Santonian ammonite stratigraphy of the Münster Basin, NW Germany

Abstract

The upper Upper Coniacian and Santonian ammonite stratigraphy of the Münster Basin, Westphalia, NW Germany, is described in the context of regional litho-, inoceramid- and sequence stratigraphy. The Sphenoceramus pachti & S. cardissoides Zone, previously regarded as basal Santonian, is placed in the uppermost Coniacian. The Lower Santonian corresponds to the Cladoceramus undulatoplicatus Zone, the lower Middle Santonian to the Cordiceramus cordiformis Zone. The Sphenoceramus pinniformis Zone spans the upper Middle Santonian to the lower Upper Santonian. The succeeding Sphenoceramus patootensiformis Zone corresponds approximately to the Marsupites testudinarius crinoid zone of the upper Upper Santonian. Occurrences of the belemnite Gonioteuthis are discussed. The ammonite occurrences are documented in the context of inoceramid and, where possible, belemnite and crinoid stratigraphy. A Texanites (Texanites) pseudotexanus Zone extends from the uppermost M. subquadratus Zone to the Upper Coniacian/Lower Santonian boundary. The Kitchinites emscheris Zone comprises the Lower and Middle Santonian. The Upper Santonian corresponds to the Boehmoceras arculus Zone. The ammonite faunas are predominately endemic from the Upper Coniacian to the Middle Santonian. Only the Upper Santonian yields supraregional and even global ammonite taxa such as Boehmoceras arculus and B. krekeleri, which co-occur with the widespread crinoids Uintacrinus socialis and Marsupites testudinarius. Sequence boundaries, followed by transgressive pulses, are identified in the uppermost Coniacian, with a subordinate event in the Middle Santonian, the most significant event in the basal Upper Santonian and the last in the Lower Campanian. Ammonite occurrences are clearly related to the sequences recognized.