Cretaceous Research最新文献

{"title":"Coniacian (Late Cretaceous) echinoids from the southern Tethyan shelf (NE Algeria) with remarks on their palaeobiology and palaeobiogeography","authors":"Nils Schlüter ,&nbsp;Rafika Slami ,&nbsp;Madani Benyoucef ,&nbsp;Abdelmoumen Garah ,&nbsp;W. James Kennedy ,&nbsp;Ireneusz Walaszczyk","doi":"10.1016/j.cretres.2025.106261","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cretres.2025.106261","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Thirteen echinoid taxa are described from Coniacian marl-limestone alternations in three sections south and east of Djebel Metlili, on the southwestern margin of the Aures Mountains in northeastern Algeria. The biostratigraphic framework, based on ammonites and inoceramids, indicates an early to middle Coniacian age. The identified taxa include: <em>Rachiosoma rectilineatum</em>, <em>Phymosoma tamarinense</em>, <em>P</em>. cf. <em>P. mansour</em>, <em>Gomphechinus meslei</em>, <em>Coenholectypus subcrassus, Parapygus coquandi</em>, <em>Petalobrissus trigonopygus</em>, <em>P</em>. <em>rimula</em>, <em>Hemiaster</em> sp., and <em>Mecaster fourneli</em>. Three new species are described, <em>Orthopsis metliliae</em> sp. nov., <em>Coenholectypus sulcatus</em> sp. nov. and a new genus and species referred to the family Phymosomatoidae, <em>Triboporus luluatus</em> gen. et sp. nov. A large amount of well-documented material, comprising 579 specimens, was collected, with the fauna being dominated by the spatangoid <em>Mecaster fourneli</em>. At the genus level, the fauna exhibits characteristics typical of the Tethyan realm, and includes <em>Rachiosoma</em>, <em>Gomphechinus</em>, <em>Mecaster</em>, <em>Parapygus</em> and <em>Petalobrissus</em>. However, at the species level, most taxa are restricted to Algeria. Some are also found in adjacent countries such as Tunisia and Egypt.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55207,"journal":{"name":"Cretaceous Research","volume":"179 ","pages":"Article 106261"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145579114","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Depositional system transitions and sequence stratigraphic evolution of the Tuscaloosa Group in the Mississippi Embayment, USA: Accommodation space and sediment supply controls","authors":"Husamaldeen Zubi ,&nbsp;Brian F. Platt ,&nbsp;Muneer Abdalla ,&nbsp;Jennifer Gifford ,&nbsp;Belkasim Khameiss","doi":"10.1016/j.cretres.2025.106241","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cretres.2025.106241","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Tuscaloosa Group (Grp), the basal unit of Upper Cretaceous strata in the northern Gulf of Mexico (GoM), formed during the late Cenomanian transgression across the southeastern United States. Despite its significance, comprehensive sequence stratigraphic analyses of the Tuscaloosa Grp within the south-central Mississippi Embayment (MSE) are limited. This study integrates core data, wireline logs, and field observations to characterize its depositional evolution and sequence stratigraphic architecture, delineating stratigraphic surfaces, systems tracts, and depositional sequences, and examining controlling factors. Four third-order sequences were identified from four sequence boundaries, two transgressive surfaces, and three maximum flooding surfaces. Sequence 1 (S1) includes a lowstand systems tract (LST), transgressive systems tract (TST), and highstand systems tract (HST); Sequence 2 (S2) has a TST and HST; Sequence 3 (S3) contains a LST, TST, and HST; and Sequence 4 (S4) includes a LST and TST. S1 comprises fluvial and incised valley deposits (LST), transitioned to deltaic TST during rising sea levels, and culminated in barrier island and shelf HST. S2 features distal shelf TST deposits followed by a prograding deltaic HST. S3 records a full cycle: fluvial LST, retrograding deltaic TST, and progradational deltaic HST. S4 is less developed, with fluvial LST and localized retrograding deltaic TST deposits. The Tuscaloosa's evolution was driven by accommodation space changes and sediment supply. Subsidence of the MSE in the Late Cretaceous may have increased accommodation and facilitated TST formation in the Upper Tuscaloosa. The Appalachian Highlands supplied most sediments, with the Ouachita Highlands as a secondary source.