Monte Fallano Plattenkalk
The Monte Fallano Plattenkalk is a geological formation in Italy, dating to roughly between 171 and 165 million years ago, and covering the Bajocian-Bathonian stages of the Middle Jurassic Period in southern Italy. It represents a Fossillagerstätte preserving a diverse assemblage of fossils.[1] DescriptionThe Monte Fallano Plattenkalk was first reported in 1999. It consists of fine-grained, thinly laminated limestone typical of Plattenkalk deposits, exposed in a 3.5-meter-thick section. The formation is part of the Apennine carbonate platform succession, which accumulated in shallow marine environments during the Jurassic.[1] The lithology reflects deposition in shallow water carbonate platform settings, with sedimentological features indicating calm conditions suitable for the preservation of delicate fossils. Biostratigraphic analyses, based on molluscs and other fossils such as Foraminifera, confirm a Middle Jurassic age, specifically spanning the Bajocian to Bathonian stages.[1] Depositional environmentThe depositional environment of the Monte Fallano Plattenkalk is interpreted as a shallow Carbonate platform, likely in a protected lagoonal or restricted marine setting. The fine lamination and excellent fossil preservation suggest low-energy conditions with minimal disturbance, allowing for the accumulation of organic remains from both marine and nearby terrestrial sources. Taphonomic evidence from plant fossils indicates parautochthonous deposition, with material transported short distances from adjacent land areas. The presence of both juvenile and adult decapod crustaceans supports the idea that some species were native to this environment.[1] Due to the low thickness, this formation records a stable biotope, as the floral composition shows little variation throughout the section. Sedimentological data, combined with the characteristics of the decapod crustaceans and fishes, point to depositional processes in shallow marine waters, possibly influenced by nearby emergent lands contributing terrigenous material.[1] BiotaInvertebrates
VertebratesIndeterminate material includes primitive teleosts and indeterminate "ganoid" fishes.[1]
FloraUnidentified flora includes Leaves with parallel venation; long wide and long narrow parallel veined leaves or leaflets, axes & wood fragments.[1]
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