Barremian) of Iraq. It is common and widespread in the Lower Cretaceous carbonates of the Middle East, especially Iran, Israel, Kuwait and Oman, being abundant in the Barremian and Aptian stages.

It is known also from the Aptian of Italy and throughout the Lower Cretaceous of Yugoslavia. In Lebanon it has been found commonly in the upper Aptian.

Remarks. Praturlon and Radoicic (1967) stated that P. dinarica is a characteristic Lower Cretaceous, Barremian and Aptian species. They considered Sal- pingoporella annulata to be an Upper Jurassic species of Pianella.

PLATE 1

1 Lithocodium aggregatum Elliott Thin section of thallus (slide OK/1 3b), x 30; Jezzine Limestone, upper part of Aptian, Lower Cretaceous, near Ehmej, Mount Lebanon. Hypotype 1 6350.

2-3 Lithocodium regulare Johnson Thin section of thallus (slide OK/1 4b), x 50; Knemiceras Beds, Albian, Lower Cretaceous, near Ehmej, Mount Lebanon. Hypotypes 16351-16352.

4 Cayeuxia sp. aff. piae Frollo Thin section (slide 416), x50; longitudinal; Cenomanian, lower part of Upper Cretaceous, Akoura, Mount Lebanon. Hypotype 16353.

5-7 Cayeuxiapiae Frollo Thin sections, x 50; 5-6, transverse; 7, longitudinal. 5 (slide OK/20i), Kesrouane Limestone. Upper Jurassic, Jabal Jaj, Mount Lebanon. 6-7 (slide BE/10), from Jezzine Limestone, upper part of Aptian, Lower Cretaceous, near El Ghine, Mount Lebanon. Hypotypes 16354-16356.

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Genus SALPINGOPORELLA Pia, 1918

Salpingoporella annulata Carozzi Plate 4, figure 3

Salpingoporella annulata CAROZZI, 1953, p. 382, text-figs. 1-55. Pianella annulata (Carozzi). - PRATURLON and RADOI(CI, 1 967, p. 1 37, text-fig. 3.

Description: Small, cylindrical, calcified dasyclad. External diameter 0.17-0.64 mm., internal diameter 0.09-0.31 mm. Verticils consist of eight to twelve simple radial branches which widen distally. Pores alternating 0.017-0.070 mm. in diameter. Wall thickness about 0.04 mm.

Occurrence: This species is known from the Portlandian to the Berriasian of Switzerland, from the Portlandian to the Hauterivian of Italy, and from the upper part of the Upper Jurassic of Yugoslavia and southern France. Its occurrence in Lebanon is limited to Middle and Upper Jurassic strata. Salpingoporella annulata is widespread in the Middle East, particularly in the Upper Jurassic of Qatar, Oman and Hadhramaut.

Remarks: Praturlon and Radoicic (1967) have considered Salpingoporella annulata as belonging to the genus Pianella. Johnson (1 968b) questioned the use of the name Pianella when the name Salpingoporella is much older. He did not believe that they should be combined. The present writers prefer to retain S. annulata in the genus Salpingoporella, as no clear evidence of branching was observed, and the distinctive dark inner wall of the type species of Pianella was absent.

Salpingoporella carpathica Dragastan Plate 4, figure 1

Salpingoporella sp. DRAGASTAN, 1967, pp. 441-454, pl. 1, figs. 5-6. Salpingoporella carpathica DRAGASTAN, 1969, p. 54, pl. 1, figs. 1-6.

Description: Small, unbranched, cylindrical thallus, visibly segmented. The walls of the thallus are thick and well calcified. In transverse section, the thallus has a calcified, ringlike appearance. External diameter 0.22- 0.52 mm., internal diameter 0.11-0.23 mm., diameter of pores 0.01 5-0.040 mm.

Occurrence: Found in the Barremian of the Carpathian region of Roumania and the lower Aptian of Lebanon.

