Taphocoenoses with echinoderms in the Upper Turonian of the Bohemian Cretaceous Basin: taphonomy, taxonomy, palaeoecology, biostratigraphy

The project is aimed at taphonomic and palaeoecological studies of echinoderms (echinoids, crinoids, asteroids), sponges and brachiopods, and, to a lesser degree, at some other components of the Late Turonian taphocoenoses of the hemipelagic facies in the Ohře region and the siliciclastic facies in the Jizera region, Bohemian Cretaceous Basin (BCB). The most important studied faunal groups will be also taxonomically evaluated. A crucial locality of the project, the Úpohlavy quarry near Lovosice, is relatively well known regarding the geology and stratigraphy.  The conclusions, together with data on ichnology and ichnofabrics, will largely improve our knowledge of sedimentary environments.  Stratigraphic correlations will be based on inoceramids, cephalopods, foraminifers and palynomorphs. Biostratigraphic value of some irregular echinoids (especially Micraster) commonly used in the west European Cretaceous zonation will be tested for the BCB.