Fusulinid fauna study of the Dalan Formation at Il-e Beyk section, Zard Kud area, Zagros

Permian deposits (Kubergandian-Lopingian) at Il-e Beyk section located in Bakhtiyari Zard Kuh, High Zagros, was studied comprehensively in regard to its fusulinids faunas for the first time. In this study 30 species belong to 14 genera were recognized and in addition one species (Rugososchwagerina zagroensis) was described systematically. Five Zones were distinguished in the studied section. The oldest one is Praeskinerella parviflucta-Chusenella? pseudocompacta is situated in the lower 120 m of the succession and is assignable to Kubergandian. The second zone is Eopolydiexodina persica occurs from 120 through 320 meters in the section and is referable to Early-Middle Murgabian. The Third zone is Chusenella schwagerinaeformis-Rugososchwagerina zagroensis that is found in a very narrow horizon within 320-350 m of the succession and yield late Murgabian-Early Midian age. The fourth zone is Parafusulina crassispira established from 360 to 435 m in the succession and is dated to Early Midian. The fifth zone is Afghanella schencki extended from 438 through 687 m and of latest Midian age. The strata rested in 920 m above the base of the section contain small foraminifers including Paraglobivalvulina sp. and Dagmarita sp. that can be considered Lopingian in age. The interval from 687 through 920 m yield no fossil and can be assigned to either Guadalupian or Lopingian age. Fusulinids studied in this paper demonstrate western Tethyan affinity