Abstract
The Binalud Mountains of NE Iran represent the easternmost extension of the Alborz Range. After the Mid-Cimmerian orogenic event and rapid subsidence, the deep marine sediments of the Dalichai Formation were deposited. A well-preserved section of the formation was sampled for palynological purposes. The study revealed diverse and nearly well-preserved dinoflagellate cyst assemblages. Thirty-six dinoflagellate cyst species identified lead to identification of four biozones: Cribroperidinium crispum (Late Bajocian), Dichadogonyaulax sellwoodii (Bathonian to Early Callovian), Ctenidodinium continuum (Early to Late Callovian), and Ctenidodinium tenellum (Early Oxfordian) biozones. The close similarities of dinoflagellate cyst assemblages between Binalud Mountains, NE Iran, with those of Alborz Mountains (Northern Iran) during Middle Jurassic confirm the connection between two sedimentary basins during this time in Iran. Meanwhile, this biozonation corresponds largely to that established in Northwest Europe and reveals the marine connection between NE and North of Iran with Northwest Europe and the Northwestern Tethys during the Late Bajocian to Early Oxfordian.
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Acknowledgments
The authors are greatly indebted to Dr. K. Seyed-Emami of the College of Engineering of the University of Tehran for many discussions on the section studied and ammonites recorded. We also thank J. Rowshanravan, the head of the Geological Survey of Iran, Northeast Territory, for providing facilities during this study.
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Mafi, A., Ghasemi-Nejad, E., Ashouri, A. et al. Dinoflagellate cysts from the Upper Bajocian–Lower Oxfordian of the Dalichai Formation in Binalud Mountains (NE Iran): their biostratigraphical and biogeographical significance. Arab J Geosci 7, 3683–3692 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-013-0976-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-013-0976-4