White Marl is the largest, most intensively inhabited late-precolonial site documented to date for Jamaica. Its size and structural organization suggests that it functioned as a major sociopolitical/economic hub among the increasingly complex chiefdoms in the Greater Antilles. The White Marl artifact assemblage is dominated by massive quantities of ceramics. To address the origin(s) of materials from which White Marl pottery was produced, geochemical and petrographic analyses were conducted on samples of ceramics and nearby sediments. Geochemical and petrographic data were used to constrain the provenance of the pottery using a source-to-sink model. We show that the sediments in the Rio Cobre adjacent to the site originated from the nearby Above Rocks Inlier and that most of the pottery was sourced from these sediments (two geochemical pottery groups). A third pottery group has a distinctive geochemistry from a location outside of the Rio Cobre drainage. Thin sections demonstrate that a recipe of 60% clay and 40% temper was consistently followed in pottery manufacture. Multielement plots are used to distinguish sources and principal component analyses to characterize and link sediments to pottery groups. Integrating geochemical and petrographic analyses of raw sediment and pottery samples in a source-to-sink framework is a powerful way to reconstruct ceramic production strategies and trade-and-exchange networks.

Deformation in specimens of Hibolithes hastatus and Rhopaloteuthis spp. are documented from the upper Callovian Lamberti Zone of the Ogrodzieniec quarry, southern Poland. A specimen with hook-shaped bending is assigned to forma hamata, whereas other specimens with local thickening of the rostrum are assigned to another paleopathy, forma bullata. The absence of any external injury corroborated by high-resolution computed tomography suggests parasitism as the most probably cause for shell deformation. Identification of a specific parasite taxon is, however, hampered by the fact that parasites are typically small-bodied (submillimeter) and generally lack biomineralized hard parts. We argue that different parasites can leave similar traces and taxonomically distant parasites can inflict similar symptoms on their hosts due to convergence in the evolution of host-exploitation strategies. and microtomography offers a non-destructive way to analyze such structures in belemnite rostra. We show that the scan-based evidence provides a clearer picture of the internal structure of the paleopathy and suggests that the Keupp’s classification of paleopathies based only on external features might lead to false inferences of their formational mechanisms.

The Cenozoic of the Americas does not have a zonation based on Larger Benthic Foraminifera (LBF) unlike the Tethys where there is a shallow-water benthic zonation. Although there were faunal exchanges, the different evolutionary patterns between the Americas and the Tethys require separate zonations. We have calibrated LBF, stratigraphic distributions and events in the Americas using calcareous nannoflora (Paleocene-Eocene), planktic foraminifers (Oligocene-Miocene) and published strontium (Sr) isotope values. We define 29 zones spanning the Paleocene to Recent based on changing LBF assemblages and evolving lineages, with some zonal boundaries related to global or local palaeoenvironmental events. This will allow correlation across carbonate platforms in the tropical Americas at a higher resolution than previously possible.

The Mavis Bank iron skarn mineralisation is located within a Paleocene to Eocene rift system typified by terrestrial and marine deposits, and extensive lava flows and subvolcanic intrusions of adakitic composition. Iron occurs primarily as massive, lenticular magnetite bodies at the contact between the intrusions and calcic Fe skarn (metasomatised limestone) which grades into a low-grade marble with disseminated magnetite. Magnetite is also disseminated in shales and lavas located within the main mineralised zones. Skarn mineralogy is poorly developed in both the endoskarn and the exoskarn with only minor occurrence of diopside. Retrograde and alteration minerals, such as epidote, chlorite, and hematite, are more common. Sulphides are rare, highly altered, and dominated by pyrite, pyrrhotite, and minor chalcopyrite. Petrographic analysis, including micro-XRF-EDS mapping of polished thin sections, shows that massive magnetite and calcic Fe skarns have minor disseminated Ti and S phases along with trace amounts of Cu and Co. Scanning electron microscope-backscattered electron (SEM-BSE) imaging of the exoskarn highlights the extent of retrograde alteration and later supergene weathering, and the presence of dissolution and reprecipitation features.The in situ trace element composition of magnetite in massive magnetite and calcic Fe skarn was determined using LA-ICP-MS. The results, when plotted on multi-element and discriminant diagrams, including Ni/(Cr + Mn) vs Ti + V, Ca + Al + Mn vs Ti + V, Ti vs V, and Ti vs Ni/Cr, are generally consistent with the geochemical signatures of skarn deposits worldwide. The mineralogy and trace element signatures suggest that the skarn deposit was formed at relatively shallow levels by low temperature hydrothermal fluids with high fO2 and fS. In addition, delta 18O values of 6.6 and 7.1 parts per thousand obtained from massive magnetite are typical of infiltrative skarns and are consistent with a mixture of magmatic and meteoric water, and limestone oxygen isotope signatures.

