Biostratigraphic interpretation and systematics of Alveolina assemblages from the Ilerdian-Cuisian limestones of Southern Eskisehir, Central Turkey

The Ilerdian-Middle Cuisian sedimentary succession of the Seyitgazi region, southern Eskisehir (Central Anatolia, Turkey) is composed of claystones, limestones and clayey limestones. It contains abundant benthic foraminifera, particularly species of Alveolina. From this succession, 28 species of Alveolina d'Orbigny are described and their comparative stratigraphic distribution with the Alveolina species in the Tethyan Eocene is documented. Generally, Ilerdian-Cuisian Alveolina assemblages of the Seyitgazi region have close affinities with coeval Alveolina assemblages described in different studies from the Tethyan Province. The Ilerdian unit of the study area is characterized by Alveolina species such as Glomalveolina lepidula, Glomalveolina minutula, G. karsica, Alveolina vredenburgi, A. ellipsoidalis, A. avellana, A. aff. minervensis, A. dedolia, A. moussoulensis, A. subpyrenaica, A. laxa, A. aragonensis, A. varians, A. ilerdensis, A. trempina, A. citrea, A. pisella and A. decipiens. Likewise, the Early Middle Cuisian unit is represented by G. minutula, A. oblonga, A. schwageri, A. haymanensis, A. canavarii, A. aff. coudurensis, A. ruetimeyeri, A. muscatensis, A. cremae, A. bayburtensis and A. lehneri. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.