Tribe CARPATHOPORELLAE Dragastan. 1969 Genus CARPATHOPORELLA Dragastan. 1969

Carpathoporella occidentalis Dragastan Plate 4, figures 6-8

Carpathoporella occidentalis DRAGASTAN, 1969. p. 55, pi. 1, figs. 8-10; pi. 2, figs. 1-8.

Description: Simple, non-segmented, cylindrical thallus with a well-developed central canal. Verticils widely separated. Pores of a special type, flattened longitudinally, giving the appearance of longitudinal canals. Pore diameter size about 0.040 mm. External diameter of cylinder 0.46 mm., diameter of central canal 0.26 mm.

Occurrence: Recently described from the Barremian of Roumania (Dragastan, 1969), this species is found rarely throughout the Aptian of Lebanon.

Remarks: The authors have figured specimens (plate 4, figures 6-8) that are placed under the genus Carpa- thoporella. With calcification of the central tube, the specimens would be assigned readily to the genus Coptocampylodon. It is probable that there have been varying degrees of calcification of the thallus and its central canal in Carpathoporella, leading to a confusion with Coptocampylodon as well as Acicularia s.l. Therefore, we believe that the validity of the genus Carpathoporella Dragastan, 1969, may need to be reconsidered.

Genus COPTOCAMPYLODON Elliott, 1963

Coptocampylodon lineolatus Elliott Plate 4, figures 9-11

Coptocampylodon lineolatus ELLIOTT, 1963, p. 297, pl. 46, figs. 4-6, 8; pl. 48, fig. 2.

Description: Solid, short, cylindrical thallus varying from 0.1 9 to 0.42 mm. in diameter. Transverse sections are generally circular in cross section but deeply incised by parallel, equidistant, longitudinal grooves from five to nine in number. In cross section the grooves show an inward widening so that they are often almost circular, with a diameter of 0.032-0.060 mm. Longitudinal or oblique sections show the parallel nature of the grooves.

Occurrence: Found in the Lower Cretaceous of Borneo and of the Middle East, especially Iraq. This species has been noted throughout the Aptian of Lebanon.

PLATE 2

1-4 Cylindroporella sugdeni Elliott Thin sections, x 50; 1-2, oblique vertical; 3, longitudinal; 4, tangential. All from Jezzine Limestone, upper part of Aptian, Lower Cretaceous; 1-3 (slide OK/32c), from Ehmej; 4 (slide BE/10), from El Ghine, Mount Lebanon. Hypotypes 16357-1 6360.

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Remarks: The resemblance of these specimens of Coptocampylodon to the genera Acicularia and Terquemella presents an unresolved taxonomic problem. Johnson (1968b) has also pointed out the confusion associated with naming transverse sections of these genera. The measurements given above fall within the dimensions provided by Carozzi (1955) for A. e/ongata. In association with our specimens,which show typical A. elongata characteristics in transverse section, are oblique sections that show the longitudinally grooved nature of Coptocampylodon. It is easy to interpret the longitudinal grooves as circular, sporangial cavities in a transverse section. We believe that transverse sections are misleading as to the true affinity of this organism and that more emphasis must be placed on oblique sections. Certainly, the question of the relationship between Acicularia, Terquemella and Coptocampylodon must be investigated more deeply.

Tribe CLYPEINEAE Elliott, 1968 Genus CLYPEINA Michelin, 1845

Clypeina parvula Carozzi Plate 6, figure 3

Clypeina parvula CAROZZI, 1 946, p. 24, text-fig. 1.

Description. Transverse section 0.27 mm. in maximum diameter, calcareous, probably showing sporangial chambers surrounding a central canal, diameter of which is 0.10 mm.

Occurrence. This small clypeinid alga was described originally from the Purbeckian of the Swiss Juras. Elliott (1 960,1 968) recorded C. parvula from the Lower Cretaceous (Valanginian) of Iraq and southern Oman. In Lebanon it is found in the Middle Jurassic.

