Early Priabonian Larger Benthic Foraminifera in the Vicinity of Verona (N Italy)

The rich Eocene larger benthic foraminiferal (LBF) assemblages in the vicinity of Verona have long been well known. However, they are described in detail only from the Ypresian to Bartonian interval. Here, we present the results of our morphometrically based study of Priabonian LBF. The lowermost part of the succession, just above the uppermost occurrence of giant Nummulites (N. biedai), outcrops at Monte Cavro and contains Heterostegina reticulata multifida and Nummulites hormoensis as major constituents. These taxa clearly determine the earliest Priabonian Shallow Benthic Zone (SBZ) 18C. Slightly younger strata can be analyzed in the other three studied exposures on the northern side of Castel San Felice. These beds already represent the early Priabonian SBZ 19A Zone based on the first appearing Spiroclypeus sirottii and the presence of Heterostegina reticulata mossanensis and Nummulites fabianii (replacing H. r. multifida and N. hormoensis, respectively). The most abundant LBF in these beds are the very diverse and well-preserved orthophragmines represented the families Discocyclinidae (genera Discocyclina and Nemkovella) and Orbitoclypeidae (genera Orbitoclypeus and Asterocyclina). They determine the Orthophragmine Zone (OZ) 14. The distinction of six species of the genus Discocyclina (especially that of D. euaensis from D. dispansa) is discussed in detail. The exposures around Castel San Felice are considered as key localities for the SBZ 19A and OZ 14 Zones, containing their key LBF assemblages. Consistently, both orthophragmine and LBF range charts for the late Lutetian to Priabonian are updated.