Future Devonian Meetings

4th ICOS - International Conodont Symposium

Valencia (Spain)

25-30 June 2017


5th IPC - International Palaeontological Congress

Paris (France)

9-13 July 2018

 

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SDS Minutes 2002

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Minutes of the SDS Business Meeting,

TOULOUSE, JUNE 2002

1. Introduction and apologies

2. Minutes of the 2001 Annual Meeting at Frankfurt a.M., Germany

3. Chairman's Business

4. Devonian substages

4a. General substage discussion

4b. Emsian

4c. Givetian

4d. Frasnian

4e. Famennian

5. ICS News

6. Membership

6a. Election of TMs

6b. Election of CMs

7. Financial Report

8. Future Meetings

9. Any other business

The Annual Business Meeting for 2002 was held in conjunction with the 8th International Conodont Symposium held in Europe (ECOS VIII), on 24th June, 9-12 a.m., at the University Paul Sabatier in Toulouse. It was arranged with the help of Marie-France Perret Mirouse, the principal organizer of the symposium. At the meeting, 18 Devonian contributions were presented in the form of lectures and posters. Abstracts are published in Strata, Série 1: Communications, vol. 12, 110 pp. In addition, there are three important excursion guides on “Palaeozoic Conodonts from Northern Spain” (García-López, S. & Bastida, F., Eds.), Publicaciones del Instituto y Minero de Espana, Serie Cuadernos del Museo Geominero, No. 1, 438 pp., on “The Paleozoic of the Montagne Noire, Southern France” (R. Feist, Ed., 85 pp.) and on “Pyrenees Field Trip, Guidebook” (Cygan, C. Deramond, J., Menjoulas, C.M., Joseph, J. & Perret Mirouse, M.-F., 88 pp.). These volumes include new and significant data on Devonian stratigraphy. Especially the Spanish volume is recommended as a major source of information for the Cantabrian Mountains and for the Pyrenees. All excursions were well attended by SDS members.

Attendance

A total of 37 people came to the business meeting which is only about half of 2001 but still a good result allowing sufficient discussions.

Present: Chairman P. Bultynck, secretary R.T. Becker; TMs W.T. Kirchgasser, K. Wedigge, G. Klapper; CMs A.R. Ashouri, D. Brice, P. Carls, M. Ginter, M. Murphy, J. Over, N. Ovnatanova, M.C. Perri, P. Sartenaer, E. Schindler, I. Schülke, L. Slavik, C. Spaletta, M. Streel, N. Valenzuela-Rios; Guests S.Z. Aboussalam, R. Brocke, C. Corradini, C. Derycke, S. García-Lopez, S. Gouwy, A.G. Harris, M. Hecker, L. Jeppson, M. Joachimski, B. Kaufmann, P. Königshof, H.R. Lane, Liao, Jan-Chyn, H. Matyja, B. Mistiaen, K. Narkiewics, J.-P. Nicollin, X. Sanz-Lopez.

1. Introduction and apologies   ã

The Chairman opened the Annual Meeting and thanked Marie-France Perret Mirouse for hosting SDS at the occasion of ECOS VIII. He underlined the past success of joint ECOS and SDS meetings.

Recorded apologies: TMs I. Chlupac, R. Crick, R. Feist, J. Garcia-Alcalde, A. El Hassani, Hou, Hongfei, C.A. Sandberg, J. Talent, T.T. Uyeno, W. Ziegler; CMs A. Blieck, G. Brock, J. Ebert, C. Hartkopf-Fröder, J. Hladil, A. Ivanov, U. Jansen, S. Kruchek, H. Lelievre, Ma, Xueping, E. Mark-Kurik, R. Mawson, G. Racki, C. VerStraeten, A. Wright, M. Yazdi. CM M.R. House was on his way but had to return home due to his illness that was then not yet known to be so fatal.

