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 Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 28 (2006) 259–275
www.elsevier.com/locate/jaes

Stratigraphy and ammonite fauna of the upper Shemshak Formation

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(Toarcian–Aalenian) at Tazareh, eastern Alborz, Iran
K. Seyed-Emami a, F.T. Fürsich b,*, M. Wilmsen b, F. Cecca c, M.R. Majidifard d,

co
G. Schairer e, A. Shekarifard a
a
Faculty of Engineering, Tehran University, P.O. Box: 11365-4563, Iran
b
Institut für Paläontologie der Universität, Pleicherwall 1, D-97070 Würzburg, Germany
c
CNRS-UMR 5143 ‘Paléobiodiversité et Paléoenvironnements’, Tour 56-46, 5 ème étage, case 104,
Université Pierre et Marie Curie, 4 place Jussieu, 75252 Paris cedex 05, France
d
Geological Survey of Iran, P.O. Box 131851-1494, Tehran, Iran
e
Bayerische Staatssammlung für Paläontologie und Historische Geologie, Richard-Wagner-Str. 10, D-80333 München, Germany

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Received 6 April 2005; accepted 17 October 2005
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Abstract
With a thickness of 3900 m, the Tazareh section is one of the thickest developments of the Shemshak Formation in the Alborz range. It overlies
with sharp and disconformable contact the limestones and dolomites of the Lower–Middle Triassic Elikah Formation and is topped, again with a
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disconformable contact, by the marls and limestones of the Middle Jurassic Dalichai Formation. The nearly exclusively siliciclastic succession
represents a range of environments, from fluvial channels, flood plains, swamps and lake systems to storm-dominated shelf, and a comparatively
deep marine and partly dysoxic basin. The segment of the section between 2300 and 3500 m is exclusively marine and contains a moderately
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diverse ammonite fauna, ranging from the Middle Toarcian to the Upper Aalenian. The ammonite fauna comprises 21 taxa, among them the new
genus Shahrudites with two new species, Shahrudites asseretoi and S. stoecklini from the Middle Aalenian Bradfordensis Zone. The other
ammonites from the Shemshak Formation at Tazareh (as elsewhere in North and Central Iran) are exclusively Tethyan in character and closely
related to faunas from western and central Europe. An ammonite-based correlation of Toarcian–Aalenian successions of the eastern Alborz with
time-equivalent strata of the Lut Block, part of the Central-East Iranian Microcontinent (ca. 500 km to the south), suggests a strong influence of
synsedimentary tectonics during the deposition of the upper Shemshak Formation.
q 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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Keywords: Iran; Eastern Alborz; Shemshak Formation; Jurassic; Ammonites; Biostratigraphy; Correlation
or

1. Introduction not in accordance with the international stratigraphic guide

lines and which have not been adopted by the National
The Tazareh coal mine is the most important productive Stratigraphic Committee of Iran. Besides, the studies are filed
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coal mine in the eastern Alborz. It is situated north of the main in internal reports, and there exist practically no modern
road from Tehran to Mashhad, about 30 km northeast of the detailed reports on the Shemshak Formation of the eastern
historic town of Damghan and 45 km west of Shahrud (Fig. 1). Alborz, and thus of the Tazareh area.
Au

Because of its economic importance, the Shemshak Formation
of the Alborz range, in the Tazareh area, has been intensively
studied by Iranian and Russian geologists of the National
Iranian Steel Company (Bragin et al., 1976; Repin, 1987). For
their internal use, the geologists of the Steel Company employ
their own lithostratigraphic subdivisions and terms, which are
* Corresponding author. Tel.: C49 931 31 2596; fax: C49 931 31 2504.
E-mail address: franz.fuersich@mail.uni-wuerzburg.de (F.T. Fürsich).
The area under discussion was investigated during May
2004 by a joint Iranian–German–French research team and a
detailed cross-section was measured through the Shemshak
Formation near the Tazareh coal mine (base co-ordinates N
36823 0 73 00 , E 54829 0 54 00 , top co-ordinates N 36826 0 26 00 , E
54829 0 48 00 ). There the Shemshak Formation overlies, with
sharp and disconformable contact, the limestones and
dolomites of the Elikah Formation (Lower–Middle Triassic)
and is followed disconformably by the marls and limestones of

1367-9120/$ - see front matter q 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.jseaes.2005.10.003
260 K. Seyed-Emami et al. / Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 28 (2006) 259–275

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Fig. 1. Locality map with distribution of the Shemshak formation in the central and eastern Alborz Mountains, northern Iran. The Tazareh section is marked with an
arrow.
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Fig. 2. Stratigraphic framework: (A) Upper Triassic to Upper Jurassic lithostratigraphic units in the eastern Alborz Mountains; (B) standard ammonite zones and
subzones of the Toarcian and Aalenian stages (after Elmi et al., 1997; Contini et al., 1997).
 K. Seyed-Emami et al. / Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 28 (2006) 259–275 261

the Dalichai Formation (Middle Jurassic; cf. Fig. 2). With a
thickness of 3900 m, the Tazareh section is one of the thickest
developments of the Shemshak Formation in the Alborz range.
The Shemshak Formation at Tazareh is a nearly exclusively
siliciclastic succession, representing a range of environments,
from fluvial and lacustrine to coastal and fully marine. The
upper 1600 m of the section are fully marine, containing a low
to moderately diverse benthic macrofauna. Ammonites occur
fill of molasse-type basins fed by the rising Cimmerian
mountain chain.
In the Alborz Mountains, this sediment pile has been
designated as Shemshak Formation by Assereto (1966), the
type section of which is located at Shemshak, north of Tehran.
Throughout the mountain range (Fig. 1), thickness and facies
patterns vary considerably, from several hundred metres to
more than 3000 m and from alluvial fans, floodplains, lakes

at several levels and indicate that the marine phase ranged from
the Middle Toarcian to the Upper Aalenian. Of special interest
are some new taxa of Erycitinae (or Hammatoceratinae), which
are described here for the first time.
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and deltas to shallow marine shelf and, rarely, deeper, basinal
environments (e.g. Corsin and Stampfli, 1977; Stampfli, 1978;
Rad, 1986; Repin, 1987; Vollmer, 1987; Fürsich et al., 2005;
Seyed-Emami et al., 2005). Although most of the sedimentary

2. Geological setting and stratigraphy
Sediments of the Upper Triassic to lower Middle Jurassic
Shemshak Group are widespread throughout the Iran Plate, a
major segment of the Cimmerian Microcontinental Collage
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succession is non-marine, marine intercalations, documented
by ammonites, have been recorded from the Late Triassic
(mainly Norian) and Sinemurian to the Early Bajocian (e.g.
Nabavi and Seyed-Emami, 1977; Seyed-Emami, 1985, 1987;
Seyed-Emami and Nabavi, 1985; Repin, 2000; Seyed-Emami
et al., 2005).
In many areas of the Alborz Mountains faulting and folding,

