The Nautiloids of the Bellerophon Formation in Gröden / Val Gardena
In two distinctive horizons at Monte Pic-Balest and Seceda (Gröden / Val Gardena), a rich fauna of nautiloids were investigated which had been discovered in the Bellerophon Formation (Upper Permian). These more than 100 collected specimens represent perhaps the largest nautilus fauna of the Permian Tethys Sea, and is characterized by especially large individual species. The project was carried out by Herwig Prinoth under the leadership of Prof. Renato Posenato (University of Ferrara).
These nautiloids were probably the largest oceanic predators of the Permian Tethys Sea ever found. In the collection, eight different species can be identified, including two already known in literature (Tirolonautilus crux (Stache) und T. sebedinus (Stache)), while six species were described for the first time (Tainoceras balestense, Tainoceras malsineri, Peripetoceras comploji, Peripetoceras gigas, Liroceras gardenense, Foordiceras dolomiticum). At the same time, it was possible to rework and describe comparative collections and scattered specimens.
Besides the nautiloids, two species of brachiopods (Comelicana) and a large number of bellerophon snails were uncovered. The brachiopods were the oldest comelicanians of the Dolomite region.
Literature:
POSENATO R. & PRINOTH H. (2004) ¬ Orizzonti a nautiloidi e a brachiopodi della Formazione a Bellerophon (Permiano Superiore) in Val Gardena (Dolomiti). Geo-Alp, vol. 1, pp. 71-85.
PRINOTH H. (2000) ¬ I Nautiloidi della Formazione a Bellerophon (Permiano superiore) della Val Gardena, Dolomiti (BZ). Unpublished thesis, 80 + 180 pp., Ferrara University.