Upper Barremian−lower Aptian charophyte biostratigraphy from Arrifes section (Algarve Basin, Southern Portugal): correlation with dinoflagellate cyst biostratigraphy

The Arrifes section (Algarve Basin, Southern Portugal) has been studied from the viewpoint of charophyte biostratigraphy. previous sedimentological studies in this showed that it is built interbedding continental and marine facies contain both palynomorphs (pollen, spores, dinoflagellates), providing an excellent sedimentary context to perform direct correlations between domains. In present work, identified biozones have correlated with dinoflagellate previously recognized section, being first time these two biochronologies can be directly correlated. From biostratigraphy viewpoint, assemblages are distinguished. older one found 65 135 m stratigraphic composed species Echinochara lazarii, Atopochara trivolvis var. triquetra, A. trivolvis, Clavator grovesii jiuquanensis, harrisii harrisii, C. reyi, zavialensis. This assemblage belongs upper Barremian–lower Aptian jiuquanensis Eurasian biozone also Ascidiella cruciata-Pseudoglobator paucibracteatus European described beds cyst Subtilisphaera scabrata (lower lowermost Barremian) Odontochitina operculata (from Barremian upwards). younger 155 corrugatus, corrugatus biozone, assigned (Clavator lusitanicus biozone). However, Aptian). correlation base O. operculata, indicates lower Aptian, which slightly than was suggested, extended until middle Albian.