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55207,"journal":{"name":"Cretaceous Research","volume":"178 ","pages":"Article 106241"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145221744","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A new large zalambdalestid mammal from the Gobi Desert and formal stratigraphic description of the Upper Cretaceous Zos Formation","authors":"Michael J. Novacek ,&nbsp;William M. Wolfe ,&nbsp;Maureen A. O'Leary ,&nbsp;Eric M. Roberts","doi":"10.1016/j.cretres.2025.106253","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cretres.2025.106253","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We describe <em>Zoslestes gongori</em>, a new species of non-placental eutherian mammal from Upper Cretaceous rocks of Zos Canyon in the Nemegt Basin of the western Gobi Desert, Mongolia. <em>Zoslestes gongori</em> is the largest known zalambdalestid. The Zos Canyon locality, Red Rum, that yielded the specimen is adjacent to beds that have produced several extinct crocodyliforms and the ornithischian dinosaur <em>Haya griva</em>. We provide the first formal stratigraphic description of these fossiliferous Zos Canyon rocks by naming and describing the Zos Formation for the unit at Red Rum. The Zos Formation has a distinct set of sedimentologic associations that differentiate it from the overlying Djadokhta Formation and also has the only fauna in the Nemegt Basin older than that of the Djadokhta Formation. We consider the Zos Formation roughly comparable in age to the Javkhlant Formation of the Eastern Gobi Desert, and likely older than the Alagteeg Formation of the Ulan Nur Basin.</div><div><em>Zoslestes gongori</em> is known from the holotype, a well-preserved posterior cranium, worn dentition, and fragmentary postcranial elements, and one referred specimen. The referred specimen consists of a damaged anterior skull and dentition, and a fragmentary left mandible with roots and alveoli, including an enlarged tooth resembling the elongate first lower incisor of zalambdalestids. <em>Zoslestes</em> shares several derived features with zalambdalestids, including the presence of a prominent entoglenoid process that, in ventral view, partly conceals the anteriorly-positioned postglenoid foramen, a large maxillary tuberosity, multiple hypoglossal foramina, a large, elongate i1 with a horizontally directed root extending deep within the mandible, lower molars with mesiodistally compressed trigonids and relatively wide talonids, a relatively large P4, and upper molars that are distinctly wider labiolingually than long mesiodistally and that are not interlocked mesiodistally. The significantly large size of <em>Zoslestes</em> and the large contribution of its jugal to the zygomatic process are autapomorphies distinguishing this taxon from other zalambdalestids.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55207,"journal":{"name":"Cretaceous Research","volume":"179 ","pages":"Article 106253"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145520351","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evidence of large pliosaurids in the late Valanginian of Colombia","authors":"Javier García-Guerrero ,&nbsp;Fredy Parra Ruge ,&nbsp;German A. Prieto ,&nbsp;Edwin-Alberto Cadena","doi":"10.1016/j.cretres.2025.106235","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cretres.2025.106235","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The fossil record of Lower Cretaceous pliosaurids, particularly from the Valanginian is still poorly known globally, hindering efforts to reconstruct their evolution and palaeogeographical distribution within a broader time frame. Here, we describe an isolated cervical centrum (14 cm maximum diameter) of a pliosaurid belonging to a Brachaucheniinae gen. et sp. indet., from the Lower Cretaceous (upper Valanginian) Rosa Blanca Formation in Zapatoca, Colombia. The presence of large brachaucheniines in the Rosa Blanca Formation suggests that these large pliosaurids were part of the abundant and diverse fauna that inhabited the northwestern margin of Gondwana during the Early Cretaceous and extends their record in northern South America from the Barremian to the late Valanginian. These pliosaurids potentially acted as top predators in the food chain of lower latitude shallow marine environments. This discovery contributes new data to the taxonomic and chronostratigraphic framework of Early Cretaceous marine reptiles from the Proto-Caribbean domain.