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(Sengör, 1990). This terrane was originally part of north- as well as the partly soft lithology, make it difficult to establish
eastern Gondwana which became detached towards the end of complete sections of the Shemshak Formation. However, in the
the Permian, to move northwards and finally to collide with
on eastern part of the Alborz, near Tazareh, the sedimentary
the Turan Plate (part of Eurasia) towards the end of the succession, from the underlying carbonates of the Elikah
Middle Triassic, or in the early Late Triassic (e.g. Sengör, Formation (Triassic) to the marls and limestones of the
1990; Stampfli et al., 1991; Saidi et al., 1997; Seyed-Emami, overlying Dalichai and Lar formations (Bajocian-Tithonian;
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2003). As a result of this collision, the Palaeotethys Ocean
was closed in this area. This Early Cimmerian Orogeny
caused a distinct facies change in many areas of Iran: Lower–
Middle Triassic platform carbonates (Shotori Formation,
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Figs. 2 and 3), is completely exposed. The nearly 4 km thick
section of the Shemshak Formation at Tazareh was studied by
Chayasteh (1978) and Mohammed-Hassan (1978), with

emphasis on the coal-bearing fluvial-lacustrine middle part of

Elikah Formation) are unconformably overlain by fine- to the formation. Here, we discuss the marine, ammonite-bearing
coarse-grained siliciclastics, often several thousand metres in segment between 2050–3050 m (Toarcian–lower Upper Aale-
thickness. In general, these sediments are interpreted as the nian), which corresponds to the transgressive part of the
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Fig. 3. Field aspects of the Tazareh section: (A) overview of the Tazareh section, view to the NNE from the top of the Triassic Elikah Formation. Only the lower part
of the section up to the ridge-forming Lower–Middle Toarcian sandstones can be seen. The upper, soft-weathering marine upper part of the Shemshak Formation
(Toarcian–Lower Bajocian) is hidden in the strike-parallel valley ((B)) between the Toarcian sandstones and the light-grey cliffs in the background (O3000 m high),
built of limestones of the Callovian–Upper Jurassic Lar formation; (B) detail of the upper part of the Shemshak Formation showing Upper Toarcian–Upper Aalenian
fine-grained siliciclastic sediments of the middle to outer shelf. Note the enormous thicknesses (ca. 500 m).
262 K. Seyed-Emami et al. / Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 28 (2006) 259–275

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Fig. 4. Stratigraphic log of the Toarcian–lower Upper Aalenian part of the Shemshak Formation at Tazareh (2050–3000 m). Ammonite levels 1–9 are indicated
(compare with Table 1).
 K. Seyed-Emami et al. / Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 28 (2006) 259–275 263

transgressive–regressive megacycle recognized by Fürsich 3. Systematic palaeontology

et al. (2005) for the upper (Toarcian–Bajocian) part of the
Shemshak Formation in the eastern Alborz.
The succession starts with a sequence of coastal plain sand-
and siltstones containing root horizons, plant remains and thin,
discontinuous coal seams, as well as first signs of marine
influence (such as the trace fossil Diplocraterion sp. at ca.
2140 m; Fig. 3). From 2210 m onwards, marine inner shelf
In order to keep the systematic chapter short, only a few,
mainly regional synonymies are given. For specimens kept in
open nomenclature, the recommendations of Bengtson (1988)
are followed. The material is housed in the collections of the
Bayerische Staatssammlung für Paläontologie und Geologie,
Munich. The stratigraphic position of the samples is shown in

sediments prevail, containing marine bivalves, gastropods and
trace fossils (Thalassinoides sp.) along with abundant plant
material. At 2410 m, a facies change to sharp-based, hummocky
cross-stratified sandstone beds alternating with strongly
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Fig. 4 (see also Table 1). The following abbreviations were
used to specify the dimensions of specimens: D, diameter in
mm; U, umbilical width as % of diameter; H, whorl height as %
of diameter; W, whorl width as % of diameter.

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bioturbated, fine-grained sand-to siltstones (often with deep
Class Cephalopoda Cuvier, 1798
infaunal bivalves in life position) suggests a storm-influenced
Order Ammonoidea Zittel, 1884
mid-shelf setting (see Fürsich et al., 2005, for details). With this
Superfamily Lytocerataceae Neumayr, 1875
facies change, the first (?Lower–Middle Toarcian) ammonites
Family Lytoceratidae Neumayr, 1875
occur (indeterminable hildoceratids and harpoceratids),
Genus Lytoceras Suess, 1865
accompanied by a moderately diverse association of benthic Lytoceras sp.
macroinvertebrates (dominated by bivalves, with brachiopods,

gastropods, crinoids and serpulids being minor constituents) and
trace fossils (Fig. 3). Up-section, storm influence decreases
whereas the degree of bioturbation increases, suggesting a
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further deepening during the Late Toarcian–Early Aalenian. At
ca. 2850 m, in the upper Lower Aalenian, a change towards
monotonous, bioturbated, olive siltstones with an impoverished
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Fig. 5(14(a) and (b))
Material: One fragment (040513–10) from the lower
Dalichai Formation, 106 m above the top of the Shemshak
Formation (not displayed in Fig. 4).
Description and discussion: The fragmentary lytoceratid has
a circular whorl cross-section and very fine, dense and

benthos suggests deposition in an outer shelf (‘basinal’) setting, radiate ribbing.

prevailing throughout the Middle and early Late Aalenian. Distribution: Upper Bajocian?
Ammonites are relatively common at several levels within the
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Middle Toarcian to lower Upper Aalenian part of the succession Superfamily Hildocerataceae Hyatt, 1867
and are described below. Family Hildoceratidae Hyatt, 1867

Table 1
Ammonite occurrences from the Shemshak Formation at Tazareh

Level Sample Metres Taxa Age

1 – 2410 Indeterminate harpoceratids and hildoceratids (?Early–)Middle Toarcian
's

2 040512–4 2465 Grammoceras cf. thouarsense (d’ Orbigny, 1843) Late Toarcian, Thouarsense Zone
Podagrosites pseudogrunowi Guex, 1975
3 040512–5 2516 Pseudogrammoceras fallaciosum (Bayle, 1878) Late Toarcian, Thouarsense Zone
or

4 040512–8 2618–2679 Dumortieria radiosa (Seebach, 1864), Pleydellia Late Toarcian, Aalensis Zone
(Pleydellia) subcompta (Branco, 1879), Pleydel-
lia (Walkericeras) cf. lugdunensis Elmi and
Rulleau, 1997, Paradumortieria tectiformis Elmi
th

and Caloo-Fortier, 1985

5 040512–18 2693 Leioceras comptum (Reinecke, 1818), Leioceras Early Aalenian, Opalinum Zone, Comptum
paucicostatum Rieber, 1963, Leioceras crassi- Subzone
costatum Rieber, 1963
Au

6 040512–10 2725 Bredyia sp. Early Aalenian, Opalinum Zone

7 040512–15
8 040512–16
9 040512–17
2850 Leioceras comptum (Reinecke, 1818), Leioceras Early Aalenian, Opalinum Zone, Comptum
aff. comptum (Reinecke, 1818), Planammato- Subzone
ceras aff. planinsigne (Vacek, 1886)
2884 Ludwigia sp., Brasilia cf. bradfordensis Middle Aalenian, Bradfordensis Zone
(Buckman, 1881), Planammatoceras aff. planin-
signe (Vacek, 1886), Accardia diadematoides
(Mayer, 1871), Shahrudites asseretoi Seyed-
Emami sp. nov., Shahrudites asseretoi? Seyed-
Emami sp. nov., Shahrudites stoecklini Seyed-
Emami sp. nov., aff. Shahrudites sp.
2935 Graphoceras (Graphoceras) decorum Buckman, Late Aalenian, Concavum Zone
1902
264 K. Seyed-Emami et al. / Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 28 (2006) 259–275

