Sharpeiceras schlueteri Subzone
Base: The base of the S. schlueteri Subzone is in the interval immediately below the common occurrence of the ammonite Sharpeiceras spp.
Top: The top of the subzone is below the common occurrence of the ammonite Mantelliceras saxbii (Wright & Kennedy, 1984), questionably identified in the Folkestone succession at the top of the M3 marker limestone (Gale & Friedrich, 1989).
Range of index species: The index species occurs in the nominate subzone and the M. saxbii Subzone (Wright & Kennedy, 1987).
Key Fauna:
Sharpeiceras spp.Bivalvia: | Inoceramus crippsi (locally very common) |
Ammonoidea: | Hypoturrilites gravesianus (locally very common) |
Mantelliceras spp. (inflated forms) | |
Schloenbachia spp. (locally very common) |
Faunal abundance & preservation: A much more diverse, and typically non-phosphatised fauna than occurs in the underlying N. carcitanense Subzone.
Bio-markers: Acmes of large Inoceramus crippsi crippsi, Hypoturrilites gravesianus and Schloenbachia varians in upper part of subzone.
Age: Early Cenomanian