Original paper

Systematics and biostratigraphy of Alveolina species from the Chah-Bouck section (Eastern Iran zone): Implications for shallow benthic zones of the central Neo-Tethys

Hadi, Mehdi; Benedetti, Andrea; Xi, Dangpeng; Gorgij, Mohammad Nabi; Nasiri, Yaghub; Parandavar, Mohammad; Bayet-Goll, Aram

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Palaeontographica Abteilung A Band 332 Lieferung 1-3 (2026), p. 21 - 49

78 references

published: Mar 17, 2026
published online: Feb 17, 2026
manuscript accepted: Jan 19, 2026
manuscript received: Oct 16, 2025

DOI: 10.1127/pala/0174

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Abstract

This study investigates the biostratigraphy and systematics of Alveolina species from the Chah-Bouck section, situated in the central Neo-Tethys, spanning the upper late Ilerdian to early middle Ilerdian (SBZ6 and SBZ7 = NP10). Thirteen Alveolina species are presented with systematic details for the first time, including Glomalveolina subtilis Alveolina avellana A. avellana bozcaadensis A. decipiens A. dedolia A. aragonensis A. leupoldi A. piper A. montanarii A. cemali A. pasticillata A. subpyrenaica, and Alveolina sp. 1. The biostratigraphic ranges of several species, including G. subtilis A. avellana extend into younger strata compared to the SBZs of the western Neo-Tethys, suggesting a need for revisions in the current SBZ framework. Additionally, A. cemali and A. avellana bozcaadensis, previously considered endemic to Turkey, exhibit broader geographic distributions across the central Neo-Tethys. We also documented some poorly known rotaliids that will require additional taxonomic study on well-preserved specimens. The biostratigraphic data obtained in this study are correlated with calcareous nannofossil biozones, specifically assigning the Alveolina biostratigraphy to the NP10 Zone, contributing to a broader understanding of the lower Eocene of the Neo-Tethys. These findings underscore the importance of continued research to integrate Alveolina biostratigraphy with nannofossil biozones and update the SBZs for more accurate temporal and spatial correlations across the Neo-Tethys.

Keywords

Alveolina • Ilerdian • SBZ • Central Neo-Tethys • Eastern Iran