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Fig. 5. Ammonites from the Shemshak Formation at Tazareh (all figures !0.85). Arrows indicate onset of body chamber: 1 (a)–(c). Paradumortieria tectiformis
Elmi and Caloo-Fortier, specimen 040512-8/1. 2, 7, 10: aff. Shahrudites sp.; 2 specimen 040512-16/30D; 7. specimen 040512-16/31; 10. specimen 040512-16/22. 3
Leioceras paucicostatum Rieber, specimen 040512-18/7 (plasticine cast). 4 Ludwigia sp., specimen 040512-16/25. 5, 12, 18. Graphoceras (Graphoceras) decorum
Buckman; 5 specimen 040512-17/5; 12 (a)–(b). specimen 040512-17/4; 18. specimen 040512-17/12. 6 Grammoceras cf. thouarsense (d’Orbigny), specimen
040512-4/1. 8, 16. Accardia diadematoides (Mayer). 8 specimen 040512-16/24; 16. specimen 040512-16/26. 9 Brasilia cf. bradfordensis (Buckman); a. upper
specimen 040512-16/1a, lower specimen 040512-16/1b; b. ventral view of specimen 16/1a. 11. Leioceras crassicostatum Rieber, specimen 040512-18/1. 13.
Pleydellia subcompta (Branco), specimen 040512-8/6 (plasticine cast). 14. Lytoceras sp., specimen 040513-10. 15 a–b. Leioceras aff. comptum (Reinecke),
specimen 040512-15/7. 17. Podagrosites pseudogunowi Guex, specimen 040512-5/12. 19. Leioceras comptum (Reinecke), specimen 040512-15/2. 20.
Pseudogrammoceras fallaciosum (Bayle), specimen 040512-5/12. 21. Dumortieria radiosa (Seebach), specimen 040512-8/2.
 K. Seyed-Emami et al. / Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 28 (2006) 259–275
Subfamily Grammoceratinae Buckman, 1904
Genus Grammoceras Hyatt, 1867
Grammoceras cf. thouarsense (d’Orbigny, 1842)
Fig. 5(6)
cf. *1843 Ammonites thouarsense nov. sp.—d’Orbigny:
222, pl. 57, Figs. 1–3.
Material: A fragmentary and juvenile internal mould
(040512-4/1).
Discussion: the evolute form with strongly falcoid ribbing
resembles the inner whorls of G. thouarsense.
Distribution: Upper Toarcian, Thouarsense Zone.
Genus Podagrosites Guex, 1975
Podagrosites pseudogrunowi Guex, 1975
Fig. 5(17(a) and (b))
*1975 Podagrosites latescens pseudogrunowi subsp. n.—
Guex: 105, pl. 3, figs. 4–8, 11; pl. 4, figs. 1 and 3.
2005 Podagrosites pseudogrunowi Guex, 1975 — Seyed–
Emami et al.: 361, fig. 5(F) and (J).
Material: A fragment of a large specimen (040512-4/2).
Discussion: See Seyed-Emami et al. (2005).
Distribution: Upper Toarcian, Thouarsense Zone.
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Genus Pseudogrammoceras Buckman, 1901
Pseudogrammoceras fallaciosum (Bayle, 1878)
Fig. 5(20)
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*1878 Grammoceras fallaciosum nov. sp.—Bayle: pl. 78,
figs. 1–2.
2005 Pseudogrammoceras fallaciosum (Bayle, 1878)—
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Seyed-Emami et al.: 361, fig. 5(B) and (C).
Material: 12 mostly fragmentary specimens (040512-5/1–12).
Discussion: See Seyed-Emami et al. (2005).
Distribution: Upper Toarcian, Thouarsense Zone.
Family Graphoceratidae Buckman, 1905
Subfamily Dumortieriinae Maubeuge, 1950
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Genus Dumortieria Haug, 1885
Dumortieria radiosa (Seebach, 1864)
Fig. 5(21)
or
*1864 Ammonites radiosus Seebach—Seebach: 142, pl. 9,
fig. 2.
1985 Dumortieria radiosa (Seebach)—Seyed-Emami and
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Nabavi: 254, fig. 4(a) and (b).
Material: A compressed internal mould (040512-8/2).
Discussion: See Seyed-Emami and Nabavi (1985).
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Distribution: Upper Toarcian, Aalensis Zone.
Genus Pleydellia Buckman, 1899
Pleydellia (Pleydellia) subcompta (Branco, 1879)
Fig. 5(13)
*1879 Harpoceras subcomptum n. sp.—Branco: 90, pl. 5, fig.
3, 3(a).
1985 Pleydellia subcompta (Branco)—Seyed-Emami and
Nabavi: 264, figs. 30(a) and (b), 31(a) and (b).
2005 Pleydellia (Pleydellia) subcompta (Branco, 1879)—
Seyed-Emami et al.: 364, fig. 6(E) and (J).
Material: Two external casts (040512-8/5–6).
265
Discussion: See Seyed-Emami and Nabavi (1985): 264).
Distribution: Upper Toarcian, Aalensis Zone.
Pleydellia (Walkericeras) cf. lugdunensis Elmi and
Rulleau, 1991
cf.*1997 Pleydellia (Walkericeras) lugdunensis nom. nov.—
Elmi et al.: 35, fig. 5; pl. 11, fig. 19.
cf. 2001 Pleydellia (Walkericeras) lugdunensis Elmi et
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Rulleau, morphotype delicata Buckman—Rulleau and Elmi:
pl. 18, fig. 6.
2004 Pleydellia (Walkericeras) cf. lugdunensis Elmi et al.,
1997—Seyed-Emami et al.: 84, pl. 1, fig. 8(a) and (b).
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Material: Three compressed fragments (040512-8/3, /4, /7).
Description: Relatively evolute Pleydellia with high-ovate
whorl cross-section and a sharp keel. The ribs are falcoid,
commonly fasciculating towards the umbilicus and curving
strongly forward towards the venter.
Discussion: The fragmentary specimens can be compared with
Pleydellia (W.) lugdunensis (see also Seyed-Emami et al.,
al
2004).
Distribution: Upper Toarcian, Aalensis Zone.
Genus Paradumortieria Elmi and Caloo-Fortier, 1985
Paradumortieria tectiformis Elmi and Caloo-Fortier,
1985 [m]
Fig. 5(1(a)–(c))
*1985 Paradumortieria tectiforme nov. sp.—Elmi and Caloo-
Fortier: 46, pl. 1, figs. 1(a) and (b), 2–7.
2001 Paradumortieria tectiforme Elmi and Caloo-Fortier—
Rulleau and Elmi: pl. 16, fig. 10(b).
Material: One relatively well-preserved internal mould
(040512-8/1).
Dimensions (in mm):
D U H W
27 37 37 29
Description: a relatively evolute form with compressed-
rectangular, slightly tectiform whorl cross-section and a
sharp keel. The ornamentation consists of single, relatively
dense, sharp and falcoid ribs, curving strongly forward on
the ventral side and reaching the keel. A few of the ribs are
paired at the umbilical margin.
Discussion: P. tectiformis is characterized by its small size
(microconch form), sharp ribs, and a rather tectiform whorl
cross-section. From the closely related P. schaireri (Seyed-
Emami) (Seyed-Emami and Nabavi, 1985: 259, figs. 7(a)
and (b), 8(a) and (b) it is distinguished by coarser ribbing
and a comparatively larger adult size.
Distribution: Upper Toarcian, Aalensis Zone, together with
Dumortieria radiosa and Pleydellia subcompta.
Subfamily Leioceratinae Spath, 1936
Genus Leioceras Hyatt, 1867
Leioceras comptum (Reinecke, 1818)
Fig. 5(19(a) and (b))
266 K. Seyed-Emami et al. / Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 28 (2006) 259–275

