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Taphonomic and diagenetic aspects of the Late Cretaceous Libycoceras ismaeli (Zittel) from Northern Jordan

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Abstract

Taphonomy and diagenesis of the ammonoid Libycoceras ismaeli (Zittel) have been approached in order to interpret the post-mortem depositional history during the Late Cretaceous of Jordan based on the comparative analysis of composition and taphonomy. The Campanian–Maastrichtian Al-Hisa Phosphorite Formation is exposed in northwestern and central Jordan is rich in cephalopods. It consists of alternating thin-bedded limestone, more or less silicified or calcified phosphorite layers, thick- and cross-bedded oyster lumachells, and lenses and layers of minable phosphate. The sphenodiscid ammonite L. ismaeli (Zittel) predominantly occurs in the middle part of this formation. L. ismaeli is associated with different nautiloid and baculitid species. The mode of occurrence of the studied ammonoids suggesting that they are best interpreted to been nektobenthic, not nektoplanktic. Taphonomic and diagenetic studies of transversely sliced specimens were carried out by means of polarizing and scanning electron microscope.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geology and Geophysics Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

    Mahmoud A. Galmed

  2. Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt

    Mohamed F. Aly

  3. Faculty of Earth Scieces, King Abdul Aziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

    Ahmed Smadi

  4. Subsurface Geology Division, Natural Resources Authority, Amman, Jordan

    G. Hassan Abu Azzam

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  1. Mahmoud A. Galmed
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  2. Mohamed F. Aly
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Correspondence to Mahmoud A. Galmed.

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Galmed, M.A., Aly, M.F., Smadi, A. et al. Taphonomic and diagenetic aspects of the Late Cretaceous Libycoceras ismaeli (Zittel) from Northern Jordan. Arab J Geosci 6, 573–583 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-011-0349-9

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