Chronostratigraphy of Acritarchs and Chitinozoans from Upper Ordovician Strata from the Robat-e Gharabil Area, NE Alborz Mountains, Northern Khorassan Province: Stratigraphic and Paleogeographic Implications

The Palaeozoic rock units mainly, Ghelli, Niur, Padeha, Khoshyelagh, and Mobark formations, are well-exposed in the north of Robat-e Gharabil village. 116 out of 157 surface samples were analyzed to determine age relationships of Ghelli Formation. The samples of Ghelli Formation are dominated by acritarchs (42 species belonging to 23 genera) and chitinozoans (26 species distributing among 15 genera). Two new acritarch species are introduced, consisting of Goniosphaeridium iranicum n. sp. and Goniosphaeridium persianense n. sp. Based on the restricted stratigraphic range of chitinozoan species, Late Ordovician (Ashgill) age is assigned to the Ghelli Formation.

On the other hand, the presence of diagnostic chitinozoan taxa in the Ghelli Formation consisting of Armoricochitina nigerica, Ancyrochitina merga, and Spinachitina oulebsiri chitinozoan biozones suggest a clear palaeobiogeographic affinity between NE Alborz Mountain and North Gondwana Domain. The presence of some chitinozoan and acritarch taxa from the Baltic and Laurentia in Gondwanan chitinozoan biozones of the Robat-e Gharabil area suggests the existence of counter-clockwise marine currents that resulted in bringing planktonic organisms (acritarchs and chitinozoans) from lower latitudes (Baltica) to higher latitudes (Northern Gondwanan Domain) settings.