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Fig. 6. Ammonites from the Shemshak formation at Tazareh, except Fig. 6/17 (all figure !0.85, if not indicated otherwise). 1–5, 7. S. asseretoi Seyed-Emami sp.
nov.; 1. specimen 040512-16/35 (holotype), 1c. x1.2; 2 specimen 040512-16/36 (paratype), 2c. x1.2; 3. specimen 040512-16/34, 3c. x1.2; 4. specimen 040512-16/3;
5. specimen 040512-16/4; 7. specimen 040512-16/38, Fig. 7a. x1.5. 6, 8, 9. S. stoecklini Seyed-Emami sp. nov.; 6. specimen 040512-16/6 (paratype); 6b, c: x1.2; 8.
specimen 040512-16/14 (holotype); 9. specimen 040512-16/5. 10, 11. S. asseretoi? Seyed-Emami sp. nov.; 10. specimen 040512-16/23a (an extremely depressed
and coarsely ribbed specimen); 11. specimen 040512-16/23b (left: extremely depressed and coarsely ribbed specimen) and Planammatoceras sp. (right, impression).
12. Bredyia sp., specimen 040512-10. 13–16. Planammatoceras aff. planinsigne (Vacek). 13. specimen 040512-16/7; 14. specimen 040512-16/30; 15. specimen
040512-16/33; 16. specimen 040512-16/29. 17. Ceccaites cf. sieboldi (Oppel), specimen SE-92-1. Badamu formation at Khorand, SW of Ravar, central Iran.
 K. Seyed-Emami et al. / Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 28 (2006) 259–275
Fig. 7. Whorl sections of Shahrudites Seyed-Emami gen. nov. [m]. 1. S.
asseretoi Seyed-Emami sp. nov. (body chamber of specimen 040512-16/34 at
DZ19 mm, WhZ7 mm). 2. S. stoecklini Seyed-Emami sp. nov. (body
chamber of specimen 040512-16/6 at DZ28 mm, WhZ10 mm).
*1818 Nautilus comptus—Reinecke: 57, pl. 1, figs. 5 and 6.
2005 Leioceras comptum (Reinecke, 1818)—Seyed-Emami
et al.: 368, fig. 7(D) and (J).
Material: Six partly fragmentary specimens (040512-15/2,
/4; 040512-18/4, /8–10).
Dimensions (in mm):
Specimen D U H W
on
15/2 36 22 47 – (f), (g), (m), (n).
Description: The figured specimen (15/2) is a full-grown
Leioceratinae, apparently with the greater part of the body-
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chamber preserved, beginning at DZ20 mm. It is a
moderately involute form with a high-ovate whorl cross-
section and a sharp keel. The umbilicus is narrow, with a
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steep wall and a faint peri-umbilical depression on the
outer half of the preserved whorl. The ribbing on the inner
whorl is relatively coarse, becoming finer towards the
aperture and lastly giving way to falcoid and fasciculate
striae.
Discussion: Considering the great intraspecific variability
of L. comptum, our specimen corresponds well to
's
microconch forms described by Goy and Ureta (1987)
and Henriques and Ureta (in Pavia and Cresta, 2002).
Another very similar specimen is L. (Cypholioceras)
or
comptum bifidatum Buckman (1909: pl. 8, Fig. 2).
Distribution: Lower Aalenian, Opalinum Zone, Comptum
Subzone.
th
Leioceras aff. comptum (Reinecke, 1818)
Fig. 5(15(a) and (b))
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Material: An apparently full-grown Leioceratinae with the
greater part of the body-whorl and original shell (040512-
15/7).
Dimensions (in mm):
Specimen D U H W
15/7 40 25 – w23
Description: Moderately involute Leioceratinae with
compressed high-ovate to lanceolate whorl cross-section
and a sharp keel. The umbilical border up to DZ30 mm
(beginning of the body-whorl) is rounded; later, however,
267
it becomes sharp, with a distinct peri-umbilical
depression. The shallow umbilical wall is steep and
slightly concave. The ribbing on the inner whorl (up to
Dw30 mm) is coarse and anguliradiate (primaries
prorsiradiate, secondaries rursiradiate), looking much
like that of Brasilia and irregularly bifurcating on the
inner third of the flank. On the body-whorl the ribbing
becomes much fainter and falciform. Towards the end of
py
the last whorl the ribbing gives way to fine, falcoid and
fasciculate striae.
Discussion: The described specimen combines some
features of Ludwigia and Leioceras. As already discussed,
co
the ribbing on the inner-whorl strongly resembles that of
Brasilia, but the lanceolate whorl cross-section and the
fine striae on the last whorl are characteristic of the
Leioceratinae, especially of the Leioceras comptum group.
Distribution: Lower Aalenian, Opalinum Zone, Comptum
Subzone.
al
Leioceras paucicostatum Rieber, 1963
Fig. 5(3)
*1963 Leioceras paucicostatum n. sp.—Rieber: 35, pl. 2,
figs. 3–5, 8 and 9; text-figs. 7(b), (e), (f), (k), 15(a), (b),
2005 Leioceras paucicostatum Rieber, 1963—Seyed-
Emami et al.: 368, fig. 7(A).
Material: Four fragmentary specimens (040512-18/2–3, /6–7).
Discussion: See Seyed-Emami et al. (2005).
Distribution: Lower Aalenian, Opalinum Zone, Comptum
Subzone.
Leioceras crassicostatum Rieber, 1963
Fig. 5(11)
Leioceras crassicostatum n. sp.—Rieber (1963): 37, pl. 1, figs.
10–13; fig. 7, diagr. B, K; text-figs. 13(p), 15(r)–(t), 16(o)–(p).
2005 Leioceras crassicostatum Rieber, 1963—Seyed-Emami
et al.: 368, fig. 7(F) and (K).
Material: Three fragmentary specimens (040512-18/1, /5, /11).
Discussion: See Seyed-Emami et al. (2005).
Distribution: Lower Aalenian, Opalinum Zone, Comptum
Subzone.
Subfamily Graphoceratinae Buckman, 1905
Genus Ludwigia Bayle, 1878
Ludwigia sp.
Fig. 5(4)
Material: One fragmentary specimen (040512-16/25).
Dimensions (in mm):
Specimen D U H W
16/25 36 w25 w44 –
Description: A coarsely ribbed, relatively involute Ludwigia
with an ovate whorl cross-section and a high, distinct keel.
The umbilical border is rounded, the umbilical wall steep.
The ribbing is coarse and consists of short, rather bullate and
prorsiradiate primaries, irregularly branching into distinctly
rursiradiate secondaries. Towards the ventral part, the ribs
268 K. Seyed-Emami et al. / Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 28 (2006) 259–275

become slightly broader, curve forward and disappear 2001 Graphoceras (Graphoceras) decorum Buckman—
before reaching the keel. Rulleau and Elmi: pl. 23, fig. 4(a) and (b).
Discussion: The coarse and slightly anguliradiate ribbing is Material: Twelve mostly fragmentary juvenile specimens
reminiscent of some coarsely ribbed Ludwigia of the L. (040512-17/1–12).
haugi/crassa group, such as Ludwigia (L.) crassa Horn, Dimensions:
figured by Rulleau and Elmi (2001: pl. 21, Fig. 3(a) and (b)).
Distribution: Probably Middle Aalenian, upper Murchiso- Specimen D U H W
nae Zone. 17/5 25 24 51 –

