Microproblematic organisms from the Norian–Rhaetian reefal carbonates of Saklıkent, Taurus Mountains, southern Turkey

Abstract

Microscopic organisms with uncertain systematic affinity are referred to in the paleontological literature as microproblematica. Notwithstanding their cryptic biology, some are valuable index fossils for the facies analysis of reefal carbonates. Within reefal carbonates exposed near the town of Saklıkent, Taurus Mountains, southern Turkey, many microproblematic organisms were found in thin-sections. All of these organisms are known from similar Norian–Rhaetian carbonates from other localities of the Tethys. They are briefly described here and their occurrence, abundance, and stratigraphic range, and their importance as facies and index fossils, are discussed, as well as their original interpretation. Some of these microproblematica are described for the first time from the Norian–Rhaetian interval of Turkey. A list of all known Triassic microproblematica, formal and informal taxa, is given as an appendix.