Türkiye Jeoloji Bülteni

The Paleoecology and Systematic Description of the Large Bentie Foramînîfera (Lepidocyclina Gigas Cushman, Burdigalian) in the Bulanık (Muş), Kadirli (Adana) and Andırın (K. Maraş) Regions

Abstract: This investigation aims at the systematic description of Lepidoeyclina gigas Cuchman, thelargest known from of the Lepidocyclinidae (Foraminifera) family with Central American origin, in addition to its biostratigraphical position and paleoecology in Turkey,The samples related to this species which are located at Muş-Bulanık (Mollababa village), Kadirli(Adana) and Andırın (K, Maraş) regions have large tests consisting of selliforms having 5 cm diameters. Test surface is covered pentagonal lateral chamber traces, The first chamber is microspherical.Neanic chambers are hexagonal - arc type. In axial, section, weak pillar formations and irregular lateralchamber lines are observed.This species exists together with such bentic foraminifera as Lepidocyeylina (Eitlepidina) bridgeiCole, L. (Nephrolepidina) verbeeki (New-Holl), Miogy psinoides dehaarti Van der Vlerk and M, grandipus*tulus Cole in Lower Miocene (Burdigalian) while its stratigraphical leva! in Central America is MiddleUpper Oligocène and in Somali Upper Oligocene-Lo wer Miocene,It is generally observed that, in the same sedim entary rocks that house I» gigas Cushman, thereexist next to it the bentic organism groups formed by kind and species of families such as Miogypsinidae, Lepidocyclinidae, Nummulitidae, Alveolinidae and Peneroplidae, and by forms related to Coelenterata (hermatype), Pelecypoda, Gastropoda, Echino dermata and red algea. These fauna have lived inthe recifal environments of the tropical-subtropical seas of the Burdigalian (Lower Miocene) according tothe Coelënterate (hermatype) and red algea.