Ammonite-supported microfossil and nannoconid stratigraphy of the Tithonian-Hauterivian limestones in selected sections of the Branisko Succession, Pieniny Klippen Belt (Poland)

The studied sections of the Tithonian-Hauterivian deposits of the Branisko Succession in the Polish part of the Pieniny Klippen Belt (Figs 1-7) yielded micro-, nanno- and macrofossils, which allowed to elaborate more detailed stratigraphy of these strata, especially in the lowermost Cretaceous interval of the Pieniny Limestone Formation. The calpionellids, radiolarians and other microfossils (mainly calcareous dinoflagellate cysts) were studied in thin sections, whereas the calcareous nannofossils were analysed under SEM. The Berriasian-Hauterivian ammonites are described and illustrated. In the Kapuśnica I section, the Upszar Limestone Member of the Czorsztyn Limestone Formation seems to be exclusively of Tithonian age. At present, the Upper Tithonian deposits of the Crassi- collaria Standard Zone are missing in the studied section. In the Łysonka Klippe, the Lower Berriasian limestones are subdivided on the basis of the Nannoconus assemblages. The ammonites of the Jacobi Zone occur in the limestones of the N. steinmannii steinmannii Zone. In the Kapuśnica I section, the sedimentation rate of the limestones assigned to the Elliptica Subzone was about 1.3 m/Ma. The Oblonga Subzone (sensu lato) coincides with the marly deposition episode in this section; the Łysonka Marl Bed is assigned to the lower interval of this subzone. However, the overall sedimentation rate during the Late Berriasian Oblonga Subzone was low (about ~1.7 m/Ma). Presence of the ammonite Tirnovella otopeta Zone was documented in the Kapuśnica II and Łysonka sections. In the Kapuśnica II section, the minimum value of sedimentation rate of the radiolarian-calpionellid limestones assigned to the Lower Valanginian Calpionellites Zone is about 4.1 m/Ma. The Tintinno- psella Zone of the uppermost Lower Valanginian-Hauterivian is represented by a limestone succe- ssion about 51 m thick. In the Łysonka section, the Upper Valanginian limestones of this zone are probably older than those exposed in the Zaskale section. In the latter section, some ammonites are indicative for the Upper Valanginian Criosarasinella furcillata Zone. In the upper part of the Kapuśnica II section, the limestones of the Tintinnopsella Zone yielded Olcostephanus sp. and Neolissoceras desmoceratoides (Wiedmann) found 4.5 m below the top of this section. These ammonites indicate the Early Hauterivian age of the sparsely fossiliferous limestones. The Upper Hauterivian deposits may be represented in the topmost limestones of the Kapuśnica II section.