The new larger benthic foraminifer, Hanovolepidina browni gen. nov. sp. nov., is described from the Chapelton Formation (mid-Lutetian, middle Eocene, ABZ7) of Jamaica. The genus shows the characteristic transition from a single to double equatorial layer about mid-way across the radius as seen in axial sections that characterises the family Pseudolepidinidae. Equatorial sections show the embryo followed by 4 or 5 spiral rotaliid chambers with the last chamber giving rise to a primary spiral and secondary (counter-) spiral of equatorial chambers. The presence of a long rotaliid stage suggests a more primitive form that Pseudolepidina, and Hanovolepidina gen. nov. differs also from the latter in lacking the extra principal accessory chamber seen in axial section. Hanovolepidina gen. nov. is provisionally suggested as an ancestor of the late Eocene Triplalepidina. The new discovery demonstrates a greater diversity of the family Pseudolpeidinidae in the Caribbean that previously recorded, although occurrences of this family are very restricted stratigraphically suggesting that it may appear in the region due to migration events.

Five species of hippuritid rudist bivalves are recognized from the Dry Hill Formation of Jamaica: the multiple-fold species Barrettia dommeleni Grubic, Whitfieldiella catherinei sp. nov., W. gracilis sp. nov. and Praebarrettia magnifica sp. nov., and the simple hippuritid Torreites tschoppi Mac Gillavry. The Dry Hill Formation is placed in the lower Campanian based on the presence of B. dommeleni, a species that also occurs in Puerto Rico and Cuba. The two species of Whitfieldiella are relatively primitive species and transitional between the lower Campanian W. luceae Mitchell from the Clifton Limestone (Jamaica) and the middle Campanian W. gigas from the Haughton Hall Formation (Jamaica). The presence of two distinct species of Whitfieldiella suggests the existence of at least two separate lineages. Praebarrettia magnifica sp. nov. shows similarities with P. coralli Palmer from the Santonian of Cuba, but is more advanced having moniliform rays. Two separate assemblages of Torreites are recognized: T. tschoppi in the Santonian and lower Campanian and T. sanchezi (Douville) from the lower to middle Campanian. The different species are distinguished on morphological features and using statistical methods. Multiple-fold hippuritid rudists are shown to be useful in the biostratigraphy of the Santonian to Campanian interval in the Americas. (C) 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Abstract Following the break-up of Pangaea, many rifted margins of the Americas became carbonate platforms. During the Cretaceous, these platforms, as well as those associated with volcanic arcs, were populated by rudist bivalves that underwent a major radiation from the Early to Late Cretaceous. Carbonate platform development was episodic with major platforms represented by the Hauterivian to early Aptian, the early to late Albian and the Campanian to Maastrichtian. Different rudist bivalves characterized different phases of platform development. The Hauterivian to Aptian saw the rise of the Rethinae and Caprinidae, and was terminated by Oceanic Anoxic Event 1a (OAE1a). The Albian saw the rise of the Caprinuloideina and Youngicaprininae together with the first radiolitids. The Cenomanian is poorly understood in term of rudist bivalve development and the effects of the Cenomanian–Turonian boundary event (CTBE or OAE2) are not well documented in the Americas. The Turonian to Maastrichtian saw a major radiation at the genus level of the rudists – hippuritids were initially represented by cosmopolitan genera, but through the late Santonian to early Campanian these were replaced by endemic genera. The radiolitids and antillocaprinids also underwent major radiations at this time, and numerous new endemic taxa characterized the carbonate platforms of the Americas. The Cretaceous–Paleogene boundary event decimated the carbonate platforms of the Americas and wiped out the rudist bivalves. Two new radiolitid genera are described: Vermuntia and Thiadensia .

