New findings of Loftusia species (Foraminifera) based on morphometric analysis from the Tarbur Formation in Iran

One section of the Tarbur Formation (462 m thickness) located about 5 km southwest of Semirom was studied. It consists of carbonate and terrigenous rocks and contains abundant large benthic foraminifera assigned to the Late Maastrichtian. In the Upper Maastrichtian, Loftusia is very abundant in carbonate sequence of the Middle East Tethyan realm. Loftusia is an important genus for palaeontologists, stratigraphers, petroleum geologists and field geologists because it is a good palaeoenvironmental indicator and provides excellent resolution in age interpretations of sediments. Based on the morphometric data from thin sections, Loftusia turcica (A), Loftusia ketini (A), Loftusia morgani, Loftusia kahtaensis, Loftusia baykali, Loftusia coxi, Loftusia minor (A and B), Loftusia harrisoni, Loftusia oktayi and Loftusia occidentalis and from isolated specimens, Loftusia turcica (B), Loftusia ketini (B), Loftusia morgani, Loftusia elongata and Loftusia persica were recognized in the study area which can be confirmed Late Maastrichtian age for the Tarbur Formation in mentioned section. Among the mentioned species, Loftusia turcica (A and B), Loftusia ketini (A and B), Loftusia oktayi, Loftusia kahtaensis and Loftusia occidentalis are reported for the first time from Iran.