A total of twelve documents were presented which were numbered as follows:

  1. Talent, J.A. & Feist, R.: Should SDS continue to play the „Stratotype Game“? – 1 p. (see SDS Newsletter 18, p. 14)

  2. Becker, R.T.: The importance of Devonian substages: A commentary. – 2 pp. (see SDS Newsletter 18, p. 13-14)

  3. Bultynck, P.: News from the Givetian Working Group. – 3 pp. (see SDS Newsletter 18, p. 26-27)

  4. Bultynck, P. & Gouwy, S.: Towards a standardization of global Givetian substages. – 6 pp. 

  5. Aboussalam, Z.S. & Becker, R.T.: The base of the hermanni Zone as the base of an Upper Givetian substage. – 10 pp.

  6. Piecha, M. & Schindler, E.: Frasnian and Famennian subdivisions – results of the German Late Devonian Working Group sessions 2001. -  2 pp.

  7. Schülke, I., Korn, D., Popp, A. & Ziegler, W.: Potential reference section for the Early/Middle Famennian boundary at the Beringhauser Tunnel (Rheinisches Schiefergebirge, NW Germany). – 9 pp.

  8. Tragelehn, H. & Hartenfels, S.: Köstenhof quarry (Frankenwald, Bavaria) – a potential reference section for the Early/Middle and the Middle/Late Famennian boundary. – 7 pp.

  9. Becker, R.T.: Famennian ammonoid zones of the eastern Anti-Atlas – implications for substage subdivision. – 5 pp.

  10. Streel, M., Avkhimovitch, V.I., Berkowski, B., Dreesen, R., Durkina, A.V., Hance, L., Herbig, H.-G., Korn, D., Mamet, B., Maziane-Serraj, N., Mistiaen, B., Thorez, H.M., Weber, H.M. & Weyer, D.: Biostratigraphic correlation at the late or/and latest Famennian from Western, Central and Eastern European sections. State of the art. – 6 pp.

  11. Nicollin, J.-P. & Brice, D.: Stratigraphic value of some Strunian (Devonian, Uppermost Famennian) Productidina, Rhynchonellida, Spiriferida brachiopods. – 1 p. (abstract).

  12. CS: Present and Future Directions in ICS. – 3 pp.

A further contribution by CM Ver Straeten on “K-Bentonites, ash bed preservation and implications for Lower to Middle Devonian volcanism, eastern North America” was also included in the ECOS Abstract Volume (Strata, Sér. 1, vol. 12, p. 64).

2. Minutes of the 2001 Annual Meeting at Frankfurt a.M., Germany  ã

The Minutes have been distributed in spring 2002 by the Secretary via e-mail or by regular post. TM Klapper noted a small mistake in section 4.7 (see Newsletter 18, p. 7). The lower Rhinestreet Shale, of course, starts near the top of MN Zone 6, not with MN Zone 8. 

3. Chairman's Business  ã

The Chairmen explained the difficulties, which have arisen from the fact that Newsletter 18 was not available prior to the meeting. As a consequence, several contributions submitted to No. 18 were also presented at Toulouse as documents. Since the Vice-Chairman could not attend the meeting, a letter explaining the situation was read. In this, it was promised to improve the situation and a call for new contributions for a Newsletter 19 was made. The Chairman and Secretary feared that members would hesitate to submit contributions as long as No. 18 has not been circulated. Several contributions in the latter have become outdated. It was announced to contact the Vice-Chairman again in order to secure a future more regular Newsletter distribution. Also, all members are asked to send their documents and reports timely.

The Chairman briefly informed about new trends and directions of ICS (see Document 12). He declared that the introduction of substages is encouraged if appropriate but that no GSSP´s should be selected. Instead, several reference sections covering different facies realms and regions should be chosen. This gives some support for the current activities of SDS and will (hopefully) stimulate correlation.

In a review of SDS activities, the Chairman drew attention to the forthcoming (9th to 12th July) Syktyvkar meeting on “The Geology of the Devonian System” which will be attended by him and some other members. Roughly at the same time, other members will attend the 1st International Paleontological Congress organized by TM Talent, CMs Mawson, Brock and many others in Sydney [both meetings have turned out to be very successful: The Syktyvkar abstract volume comprises 333 pages with many contributions by Russian colleagues, often both in Russian and English. The Sydney Congress included ca. sixty talks and posters dealing with Devonian fossils, and the Devonian of Queensland and of the Canning Basin were shown during two excursions. – Including the Guidebooks, there is plenty to read]

4. Devonian substages  ã

It was decided to deal first with the general substage discussion and then with the substages in a chronological order. This means a slight change of the originally circulated agenda.