The Mavis Bank magnetite mineralisation located in the Wag Water Belt is the most important of its kind in Jamaica. This iron mineralisation, with associated Cu, Co, and Au, is located within an Eocene rift system typified by terrestrial and marine deposits, and extensive lava flows and subvolcanic intrusions of adakitic composition. The magnetite occurs as massive, discontinuous, lenticular bodies of varying thickness at the contact between these intrusions and limestone beds. Magnetite also occurs in disseminated forms in limestone, shale, and lava flows, which are in the vicinity of these subvolcanic intrusions.A petrographic analysis, including micro-XRF-EDS mapping of polished thin sections, of mineralisation shows that massive magnetite contains only minor amounts of Ti and S along with trace amounts of Cu and Co minerals. Skarn mineralogy is very poorly developed in metasomatised limestone, shale, and lavas. The intrusions (Newcastle Porphyry) are dominated by sericitic and propylitic alteration assemblages. The in situ trace-element composition of the massive magnetite and magnetite from metasomatised limestone was determined using LA-ICP-MS; the results from plotting on several discriminant diagrams, including Ni/(Cr+Mn) vs Ti+V, Ca+Al+Mn vs Ti+V, Ti vs V, and Ti vs Ni/Cr, indicate that both massive magnetite and magnetite in metasomatised limestones are of hydrothermal origin and can be classified as skarns, based on their geochemical signatures. In addition, oxygen isotope analysis of magnetite revealed δ 18 O values of 6.6 and 7.1 ‰, which are values typically associated with infiltrative skarns and are consistent with a mixture of magmatic water and limestone oxygen isotope signatures.

The hippuritid bivalves (Barrettia and Whitfieldiella) from the upper Santonian/lower to middle Campanian limestone members of the Pozas Formation in the Central Igneous Province of Puerto Rico are revised based on material in museum collections and material recovered in the field. Four species are recognised: Barrettia coatesi (Chubb) from the Reves Member; B. dommeleni Grubic (= Barrettia sp. b van Dommelen) from the Botijas Member; and B. monilifera from the Flor de Alba Member. The species B. phillipy Grubic (= Barrettia sp. c of van Dommelen), supposedly from the Reves Member, and B. macgillavryi Grubic (= Barrettia sp. a of van Dommelen), from Cuba, are shown to be synonyms of B. dommeleni. It is also concluded that the material of B. phillipy probably originated from the Botijas Member and not the Reves Member. A single unfigured specimen of Barrettia sp. c is assigned to Whitfieldiella sp. No specimens from the Rio Bauta Member were available for study, and previous identifications of B. coatesi need to be confirmed in future studies. Successive species of Barrettia in the late Santonian to middle Campanian show progressive evolution of various characters, which include: a reduction in the length of the ligament, a change from simple to sub-moniliform to moniliform rays and an increase in the size of the posterior tooth. Scatter plots are used to show the distinction between the genera Whitfieldiella and Barrettia, and the different species of Barrettia. The revision of the ages of the limestone members in the Pozas Formation also enables a revision of the ages of actaeonellid gastropods. Trochactean (Trochatcean) cf. woodsi is probably of late Santonian age; T. (T.) woodsi from the Santonian/Campanian boundary interval into the early Campanian, and T. (Neocylindrites) nelsoni is of late Santonian to middle Campanian age. As a result both hippuritid rudists and actaeonellid gastropods are useful guide fossils for correlating upper Santonian to middle Campanian strata in the Caribbean region. (C) 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The upper Bartonian-Priabonian shallow-marine deposits in the Biga Peninsula (NW Turkey) contain some hyaline larger benthic foraminifers (LBF) with a test architecture similar to 'orbitoidiform' foraminifers, but displaying some distinctive and complex morphological features that are recorded here for the first time. These coarsely porous specimens are characterized by a flat, disc-shaped, fragile, and smooth test with a layer of equatorial chambers/chamberlets, surrounded by poorly developed lateral chamberlets, never forming a discrete layer on either side of the equatorial layer. The nepionic stage is very distinctive because the bilocular embryonic apparatus is followed by a semi-rounded, notably large auxiliary chamber with a characteristic wavy outline, and consecutive cyclical chambers. The cyclical chamber arrangement is later transformed into annular cycles with numerous, complex arcuate- to cup-shaped chamberlets, as observed in equatorial sections. Bigaella orbitoidiformis ozcan, Mitchell, Pignatti, Simmons, and Yucel, n. gen. n. sp., is established for these specimens, and placed within the family Eoannulariidae Ferrandez-Canadell and Serra-Kiel, emended herein. The new genus occurs together with Caudriella Haman and Huddleston and Epiannularia Caudri (both originally established from the American bioprovince) and the genus Linderina Schlumberger (found both in the Tethys and the American bioprovinces), together with other typical Western Tethyan LBFs. A comparison of the new genus with the aforementioned taxa is given. UUID: http://zoobank.org/ab917e30-86d3-4bc2-8115-d17cf75f5d79.

