Discovery of Llandovery (Silurian) graptolites and probable Devonian corals in the Southalpine Metamorphic Basement of the Eastern Alps (Agordo, NE Italy)

Abstract

We report the discovery of Aeronian (Middle Llandovery) graptolites, and corals of probable Devonian age, in boudins hosted by greenschists, within the Southalpine Metamorphic Basement. These discoveries provide key constraints to the depositional age range of the protoliths. This remarkable occurrence of almost undeformed graptolites and compound corals in boudins within a metamorphic shear zone indicates very marked local strain partitioning.