4a. General substage discussion  ã

Since TMs Talent and Feist were unable to attend, the Secretary briefly outlined their criticism of the search for more and more GSSPs (Document 1). He continued with his summary of eight points (of Document 2), which, in his opinion, strongly urge SDS to succeed with substage subdivisions. TM Klapper emphasized to separate the questions of substages and stratotypes. The Chairman remarked that the decision of ICS not to accept substage GSSPs more or less settles the question but that SDS should now search for suitable reference sections with significant consideration for cross-facies correlation. One of the reference sections has to be designated as “Principal Reference Section”. TM Weddige used the Pragian as an example to warn that different chronological contents can be hidden under the same name; therefore he prefers to use new names for newly/differently defined chronostratigraphic units.

4b. Emsian  ã

The Chairman reported the outcome of the formal vote on the number and names of Emsian substages. An absolute (> 60 %) TM majority has voted in favor of two substages, Lower and Upper Emsian. There was one abstention but no vote against. However, several TMs did not respond.

The Secretary asked for contributions from German and Czech members concerning possible Upper Emsian substage levels in the sections they have been studying for some while. Unfortunately, progress seems to be slow. CM Carls repeated his previous warnings that the base of the Emsian is still under dispute and should not be regarded as stable. The Chairman answered that following ICS statutes, there cannot be any changes in the forthcoming five years. CM Slavik also argued in favor of a future revision since the current Emsian definition left a much too short Pragian, especially in its classical region. Since most arguments have been exchanged at previous occasions, it was decided not to continue the debate. However, new data and opinions are welcomed at any time to be submitted to the Newsletter.

4c. Givetian  ã

The Chairman summarized Document 4 on future Givetian substages. He recalls that pulses of the Taghanic Onlap or the subsequent transgression at the base of the hermanni Zone were proposed to define an Upper Givetian substage that roughly would comprise the Pharciceras Stufe, originally included by many authors in the Upper Devonian. Such practice would leave a much too long (and thick in Belgian successions) interval for a single Lower Givetian substage and, consequently, a threefold subdivision was advocated. Correlation of Belgian and Moroccan sections provide several potential conodont levels, partly associated with eustatic deepenings: the base of the timorensis Zone (former base of Lower varcus Zone), correlating with the Terres d´Haurs Formation and with the Centerfield Limestone, the base of the rhenanus/varcus Zone (upper part of former Lower varcus Zone), correlating with the New York Tichenor Limestone, and the base of the ansatus Zone (former Middle varcus Zone), correlating with the Upper pumilio Event and the Kashong Member of the New York Moscow Formation. He also stated that it seems difficult to trace the hermanni level in shallow platform facies of reefal belts that were prevailing at the time. 

The Secretary summarized the joint Document 5 with Z.S. ABOUSSALAM, which proposes the base of the hermanni Zone as base of an Upper Givetian substage. This level would lie significantly above the initial Taghanic Onlap but correlates with the eustatic and often hypoxic Geneseo Transgression (= upper part of Depophase IIa in the Johnson et al. curve). Its advantage lies in its easy recognition using different conodont lineages (polygnathids, Schmidtognathus) and in an important goniatite faunal change when associations of last Maenioceratidae and oldest Pharciceras or Mzerrebites were replaced by faunas with multilobed pharciceratids and advanced Eobeloceratidae. As an advance to former documents, two further Moroccan sections, Seheb el Rhassal and Ouidane Chebbi, were presented. Following a request by CM Sartenaer, TM Klapper briefly explained to the audience that the (Lower) hermanni Zone equals the former Lower hermanni-cristata Zone. CM Murphy added that Nevada has good sections and conodont faunas of this interval which need to be documented in more detail. The Secretary asked present specialists to come forward with brachiopod data in order to improve the correlation into neritic facies. He also remarked that Rhenish sections show the incoming of new rugose coral taxa ca. in the hermanni Zone that gives prospects for the recognition of the boundary in reefal areas. Some results have been published by May & Becker (1996: Berl. geowiss. Abh., ser. E). Other coral work is in progress by S. Schröder from Cologne.