Jamaica has a complex geological history with rocks belonging to the Cretaceous Caribbean Large Igneous Province (CLIP) in the east and Cretaceous oceanic island arc rocks in the centre and west. We present a new geochemical dataset for the CLIP and correlate this dataset and previous datasets using radiolarians and planktic foraminifers to the geological timescale. The palaeontological dating indicates that two phases of plateau activity – ‘main’ phase in the late Turonian-mid Coniacian (c. 92-87 Ma) and an ‘extended’ phase in the Coniacian to mid Campanian (c. 88-75 Ma). These phases are also seen in the Beata Ridge and on the Lower Nicaragua Rise. The geochemistry indicates that both phases are typical large igneous province plateau basalts. The ‘main’ phase has slightly more depleted light rare earth elements than the extended phase, indicating mantle source heterogeneity, and a (Sm/Yb)n >1 indicates a deeper average depth of melting for the ‘main’ phase. The association of the basalts with sediments containing specific microfossil assemblages clearly demonstrates the existence of these two magmatic phases in Jamaica.

We have undertaken a study of the larger benthic foraminifera (LBF) of the Eocene of Jamaica that involved collecting free specimens and calibrating their occurrence against chronostratigraphy using calcareous nannofossils identified from sample splits or adjacent samples. The results have been plotted stratigraphically and allow a detailed zonation of the Eocene (14 zones) to be developed based largely on lepidocyclinids and similar forms. The zonation can be shown to be applicable to the Americas extending from northern South America, to Central America, the Caribbean and southern North America. The LBF biostratigraphy is based on the evolution of various groups. Three zones are recognized in the Ypresian, six zones in the Lutetian, three zones in the Bartonian, and two zones in the Priabonian. In order to classify the LBF we have revised the important groups used for the zonation scheme that occur in the Eocene and figure numerous examples. Our revision rearranges described genera into evolutionary, monophyletic clades to which we give the hierarchy of family and subfamily. We provide remarks on published taxa explaining how they are recognized and describe all the new taxa (two families, one subfamily, four genera and five species). The following families, genera and species are new: Butterliniana gen. nov., Helicosteginidae fam. nov., Helicostegina minor sp. nov., Helicostegina jamaicensis sp. nov., Helicostegina jeannemairae sp. nov., Pseudolepidinidae fam. nov., Orbitoininae subfam. nov., Planorbitoinella gen. nov., Polyorbitoinella gen. nov., Polyorbitoinella lilyfieldensis sp. nov., Orbitoina wrighti sp. nov., and Nephronummulites gen. nov.