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55207,"journal":{"name":"Cretaceous Research","volume":"178 ","pages":"Article 106235"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145159477","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy of the upper Cretaceous to lower Paleocene in Zagros Basin, western Iran","authors":"Noushin Moradi Lirkashasi ,&nbsp;Sakineh Arefifard ,&nbsp;Thomas J. Algeo ,&nbsp;Jonathan D. Schueth","doi":"10.1016/j.cretres.2025.106213","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cretres.2025.106213","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy has been investigated for Upper Cretaceous and lowermost Paleocene deposits in the Garab section located on the northeastern limb of the Kabir Kuh Anticline, Zagros Basin (Iran). The results reveal a relatively complete record that spans the Cenomanian to Danian stages. The base of the section contains <em>Eiffellithus turriseiffelii</em>, implying placement in or above the UC0 Biozone, and the occurrence of <em>Corollithion kennedyi</em> at 68.8 m confirms placement in the Cenomanian. An unconformity is suggested by the missing UC15a-b Biozone in the upper Campanian Gurpi Formation. The Cenomanian/Turonian Boundary (CTB) and Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 (OAE2) is characterized by abundant small taxa including <em>Biscutum constans</em>, <em>Discorhabdus ignotus</em>, and <em>Zeugrhabdotus noeliae</em>, among which the last two taxa are indicators of surface-water fertility during OAE2. The Cretaceous/Paleogene Boundary (KPB) is marked by an increase of abundance of calcareous nannofossils such as <em>Braarudosphaera bigelowii</em> and <em>Neobiscutum</em> spp. and a rapid increase of calcareous dinoflagellates. Our results document high nannofossil productivity during the OAE2, as observed in other Tethyan locations, and rapid turnover and proliferation of disaster taxa such as <em>Braarudosphaera bigelowii</em>, and <em>Neobiscutum</em> spp. at the KPB. These results significantly enhance our understanding of these geological events and suggest that the Garab section is a strong candidate for further study of both the Cenomanian/Turonian boundary and K/Pg boundary.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55207,"journal":{"name":"Cretaceous Research","volume":"178 ","pages":"Article 106213"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145057343","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Macrofauna and stable isotope record of the Jurassic‒Cretaceous transition at the Dedina section (Golubac, eastern Serbia)","authors":"Lucie Vaňková ,&nbsp;Barbara V. Radulović ,&nbsp;Martin Košťák ,&nbsp;Dragoman Rabrenović ,&nbsp;Martin Mazuch ,&nbsp;Dejan Barjaktarović ,&nbsp;Slađana Dušanić","doi":"10.1016/j.cretres.2025.106250","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cretres.2025.106250","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Tithonian‒Berriasian boundary interval at the Dedina section (Serbia) has been evaluated from the perspective of rare invertebrate fossils (excluding ammonites and their aptychi) and stable isotope data obtained from the bulk rock samples (δ¹³C_carb and δ¹⁸O_carb). The majority of the described benthic fauna consists of brachiopods (<em>Lacunosella hoheneggeri</em>, <em>Tropeothyris tychaviensis</em>, <em>Svaljavithyris bilimeki</em> and <em>Helvetella arzierensis</em>); additionally, a single bivalve species <em>Camptonectes</em> (<em>Camptonectes</em>) <em>cottaldinus</em> is present. This fauna occurs predominantly in the uppermost part of the section, corresponding to the middle Berriasian. Rare belemnites (genera <em>Duvalia</em>, <em>Berriasibelus</em>, <em>Tithonobelus</em>, and <em>Hibolites</em>) exhibit a faunal turnover around the boundary between the calpionellid <em>Remaniella ferasini</em> and <em>Calpionella elliptica</em> subzones, where the family Duvaliidae is largely replaced by Belemnopseidae. The stable carbon isotope data are consistent with previously published records from the north-western Tethys, showing typical slightly negative excursions and trends: at the base of the <em>Calpionella alpina</em> Subzone, within the <em>Ferasini</em> Subzone (a well documented negative δ¹³C_carb excursion), and a negative peak within the <em>Elliptica</em> Subzone. The latter may hold potential correlative value but this requires confirmation. The stable oxygen isotope data are more affected by diagenesis, but partially reflect trends observed in other sections and may therefore preserve a palaeoclimatic signal.