Document Type : Original Paper

Authors

Department of Geology, Faculty of Sciences, Shahid Bahonar University, Kerman, Islamic Republic of Iran

Abstract

The echinoid fauna of Basab area (Aptian), northwest of Kerman, is fairly rich and diverse, represented by Pygaulidae, Acropeltidae, Emiratiidae, Toxasteridae, Holectypidae, Stomechinidae and Saleniidae. Four regular echinoid species, among which three are new, assigned to genus Tetragramma Agassiz, are described and illustrated in the present paper. The new species are Tetragramma basabensis, T. depressum and T. tetratuberculatus. The diagnostic features of the species are chiefly the number of interambulacral tubercles on ambital plates, the size of apical disc and peristome, and also horizontal and vertical outlines of the test. The Tetragramma specimens occur in association with a rich orbitolinid fauna and macro-invertebrates consisting of bivalves, brachiopods, corals and gastropods. Associated micro-macro fauna suggest an Aptian age for the sediments.

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