Heterostegina from the Oligocene of Southern Italy

Two Oligocene Heterostegina (Foraminifera: Nummulitidae) species are recorded from two localities of Southern Italy. The sampled populations were biometrically investigated and compared with Eocene to Miocene known species. Heterostegina sp. 1 is reported from the Rupelian (SBZ 21 of Cahuzac & Poignant, 1997) of the Caltavuturo Fm. from the Madonie Mts. (Sicily). This population (51 specimens) is referred to the lower Rupelian according to the presence of Nummulites vascus Joly & Leymerie, 1848, N. fichteli Michelotti, 1841, and Halkyardia maxima Cimerman, 1969. Heterostegina sp. 2 (30 specimens) is described from the Chattian Calcareniti di Porto Badisco Fm. from Southern Apulia. The assemblage includes Nephrolepidina morgani and Eulepidina dilatata, markers of SBZ 23