Remarks: Although the fragmentary specimen figured does not correspond in stratigraphic horizon with C. parvula Elliott, it agrees very well morphologically

with the specimens figured by Elliott (1968, pi. 5, figs. 5-6).

Tribe NEOMEREAE Pia, 1920 Genus NEOMERIS Lamouroux, 1816

Neomeris cretacea Steinmann Plate 5, figures 4-5

Neomeris cretacea STEINMANN, 1899, p. 149, text-figs. 14-18.

Description: Cylindrical thallus, 1.24 mm. in diameter, with a hollow central portion from which develop regular whorls of primary branches. Diameter of branches 0.24-0.55 mm.; hollow central portion 0.1 25 mm. in diameter. Wall thickness about 0.11 mm. Pore diameter 0.028-0.030 mm. Sporangia ovoid, 0.06-0.10 mm. in diameter.

Occurrence. The known stratigraphic range of this species is limited to the Upper Cretaceous. It was first described from the Cenomanian of Cerro Escamela in Mexico (Steinmann, 1899). Other records are from the Upper Cretaceous (Cenomanian and Turonian) of Iraq and, questionably, from the uppermost Albian of France. In Lebanon N, cretacea extends from the upper Aptian to the Cenomanian. The most typical specimens are from Cenomanian strata.

Neomeris pfenderae Konishi and Epis Plate 5, figure 6

Neomeris pfenderae KONISHI and EPIS, 1962, p. 70, pl. 1, figs. 1-6.

Description. Based on a single fragment of a cylindrical thallus with a wall thickness of 0.19 mm., possessing pores with a diameter of 0.03 mm.

Occurrence. This species is known from the Lower Cretaceous of Arizona. Questionably comparable specimens have been reported from the Upper Cre- taceous of Morocco, Spain, southern France, Libya and

PLATE 3

1-2 Actinoporellapodolica (Alth) Alth Thin section (slide BE/4A); 1, x60; 2, x36; 1-2, transverse. Kesrouane Limestone, Upper Jurassic, near AaramoOn, Mount Lebanon. Hypotypes 1 6361-1 6362.

3-4 Munieria baconica Deecke Thin sections; 3, x50; 4, x60; 3, longitudinal tangential; 4, oblique longitudinal. 3 (slide BE/4A), Kesrouane Limestone, Upper Jurassic, near Aaramoun, Mount Lebanon; 4 (slide BE/8), lower part of Aptian, Lower Cretaceous, near Qattine, Mount Lebanon. Hypotypes 1 6363-1 6364.

5-8 Pianella dinarica (Radoicic) Praturlon and Radoicic Thin sections; 5, x 100; 6, x36; 7, x48; 8, x125; 5, transverse; 6, longitudinal; 7-8, longitudinal oblique. 5-7 (slide BE/6), lower part of Aptian, Lower Cretaceous, near Qattine, Mount Lebanon; 8 (slide BE/10), Jezzine Limestone, upper part of Aptian, Lower Cretaceous, near El Ghine, Mount Lebanon. Hypotypes 16365-16368.

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India (Konishi and Epis, 1962). The Lebanese specimen comes from Albian strata.

Remarks: Dimensionally and structurally this specimen shows a strong resemblance to the types figured by Konishi and Epis (1 962).

Tribe ACETABULARIEAE Pia, 1920 Genus ACICULARIA d'Archiac, 1843

Acicularia elongata Carozzi Plate 4, figure 12

Acicularia elongata CAROZZI, 1947, p. 13, text-figs. 1-8.

Description. Spicule sections circular or elliptical in shape, 0.12 mm. in diameter; sporangial cavities seven in number with a diameter of 0.022 mm.

Occurrence. Abundant specimens of A. elongata occur in the uppermost Jurassic of the Swiss Jura and Oman. The species is found in the Upper Jurassic of Lebanon.

