The youngest Maastrichtian 'true' inoceramids from the Vijlen Member (Gulpen Formation) in northeast Belgium and the Aachen area (Germany)

Abstract

The youngest representatives of 'true' (= non-tegulated) inoceramid bivalves (Inoceramidae) are described from intervals 3-6 of the Vijlen Member (Gulpen Formation), of late early and early late Maastrichtian age, as exposed at quarries and temporary sections in northeast Belgium (CPL SA-Haccourt and CBR-Lixhe quarries) and the Aachen area (Germany), i.e. the extended type area of the Maastrichtian Stage. In total twelve taxa are recognised from levels which are correlative with the Calcaire à Baculites of Manche (France), as well as with the Tercis les Bains section in southwest France, the Wisla (Vistula) River sections (central Poland) and the Western Interior of the United States. Associated cephalopods allow a detailed correlation between biozones based on those groups and on inoceramid bivalves.