Tithonian–Early Valanginian evolution of deposition along the proto-Caribbean margin of North America recorded in Guaniguanico successions (western Cuba)

Comment on “Calpionellid distribution and microfacies across the Jurassic/Cretaceous boundary in western Cuba (Sierra de los Órganos)” by López-Martínez et al. (2013)

“…Moreover, the authors (López-Martínez et al 2013) did not take into account some important arguments, which may not confirm their conclusions, for example, the distribution of ammonites and microfacies documented from other sections in previous publications. Finally, the study of the San Vicente section improves but does not change fundamentally the "good correlation of the Jurassic/Cretaceous Cuban facies with European sections" (López-Martínez et al 2013, Conclusions), established by the results of previous studies (Pop 1976(Pop , 1986Pszczółkowski et al 2005;Pszczółkowski & Myczyński 2010). …”

“…The next claim on page 203 (López-Martínez et al 2013) concerns the presence of juvenile gastropods and the lack, or extreme scarcity, of adult specimens in the Tithonian limestones (Pszczółkowski & Myczyński 2010). The authors (López-Martínez et al 2013), interpret this phenomenon in the San Vicente section "as rather due to taphonomic processes, similar to the interpretations by Fernández-López & Meléndez (1995), than as a consequence of low oxygenation levels".…”

“…27)". Nevertheless, drowning of the carbonate bank had started at the Kimmeridgian-Tithonian boundary (Pszczółkowski 1999;Pszczółkowski & Myczyński 2010). Considering this, the statement of López-Martínez et al (2013), that "in more detailed work it is possible to find a diachronism in the appearance of pelagic conditions" (and so on) is true, but not new (please see Pop 1976and Pszczółkowski 1978, 1981.…”

“…), or alternatively, the authors did not consider them to be important enough to illustrate at least a single specimen of these molluscs. Therefore, it is rather strange that the problem of juvenile gastropods was undertaken in the paper by López-Martínez et al (2013 the Guaniguanico megaunit; their occurrence was interpreted in terms of moderate to poor oxygen levels at the sedimentwater interface (Pszczółkowski & Myczyński 2010). It does not necessarily means "a clear anoxic facies" expected by López-Martínez et al (2013).…”

Reply to the Comment of A. Pszczółkowski on “Calpionellid distribution and microfacies across the Jurassic/Cretaceous boundary in western Cuba (Sierra de los Órganos)” by López-Martínez et al. (2013)

“…As Pszczółkowski (2013) clearly explains, no more detailed description of the unit was made in López-Martínez et al (2013), due to the fact that earlier works characterized the El Americano Member (Houša & Nuez 1972;Pszczółkowski 1978;Myczyński & Pszczółkowski 1990;Pszczółkowski 1999;Cobiella-Reguera & Olóriz 2009;Pszczółkowski & Myczyński 2010;Iturralde-Vinent & Pszczółkowski 2011). Nonetheless, the description in López-Martínez et al (2013) took into account all the necessary aspects for its recognition, including the presence of ammonites and calpionellids; only the attribute "dark-grey to black limestones" was not specified.…”