The Conodont Biostratigraphy of the Black Prince Limestone (Pennsylvanian) of Southeastern Arizona

Abstract

The Black Prince Limestone of southeastern Arizona has been assigned to the Morrowan on the basis of several long-ranging fossils. Since these were not especially diagnostic, the exact time represented by the Black Prince within the Morrowan was uncertain. To date the Black Prince more precisely, six sections were systematically sampled for conodonts. The condonts found, especially Neognathodus bassleri, Rachistognathus muricatus, Idiognathoides convexus, and Spathoqnathodus coloradoensis, indicate a middle Morrowan to early Derryan age for the Black Prince in the study area. Four conodont zones can be recognized: the Neognathodus bassleri Zone, the Idiognathodus sinuosis.- Streptognathodus anteeccentricus Zone , the Idiognathoides convexus Zone, and the Spathognathodus coloradoensis-Neognathodus columbiensis Zone. These zones compare favorably with the zonation previously established in the type Morrowan. This biostratigraphic evidence suggests that the hiatus between the Black Prince and Horquilla Limestones increases in magnitude from southeastern to south-central Arizona. The Black Prince represents a sequence of tidal flat and shallow subtidal carbonate deposits. Mudstones and sparsely fossiliferous wackestones with low fossil diversity and abundance characterize the tidal-flat facies. Grainstones, packstones, and fossiliferous wackestones with high fossil diversity and abundance characterize the shallow subtidal facies.