Türkiye Jeoloji Bülteni

Distribution of Loftusia Anatolica Meriç in Neo-Tethys

Abstract: The distribution of Loftusia anatolica MERİÇ which is one of the typical organism of Maastrichtianin the Middle-East and Northeastern Mediterranean regions and principle agents which may play an importantrole on this distribution are discussed.Within the central part of the Neo-Tethyan domain two subzones can be discerned, viz the Middle-East and theNortheast Mediterranean on the basis of species differentiation of Loftusia`s, Loftusia anatolica MERİÇ has beendiscovered in both these subzones. Different Loftusia species and degree of diversity suggest that SE Turkey wasnear the equantor (0-15°N) during the Maastrichtian, whereas northern, western and central Turkey was farthernorth (15-30°N). These results are in good agreement with recent palaeotectonic/palaeogeographic reconstructions ofthe Mediterranean/Middle-East regions.