Early Aptian corals from Peñascal (Bilbao, N Spain)

Abstract

From two horizons in the lower Aptian Peñascal limestone Formation south of Bilbao 22 coral species are reported. The corals belong to the scleractinian families Actinastraeidae, Eugyridae, Haplaraeidae, Latomeandridae, and Solenocoeniidae, and the octocorallian family Helioporidae. The stratigraphic distribution of the species lies between the Berriasian to Cenomanian, but most species have a distribution between the Barremian and Albian. The faunas show most palaeobiogeographical relationship to faunas from the Hauterivian to Albian of the European Boreal, the Western Atlantic and the Western Tethys.