Remarks. Although this specimen is smaller than typical A. elongata, it falls within the lower size limits

of the species and probably represents a transverse section through the proximal portion of the spicule. This is further supported by the reduced number of sporangial cavities.

Acicularia sp. aff. A. endoi Praturlon Plate 6, figures 1-2

Aff. Acicularia endoi PRATU RLON, 1964, p. 1 89, text-figs. 25-26.

Description: Segments of slightly curved calcareous spicules perforated by numerous rounded openings or as ovoid or circular disks perforated at or near the margin by numerous spherical sporangial cavities. Disk diameter 0.45 mm.; central canal of disk 0.26 mm. in diameter; 12-13 spore cavities with a diameter of about 0.10 mm. around outer margin of disk.

Occurrence: This species was originally described as occurring from the Barremian to the Aptian of Italy (Praturlon, 1964). Its stratigraphic range in Italy was later given by the same author as Albian to Cenomanian.

PLATE 4

1 Salpingoporella carpathica Drag asta n Thin section (slide BE/8), x125; transverse. Lower part of Aptian, Lower Cretaceous, Qattine, Mount Lebanon. Hypotype 1 6369.

2 Salpingoporella sp. Thin section (slide OK/32e), x50; transverse. Jezzine Limestone, upper part of Aptian, Lower Cretaceous, near Ehmej, Mount Lebanon. Hypotype 1 6370.

3 Salpingoporella annulata Carozzi Thin section (slide OK/18g), x50; transverse. Lower part of Kesrouane Limestone, Middle Jurassic, Jabal

Jaj, Mount Lebanon. Hypotype 16371.

4 Salpingoporella sp. Thin section (slide BE/4A), x50; oblique to transverse. Kesrouane Limestone, Upper to Middle Jurassic, AaramoOn, Mount Lebanon. Hypotype 1 6372.

5 Salpingoporella sp. Thin section (slide OK/19c), x50; transverse. Kesrouane Limestone, Middle Jurassic (Bathonian), Jabal

Jaj, Mount Lebanon. Hypotype 1 6373.

6 Carpathoporella sp. Thin section (slide OK/20), x50; oblique to transverse. Kesrouane Limestone, Upper Jurassic (Oxfordian), Jabal Jaj, Mount Lebanon. Hypotype 16374.

7-8 Carpathoporella occidentalis Dragastan Thin section (slide OK/1 3b), x 50; transverse. Lower part of Aptian, Lower Cretaceous, near Ehmej, Mount Lebanon. Hypotypes 1 6375-1 6376.

9-11 Coptocampylodon lineolatus Elliott Thin sections, x 50; transverse. Lower part of Aptian, Lower Cretaceous. 9, 11 (slide Apt/9), near Dlebta; 10 (slide OK/1 3b), near Ehmej, Mount Lebanon. Hypotypes 16377-1 6379.

12 Acicularia elongata Carozzi Thin section (slide OK/20g), x50; transverse. Kesrouane Limestone, Upper Jurassic (Oxfordian), Jabal Jaj, Mount Lebanon. Hypotype 16380.

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In Lebanon material closely resembling A. endoi occurs in Cenomanian strata.

Class RHODOPHYCEAE Ruprecht, 1901 Order CRYPTONEMIALES Schmitz, in Engler, 1 892 Family GYMNOCODIACEAE Elliott, 1955 Genus PERMOCALCULUS Elliott, 1955

Permocalculus ampullaceus Elliott Plate 6, figure 4

Permocalculus ampullacea ELLIOTT, 1959, p. 218, pl. 2, figs. 3-4.

Description: Irregular, cylindrical, segmented thallus, with diameter varying from 1.52 to 2.20 mm. The internal canal is 0.78 mm. in diameter. Wall thickness 0.36 mm.; pores at surface 0.02 mm. in diameter. There are about 30 pores per millimeter.