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55207,"journal":{"name":"Cretaceous Research","volume":"179 ","pages":"Article 106250"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145466985","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Agglutinated foraminifera and calcareous nannoplankton proxies for age determination and paleoenvironmental reconstruction of an Upper Cretaceous succession in the North Sudetic Cretaceous Basin (Germany)","authors":"Richard M. Besen ,&nbsp;Ramona Bălc ,&nbsp;Mădălina-Elena Kallanxhi","doi":"10.1016/j.cretres.2025.106256","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cretres.2025.106256","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The present study presents the findings of a comprehensive analysis of agglutinated foraminifera and calcareous nannoplankton from drill core Spremberg Cu Sp 101/6, situated within the North Sudetic Cretaceous Basin in Germany. These results provide refined biostratigraphic data and contribute to the paleoenvironmental reconstruction for both surface and bottom water conditions in the studied region.</div><div>Several calcareous nannoplankton taxa facilitated the identification of specific biozones, including <em>Eiffellithus eximius</em> (UC8), <em>Micula staurophora</em> (UC10), and <em>Lithastrinus grillii</em> (UC11). Notably, <em>M. staurophora</em> and <em>L. grillii</em> display significantly earlier occurrences when correlated with inoceramid zonation, indicating a diachronous first appearance of these taxa.</div><div>Using cluster analysis, principal component analysis, and taxonomical information, microfossil assemblages suggest that shallower, eutrophic conditions prevailed during the Cenomanian, whereas the Turonian was characterized by less diverse and poorly preserved assemblages. During the Coniacian, calcareous nannofossil assemblages indicate fluctuations between intervals of poor preservation and phases of increased assemblage diversity, probably associated with eutrophic conditions during the early Coniacian. This was followed by a transition to predominantly oligotrophic and deeper conditions during the middle to late Coniacian. Changes in the agglutinated foraminiferal assemblages likely reflect the grade of disturbance of bottom-water conditions mostly controlled by regional subsidence.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55207,"journal":{"name":"Cretaceous Research","volume":"179 ","pages":"Article 106256"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145466987","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Foraminifera and ostracod biostratigraphy of the English Coniacian – Campanian (Upper Cretaceous) Chalk: New results from Seaford Head and correlation to Eastern Europe","authors":"Ian Jarvis ,&nbsp;Zofia Dubicka ,&nbsp;Markéta Chroustová","doi":"10.1016/j.cretres.2025.106215","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cretres.2025.106215","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The uppermost Turonian – lower Campanian Chalk succession at Seaford Head, southern England, is described and the placement of stage and substage boundaries are defined. Previous studies of foraminifera and ostracods in the section are reviewed. New data are provided for 99 samples spanning the full exposed section. Samples yielded abundant well-preserved diverse microfossil assemblages. The stratigraphic distributions of 38 selected stratigraphically important foraminifera species of <em>Gavelinella</em>, <em>Stensioeina</em>, <em>Protostensioeina</em>, <em>Bolivina</em>, <em>Bolivinoides</em>, <em>Pyramidina</em>, <em>Pseudouvigerina</em> and planktonic foraminifera (<em>Contusotruncana, Globotruncana, Marginotruncana</em>), and 40 ostracod taxa are presented. A list of taxa with taxonomic notes and descriptions of five new foraminifera species, <em>Gavelinella praestelligera, G. praethalmanni, G. praetumida, Protostensioeina ukrainica</em> and <em>Stensioeina praeexsculpta</em>, and three informal species, <em>Pyramidina</em> sp. A, B and C is included. Evolutionary lineages of foraminifera genera provide the basis for a refined biostratigraphy that is successfully correlated to Salzgitter-Salder, Germany and Dubivtsi, Ukraine. Records are compared to literature data and benthic foraminifera zonations across northern Europe. However, differing taxonomic concepts of authors hamper comparison with literature data, exemplified by critical review of previous work at Seaford Head. This precludes rigorous assessment of diachronism of marker species, although regional stratigraphic differences in the distribution of the first stensioeinids and representatives of the <em>Gavelinella clementiana</em> group in Europe are apparent. The first detailed ostracod records from the English Coniacian – Campanian are presented. Four new ostracod biozones defined by the lowest occurrences of the index taxa are proposed: <em>Neocythere (Physocythere) virginea</em>; <em>Limburgina senonensis</em>; <em>Phacorhabdotus lonsdaleianus</em>; and <em>Pterygocythere laticristata</em> zones.