Fusulinids from the Zinnar Formation (lower Permian) of northern Iraq

In the Kurdistan region of northern Iraq the Zinnar Formation (Permian) rests unconformably on rocks of Tournaisian [Lower Carboniferous] age. Certain horizons in the lower part of this formation are rich in fusulinid Foraminifera, and of these, the most common form is here referred to Polydiexodina praecursor, n. sp. In the highest part of the four sections examined, Polydiexodina is accompanied by numerous individuals placed here in 2 species of Pseudoschwagerina. Douglas has described a similar association of genera from southern Iran, but reexamination of some of his material shows that the species are not the same. The wide range of variation in all characters of P. praecursor suggests that this is a primitive form, in which case the occurrence of pseudoschwagerinids may be of zonal significance. Work on the macrofauna of the same beds supports a Lower Permian age. Systematic descriptions are given of 5 species of fusulinids from the Zinnar Formation, of which 2 are new, Polydiexodina praecursor and Pseudoschwagerina contorta, and 2 are probably juvenile. Polydiexodina persica Kahler of Douglas 1936 is redescribed as a new species P. douglasi.

This record provided courtesy of AGI/GeoRef.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				D. Vachard and J. Gaillot EMBRYONIC APPARATI AND PATTERNS OF REPRODUCTION IN EOPOLYDIEXODINA (FUSULINIDA, SCHWAGERINOIDEA, GUADALUPIAN, MIDDLE PERMIAN) Journal of Foraminiferal Research, January 1, 2006; 36(1): 77 - 89. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]