Occurrence: This gymnocodiacean alga is known from the Lower Cretaceous (Valanginian) of Iraq and the Hauterivian of Algeria. Lebanese specimens are from the higher part of the Upper Jurassic.

Remarks. The name given to this species by Elliott (1959) is incorrect according to Article 23 of the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature. We have therefore corrected the specific epithet so that it agrees grammatically with the generic name.

Permocalculus inopinatus Elliott Plate 6, figures 5-6

Permocalculus inopinatus ELLIOTT, 1956, p. 342.

Description: Fragments of segmented, cylindrical thallus. Wall thickness varies from 0.08 to 0.11 mm.; pores are 0.018-0.030 mm. in diameter. There are about 35-50 pores per millimeter.

Occurrence: In the Middle East P. inopinatus occurs abundantly in the Lower Cretaceous of Iraq, Iran, Hadhramaut and Oman. It is found particularly in Barremian and Aptian strata. In Lebanon it has been noted in the lower Aptian.

Remarks: Very similar to P. irenae structurally but with coarser pores and found in older strata.

Permocalculus irenae Elliott, 1 958 Plate 6, figures 7-8

Permocalculus irenae ELLIOTT, 1958, p. 258, pl. 47, fig. 2; pl. 48, figs. 2-6.

Description: Fragments of segmented, cylindrical, irregular thallus. Pores visible at outer edge of fragments, about 0.017 mm. in diameter.

Occurrence. Fragments of the thallus of this species are common in the Cenomanian and Albian of Iraq, and in the Cenomanian of Iran. Similar fragmentary material occurs frequently in the Cenomanian and Albian limestones of Lebanon.

Family SOLENOPORACEAE Pia, 1927 Genus SOLENOPORA Dybowski, 1878

Solenopora liasica Le Maitre Plate 7, figure 1

Solenopora liasica LE MAITRE, 1937, p. 1 5.

Description: Colony 1.60 mm. in height, showing, in vertical section, vertical or slightly radiating, closely packed cell threads. Cross partitions separating cells in the threads are widely spaced or absent. Cell size in length not available; width of cells 0.044 mm.

Occurrence. This species was originally described from the Jurassic of Morocco by Le Maitre (1 937). It is found in the Upper Jurassic strata of Lebanon.

Family CORALLINACEAE Lamouroux, emend. Harvey, 1849 Genus LITHOPHYLLUM Philippi, 1837

Lithophyllum(?) shebae Elliott Plate 7, figures 2-3

Lithophyllum(?) shebae ELLIOTT, 1959, p. 220, pl. 1, fig. 7.

Description: Sections of thallus 1.16-3.00 mm. in diameter differentiated into central areas and marginal

PLATE 5

1-3 Macroporellapygmaea (Gumbel) Pia Thin section (slide OK/1 3c), x 50; 1-2, oblique transverse; 3 oblique. Jezzine Limestone, upper part of Aptian, Lower Cretaceous, near Ehmej, Mount Lebanon. Hypotypes 16381-16383.

4-5 Neomeriscretacea Steinmann Thin section (slide 226), x50; 4, longitudinal; 5, oblique. Sannine Limestone, Cenomanian, lower part of Upper Cretaceous, Afqa, Mount Lebanon. Hypotypes 16384-16385.

6 Neomerispfenderae Konishi and Epis Thin section (slide OK/14b), x50; transverse section of wall. Knemiceras Beds, Albian, Lower Cretaceous. near Ehmej, Mount Lebanon. Hypotype 16386.

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lobes. Both regions consist of regularly curved or arched layers of cells. The cells in the central area (hypothallus) are usually not distinct, whereas the cells in the marginal lobes (perithallus) are clearer and more regular. Cells about 0.012-0.026 mm. in height by 0.008-0.009 mm. in width.

