Integrated stratigraphy of the reference sections for the Callovian-Oxfordian boundary in European Russia

The most complete succession of the Callovian-Oxfordian boundary recorded in European Russia is the Dubki section, where the authors have carried out integrated paleontological and magnetostratigraphical studies. A continuous sequence of the West-European biostratigraphic units in the interval from the Lamberti to the Cordatum Zones is present in this section, and 10 ammonite biohorizons have been recognized. Additional data concerning nannofossil assemblages, foraminifers, ostracods, belemnoids and the paleomagnetic polarity for the Dubki section are also presented. The Callovian-Oxfordian boundary, marked by FAD of the genus Cardioceras, is placed at the base of the scarburgense biohorizon. The paleontological richness and continuity of the succession make the Dubki section a possi- ble GSSP candidate for the Callovian/Oxfordian boundary. Correlation of the Dubki ammonite succession with those of the other GSSP candidates, Redcliff Point and Thuoux, is proposed. Other sections studied in Russia have yielded some additional observations on the Callovian-Oxfordian boundary beds. Although in the Dubki section the praemartini biohorizon is not found, its existence is proved, how- ever, in Orenburg region (Khanskaya Gora). In the Datchovskaya section (Northern Caucasus) the paucicostatum biohorizon is character- ized by an unusual combination of Subtethyan and Boreal ammonites, including Kosmoceras, which is not typical of the paucicostatum biohorizon outside the Northern Caucasus.