ABSTRACT The taxonomy, phylogeny, and biostratigraphy of Oligocene and early Miocene Paragloborotalia and Parasubbotina are reviewed. The two genera are closely related; Paragloborotalia was derived from Parasubbotina in the early Eocene. Parasubbotina was more diverse during the middle Eocene, while Paragloborotalia experienced considerable diversification during the mid-Oligocene and in the latest Oligocene-earliest Miocene. A significant finding has been the synonymization of Globorotalia ( Tuborotalia ) mendacis Blow, and Turborotalia primitiva Brönnimann and Resig with Globorotalia birnageae Blow. The following species from the time interval of interest are regarded as valid: Paragloborotalia acrostoma (Wezel), Paragloborotalia birnageae (Blow), Paragloborotalia continuosa (Blow), Paragloborotalia incognita (Walters) Paragloborotalia kugleri (Bolli), Paragloborotalia mayeri (Cushman and Ellisor), Paragloborotalia nana (Bolli), Paragloborotalia opima (Bolli), Paragloborotalia pseudocontinuosa (Jenkins), Paragloborotalia pseudokugleri (Blow), Paragloborotalia semivera (Hornibrook), Paragloborotalia siakensis (LeRoy), Parasubbotina hagni (Gohrbandt), and Parasubbotina varianta (Subbotina). Paragloborotalia is a long-lived group of planktonic foraminifera that spanned the early Eocene to late Miocene and provided the root stock for the evolution of multiple smooth, nonspinose, and keeled globorotaliid lineages during the Neogene. The early Oligocene forms of Paragloborotalia (nana, opima, siakensis, pseudocontinuosa ) have 4 or 5 globular chambers in the final whorl with radial spiral sutures and a broadly rounded periphery. A trend from radial to curved spiral sutures is observed in late Oligocene and earliest Miocene lineages. Most species of Paragloborotalia had wide distributions, but some were more common in tropical to warm subtropical waters (e.g., siakensis, kugleri ) and were especially dominant in the equatorial Pacific divergence zone (e.g., nana, opima, and pseudocontinuosa ) analogous to modern tropical upwelling Neogloboquadrina. Other species thrived in cool subtropical and temperate waters (e.g., acrostoma, incognita ).

ABSTRACT The taxonomy, biostratigraphy, and phylogeny of Oligocene Subbotina is discussed and reviewed. We include forms that have teeth extending into the umbilicus. A total of nine species are accepted as distinct, namely Subbotina angiporoides (Hornibrook), Subbotina corpulenta (Subbotina), Subbotina eocaena (Gümbel), Subbotina gortanii (Borsetti), Subbotina linaperta (Finlay), Subbotina minima (Jenkins), Subbotina projecta Olsson, Pearson, and Wade n. sp., Subbotina tecta Pearson and Wade, and Subbotina utilisindex (Jenkins and Orr).

Abstract Studies of foraminifera in Milan are dated back to the 1940s and have been carried out since the 1950s, when a formal course in micropaleontology was introduced within the Masters degree in geology. Since the early days, the school of Milan has conducted landmark research projects from the Mesozoic to the Quaternary with a multidisciplinary approach, contributing to the development of modern biostratigraphy, chronostratigraphy, biochronology and to the definition of the stratotypes, and playing a fundamental role in deep ocean explorations. Over the years, foraminifera, and especially planktonic foraminifera, have been extensively investigated in terms of species diversification and evolution, enhancing their validity for dating and correlating rocks, and their links to palaeoceanographic changes. An overview of the main achievements of the Milan school of micropalaeontology is presented in this paper. Among them are the delineation of the geological evolution of the Mediterranean Sea in the Neogene, including the studies that proved the Late Miocene deep-sea desiccation, the development of an integrated bio-, magneto-, chemo-and cyclostratigraphy that has provided the main basis for the geological timescale used today, and the insights into the evolution of planktonic foraminifera and into the linkages between biotic and chemostratigraphic changes that occurred during times of oceanic dysoxia and extreme climates in the Mesozoic and Palaeogene.