Occurrence: This early melobesioid of doubtful generic affinity characteristically occurs in the Barremian and Aptian of Hadhramaut and Iraq. It has also been observed by the present writers in the Aptian of Lebanon, and Saint-Marc (1970) has recorded its stratigraphic range in Lebanon as extending from Aptian to Ceno- manian.

Remarks: The material at hand compares closely with that in the original description.

Lithophyllum is primarily a Cenozoic melobesioid, and the generic status of L. shebae has been questioned by its author, Elliott (1959).

Genus POLYGONELLA ELLIOTT, 1957

Polygonella incrustata Ell iott Plate 7, figures 5-6

Lithoporella melobesioides (Foslie). - ELLIOTT, 1956, p. 327, pl. 2, figs. 8-9. Polygonella incrustata ELLIOTT, 1957, p. 230, pl. 1, figs. 11-12.

Description: Single-layer incrustations of proportionally large cells that are rectangular in vertical section and appear transversely as a polygonal honeycomb pattern. Most common polygonal cell type is pentagonal. Cells 0.120 mm. in height by 0.03-0.04 mm. in width.

Occurrence: Known widely in the Jurassic of the Middle East, this species was first described from the subsurface Jurassic in Oman (Elliott, 1957). It was recorded from the Upper Jurassic of Qatar and Switzerland, and from the (?) Middle and Upper Jurassic of Austria. In Lebanon its occurrence has been noted only in the Upper Jurassic strata. Although typically an Upper Jurassic species, it has been said to occur in the Lower Cretaceous (Aptian) of northern Iraq (Elliott, 1 957).

Family SQUAMARIACEAE Zanardini, 1841 Genus ETH ELIA Weber van Bosse, 1 91 3

Ethelia alba (Pfender) Massieux and Denizot, 1 962 Plate 7, figures 7-8

Pseudolithothamnium album, PFENDER, 1937, p. 303, pl. 19, figs. 1-5. Ethelia alba (Pfender). - MASSIEUXand DENIZOT, 1962, p. 2626, text-figs. 1-2.

Description. Thallus thinly encrusting, constituted of a central mesothallus formed of large elongate cells. Where these cells branch, they may form dichoto- mizing rows of cells of diminishing size. These constitute two perithalli, a smaller one and a larger one. No reproductive organs were seen. In this section, it has been reported that this organism appears in bands 0.200-0.600 mm. in thickness. Cells of the perithallus are about 0.009 mm. in diameter.

Occurrence: The geographic distribution of this algal species includes central and southern Europe, the Middle East and Madagascar. It has a wide stratigraphic range from the Lower Cretaceous (Barremian) to the

PLATE 6

1-2 Acicularia sp. aff. A. endo/i Praturlon Thin section (slide 430), x 50; 1, oblique; 2, transverse. Sannine Limestone, Cenomanian, lower part of Upper Cretaceous, Akoura, Mount Lebanon. Hypotypes 1 6387-1 6388.

3 Clypeina parvula Carozzi Thin section (slide BE/7), xl00; transverse. Orbitolina Beds, Lower Cretaceous, Qattine, Mount Lebanon. Hypotype 1 6389.

4 Permocalculus ampullaceus E ll i ott Thin section (slide OK/20), x50; longitudinal. Kesrouane Limestone, Upper Jurassic, Jabal Jaj, Mount Lebanon. Hypotype 16390.

5-6 Permocalculus inopinatus Ell iott Thin sections, x 50; 5, random section of wall; 6, tangential. 5 (slide Z/17), Jezzine Limestone, upper part of Aptian, Lower Cretaceous, near Zahle, western Beka'a; 6 (slide BE/7), Orbitolina Beds, Lower Cretaceous, Qattine, Middle Jurassic, Chouane, Mount Lebanon. Hypotypes 1 6391-1 6392.

7-8 Permocalculusirenae Elliott Thin sections, x 50; 7, tangential; 8, random sections of walls. Sannine Limestone, Cenomanian, lower part of Upper Cretaceous; 7 (slide 138), near Mechmech; 8 (slide 226), near Afqa, Mount Lebanon. Hypotypes 16393-16394.