ABSTRACTThe middle to upper Eocene mixed carbonate-clastic and siliciclastic deposits of the Şevketiye and Keşan formations in northwest Turkey yielded unique assemblages of larger benthic foraminifera, some displaying a typical orbitoidiform test, not comparable to any known taxa in the Palaeogene of the Neo-Tethys. These specimens with a flat, discoidal test, occasionally with an indistinct central depression, possess a central layer of equatorial chambers/chamberlets displaying a cyclical (orbitoidal) growth pattern and thick lateral layers with numerous chamberlets. The megalospheric embryonic apparatus possesses three small chambers (a triconch, the chambers of which are separated by notably thin walls), followed by a large auxiliary chamberlet. These specimens closely correspond to the genus Caudriella Haman and Huddleston and its type-species Margaritella ospinae (Caudri) that has only previously been reported with confidence from the Caribbean region, notably the type locality within the middle Eocene Punta Mosquito Formation at Margarita Island off Venezuela. Caudriella at its type locality also possesses a trilocular embryonic apparatus, which was incorrectly interpreted as arranged in a rectilinear or slightly curved row. The diagnosis of Caudriella is emended and considering the similarities in their equatorial sections with closely associated Linderina Schlumberger, a comparison of their embryonic-nepionic stages is given from the same deposits in NW Turkey and with those from the middle Eocene of the Sulaiman Range (Pakistan) and Kutch (India). A new record of primitive Caudriella is presented from Jamaica. The palaeobiogeographic distribution of Caudriella is reconsidered, being recorded from both the American/Caribbean and the Western Neo-Tethys bioprovinces. Limited data suggest eastward directed dispersal of the genus, even though this would be counter to most of the prevailing surface currents during the Eocene.

The hippuritid rudist bivalves from the Peters Hill Limestone, Jamaica, Barrettia coatesi (Chubb 1968) and Torreites tschoppi Mac Gillavry1937, are revised. B. coatesi is shown to be a primitive species of Barrettia and similar in development to B. ruseae Chubb 1968 from the Clifton Limestone, Jamaica, but more advanced that an undescribed Barrettia sp. from St Ann's Great River coral bed, Jamaica. T. tschoppi likely represents the youngest specimen of this species that has been figured and is of a larger size than older populations from Curaçao and Cuba. The ages of the different rudist occurrences in Jamaica are correlated to the chronostratigraphy using various criteria that have been suggested for the definition of the Santonian-Campanian boundary. Barrettia sp. is of mid to late Santonian age, whereas B. coatesi and B. ruseae might be of latest Santonian or earliest Campanian age depending on the boundary criteria used. Species of Barrettia have potential for dating limestones around the Santonian-Campanian boundary in the Caribbean and Central America.

The lower Campanian (Upper Cretaceous) Clifton Limestone of Jamaica yields three species of hippuritid bivalve: Barrettia ruseae CHUBB, Whitfieldiella luceae sp. nov. and Vaccinites vermunti MAC GILLAVRY, and the plagioptychid: Plagioptychus sp. The hippuritids are described in detail using statistics. Barrettia ruseae is demonstrated to be a more primitive species of Barrettia than B. monilifera WOODWARD or B. multilirata WHITFIELD, and the species Whitfieldiella luceae is shown to be a more primitive species of Whitfieldiella than W. gigas CHUBB. The specimens of Vaccinites from the Clifton Limestone are compared with populations of Vaccinites from elsewhere in the Americas, and five species (probably representing a single evolutionary lineage) are recognized: V. alencasteri sp. nov. (?late Turonian-?Coniacian), V. martini MAC GILLAVRY (probably early to mid Santonian), V. macgillavryi PALMER (probably mid to late Santonian), V. vermunti MAC GILLAVRY (earliest Campanian), and V. temazcali sp. nov. (late early Campanian). The Vaccinites species can be distinguished using statistical techniques. The ages of the Clifton Limestone and the five Vaccinites species are reviewed. This research demonstrates the value of using hippuritids for biostratigraphy in the Upper Cretaceous of the Americas.

