BIOSTRATIGRAPHIC AND PALEOZOOGEOGRAPHIC REVIEW OF THE UPPER APTIAN-ALBIAN OSTRACODS OF RIACHUELO FORMATION, SERGIPE-ALAGOAS BASIN, NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL

A biostratigraphic and paleozoogeographic revision of the upper Aptian-Albian ostracods of Riachuelo Formation, in the Sergipe-Alagoas Basin, Brazil, was conducted. The studied material comprised 336 samples from several outcrops, along with well cores drilled by Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. (PETROBRAS). After taxonomic analysis, including the description of Reticulocosta edrianae n. sp., a new biozonation scheme was obtained for the Albian interval of that formation, and the paleozoogeographic affinities of the Brazil-Central West Africa province were reviewed through comparison with results published in the current literature. Several changes were made to previously established ostracod zones. A new code for the Aracajuia benderi Zone (OSE-1), MSA-0, was created, with impact in all of its subzones. The names of the Pattersoncypris ex. gr. angulata (OSE-1.1), 'Patellacythere' sp. GA E 27 (OSE-1.3) and Veenia guianensis (OSE-1.4) subzones were changed to Harbinia sinuata? (MSA-0.1), Praebythoceratina amsittenensis (MSA-0.3) and Reticulocosta edrianae (MSA-0.4), respectively. The Sergipella viviersae Subzone (OSE-1.2) had its code changed for MSA-0.2; also, a stratotype was stablished for it, and the lower limit of the subzone was changed, from lower Albian in previous works to upper Aptian. The Metacytheropteon aff. Metacytheropteron sp. GA C 24 Subzone (OSE-1.5) was renamed MSA-0.5. The uppermost Albian Aracajuia antiqua Latest Occurrence Interval Zone (MSA-1) is herein proposed, following the reclassification Aracajuia benderi specimens of the Aracajuia benderi Subzone (OSE-1.6) to Aracajuia antiqua. Paleozoogeographic analyses showed some faunal interchange with Tethyan provinces, beginning in the latest Aptian, at both specific and generic levels. Limited northward marine influxes across the Walvis ridge were also observed during the Albian, while larger scale southward migrations occurred in the early Cenomanian. The presence of Brachycytherinae species in the Brazil-Central West Africa province as early as the Aptian indicates a new zoogeographic origin for this subfamily, while explaining the occurrence of the group in both the Austral realm and part of the Tethyan realm during the Albian.