Tarburiconus simplex gen. et sp. nov. (Orbitolinidae) from the upper Maastrichtian Tarbur Formation of SW Iran

Abstract

A new larger benthic foraminifera of the family Orbitolinidae Martin is described as Tarburiconus simplex gen. et sp. nov. from the upper Maastrichtian Tarbur Formation of southwest Iran (Zagros Zone). Differences of Tarburiconus gen. nov. to the Paleocene Fallotella Mangin and the Lower-Upper Cretaceous Paracoskinolina Moullade are discussed. Tarburiconus gen. nov. represents further evidence for an upper Maastrichtian diversification of larger benthic foraminifera, e.g. agglutinated conical taxa, before their extinction at the K-Pg boundary. Tarburiconus gen. nov. is another genus of the Orbitolinidae known only from the Upper Cretaceous Global Community Maturation Cycle (between CT and K-Pg boundaries). © 2022 Elsevier Ltd