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Lower Eocene. It has been found in the Upper Cre- taceous (Cenomanian) strata of Lebanon.

DEPOSITORY

All specimens are hypotypes and are deposited in the paleontological collection, Department of Geology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We wish to express our appreciation for assistance in the collection of specimens by Messrs. Saleh Ukla and Abdur-rahim Jauni. Assistance in the preparation of thin sections was provided by Mr. Charles Bridgewood, who also carried out most of the photomicrography.

This research was supported by an Arts and Sciences Research Grant provided by the American University of Beirut.

REFERENCES

ALTH, A. 1878 0 galicyjskich gatunkach skamienialych otwornic rodzaju

Gyroporella Gumb. Akad. Umiejet Krakow, Wydz. Mat. Przyr., Rozpr., vol. 5, pp. 71-112, pls. 6-7.

1881- Die Versteinerungen des Nizniower Kalksteines. Theil 2. 1882 Univ. Wien, Beitr. Pal. Geol. Ost.-Ung., vol. 1, pp. 183-

332, pis. 1 8-29.

BANKS, H. P., et al. 1967 Thallophyta - 1. In Harland, W. B., et al., Eds., The fossil

record. London: Geol. Soc. London, pp. 163-180, text- figs. 1.1-1.2.

CAROZZI, A. 1946 Sur quelques Dasycladac6es du Purbeckien du Jura. Soc.

Phys. Hist. Nat., Geneve, C. R., vol. 63, pp. 24-26, text- fig. 1.

1947 La microf/ore du Purbeckien du Jura. Soc. Phys. Hist. Nat., Geneve, C. R., vol. 64, pp. 13-15, text-figs. 1-8.

1953 D6couverte du genre Salpingoporella dans le Jurassique sup6rieur marin du Grand-Sal/ve (Haute-Savoie). Arch. Sci., Geneve, vol. 6, no. 6, pp. 382-386, text-figs. 1-55.

1955 Dasycladac6es du Jurassique sup6rieur du bassin de Geneve. Eclogae Geol. Helv., vol. 48, no. 1, pp. 32-67, pis. 5-6, text-figs. 1-19.

DEECKE, W. 1883 Ueber einige neue Siphoneen. Neues Jahrb. Min. Geol.

Pal., Jahrg. 1883, vol. 1, pp. 1-14, pl. 1.

DELMAS, M., and DELOFFRE, R. 1962 Un niveau a algues calcaires au passage Albien-C6no-

manien enAquitaine. Rev. Micropal., vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 214- 223, pls. 1-4, text-fig. 1.

DRAGASTAN, 0. 1967 Alga calcaroase in Jurasicul superior si Cretacicul inferior

din Munti Apuseni. Studii si Cercetari, Ser. Geol., vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 441-454, pls. 1-8.

1969 Algues calcaires du Jurassique sup6rieur et du Cr6tac6 inf6rieur de Roumanie. Rev. Micropal., vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 53-62, pls. 1-3.

DUBERTRET, L. 1955 Carte gdologique du Liban au 200,000e. Beyrouth:

pp. 1-74.

1 963 Liban, Syrie: chaine des grands massifs c6tiers et confins g I'est. Paris: Lexique Stratigraphique International, vol. 3, Asie, no. 10, cl. (Liban, Syrie, Jordanie), pp. 7-1 55.

ELLIOTT, G. F. 1955 Fossil calcareous algae from the Middle East. Micro-

paleontology, vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 125-131, pl. 1.

1 956a Further records of fossil calcareous algae from the Middle East. Micropaleontology, vol. 2, no. 4, pp. 327-334, pis. 1-2.

PLATE 7

1 Solenopora liasica Le M aitre Thin section (slide OK/20d), x50; longitudinal. Kesrouane Limestone, Upper Jurassic, Jabal Jaj, Mount Lebanon. Hypotype 16395.

