Early Berriasian ammonites from the Štramberk Limestone in the Kotouč Quarry (Outer Western Carpathians, Czech Republic)

Abstract

Over 100 ammonites were collected from a block of bedded shallow-water Štramberk Limestone at a new location at the Kotouč Quarry, near Štramberk (Silesian Unit, Czech Republic). Berriaselline neocomitids, including Berriasella jacobi, B. oppeli, Tirnovella allobrogensis, T. cf. allobrogensis, Delphinella consanguinea, Pseudosubplanites cf. grandis and Malbosiceras cf. asper, are the most abundant species in this ammonite association. The olcostephanitid, Spiticeras blancheti, is rare. The index species for the Early Berriasian, B. jacobi, occurs in large numbers. On the basis of the present study, the upper boundary of the stratigraphic range of the Štramberk Limestone in the type area is dated as early Berriasian (ammonite Berriasella jacobi Zone). Ammonites with ages younger than early Berriasian have never been found in the Štramberk area. The deposition of the Štramberk Limestone in the Štramberk area came to an end during that period.