4d. Frasnian  ã

The Chairman reported the results of the formal vote on Frasnian substages. An absolute majority of TMs voted in favor of three substages, Lower, Middle and Upper Frasnian. There were two abstentions but no vote against; again, several TMs did not give their vote. There is not yet any formal decision on substage levels but a strong preference for boundaries based on the entries of Pa. punctata and Pa. semichatovae. CM Over, the chairman of the Frasnian Working Group, admitted a lack of new contributions by its membership and called for further documentations of potential Frasnian reference sections. The Chut River document of 2001 could serve as an example. The Secretary emphasized the necessity to resample the MN 4/5 Zone boundary at Chut River by Russian colleagues and announced that he intends to resample, together with Z.S. Aboussalam, the German Burgberg section that may have a good record of first Pa. punctata. Belgian sections should allow the correlation into the neritic realm. Any data on brachiopods, corals, stromatoporoids and palynomorphs etc. would be highly welcomed. The membership is asked to show activities in this regard.

4e. Famennian  ã

The Secretary, in his function as Famennian Working Group leader, gave a brief introduction, emphasizing the positive role of the German Upper Devonian Working Group led by M. Piecha from the Krefeld Survey and by CM Schindler (see Document 6). The latter reminded the audience of the strong German preference for three substages. The poor outcome of the new preliminary ballot on the Famennian substage numbers prevents any conclusions since the given votes are not representative. But the strongly increasing number of non-SDS proponents of four stages, assembled by CM M. Streel, especially amongst neritic and terrestrial workers, has to be recognized.

CM Schülke explained Document 7 on the Beringhauser Tunnel section in the eastern Rhenish Massive. It is rich to extremely rich in pelagic conodonts and allows the recognition of all Famennian standard conodont zones. In addition, specific beds have plenty marker ammonoids. Other faunal groups present are trilobites, bivalves, gastropods, deep-water Rugosa, crinoids, ostracods, nautiloids, microvertebrates and brachiopods. In the latest marginifera Zone there is a short-termed regressive pulse, and the Annulata Event is well marked in the Late trachytera Zone. The base of the marginifera Zone, a main candidate level for the base of a Middle Famennian, is characterized by the incoming of the index species together with various other representatives of Palmatolepis, Polygnathus, and Polylophodonta. Thus, the level can be recognized with the help of different lineages. Famennian Ancyrognathus and Icriodus alternatus disappear at the base of the zone. The upper part of the Famennian is lost in an unconformity.

CM Schülke continued with a presentation of the Köstenhof section in Bavaria whose data, however, became available to him only very shortly before the meeting. The section is part of a large olistholithic block embedded in Carboniferous strata but within it the succession is undisturbed and rich in conodonts. Some levels have abundant ammonoids or ostracods. As at Beringhauser Tunnel, the base of the marginifera Zone is characterized by the entry of several species. The Annulata Event is indirectly indicated by a post-event goniatite packstone of the basal postera Zone. The base of the expansa Zone is not recognized by the index species but with the help of Pseudopolygnathus brevipennatus. The Secretary reminded that in case of four substages, levels near the Annulata Event, for example the base of the postera Zone, could become important. CM Schülke discouraged the use of Pa. postera since the species comes in gradually and does not seem to be a very precise zonal marker. The Secretary suspected that the classical zonal marker Po. styriacus could be a much better marker just above the Annulata Event. CM Streel drew attention to the fact that the Köstenhof section becomes very condensed towards the top, with Pa. gonioclymeniae entering in the second last bed. CM Spaletta commented on a similar poor reliability of Pa. gracilis expansa as marker for the base of the expansa Zone in the Carnic Alps. C. Corradini confirmed the use of Ps. brevipennatus in Sardinia, instead of expansa. The Secretary summarized the evidence in stating that it seems difficult to define a substage by Pa. gracilis expansa. It is not yet clear whether alternative taxa really enter the record at precisely the same level as oldest expansa and further data are needed. This conodont discussion has to continue once the substage number is decided.