Genus Brasilia Buckman, 1898
Brasilia cf. bradfordensis (Buckman, 1881)
Fig. 5(9(a) and (b))
cf.*1881 Harpoceras Murchisonae, var. bradfordiense,
py
Description: Slim, moderately involute Graphoceratinae
with high-ovate to lanceolate whorl cross-section and a
sharp keel. The umbilical border is sharp, with a shallow and

co
S. Buckman—Buckman: 604.
vertical umbilical wall. On larger specimens, a slight peri-
Material: Four small and partly fragmentary specimens umbilical depression is indicated. The ribbing is fine, dense
(040512-16/1a, b, /2, /20). and strongly falcoid. The ribs bifurcate irregularly on the
Dimensions (in mm): inner half of the flank. Many ribs remain undivided. The
suture line is relatively simple and graphoceratid-like.
Specimen D U H W Discussion: The forms, although exclusively juveniles,

al
match well with G. decorum Buckman. The ribbing of our
16/1a 23 29 44 28
specimens closely resembles that of Ludwigia cornu var.
(Rieber, 1963: pl. 7, fig. 14).
on
Description: Moderately involute Graphoceratinae with a Distribution: Upper Aalenian, Concavum Zone.
high-ovate to fastigate whorl cross-section and a distinct,
sharp keel. The umbilical border is sharp, with a narrow Family Hammatoceratidae Buckman, 1887
and vertical wall. The ribbing is relatively fine, dense and Subfamily Hammatoceratinae Buckman, 1887
rs

falcoid. Usually, a slightly stronger and irregularly spaced Genus Planammatoceras Buckman, 1922
rib alternates with one or two finer ribs. The stronger ribs Planammatoceras aff. planinsigne (Vacek, 1886)
irregularly bifurcate shortly above the umbilicus. At the Fig. 6(13–16)
aff.*1886 Hammatoceras planinsigne n. sp.—Vacek: 89, pl.
pe

ventro–lateral border the ribs curve forward and disappear

before reaching the keel, so that a narrow, smooth and
slightly tectiform band results. The suture-line of speci-
men 16/1b is partly visible. It is simple and looks much
like that of B. bradfordensis in Rieber (1963: text-fig.
14(g)).
Discussion: the specimens from Iran can be compared to
's
13, figs. 1 (lectotype), 2–6.
aff. 1982 Planammatoceras (P.) planinsigne Vacek—
Westermann and Riccardi: 19, text-fig. 3 (photographic
reproduction of the lectotype).
aff. 1994 Planammatoceras planinsigne (Vacek, 1886)—
Callomon and Chandler: 25, pl. 4, fig. 1.

the inner whorls of some finer ribbed specimens of B. aff. 2001 Planammatoceras planinsigne (Vacek), morpho-
bradfordensis (Buckman) and B. similis (Buckman). A type dubari (Maubeuge)—Rulleau and Elmi: 56, text-
very similar specimen is the juvenile specimen of B. fig. 20–7; pl. 27, fig. 1.
or

bradfordensis figured by Rieber (1963: pl. 5, fig. 5). Material: Nine mostly fragmentary specimens (040512-
Distribution: Middle Aalenian, Bradfordensis Zone. 15/5-6; 040512-16/7, /27, /29–30, /32–33, /40).
Dimensions (in mm):
th

Genus Graphoceras Buckman, 1898

Specimen D U H W
Graphoceras (Graphoceras) decorum Buckman,
1902 16/7 22 27 45 w32
16/32 31 25 48 29
Au

Fig. 5(5(a) and (b), 12(a) and (b), 18)

