Ornatorotalia ozgenerdemi n. sp. (Ornatorotaliidae, Foraminiferida) from the late Danian (SBZ2) of eastern Turkey

Abstract

The new ornatorotaliid species Ornatorotalia ozgenerdemi n. sp. is erected from the upper Danian shallow-water carbonates of the Becirman Formation, eastern Turkey. The investigated sample is assigned to SBZ2 according to the occurrence of the markers Elazigina dienii and Rotospirella conica. The new species differs from the previously described ornatorotaliids by its smaller size and very small proloculus. Ornatorotalia ozgenerdemi n. sp. is interpreted as an opportunist motile epiphytic foraminifer that possibly thrived on both long- and short-lasting vegetated substrate. It is considered an r-strategist because of lacking of dimorphism and its small size.