The Secretary presented a new review of Moroccan Famennian ammonoid zonations (Document 9), based on sections in the Tafilalt and Maider. If the total of regional zones and subzones is divided into equal numbers, then a tripartite Middle Famennian should start with the velifer Zone (= Uppermost marginifera Zone, roughly = base of classical Upper Devonian III, Prolobites Stufe), and an Upper Famennian with the Lower or Middle expansa Zone (= base of classical Upper Devonian V, Clymenia Stufe). In a fourfold substage system, a Middle Famennian should begin with the base of the marginifera Zone (which just pre-dates a significant global transgression), an Upper Famennian with the base of the styriacus Zone (just above the Annulata Event), and an Uppermost Famennian with the entry of Pa. gonioclymeniae within the Upper expansa Zone (= ca. base of the traditional Wocklumeria Stufe).

In Document 10, CM Streel outlined late Famennian (ca. Middle to Upper expansa Zone levels) correlations based on palynomorphs, conodonts, and foraminifers from northern France to the Timan of the Russian Platform. Sections such as Dzikowiecz of southwestern Poland, with new data by H.M. Weber, D. Weyer, D. Korn, B. Berkowski etc., play a significant role since they show the (Strunian) transgression of pelagic facies over shallow-water carbonates with foraminifers (e.g., Quasiendothyra kobeitusana and Q. communis radiata) and corals. Biostratigraphic markers of their “Group 6” should be preferred to define an Uppermost Famennian. These are in ascending order: (6a) the clymenid Muessenbiaergia sublaevis (replacing the rare Sphenoclymenia brevispina as zone fossil at the base of the Wocklum Stufe), (6b) Retispora lepidophyta var. minor, (6c) Palmatolepis gonioclymeniae, and (6d) Q. kobeitusana kobeitusana. J.-P. Nicollin explained at some length the stratigraphic value of brachiopods at that time (Document 11). 14 genera of the Productida, five rhynchonellid genera and 17 spiriferid genera were considered which include many cosmopolitan forms. This provides an enormous potential for neritic correlations, especially since there is a focus on taxa, which are correlated with the conodont or foraminifer succession. These presentations finished with the repeated plea for a forth uppermost Famennian substage.

The Secretary closed the Famennian debate with remarks that sufficient evidence has been compiled and that all arguments have been exchanged often enough to proceed with a formal vote on the number of Famennian substages. This will be held by email/letter until the next meeting [All Famennian documents of the last four years have been distributed to all voting members in December 2002, together with a call for their formal vote. Unfortunately, the response is still so incomplete that no result can be presented by the end of May 2003]. The Chairmen asked specialists of neritic and terrestrial fossil groups to compile in 2003 correlation charts for their groups in different areas. 

5. ICS News  ã

The Chairmen reported that ICS is strongly pressing all Subcommissions to complete the definitions of stages latest by 2008, the date of the IGC following Firenze. For example, there are still nine stages left to be defined in the Cretaceous. Also, the base of the Silurian may have to be revised [opposition to this has just been published in Lethaia]. All Subcommissions were asked to hold their business meetings at the next IGC, at the end of August 2004. SDS will hold a special symposium on “High Resolution Stratigraphy for the Subdivision of Stages”. It is expected that significant progress is reached until the date and that formal votes on substage level, including reference section, can proceed right after Firenze. This means that SDS members should work towards this deadline.

The ICS statutes limit the number of voting members, including the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Secretary, to 10-20. SDS has reached this upper limit and the election of new TMs should precede during the normal periodical change with each IGC. In consequence, there should be a change of TMs with the Firenze meeting, replacing older members by younger and active CMs. ICS also confirmed that inactive TMs who do not communicate with their Subcommissions should be eliminated from the list. The corresponding membership of subcommissions must allow diversity in terms of geographic regions and stratigraphical methods. Therefore, SDS should open itself even more to chemostratigraphy, sequence stratigraphy, cyclostratigraphy etc. However, in SDS there has already been a successful history of integrating leading researchers in such fields.