1888 Lioceras concavum (Sowerby)—Buckman: 56, pl. 8,
figs. 3–4.
*1902 Graphoceras decorum—Buckman: 3.
1963 Ludwigia concava var. decora (Buckman, 1909)—
Rieber: 60, pl. 7, fig. 9.
1967 Ludwigia (Graphoceras) concava decora (Buckman,
1909—Seyed-Emami: 68, pl. 2, fig. 4; pl. 8, fig. 4(a) and
(b).
1969 Graphoceras (Graphoceras) decorum S. Buckman—
Contini (1969): 67, pl. 5, fig. 10; pl. 12, figs. 4–5; pl. 14,
figs. 46–47; text-fig. 18.
16/33 35 25 46 –
Description: Moderately involute Hammatoceratinae with
high-ovate whorl cross-section and a high, narrow, hollow-
floored keel. The umbilical border is rounded, the umbilical
wall shallow and slightly overhanging. The inner whorls of
specimens 16/7 and 16/32 are partly visible. They are
evolute, depressed and carry up to a diameter of 12 mm
rather prominent and acute tubercles. Later, the forms
become distinctly involute and bear a narrow and sharp
keel. From a diameter of ca. 12 mm up to about 25 mm,
 K. Seyed-Emami et al. / Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 28 (2006) 259–275
the ornamentation consists of rectiradiate and relatively
wide-spaced primaries ending in small tubercles, then
bifurcating into two slightly concave secondary ribs at
about the inner third of the flank. Usually, there is an
additional intercalated rib, beginning at the bifurcation
level. From a diameter of about 25 mm (specimen 16/33),
there are no tubercles at the bifurcation point, and the
ribbing becomes denser and consists of stronger primaries,
bifurcating into slightly finer and flexuous secondaries,
which extend up to the keel.
Discussion: Compared with the lectotype of P. planinsigne
reproduced by Westermann and Riccardi (1982: 19, Fig. 3),
the tuberculate stage of our specimens is much shorter and
confined to the inner whorls up to a diameter of about
25 mm. In this respect they resemble P. tenuinsigne
(Vacek, 1886: 88). The differences to P. planiforme
Buckman are also minimal. As already remarked by
Westermann and Riccardi (1982: 19) and Callomon and
Chandler (1994: 25) the three above mentioned species
may belong to a single bio-species, ranging from the
Scissum to Bradfordensis subzones. Two fragmentary
specimens (15/5, 15/6) from a lower level (see Fig. 4)
on
maintain also a longer tuberculate stage than in P.
planinsigne.
Distribution: P. planinsigne has been recorded from the
Aalenian, upper Opalinum to the Murchisonae and the
rs
lower Bradfordensis Zone. Considering the accompanying
fauna, our specimens probably come from the Middle
Aalenian Bradfordensis Zone.
pe
Genus Bredyia Buckman, 1910
Bredyia sp.
Fig. 6(12(a) and (b))
Material: One fragmentary specimen (040512-10).
Description: Moderately evolute Hammatoceratinae with a
broad, rectangular-ovate whorl cross-section, distinct
's
shoulders and a strong keel on the last preserved whorl.
The ornamentation consists of coarse ribs with rectiradiate
and rather bullate primaries, branching into two or three
or
slightly flexuous secondaries. On the broad venter the ribs
curve slightly forward and reach up to the keel. The inner
whorl is strongly depressed with tubercles on the mid-flank
th
and three or four rectiradiate secondary ribs.
Discussion: The fragmentary specimen with distinct
shoulders and a broad, rather rectangular whorl cross-
Au
section can be compared with Bredyia alleoni (Dumortier)
in Senior (1977: pl. 83, figs. 3 and 4) and Rulleau and Elmi
(2001: pl. 25, fig. 1(a) and (b)).
Distribution: Lower Aalenian, Opalinum Zone.
Genus Accardia Cresta, 1997
Accardia diadematoides (Mayer, 1871)
Fig. 5(8(a) and (b), 16(a) and (b))
*1871 Ammonites diadematoides—Mayer: 243, pl. 8, fig. 9.
1960 Hammatoceras diadematoides Mayer sp.—Lelièvre:
26, pl. 5, figs. 5–6.
269
1963 Hammatoceras diadematoides (Mayer, 1871)—Rie-
ber: 68, pl. 8, figs. 5–8 (figs. 5 and 7: photographic
reproduction of the holotype).
2001 Accardia diadematoides (Mayer)—Rulleau and Elmi:
pl. 31, fig. 1(a) and (b).
Material: One small and one fragment of a larger specimen
(040512-16/24, /26).
Description: Evolute and coarsely ribbed Hammatoceratinae
py
with broad, ogival whorl cross-section and a high, hollow-
floored keel. The maximum width of the whorl is about mid-
flank, from where it converges towards the umbilicus and
the venter. The umbilical border is rounded and transitional
co
towards the flank. The ribbing is coarse and consists of blunt,
rectiradiate and widely spaced primaries, ending in promi-
nent and sharp tubercles on the mid-flank. Usually three
slightly prorsiradiate secondaries branch from the tubercles,
ending straight at the keel. One or two additional intercalated
ribs, starting at the same height, are present. On the last half of
the whorls of the smaller specimen, at DZ28 mm, seven
al
tubercles are counted.
Discussion: The specimens from Iran agree in detail with the
specimens described and figured by Lelièvre (1960) and
Rulleau and Elmi (2001). Compared to the original of Mayer
(1871), reproduced by Rieber (1963): pl. 7, Figs. 5 and 7), the
ornamentation of the specimens from Iran is slightly coarser
and wider spaced.
Distribution: According to Cresta (1997: 34; 2002: 186), the
genus Accardia is confined to the Lower and Middle
Aalenian. Rieber (1963) records A. diadematoides from the
Concavum Zone and Rulleau and Elmi (2001) from the upper
Bradfordensis to Concavum zones. The specimens from Iran
were collected together with Brasilia and other ammonites
from the Middle Aalenian Bradfordensis Zone.
Genus Ceccaites Cresta, 1997
Ceccaites cf. sieboldi (Oppel, 1862)
Fig. 6(17(a) and (b))
v. cf *1862 Ammonites Sieboldi—Oppel: 144, pl. 46, fig. 1(a)
and (b).
cf. 1997 Ceccaites sieboldi (Oppel, 1862)—Cresta: 40, fig.
10 (with synonymy).
Material: One fully septate and partly eroded phragmo-
cone from the Badamu Formation at Khorand, south-
west Ravar, central Iran (SE-92-1) (see Seyed-Emami
et al., 1993).
Dimensions (mm):
Specimen D U H W
SE-92-1 73 26 44 –
(Original of Oppel) 76 28 45 w35
Description: Moderately involute Hammatoceratinae with
suboval whorl cross-section and a high, hollow-floored keel.
The umbilical border is rounded with a vertical and slightly
overhanging wall. Maximum thickness is about the mid-
flank, from where it converges towards the umbilicus and
the venter. The ornamentation of the inner whorls consists
270 K. Seyed-Emami et al. / Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 28 (2006) 259–275

of prominent and sharp tubercles. On the last preserved
whorl the tubercles disappear and the rather dense and
slightly flexuous ribbing seems to be confined to the outer
two-thirds of the flank. The inner third of the flank is rather
smooth and exhibits only faint undulations. The suture line
is highly complex.
Discussion: Compared with the original of Oppel (which
was checked by K.S.-E. in the Bayer. Staatssammlung in
diameter of 12 mm are evolute, depressed and tuberculated
and look much alike. In contrast to Shahrudites,
Planammatoceras aff. planinsigne has a sharp keel,
beginning at a very early stage. Shahrudites may represent
a microconch form of Planammatoceras. However, this
interpretation is questioned by the apparent endemic nature
of the new genus in contrast to the widely distributed
Planammatoceras.

Munich), the specimen from Iran is slightly more
compressed and involute. Also, the tuberculate stage is
much shorter. The absence of prominent primaries on the
last whorl of the specimen from Iran may be partly due
py
Considering the accompanied fauna, the stratigraphic level
of Shahrudites is probably the Middle Aalenian Bradfor-
densis Zone.
Shahrudites asseretoi Seyed-Emami sp. nov.

to erosion. It must be emphasized that also on the
original specimen of Oppel, the bullate primary ribs fade
at about DZ70 mm, giving way to broad and faint
undulations.
Distribution: In Europe, C. sieboldi has been recorded
from the Middle Aalenian. The specimen from central
Iran comes from condensed Aalenian beds at Khorand
co
Fig. 6(1–5, 7); Fig. 7(1)
Derivatio nominis: In honour of Riccardo Assereto, who
contributed much to the geology of Central Alborz and
established the Shemshak Formation.
Holotypus: A fairly complete internal mould with lappets
(040512-16/35).
Paratypus: A fairly complete internal mould with parts of

al
near Ravar. the original shell (040512-16/36).
Locus typicus: Tazareh Coal Mine, 45 km west of Shahrud,
?Family Erycitidae Spath, 1928 southeastern Alborz.
on
Genus Shahrudites Seyed-Emami gen. nov. [m] Stratum typicum: Shemshak Formation, 2884 m above the
Derivatio nominis: After the town Shahrud, southeast base; Bradfordensis Zone.
Alborz, the nearest town to the type locality. Diagnosis: Small, evolute microconch with rudimentary
Type species: Shahrudites asseretoi Seyed-Emami sp. keel and spatula-like lappets. Inner whorls depressed, outer
rs

nov. (see below). whorls high-oval. Inner whorls tuberculated, outer whorls
Diagnosis: Small and evolute microconch forms with with single or biplicate ribs, which cross the rounded
lappets. Inner whorls depressed and broad-ovate, later venter as very faint chevrons.
pe

high-ovate with a faint, blunt and rudimentary keel. Material: Seven well preserved or fragmentary specimens
Innermost whorls smooth, followed by a stage with (040512-16/3, /4, /34–38). Three specimens (040512-
tuberculated ribs. The tubercles disappear shortly after 16/23a, b, /30c) are included in S. asseretoi with doubt
the onset of the body chamber. Subsequently, slightly (see Fig. 6(10–11)).
rursiradiate and convex ribs occur, single or irregularly Dimensions (mm):
biplicating at the umbilical margin, or bifurcating higher
up. On the rounded venter the ribs become very faint, Specimen D U H W
's

turn forward and cross it in acute chevrons. Septal suture 16/34 18 44 39 36

poorly preserved, slightly complex with a broad and 16/36 (paratype) 21 40 36 32
rather deeply incised lateral saddle. 16/23a 22 36 40 –
or