ABSTRACT Globigerinathekids were abundant and diverse through the middle and upper Eocene. Globigerinatheka comprises 11 species, namely G. barri Brönnimann, G. curryi Proto Decima and Bolli, G. euganea Proto Decima and Bolli, G. index (Finlay), G. korotkovi (Keller), G. kugleri (Bolli, Loeblich and Tappan), G. luterbacheri Bolli, G. mexicana (Cushman), G. semiinvoluta (Keijzer), G. subconglobata (Shutskaya), and G. tropicalis (Blow and Banner). Orbulinoides is a monotypic genus comprised solely of the short ranging species O. beckmanni (Saito). In this paper the taxonomy, phylogeny, and biostratigraphy of Globigerinatheka Brönnimann, 1952 (emended Proto Decima and Bolli, 1970) and Orbulinoides Cordey, 1968 (emended Proto Decima and Bolli, 1970) are reviewed.

ABSTRACT In this chapter we treat the taxonomy, stratigraphic distribution and phylogenetic affinities of Eocene muricate, nonspinose species of the genera Astrorotalia, Igorina and Planorotalites. Igorina had an early mid-Paleocene praemuricate ancestry and evolved at about the same time (Zone P3a; early Selandian) as the earliest morozovellids ( praeangulata, angulata); the genus became extinct in Zone E9 (early middle Eocene). Planorotalites pseudoscitula evolved in the latest Paleocene (Zone P5) from a possible morozovellid (? Morozovella occlusa ) ancestry. It evolved into the stellate, peripherally carinate, monospecific, stratigraphically restricted species A. palmerae in Zone E7 (upper lower Eocene). Seven species are recognized and discussed, namely Igorina anapetes (Blow), Igorina broedermanni (Cushman and Bermúdez), Igorina lodoensis (Mallory), Igorina tadjikistanensis (Bykova), Planorotalites capdevilensis (Cushman and Bermúdez), Planorotalites pseudoscitula (Glaessner), and Astrorotalia palmerae (Cushman and Bermúdez). Planorotalites renzi (Bolli) is confirmed as a junior synonym of P. capdevilensis. Our attempts to find an appropriate generic home for ‘ Globigerina lozanoi Colom’ have been unsuccessful for reasons explained below. We assign lozanoi provisionally to Praemurica.

ABSTRACT The taxonomy, phylogeny and biostratigraphy of Eocene Turborotalia is reviewed. A total of nine species are recognized as distinct, namely Turborotalia altispiroides Bermúdez, 1961, Turborotalia ampliapertura (Bolli, 1957), Turborotalia cerroazulensis (Cole, 1928), Turborotalia cocoaensis (Cushman, 1928), Turborotalia cunialensis (Toumarkine and Bolli, 1970), Turborotalia frontosa (Subbotina, 1953), Turborotalia increbescens (Bandy, 1949), Turborotalia pomeroli (Toumarkine and Bolli, 1970), and Turborotalia possagnoensis (Toumarkine and Bolli, 1970). We support the view of Samuel and Salaj (1968) and Toumarkine and Bolli (1970) that Turborotalia frontosa, an enigmatic species that evolved in the early Eocene, was the first true member of the genus. Despite having a more globular morphology, T. frontosa shares several characters with other members of the genus, including its pustulose wall which has a strong tendency to defoliate, and high arched aperture. There is also a complete morphological intergradation between T. frontosa and later species of the genus. Studies of wall texture and ontogeny (Hemleben and Olsson Chapter 4, this volume) reveal the similarity of neanic T. frontosa with adult Globanomalina australiformis, a high latitude species that first evolved in the late Paleocene. We hypothesize that T. frontosa evolved from Globanomalina australiformis by the heterochronic process of hypermorphosis, and hence include Turborotalia in the Family Hedbergellidae.

Abstract Geological interest in Earth’s orbital variations harks back to the discovery of the Pleistocene ice ages in the 1840 by Louis Agassiz, who convinced numerous prominent geologists that the “drift” that covered much of northern Europe was not a relict of the biblical deluge but of a great ice sheet ( Imbrie and Imbrie, 1979 ). What had caused this to happen?

Abstract This work presents a detailed 87 Sr/ 86 Sr isotope curve for the 7.5–9.8 Ma time interval obtained by analyzing isotope compositions of the Orbulina universa planktonic foraminifer species from the Mediterranean Gibliscemi section (southern Sicily). The available astronomical tuning of the section provided the opportunity to assess a direct control of the Milankovitch climate cyclicity on the seawater Sr isotope changes. Results of spectral analysis suggest a linear forcing of the 400 ky eccentricity component on the 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratios of the Mediterranean seawater. The recorded amplitude of Sr isotope 400 ky cycles ranges between ± 5.5 × 10 -5 and ± 6 × 10 -5 around the long-term trend for the Tortonian at global scale. Such a ∆ 87 Sr is of the same order of magnitude of that measured by Capo and DePaolo (1990) and Dia et al. (1991) for the Pleistocene 100 ky glacial-interglacial cycles and about two times larger than that reported for site 758 by Clemens et al. (1993) for the same periodic oscillations. Mass-balance calculations applied to our dataset suggest that periodic changes of about 100–150%in the riverine inputs can account for the amplitude oscillations of 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratios recorded in the Mediterranean during the Tortonian,thus emphasizing the high potential of this basin as good recorder of climate-induced seawater Sr isotope changes.