6. Membership  ã

6a. Election of TMs  ã

The Secretary reported that the proposals of A. El Hassani and Zhu Min to become TMs have been confirmed by a majority of TMs in a written ballot.

According to the guidelines of ICS and SDS, the position of A. Hünicken has changed to CM status.

6b. Election of CMs  ã

Three written nominations were submitted prior to the Business Meeting and were approved unanimously:

J.L. Valenzuela Rios, Dipartimento de Geologia, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Valencia, Campus de Burjasot, 46100 Valencia, Spain, jose.I.Valenzuela@uv.es; specialized in Lower to Middle Devonian conodonts of Iberia and the Pyrenees (proposed by TM Garcia-Alcalde, CMs Carls and Murphy)

N. Izokh, Institute of Petroleum Geology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Siberian Branch, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia, izokhn@uiggm.nsc.ru; specialized in conodonts from Siberia and the Rudnyi Altai (proposed by TMs Yolkin and Becker)

I. Schülke, Institut für Geologie und Paläontologie, Universität Hannover, Callinstr. 30, D-30167 Hannover, Germany, schuelke@mbox.geowi.uni-hannover.de ; specialized in Upper Devonian conodonts from Europe (proposed by the German Upper Devonian Working Group, including CM Schindler as well as TMs Ziegler and Becker).

The Secretary asked the membership to come forward at the next meetings with nominations for non-conodont workers. The total number of CMs lies currently at 74, which gives restricted opportunities for additional candidates.

7. Financial Report  ã

The available budget for 2002 lies at 1.365.58 US $. This consists of:

Carried forward from 2001 165,58 $
IUGS-ICS Subvention for 2002  1.200 $

Expenses until the meeting consist of:

Secretary expenses  300 $
Financial support for one active member to attend the meeting  300 $
Financial contribution to the Toulouse organization 300 $
Bank commission 15 $
Balance  450,58 $

(The outstanding costs for Newsletter 18 (400 $) were not yet included since it had not appeared.)

8. Future Meetings  ã

2003

CM Ashouri repeated his invitation for a Business Meeting in Mashad, Iran, in connection with an International Symposium, and including excursions to the Devonian of eastern Iran (ca. 4 days) and to the eastern Elburz Mountains (3 days). The best time for such program would be in November. This offer was welcomed and accepted by the present membership. [However, the political situation and the Iraq war forced SDS to postpone this symposium to autumn 2004.]

2004

The Secretary read the letter of invitation by TM El Hassani to come, once again, to Morocco. But this time, the formerly mostly inaccessible extensive Devonian successions of the Dra Valley will be the scientific focus and these are of high significance for neritic-pelagic correlation and include potential reference sections for Emsian, Givetian and Frasnian substages. The meeting will take place in March 2004 in form of an international symposium either in Agadir or in Marrakech. Support will come from the Institute Scientifique and other Moroccan organizations. The field trip will be lead by TM Becker and co-authors and by the Senckenberg Group (G. Plodowski and co-authors). [In the meantime the latter venue has been decided and the complete program is available on the homepage of TM El Hassani; see also this Newsletter. During the symposium there will be a short Business Meeting and an open forum on progress in substage definition and in neritic-pelagic correlation. Written documents, brief statements, opinions or correlation charts will be highly welcomed.]

The Annual Business Meeting 2004 will take place during the IGC in Firenze, 20-28th August, and in conjunction with the announced SDS Symposium on “High resolution stratigraphy for the subdivision of Devonian stages”.

2005

Our Russian colleagues (TM Yolkin, CM Izokh) offered SDS to have a field trip to Siberia in summer 2005. With respect to the wide distribution of Devonian strata in that region and with their significance for global correlations, this initiative was welcomed.

9. Any other business  ã

None. The Chairman thanked all members and guests for their interest in Devonian stratigraphic matters and asked attendants to remain active in our field. The session was closed in time for lunch.