Deep water agglutinated foraminifers (DWAF) assemblages from the Priabonian-Rupelian of the Madonie Mountains (Sicily)

A rich deep–water agglutinated foraminifers (DWAF) fauna, consisting of 74 species, is recorded from the Priabonian to upper Rupelian marly clays of the Caltavuturo Formation at Portella Colla (Madonie Mts., Sicily). The recovered DWAF assemblages differ from coeval assemblages from other areas. The occurrence of an unusual Caudammina–dominated assemblage in the upper part of the Rupelian is noteworthy. DWAF functional morphogroup analysis is used for both paleoecologic and paleoenvironmental interpretations. Three different assemblages are distinguished, basing on taxonomic composition. A Cyclammina assemblage is found mainly in red Priabonian shales and is interpreted to be indicative of well–oxygenated and mesotrophic conditions; a Rhabdammina assemblage is found in lower Rupelian gray shales and seems to be indicative of environment slightly reduced in oxygen and oligotrophic; finally, the Caudammina assemblage in upper Rupelian sediments may indicate increase in nutrient supply and deepening of the basin.