New records of early Middle Jurassic belemnites in the French Subalpine Basin and their paleobiogeographic significance

A biostratigraphic and systematic study based on belemnites collected along with ammonites was performed on four sections in the Subalpine Basin (SE France): Lac du Castillon and La Baurne (Castellane area), Galabrun and Grand Lara (Gap area). The specimens, originating from hemi-pelagic marllimestone alternations in the lower part of the "Calcaires a Zoophycos" Formation, are dated from Middle Aalenian (Murchisonae Zone) to Lower Bajocian (Humphriesianum Zone). Five belemnite taxa (Megateuthis elliptica, Holcobelus munieri, H. trauthi, Pachybelemnopsis roettingensis, Hibolithes sp.) have been identified, and two more taxa are reported in an open nomenclature (Belemnitida incertae sedis sp. 1 and sp. 2). The biostratigraphic range of the belemnite fauna is established. The new findings contribute to a more detailed understanding of the paleobiogeography of holcobelid belemnites that flourished at the northern margin of the Tethys Ocean and formed a distinct sub-Mediterranean fauna. The association herein described is similar to the fauna of the Calabro-Peloritani Arc (Calabria, Italy), a further hint for the supposed paleogeographic position of the latter during the Middle Jurassic. (C) 2012 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.