Stratigraphy and Larger Foraminifera of the Middle Eocene to Lower Oligocene Shallow-Marine Units in the Northern and Eastern Parts of the Th race Basin,

northern and eastern parts of the Th race Basin with detailed biometric analysis of the full spectrum of larger benthic foraminifera (mainly nummulitids and orthophragmines). Th is allows us to establish a high-resolution biostratigraphy in the context of the shallow benthic zonation (with SBZ zones) of the Tethyan Palaeogene since larger foraminiferal assemblages show a very strong Western Tethyan affi nity. Only two species (Heterostegina armenica and Orbitoclypeus haynesi) are unknown so far to the west of the Th race Basin. Th e age of particular larger foraminiferal sites is determined based on (i) the occurrence and developmental stage of diff erent species of Heterostegina (H. armenica hacimasliensis n. ssp. is introduced here), (ii) the presence/absence of giant Nummulites, (iii) the presence/absence of Spiroclypeus, (iv) the developmental stage of reticulate Nummulites, (v) the occurrence and developmental stage of orthophragmines, (vi) the occurrence of particular Operculina and radiate Nummulites. Six larger foraminiferal horizons could be established. Th ey correspond to (i) the vicinity of the early/late Bartonian boundary (SBZ 17/18), (ii) the middle late Bartonian (SBZ 18B), (iii) the latest Bartonian (SBZ 18C), (iv) the early Priabonian (SBZ 19), (v) the late Priabonian (SBZ 20) and (vi) the early Rupelian (SBZ 21). Th ree main shallow-water depositional environments could be recognized in both the late Bartonian and Priabonian: two of them took place in the middle shelf; one with low and another with hig