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55207,"journal":{"name":"Cretaceous Research","volume":"178 ","pages":"Article 106215"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145121162","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A remarkable new genus of Symphrasinae (Neuroptera: Mantispidae) from mid-Cretaceous amber of Myanmar, and the problem of the phylogenetic affinities of Rhachiberothidae","authors":"Vladimir N. Makarkin ,&nbsp;Arnold H. Staniczek","doi":"10.1016/j.cretres.2025.106243","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cretres.2025.106243","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Rhachisymphrasis raehlei</em> gen. et sp. nov. (Neuroptera: Mantispidae: Symphrasinae) is described from mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber. The genus is remarkable for possessing many character states which do not occur in other Symphrasinae: the profemur is slender; the protibia is very short; the lanceolate process of the probasitarsus arises from its tip and is relatively thin; the mesotibia is strongly expanded; and the forewing CuP is shallowly forked. The protarsus of <em>Rhachisymphrasis</em> gen. nov. is rather similar to that of Rhachiberothidae. However, it is unclear whether Rhachiberothidae is phylogenetically closer to Mantispidae or Berothidae. The most plausible hypothesis is that Rhachiberothidae constitute an ancient branch of Mantispoidea leading to Mantispidae (including Symphrasinae), but retaining many character states of Berothidae. The symphrasine affinity of <em>Sinomesomantispa</em> <span><span>Jepson et al., 2013</span></span> from the Lower Cretaceous of China is confirmed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55207,"journal":{"name":"Cretaceous Research","volume":"179 ","pages":"Article 106243"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145242356","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Reptile footprints on a pelagic seafloor as a vestige of a synsedimentary seismic event in the lower Campanian Scaglia Rossa basin of the Umbria-Marche Apennines (Italy)","authors":"Paolo Sandroni ,&nbsp;Nathan S. Church ,&nbsp;Rodolfo Coccioni ,&nbsp;Fabrizio Frontalini ,&nbsp;Maurizio Mainiero ,&nbsp;Alessandro Montanari","doi":"10.1016/j.cretres.2025.106268","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cretres.2025.106268","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A group of free climbers by chance discovered a large number of footprint traces deeply impressed on a vast pelagic limestone slab on the steep northeastern limb of the Monte Cònero anticline, near the city of Ancona (Marche region of central-eastern Italy). The footprints probably represent a stampede of panicking sea turtles that were mobilized <em>en masse</em> by an earthquake. These tracks were subsequently covered by a fluxoturbidite triggered by the same earthquake. The same layer is exposed in a 40-m-thick section along the littoral zone below. This new section provides the ability, through combined bio- and magneto-stratigraphic analysis, to place the footprint layer in the lower Campanian foraminiferal biozone <em>Globotruncanita elevata</em> and the lowermost part of magnetochron C33n. Most of this section comprises calcarenitic and calcilutitic turbidites interbedded with pelagic biomicrites, which witnessed a period of enhanced seismic activity exacerbated by a climate change-driven eustatic sea level fluctuation. Following a review of the sedimentological and tectono-seismic history of the Cretaceous Umbria-Marche paleobasin with particular attention to the Monte Cònero area, we describe and document our integrated stratigraphic analysis of the new section exposed along the northeastern littoral known as La Vela Beach.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55207,"journal":{"name":"Cretaceous Research","volume":"179 ","pages":"Article 106268"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145623594","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}