This paper provides new data on the Cretaceous geology together with existing data to define four terranes for the Cretaceous of Jamaica. The Northeast Blue Mountain Terrane (NEBMT) contains a shallow-water pile of Campanian basaltic and andesitic lavas interbedded with shallow-water, rudist-bearing limestones. The Southeast Blue Mountain Terrane (SEBMT) contains plume-related basalts attributed to the Caribbean Large Igneous Province (CLIP) of Turonian-Coniacian age overlain by interbedded cherts, limestones and basalts with CLIP affinity of Coniacian-Campanian age; the overlying succession is provisionally attributed to the late Campanian to Maastrichtian. The Western Blue Mountain Terrane (WBMT) contains a suite of Campanian arc rocks intruded by granodiorites which have tectonic contacts with metamorphic rocks (high pressure-low temperate blueschists, amphibolites and greenschists). The Western Jamaica Terrane (WJT) contains a suite of volcanic arc rocks in the Valanginian-Hauterivian, Barremian, Turonian, Santonian to Campanian, and Maastrichtian to Paleocene. These rocks are interbedded with thick to very thick (up to several kilometres) sedimentary sequences which occur at outcrop and in hydrocarbon exploration wells. Three major unconformities are present in the WJT, at the bases of the Crofts Synthem (earliest Campanian), Kellits Synthem (late Campanian to early Maastrichtian) and Yellow Limestone (late Paleocene to early Eocene). The NEBMT and SEBMT are separated from the WBMT and WJT by a NE-SW, left-lateral transform fault that defined the edge of the Caribbean Plate from the early(?) Cretaceous to the mid Eocene and allowed the Cuban oceanic arc and eastern Jamaican terranes to be emplaced between the Americas. Metamorphism in the WBMT indicates the existence of a northeasterly dipping subduction zone which allowed the subduction of CLIP lithosphere in the Campanian. Rudist bivalves suggest an affinity between Jamaica and the Siuna (Chortis) and Guerrero (Mexico) terranes in the Lower Cretaceous, suggesting that these arcs were close together. Subsequently, the three unconformities record interactions between the Jamaican arc segment and the Chortis Block and finally the collision with the Jamaican arc segment with the Maya Block in the Paleocene. The petroleum geology of each Cretaceous terrane is reviewed in the context of source and reservoir rocks. Possible source rocks exist in the Jurassic under northern Jamaica, the Albian to Turonian interval, which is associated with oceanic anoxic events, and the Maastrichtian, which contains thin units of organic-rich shales. Reservoirs are largely confined to limestones which preserve porosity in the body chambers of rudist bivalves and which have also been locally dolomitized and fractured (increasing both porosity and permeability). Oil-associated gas seeps present at outcrop, and oil shows of Jurassic and Cretaceous age from exploration wells indicate the existence of active petroleum systems, but not necessarily of economic hydrocarbon accumulations.

Exceptionally well-preserved (silicified) hippuritid rudists occur in the El Rayo Formation (lower Maastrichtian) of south-western Puerto Rico. Three species belonging to three different genera are present: Caribbea muellerreidi (VERMUNT), Laluzia peruviana (GERTH) and Parastroma guitarti (PALMER). Acid digestion of the limestones has resulted in a collection with numerous three-dimensional left and right valves many with the preservation of the minute details of the pore system. The morphological features of each species are described, and many features are illustrated for the first time. The new material, coupled with descriptions from other studies, demonstrates that six genera of endemic hippuritids evolved in two separate radiations in the New World: an older radiation of forms that had pallial canals in their left valves (Barrettia, Whitfieldiella and Parastroma) and a younger radiation of forms lacking pallial canals in their left valves (Laluzia, Caribbea and Praebarrettia). The exquisite preservation also reveals that in these endemic New World hippuritids the sockets for the teeth consisted of slots into which ribs on the teeth fitted; this contrasts with Old World hippuritids that have true sockets formed from upfolds of the tabulae for the teeth. The distinctive morphology of the tooth sockets is here used to define a monophyletic subfamily for which the name Barrettiinae CHUBB is available.