Biostratigraphy and systematics of late Asselian-early Sakmarian (Early Permian) fusulinids (Foraminifera) from southern Turkey

The Anatolian Platform, which was a part of the Gondwanan Platform, is mainly characterized by carbonate-dominated deposits ranging in age from Devonian to Permian. The biostratigraphy and systematics of a late Asselian-early Sakmarian fusulinid fauna from the Anatolian Platform including Eastern and Central Taurides have been investigated in three sections: Ozbek Hill, Eskibey and Bademli. Twenty-four fusulinid taxa, belonging to twelve genera, were determined in a single fusulinid zone dated as late Asselian-early Sakmarian. Early-middle Asselian fusulinid faunas have not been observed in any of the measured sections throughout the Anatolian Platform. This indicates that lower to middle Asselian deposits are represented by an interval characterized by quartz sandstone overlying upper Gzhelian strata. Five new species (Pseudochusenella anatoliana, Pseudofusulinoides altineri, Pseudofusulinoides convexus, Pseudofusulinoides subglobosus and Pseudofusulinoides vachardi) are described in this study. The Early Permian fusulinid fauna correlates very well with the fauna of other sections in the Palaeotethyan realm (Southern Alps, Central Asia, southern China and Japan).