Abstract High-resolution cyclostratigraphy and calcareous plankton astrobiochronology have been obtained from the latest Langhian to the earliest Tortonian of the Mediterranean. The investigated areas (Malta, Tremiti, and Sicily) are located in different geological settings, and the three studied sections show different cyclicity. Direct correlation between the Laskar 90 (1.1) solution of the insolation curve and the sedimentary cycle pattern occurring in the investigated sections showed that all the sedimentary cycles are forced dominantly by Milankovitch periodicity. This forcing is also reflected in the climate-sensitive data (CaCO 3 content, and the relative abundance of the planktonic foraminifer Globigerinoides ) as shown by the application of spectral and filtering analyses. The calibration provided astronomical ages for all the sedimentary cycles and bioevents recorded in the sections. In particular, an age of 13.59 Ma was obtained for the extinction level of Sphenolithus heteromorphus , which is the best event approximating the Langhian-Serravallian boundary and an age of 10.55 Ma for the first regular occurrence of Neogloboquadrina acostaensis , the event that better approximates the Serravallian-Tortonian boundary in the Tortonian type section.

Abstract Methodology of cyclostratigraphic analysis applied to benthic foraminifera is verified utilizing a faunal and geochemical dataset,from the Middle Miocene Ras il-Pellegrin composite section (Malta Island, central Mediterranean). Benthic data were elaborated by Q-mode varimax principal factor analysis. In this paper, spectral analysis is carried out only on two factors, which have a clear paleoecological significance: Factor 1 (loaded by Cibicidoides ungerianus and Siphonina reticulata ), indicative of oxic bottom waters, and Factor 2 (loaded by Bulimina elongata group), indicative of oxygen-stressed conditions. Results of these analyses show that Factor 1 and Factor 2 curves are,respectively, in and out of phase with maxima of the eccentricity (100 d 400 ky). We utilize the 3D paleocenographic model of Bellanca et al. (2002) as reference for the Middle Miocene Mediterranean circulation and focus our attention on the Mediterranean Intermediate water, characterized by hydrographic and hydrodynamic features similar to those presently recorded in the Levantine Intermediate Water (LIW). Consequently, we suppose that Middle Miocene Mediterranean Intermediate Water, here defined as proto-MIW, played a role similar to that of present Mediterranean Intermediate Water (MIW). Following this hypothesis, Factor 1, which is indicative of oxic bottom waters, is interpreted as a tracer of high production of proto-MIW, during periods of high eccentricity and, probably, precession minima, characterized by coldest winter seasons. These results point out a direct link between selected benthic species, long-term astronomical forcing, and deep-water response and provide a useful tool for astronomical calibration of geologic time and for paleoceanographic reconstructions.

Abstract The mid-Cretaceous (Albian) deep-water sediments (coccolith-globigerinacean marls) of the Umbria-Marche Apennines show complex rhythmic bedding. We integrated earlier work with a time-series study of a digitized and image-processed photographic log of the Piobbico core. A drab facies is viewed as recording normal stratified conditions, and a red facies as the product of downwelling warm saline (halothermal) waters. Both are pervaded by orbital (Milankovitch) rhythms. These reflect fluctuations in the composition and abundance of the calcareous plankton in the upper waters. The drab facies is overprinted by redox oscillations on the bottom, including episodic precessional anaerobic pulses (PAPs). Contrasts between the individual beds representing the alternate phases of the precessional rhythm rose and fell with orbital eccentricity, in the classical pattern of Berger’s climatic precession or precession index curve, varyingly complicated by the obliquity rhythm. We conclude that greenhouse oceans in general, and perhaps this area in particular, were very sensitive to orbital forcing. Our count of 29 406-ky eccentricity cycles yields an Albian duration of 11.8 ± 0.4 My.