2-3 Lithophyllum( ?) shebae Elliott Thin section (slide OK/209); 2, x50; 3, x66; 2, longitudinal of colony; 3, longitudinal of cell structure. Orbitolina Beds, Lower Cretaceous, Jabal Jaj, Mount Lebanon. Hypotypes 16396-16397.

4 Lithophyllum( ?) sp. Thin section (slide TA/1), x 100; slightly oblique. Hippurites Beds, Turonian, Upper Cretaceous, near Amchite, Mount Lebanon. Hypotype 16398.

5-6 Polygonella incrustata Elliott Thin section (slide OK/20L), x100oo; 5, tangential; 6, longitudinal. Kesrouane Limestone, Upper Jurassic, Jabal Jaj, Mount Lebanon. Hypotypes 16399-16400.

7-8 Ethelia alba (Pfender) Massieux and Denizot Thin section (slide 410), x50; 7, transverse oblique; 8, longitudinal. Sannine Limestone, Cenomanian, lower part of Upper Cretaceous, Akoura, Mount Lebanon. Hypotypes 1 6401-16402.

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1956b Galaxaura (calcareous algae) and similar fossil genera. Washington Acad. Sci., Jour., vol. 46, no. 11, pp. 341-343, text-fig. 1.

1957 New calcareous algae from the Arabian Peninsula. Micropaleontology, vol. 3, no. 3, pp. 227-230, pl. 1.

1 958 Algal debris-facies in the Cretaceous of the Middle East. Palaeontology, vol. 1, pt. 3, pp. 254-259, pls. 45-48, text- fig. 1.

1 959 New calcareous algae from the Cretaceous of Iraq. Rev. Micropal., vol. 1, no. 4, pp. 21 7-222, pis. 1-2.

1 960 Fossil calcareous algal floras of the Middle East with a note on a Cretaceous problematicum, Hensonella cylindrica gen. et sp. nov. Geol. Soc. London, Quart. Jour., vol. 11 5, pt. 3, pp. 217-232, pl. 8.

1963 Problematical microfossils from the Cretaceous and Palaeocene of the Middle East. Palaeontology, vol. 6, pt. 2, pp. 293-300, pls. 46-48.

1 968 Permian to Palaeocene calcareous algae (Dasycladaceae) of the Middle East. British Mus. (Nat. Hist.), Bull., Geol., suppl. 4, pp. 1-111, pls. 1-24, text-figs. 1-1 6.

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GRAMBAST, L. 1 968 Une flore de charophytes du Cr6tace inf6rieur du Proche-

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1964 The Jurassic algae. Colorado Sch. Mines, Quart., vol. 59, no. 2, pp. 1-1 29, pis. 1-45.

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Bibliography and Index of Micropaleontology

Commencing January 1972, a new monthly bibliography will be published by the Micropaleontology Press of the American Museum of Natural History. The Bibliography and Index of Micropaleontology will list current worldwide publications arranged by microfossil groups, accompanied by keyword descriptors which will inform the reader about the kind of organisms cited, how they are described, their geographic and stratigraphic source, and their interpreta- tional use in the paper. An annual subject index will be keyed to the twelve monthly issues.

This specialized bibliography and index is being produced in cooperation with the American Geological Institute's bibliographic staff. AMNH and AGI are jointly preparing citations and indices to current literature on microfossils using parallel keyword conventions and indexing methods. These records are converted to magnetic tape and will be sorted, photocomposed and printed out by AGI's machine system (GEO-REF). The citations will be printed in the same format and graphic quality as the Geological Society of America's monthly bulletin, Bibliographyandlndex of Geology. The Micropaleontology Press expects to publish approximately 300 citations monthly (30 pages) and distribute these to subscribers at a nominal fee. A sample copy of the bibliography and a subscription form is enclosed in the October, 1971, issue of Micropaleontology.

THE EDITORS

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