SELECTED AMMONOID FAUNA FROM PRATI DI STUORES/STUORES WIESEN AND RELATED SECTIONS ACROSS THE LADINIAN-CARNIAN BOUNDARY (SOUTHERN ALPS, ITALY)

The ammonoid fauna of the Prati di Stuores/Stuores Wiesen section (Dolomites, northeastern Italy) was studied in detail. This section was proposed and later adopted as stratotype for the Carnian GSSP, with the first appearance of Daxatina cf. canadensis as primary marker, based on preliminary data. The validity of this proposal is confirmed by the present stud, v, which integrates collections from the Prati di Stuores/Stuores Wiesen section and from others, particularly Bec de Roces (Passo Campolongo) and Antersass (Badia Valley). Ammonoids collected in these localities belong to three biostratigraphic units: regoledanus, canadensis and aon subzones. These subzones Constitute, in the Southern Alps, the Ladinian/Carnian boundary interval. Regoledanus Subzone: tire north American species Zestoceras enode is most probably documented in this biostratigraphic interval here associated with Frankites apertus. Most probably the top of the subzone is characterized by the disappearance Of the genus Protrachyceras. Canadensis Subzone: the base is marked by the first appearance of Daxatina canadensis, and at least, another north American species, Daxatina laubei, seems to be present. Two species of Zestoceras are found: Z. barwicki e Z. lorigae sp. n. Two species of Trachyceras, distinct from T. aon, are represented in the canadensis Subzone: T. muensteri and T. bipunctatum. These species predate the first appearance of Trachyceras, justifying the canadensis Subzone to be included in the Carnian also on the basis of nomenclatural stability. Other significant taxa of this subzone are Rossiceras? armatum and Sirenotrachyceras thusneldae. Aon Subzone: the ammonoid fauna of this subzone is extensively treated in existing literature and thus not further discussed. Taxonomical notes and stratigraphic consequences: the new subfamily Ancilcitinae (family Trachyceratidae) is erected. At present, Frankites regoledanus, F apertus and F sp. A arc recognized in the Southern Alps. The lectotype of Ammonites (Trachyceras?) Regoledanus is defined. The latter species is exclusive of the regoledanus Subzone, whereas the distribution of the two other species encompasses the defined GSSP. The shell morphology of F apertus and the north American species F. sutherlandi is identical. The suture line is also comparable, hence these two species are considered synonyms. This synonymy is relevant for long-distance correlations. The lectotypes Of Trachyceras rutoranum and T. laricum are also defined.