Abstract Zircon dates and orbital interpretation of bedding rhythms have yielded very different estimates on the duration of Middle Triassi stages. Recently, a core was drilled in Middle Triassic basin sediments at Seceda (western Dolomites) to directly compare cyclostratigraphy with geochronologic data. Detailed study of facies, sediment sources, and transport mechanisms formed the basis of the statistical analysis of bedding rhythms that are based on a grayscale scan and a gamma-ray well log. Amplitude spectrograms reveal strong frequency components at f = 0.025 cycles/cm in the main nodular limestone interval (92–64 m core depth), corresponding to the dominant 40 cm bedding thickness. Significant spectral differences were found between the grayscale and gamma-ray bedding proxies, placing doubt on the appropriateness of the use of the latter as an effective tool in cyclostratigraphy. In the uppermost part of the succession (59–45 m core depth) calciturbidites constitute more than 50% of the rock volume. If turbidites and tuffs are removed from the rock column, the spectrogram in this interval becomes much smoother and significant peaks appear at higher frequencies. The signals of this pelagic background sedimentation were extracted by bandpass filtering and show strong similarities to Milankovitch cycles in the Quaternary. According to this cyclostrati-graphic interpretation, the dominant 40 cm bedding rhythm was produced by eccentricity, and the average sedimentation rate results in ~3.6 mm/ky. This estimate is in contrast to zircon data from volcaniclastic layers that bracket this core interval and suggest a sedimentation rate of 13.5 mm/ky. As it currently stands, neither of the two interpretations is yet fully satisfactory. Although the presence of orbital variations in the Triassic analogous to those predicted for the last 20 My remains questionable owing the presumed chaotic behavior of the planets, the zircon age data have uncertainties related to their origin that remain unaccounted for and require further investigation.

Abstract Detailed sedimentological and carbon-isotope data have allowed us to propose a high-resolution regional correlation between four Lower Cretaceous carbonate-platform successions, Early Aptian to Early Albian in age, cropping out in the southern Apennines. These successions, formed in open to restricted lagoonal and peritidal-supratidal settings, reveal a high-frequency cyclic recurrence of depositional and early meteoric (karstic and/or pedogenetic) features. The latter are normally superimposed on subtidal deposits, suggesting that the above cyclicity may be linked to sea-level changes. In the studied sections, elementary cycles are grouped into bundles, which in turn are grouped into superbundles. Although bundles and superbundles appear to be related to the Earth’s orbital short-eccentricity and long-eccentricity signal, respectively, elementary cycles seem to record either the precession or a combination of the precession and obliquity periodicity. Moreover, the stacking pattern of the orbitally controlled cycles suggests that they are superimposed on lower-frequency sea-level fluctuations (transgressive-regressive facies trends). The δC curves, established throughout the sections, show the same carbon-isotope pattern as the time-equivalent pelagic strata (two positive carbon-isotope episodes separated by an interval with lower carbon-isotope values). On the basis of this correspondence, and integrating the cyclostratigraphy and the carbon-isotope stratigraphy with the sequence stratigraphy, we propose a high-precision regional correlation and a chronostratigraphic chart and suggest a duration of 7.8 My for the studied interval. Moreover, on the basis of sequence stratigraphy and isotope geochemical criteria, and using our orbital chronostratigraphy as a reference frame, a correlation with current global scales is here proposed.

Abstract A detailed carbon-isotope stratigraphy has been generated from Barremian to Lower Aptian shallow-water carbonate sections in the Campania Apennines (Monte Raggeto, southern Italy). The new isotope curve is correlated with the magnetostratigraphically and biostratigraphically dated pelagic carbon-isotope stratigraphy from the Cismon locality (Southern Alps, northern Italy). All the major positive and negative carbon-isotope excursions that characterize the Barremian and Early Aptian carbon-isotope stratigraphy can be recognized in the shallow-water curve. Cyclostratigraphy, which was established earlier at the Monte Raggeto section, is used as an age calibration tool for the Barremian and Early Aptian isotope stratigraphy. The duration of the isotopically calibrated stratigraphic interval between the top of Chron M3 and the base of Chron M0 is estimated as 4 My. These time calculations are in good agreement with cyclostratigraphic data from the Cismon locality but differ from estimates based on a magnetic anomaly block model for the interval between M3 and M0 that yield only 3 My. We have also calculated that the Selli Level Equivalent (SLE) at the Monte Raggetto locality was deposited within 1.2 My. Our results demonstrate that the combination of chemostratigraphic and cyclostratigraphic studies can contribute significantly to the calibration of the Mesozoic time scale.

