Fusulinoids from the Bashkirian–Moscovian transition beds of the Shahreza region in the Sanandaj–Sirjan Zone, Iran

Discovery of Late Mississippian (late Serpukhovian)–Early Pennsylvanian (earliest Bashkirian?) foraminiferal assemblages from the Sanandaj–Sirjan Zone, Iran: Biostratigraphic and palaeoenvironmental implications

“…As Leven and Gorgij ( 2011b ) declared, the Sardar Group unconformably overlies the Shishtu Group and consists of the Ghaleh and Absheni formations, which correspond roughly to the Bashkirian and Moscovian stages. However, the conodont data (Boncheva et al, 2007 ) and the foraminiferal evidence (Fassihi et al, 2017 , 2018 ; this study) show that the stratigraphic range of the Ghaleh Formation is from the upper Serpukhovian–lowermost Moscovian, rather than the Bashkirian. The Ghaleh Formation is composed chiefly of limestone, with argillite, aleurolite, and sandstone intercalations.…”

“…Note that the Asad Abad II section is not the same as the original Asadabad section of Boncheva et al ( 2007 ), but was newly introduced by Fassihi et al ( 2017 ). Owing to the very complicated nature of this area which is the result of the tectonic movements of the Shahreza region, it is very difficult to correlate the original Asadabad section of Boncheva et al ( 2007 ) with the Asad‐Abad II section.…”

“…The presence of Serpukhovian foraminifers in the Sanandaj–Sirjan Zone was first described in preliminary reports by Fassihi et al (2017) and Fassihi and Shirezadeh (2018). The current study exhaustively delineates the Serpukhovian foraminiferal faunas in this tectonic block.…”

“…The age of the Carboniferous interval in this area is mainly determined based on conodonts (Bahrami et al, 2014 ; Boncheva et al, 2007 ). Recently, the age of the Lower–Upper Carboniferous sequence in this tectonic unit has also been substantiated, based on the foraminifera (Fassihi et al, 2014 , 2017 , 2018 , 2020 ; Fassihi & Shirezadeh, 2018 ; Leven & Gorgij, 2008a ).…”

“…Carboniferous marine deposits are widely distributed in the Sanandaj–Sirjan Zone, where the studied biostratigraphic section is located. However, except for a few studies (e.g., Baghbani, 1993; Fassihi, 2017; Fassihi et al, 2017, 2018, 2019; Fassihi & Shirezadeh, 2018; Leven & Gorgij, 2008b), the foraminiferal faunas have not been investigated in detail. The age of the Carboniferous interval in this area is mainly determined based on conodonts (Bahrami et al, 2014; Boncheva et al, 2007).…”