16/3 24 44 37 33
Discussion: The new genus does not show any
16/4 24 39 37 –
resemblance to any known microconchs of Hammatocer- 16/35 (holotype) 24 w44 w37 –
atinae or Erycitinae, to which it probably belongs. From
th

Rhodaniceras (Elmi, 1963), which is now considered as Description: The holotype (specimen 040512-16/35) is a
possible microconch of Pseudammatoceras (Rulleau and full-grown specimen with spatula-like apophyses and a
Elmi, 2001), and the microconch forms of Bredyia maximum size of about 26 mm. The body chamber begins at
Au

(Senior, 1977), the new genus can be readily distin-
guished by its smaller size, spatula-like lappets and the
very week and rudimentary keel. From the microconch
forms of Spinammatoceras (Schindewolf, 1964) and
Malladaites (Linares and Sandoval, 1986) it is distin-
guished by only one, periumbilical row of tubercles and
by the ribbing pattern. Possibly, the new genus occupies
a systematic position between Spinammatoceras and
Malladaites.
Many fragments of the new genus occur, together with
several fragments of Planammatoceras aff. planinsigne, in
a single concretion. The inner whorls of both genera up to a
a diameter of about 16 mm and takes up about 3/4 of the last
whorl. It is evolute with a rectangular to high-ovate cross-
section of the last whorl. The venter is slightly arched with a
blunt, rudimentary keel. The umbilical border is rounded,
with a low and steep wall. The innermost whorl is smooth,
later there is a tuberculated stage. On the last whorl, the
ornamentation consists of convex, rather distant and coarse,
single or biplicate ribs. On the ventral shoulder the ribs
curve slightly forward, fade almost and cross the venter as
very faint, acute chevrons.
The paratype (specimen 040512-16/36) is a nearly
complete specimen with the greater part of the body
 K. Seyed-Emami et al. / Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 28 (2006) 259–275
chamber preserved, beginning at a diameter of around
16 mm. The inner whorls are rather depressed, the last
whorl becomes high-ovate. The venter is arched, slightly
tectiform, with a blunt and rudimentary keel. The umbilical
border is rounded with a low, steep umbilical wall. The
ornamentation on the inner whorl consists alternatively of
tuberculated and finer, non-tuberculated ribs. Towards the
aperture there are sharp, single, convex-rursiradiate ribs,
with radial tubercles on the mid-flank, alternating with
finer ribs, which last till the end of the phragmocone. On
the body chamber the ribs become finer, the tubercles fade,
and the ribs bifurcate irregularly and indistinctly on the
middle to outer half of the flank. On the ventral shoulder,
all ribs turn forward and form very faint chevrons on the
venter. The lectotype differs from the holotype by a finer
and denser ornamentation and by the bifurcation point
being higher up on the flank.
Discussion: The new species cannot be placed with any
known coeval ammonite. It may belong somewhere in the
evolutionary lineages of Erycites, Spinammatoceras,
Malladaites, Haplopleuroceras or Zurcheria (Linares and
Sandoval, 1986, 1996). From the closely related S.
on
stoecklini it is distinguished by more depressed inner
whorls and a distinctly coarser and wider spaced
ornamentation. The specimens 16/23a and 16/23b
(Fig. 6(10, 11)) are extremely depressed and coarsely
rs
ribbed varieties. Here, the rather coarse tuberculate stage of
the inner whorl is followed by short, rectiradiate primaries
ending in rounded tubercles on the inner half of the flank
pe
and then bifurcating into convex-rursiradiate secondaries.
The tubercles vanish on the body chamber, where the
ornamentation consists of coarse and rursiradiate ribs, often
bundled at the umbilicus.
Distribution: Middle Aalenian, Bradfordensis Zone.
's
Shahrudites stoecklini Seyed-Emami sp. nov.
Fig. 6(6, 8–9, 7–2)
or
Derivatio nominis: In honour of Dr. Jovan Stöcklin, who
contributed much to our knowledge of the geology of Iran.
Holotypus: A fairly complete specimen with parts of the
th
original shell (040512-16/14).
Paratypus: A well-preserved fragment with parts of the
original shell (040512-16/6).
Locus typicus: Tazareh Coal Mine, 45 km west of Shahrud,
Au
southeastern Alborz.
Stratum typicum: Shemshak Formation, 2884 m above the
base, Bradfordensis Zone.
Diagnosis: Small, evolute forms with arched venter and
flat, blunt keel. Inner whorls rather depressed-oval, later
rectangular, high-ovate. Inner whorls with tuberculated
ribs, outer whorls subsequently with mostly single, dense,
sharp and slightly flexuous ribs, crossing the venter as very
weak chevrons.
Material: Five specimens (040512-16/5-6, /11, /14, /41).
Dimensions (mm):
271
Specimen D U H W
16/5 20 42 39 w32 (end of phragmocone
at around 14 mm)
16/6 (paratype) 28 41 37 29
16/14 (holotype 28 41 35 w27
Description: The holotype (040512-16/14) is an evolute and
rather compressed specimen preserved with the greater part
py
of the body chamber. The cross-section of the last whorl is
high-oval. The venter is arched with a faint and flat keel.
The umbilicus is shallow with a rounded border. The
ornamentation on the inner whorl consists of small tubercles
co
on the mid-flank. Towards the aperture, there are
rectiradiate tuberculated ribs which irregularly alternate
with finer, non-tuberculated ribs. On the last whorl the
ribbing consists of rather sharp, fine, dense and slightly
flexuous single ribs, crossing the venter as very faint
chevrons. On the shell, there are fine and fasciculating
striae. Peristome and suture line could not be seen.
al
The paratype (040512-16/6) is half of an internal mould,
with parts of the shell on the last preserved whorl, which is
the body chamber. It is evolute with a rectangular-ovate
cross-section of the last whorl. The inner whorls are rather
depressed. The venter is broad and slightly arched, with a
very week, blunt and rudimentary keel. The ornamentation
on the inner whorls predominantly consists of rather
coarsely tuberculated ribs, irregularly alternating with
finer, non-tuberculated ribs. On the last whorl, the ribbing
is composed of dense, sharp, flexuous and slightly
rursiradiate ribs, looking much like Zurcheria or Haplo-
pleuroceras (Linares and Sandoval, 1996). At the transition
to the venter, the ribs become slightly accentuated, turn
forward, almost fade and cross the venter as very faint
chevrons. Peristome and suture line are not seen. Compared
with the holotype, the paratype is slightly more depressed,
with a broad venter and a fairly rectangular whorl cross-
section.
Discussion: S. stoecklini differs from S. asseretoi above all
by its dense, sharp and simple ribbing on the body chamber and
probably by a slightly larger end-size. Also, the inner whorls of
S. stoecklini are less depressed. The ornamentation on the inner
whorls with their distinct tubercles is much the same on both
species, so that the inner whorls up to a diameter of about
12 mm hardly can be distinguished.
The ribbing, especially on the last whorl of the paratype,
resembles much “Zurcheria” kermanensis Seyed-Emami
(1967:104, pl. 12, fig. 13(a)–(c)), which was considered as
very close to Malladaites sp. nov. I by Linares and Sandoval
(1986). Actually, the sharp ribbing with chevrons on the
venter and the rudimentary keel of S. stoecklini shows much
similarity to Malladaites sp. nov. I of Linares and Sandoval
(1986:218, pl. 1, figs. 13–15). The main differences to
Malladaites are the much coarser and unituberculated ribs
on the inner whorls of Shahrudites and especially of S.
stoecklini. Linares and Sandoval (1986:219) mention also
some coarser tuberculated specimens of their new species.
Distribution: Middle Aalenian, Bradfordensis Zone.
272 K. Seyed-Emami et al. / Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 28 (2006) 259–275