Abstract The Berriasian Pierre-Châtel Formation in the Swiss and French Jura Mountains is dominated by shallow-marine carbonates tha overlie lacustrine and marginal-marine sediments with a major transgressive surface. Detailed facies analysis of five sections allows the definition of elementary and small-scale depositional sequences, which commonlexhibit deepening-shallowing trends. Benthic foraminifera and rare ammonites on the platform, as well as a sequence-stratigraphic correlation with a well-dated deeper-water section,furnish the biostratigraphic framework. Thus, the large-scale sequence boundaries below and at the top of the Pierre-Châtel Formation can be correlated with dated boundaries in other European basins. This time constraint and the hie archical stacking pattern on the platform as well as in thebasin suggest that the sea-level fluctuations influencing the formation of the depositional sequences were controlled,at least partly, by Milankovitch cycles. The elementary sequences correspond to the 20 ky precession cycle, and the small-scale sequences to the 100 ky eccentricity cycle. Uncertainties in the definition of sequences exist if facies contrasts are too low to develop clearly marked sequence boundaries or maximum-flooding intervals. Nevertheless, a best-fit solution for the correlation of the small-scale sequences between the studied sections can be proposed. Thelowermost three small-scale sequences of the Pierre-Châtel Formation are analyzed in detail. They are decompacted and correlated on the level of the elementary sequences. Within this relatively precise time frame, the flooding of the Jura platform (following the early Berriasian sea-level lowstand) can be monitored. It is seen that the transgression occurred stepwise: every 20 ky, atransgressive pulse established marine facies farther towards the platform interior. This study demonstrates that the cyclostratigraphical approach makes it possible to construct a narrow time frame, within which the rates of sedimentary, ecological, and diagenetic processes can be evaluated, phases of differential subsidence identified, and the durations of stratigraphic gaps estimated. The complex and dynamic evolution of an ancient carbonate platform can thus be studied with a time resolution of 20 to 100 ky.

Abstract On the basis of cyclostratigraphy and sequence stratigraphy criteria, an orbital chronostratigraphy is hereproposed for the Upper Valanginian-Lower Hauterivian (Lower Cretaceous) stratigraphic interval. For such a purpose two biostratigraphically constrainedcarbonate platform section were measured and sampled at centimeter scale in southern Italy: (1) San Lorenzello, Matese Mountains in theCampania Apennines, and (2) Sferracavallo, Palermo Mountains in northwestern Sicily. The former has a thickness of about 87 m,and thelatter totals about 40 m. Analysis of depositional and early diagenetic features has shown that both the successions are characterized byinternal cyclicity, consistent with orbital (Milankovitch) forcing. This high-frequency cyclicity, in which the elementary cycles areorganized in bundles and in groups of bundles (superbundles), appears to be superimposed on three longer (from ~ 800 ky to ~ 1200 km transgressive-regressive facies trends (T∕RFTs). Whereas the elementary cycles record the precession and∕or the obliquity signal (or a combination of them), the bundles and the superbundles correspond to the short- and long - eccentricity signals (~ 100 ky and 400 ky cycles), respectively. Sequencestratigraphic criteria, used to interpret the superbundles and the T∕RFTs in terms of depositional-sequence equivalents, allowed us to propose chronostratigraphic diagrams of the studied intervals and to attempt regional- to global-scale physical correlations. At regional scale, the Sferracavallo section was correlated, bundle by bundle, with the time-correspondent segment of the San Lorenzello section. The chronostrat igraphic correlation shows that only one main gap, calculated as about 200 ky, occurs in the studied intervals. This allows us to assume that the sedimentary record can be considered quasi -continuous, at least at the superbundle scale (~ 400 ky).The assembled orbital chronostratigraphy suggests that the time recorded in the San Lorenzello and in the Sferracavallo sections is 2.9 and 1.9 My, respectively. At global scale, a physical correlation is proposed with the time-equivalent third-order sequences of Haq et al. 1987 and Jacquin et al. (1998) , taking into account the stratigraphic position of the Valanginian-Hauterivian (Early Cretaceous) boundary in the standard time scales, as well as in our orbital chronostratigraphy. This correlation shows that there is a good agreement between the 2.6 My time duration of the stratigraphic interval spanning from the Valanginian 4 to the Hauterivian 1 sequence boundaries (Jacquin et al., 1998) and the 2.8 My interval estimated on the basis of our orbital chronostratigraphy.

Abstract A 160-m-long section measured in the lagoonal facies of the Middle Triassic Latemar platform (Dolomites, Italy) reveals a set of frequency components that we interpret as a strong Milankovitch signal. In this interpretation, all principal frequencies associated with the theoretical Middle Triassic precession index, P1 = 1/(21.7 ky), P2 = 1/(17.6 ky), and its modulations, E1 = 1/(400 ky), E2 = 1/(95 ky),and E3 = 1/(125 ky), were detected in a time-frequency evaluation of the cycles. A weak obliquity signal is also present in part ofthe section.Thus, the Latemar cycles appear to have recorded the clearest orbital forcing signal yet found in a carbonate platform. This astronomical calibration indicates that the section was deposited in ca. 3.1 My and therefore that the entire Latemar cyclic succession (~470 m) took at least 9 My to form. However, the calibration also leads to serious conflicts with other interpreted geological data: U/Pb radiometric ages of zircons collected from tuffites within theLatemar lagoon and in coeval basinal sediments point to a timescale that is five times shorter than this astronomically calibrated estimate; similar discrepancies arise when the average duration of Triassic ammonoid biozones or the sedimentation rates of coeval basinal series are considered. Nonetheless,all of the methods that have been used to estimate the time of formation of the Latemar platform continue to have shortcomings, and the contradictions among these different geologicalcalibrations remain unresolved.

Abstract An integrated cyclostratigraphic approach was applied to the 460-m-thick succession in the Latemar platform interior. The approach uses new high-resolution cyclostratigraphic data from vertical sections, lateral tracing of physical surfaces over the platform top, new and existing biostratigraphic data, existing isotopic ages from volcanic ash layers, and new spectral analyses in order to develop a genetic cyclostratigraphic model. Hierarchical cycles include meter-scale shallowing-upward microcycles and 2–6 bundled thinning-upward macrocycles. Lateral tracing and correlation of microcycles and macrocycles provides a high-resolution 2D architectural model of the platform interior. The large majority of microcycles and macrocycles is physically persistent over the platform top with only moderate changes in thickness and internal facies. The platform top showed simultaneous vertical aggradation controlled by low-amplitude, high-frequency sea-level changes. Tied-in cyclostratigraphic and biochronostratigraphic data indicate that the 619–701 microcycles in the platform interior include little more than a single ammonoid biozone ( Secedensis Zone), that the total time interval is shorter than 4.10 Ma(average total time interval =1.88 My), and that the interpolated microcycle period is shorter than 5.85 ky (average interpolated microcycle period = 2.68 ky). Microcycles cannot be reconciled with precession forcing but reflect sub-Milankovitch forcing. Spectral analysis is based exclusively on accommodation cycles, which represent the only direct indication of external control on cyclic deposition. Blackman-Tukey spectral, multi-taper spectral, and harmonic analyses indicate highly similar and significant frequencies and amplitudes which are largely stationary over all subsets applied to the cyclic series. Ratios and periods indicative of orbital forcing in the Milankovitch band potentially exist at (very) high significance points with Δ t = 4.2 ky. In the Latemar cyclic succession, basic microcycles represent sub-Milankovitch forcing (4.2 ky), thinning-upward, 2–6 bundled macrocycles short- and long-precession forcing (18, 21 ky), and higher-order cycle bundles short and long obliquity (35, 45 ky) as well as short-eccentricity forcing (95–105 ky). Because of significant latitudinal temperature gradient and seasonal climate differences, the Triassic period held a significant potential for sub-Milankovitch fluctuations in coupled ocean-atmosphere circulation. They probably triggered low-amplitude, high-frequency changes in sea level and controlled the deposition of sub-Milankovitch microcycles. Previous studies of the Latemar carbonate platform favored a model-dependent approach based on smaller cyclostratigraphic datasets from single sections and spectral analyses. The resulting orbital-forcing models could not be reconciled with the existing biochronostratigraphic framework for the Triassic and the Anisian to Ladinian stages. They left a widely noted deep disagreement between biochronostratigraphic and cyclostratigraphic time scales. In contrast, the new forcing model of this study is based on a complete 2D cyclostratigraphic dataset, considers all biochronostratigraphic constraints, and includes time-calibrated spectral analyses. The model reconciles biochronostratigraphic and cyclostratigraphic time scales. The Latemar cyclic series includes the oldest explicit sub-Milankovitch signal and the oldest set of both sub-Milankovitch and Milankovitch signals yet observed in the geologic record.