py
co
al
on
rs
pe
's
or
th
Au

Fig. 8. Correlation of Toarcian to Aalenian ammonite-bearing successions located in the eastern Alborz Mountains (Tazareh and Jajarm area) and the northern Lut
Block (Kuh-e-Shisui); for key of symbols see Fig. 4. Map modified from Alavi et al. (1997); CEIM, Central-East Iranian Microcontinent). For more detailed
stratigraphic information on the Kuh-e-Shisui section, see Seyed-Emami et al. (2004).
 K. Seyed-Emami et al. / Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 28 (2006) 259–275
aff. Shahrudites sp.
Fig. 5(2, 7, 10)
Material: Three small specimens (040412-16/22, /30D, /31).
Dimensions (mm):
Specimen D U H W
16/31 21 36 35 29 (end of phragmocon at
about 14 mm)
Description: Specimen 16/31 is a small, rather evolute and
compressed form, with a rectangular to high-ovate whorl cross-
section and a very weak, rudimentary keel. The ornamentation
consists of widely-spaced, slightly rursiradiate ribs, often
biplicating at the umbilicus. Of these pairs, the adapertural rib
is usually slightly coarser. On the venter, the ribs turn forward,
almost fade and cross the venter as very faint chevrons. The
inner whorls are not tuberculated.
The suture line of specimen 16/31 is relatively simple and
much reminiscent of Graphoceratinae. The ventral lobus is as
deep as the lateral lobus. The lateral saddle is rather broad with
a flat denticulation. There appears to be a suture crowding
on
(“Lobendrängung”), indicating that the specimen is fully
grown.
Discussion: The ribbing pattern and the rudimentary keel of
the described forms resemble the genus Shahrudites, with
rs
which they were found in a single concretion. From
Shahrudites they differ by a narrower umbilicus, more
depressed whorl cross-section and the absence of tubercles.
pe
In addition, the suture line is much less complex and
graphoceratid-like.
Distribution: Middle Aalenian, Bradfordensis Zone.
4. Stratigraphic correlation and conclusions
In the Middle Toarcian-lower Upper Aalenian part of the
's
Tazareh section, nine ammonite levels can be recognized
(Fig. 4, Table 1). Apart from the representatives of the new
genus Shahrudites, the ammonite fauna from the Shemshak
or
Formation at Tazareh is exclusively Tethyan in character and
closely related to faunas from western and central Europe,
allowing a correlation with the NW European standard
th
ammonite zonation (Elmi et al., 1997; Contini et al., 1997;
cf. Fig. 2). The ammonite levels allow to recognize the
(?Lower-) Middle Toarcian, the Upper Toarcian Thouarsense
Au
and Aalensis zones as well as the Lower Aalenian Opalinum
Zone, the Middle Aalenian Murchisonae and Bradfordensis
zones, and the Upper Aalenian Concavum Zone.
At Tazareh and elsewhere in the Alborz Mountains (e.g.
Seyed-Emami et al., 2005) as well as in Central Iran, the
Middle Toarcian is documented by a rather poor fauna of
Hildoceratinae. In the Upper Toarcian, besides a few speci-
mens of Hammatoceratinae, Grammoceratinae and Dumortier-
iinae are by far the dominant faunal elements. In the lower part
of the Upper Toarcian, the fauna consists almost exclusively of
the genera Grammoceras, Pseudogrammoceras and Podagro-
sites, whereas representatives of the genus Pleydellia
273
predominate in the Aalensis Zone. Everywhere in north and
central Iran, the Lower Aalenian contains a rather rich fauna of
Leioceratinae and few Hammatoceratinae.
An ammonite-based correlation of the Toarcian-Aalenian of
the Shemshak Group at Tazareh with that of the Jajarm area
(eastern Alborz; Seyed-Emami et al., 2005) and with the Kuh-
e-Shisui section of the Lut Block further south on the Central-
East Iranian Microcontinent (CEIM; Seyed-Emami et al.,
py
2004) is presented in Fig. 8. This WSW–ENE–SSE correlation
over more than 600 km shows several interesting relationships:
During the Early Jurassic (Tenuicostatum and Serpentinus
zones), fully marine conditions were established on the Lut
co
Block, whereas in the eastern Alborz, fluvial to at the most
coastal plain sedimentation prevailed. This early Toarcian
transgression is well documented also further west of Tazareh,
at Shahmirzad (central Alborz), by ammonites of the families
Dactylioceratidae and Hildoceratidae (Harpoceratinae; see
Repin, 1987, 2000). In fact, the earliest transgressions within
the Shemshak Formation occurred at Shahmirzad in
al
the Sinemurian and Upper Pliensbachian (Nabavi and
Seyed-Mami, 1977; Seyed-Emami, 1977). With the Middle
Toarcian (Bifrons Zone at Jajarm), marine environments
were also established in the eastern Alborz, followed by
a continuous deepening associated with high accumulation
rates (amounting to very high subsidence rates; see Fürsich
et al., 2005) during the Upper Toarcian to Aalenian (especially
the Tazareh section is very expanded in this interval). In
contrast to that development, the Lut Block succession shows
regressive tendencies (sandstones) and strongly reduced
thicknesses throughout the Middle and Upper Toarcian and
especially during the the Aalenian. In the uppermost Aalenian–
Early Bajocian, a renewed retrogradational trend is recorded on
the Lut Block by increasingly finer and deeper marine
sediments (marly silts), whereas in the Alborz, the prograda-
tional sedimentation pattern indicate a gradual infilling of the
Alborz trough (Fig. 8). These reversed patterns in relative sea-
level changes, thicknesses and sedimentation across the Iran
Plate strongly argue for a significant impact of synsedimentary
tectonics during the deposition of the upper Shemshak
Formation.
Acknowledgements
We thank Prof. Dr M. Gaetani and Prof. Dr S. Cresta for their
insightful reviews of the manuscript. The present study is part of a
joint research programme of Tehran University (Centre of
Intelligence), the Institute of Palaeontology of Würzburg
University, the UPMC, Paris, and the Geological Survey of
Iran. We acknowledge financial support by the Alexander von
Humboldt-Foundation (within the framework of an institutional
partnership between Würzburg and Tehran University) and the
Middle East Basin Evolution Programme (MEBE, project 02–
03). We also thank Eng. Sedighifar, the head of the East Alborz
Coal Company, for his hospitality and logistic help during the
field work. K. S.-E thanks Prof. Dr R. Leinfelder, head of the
Palaeontological Institute of Munich University, for providing
274 K. Seyed-Emami et al. / Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 28 (2006) 259–275
research facilities during his stay in Munich and G. Janssen
(Munich) for his excellent photographic work.
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