JOURNAL GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF INDIA
Vol.93, June 2019, pp.675-683
Upper Cretaceous and Early Paleogene Smaller Calcareous Benthic
Foraminifera from Cauvery Basin, Southeast India
Abiraman Govindan1* and R. Vijayan2
1
Asian Biostratigraphic Services, H-53, Central Avenue, Korattur, Chennai - 600 080, India
2
Department of Geology, National College, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirapalli - 620 001, India
*E-mail: abiramangovindan@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Smaller calcareous benthic foraminiferal fauna consists of
198 species with observed stratigraphic ranges from upper
Cretaceous to early Paleogene are documented from Cauvery
Basin. One species has been described as new species. This
compilation is based on well cutting samples of 17 exploratory
wells from sub-surface litho units Kamalapuram Formation of
early Eocene – Paleocene age and the underlying Porto Nova and
Nannilam Formation of Maestrichtian – Campanian age. Several
representatives of Nodosariids, Gyroidinoidids and Gavelinellids
were found with extended stratigraphic ranges crossing K/T
boundary. Nearly 40 benthic species became extinct at the end of
Paleocene as reported among deep sea benthics elsewhere. The
record of high diversity of benthic species, moderately high
percentage of planktic forms associated with several of deep water
organic walled agglutinated benthic species indicates sediments at
this time interval are deep water shelf and slope deposits in the
basin.
INTRODUCTION
In the Cauvery basin, upper Cretaceous and early Paleogene
sediments are exposed as disconnected patches in Tamil Nadu and in
the union territory of Puducherry (Fig. 1). These sediments are well
known for its rich mega and microfaunal remains and form the
subject matter for several reports/ publications. This basin is one of
the Indian sedimentary basins where both Upper Cretaceous and
Tertiary benthic and planktic foraminifera and their correlation
with established planktic zonal scheme have been well studied.
This study was mainly supported by the interest taken by different
oil exploration agencies operating in recent years in different parts
of the basin.
It is very evident from these studies that upper Cretaceous
and early Paleogene sediments of Cauvery basin are essentially
deep shelf and slope sediments. Documentation on the occurrence of
several deep water organic walled agglutinated benthic foraminiferal
species together with benthic and planktic in several well sections in
this time interval substantiates this reasoning (Govindan, 2015).
This basin, therefore, is ideally suited for knowing the distribution
of deep water smaller calcareous benthic foraminifers during this
period in this part of Tethys, enabling to compare with the faunal
data of other regions in the corresponding paleolatitudinal position.
The main intent of this contribution is (1) to report the smaller
calcareous benthic foraminifera of 198 species in the Campanian to
Ypresian Stage of this basin, (2) to document the observed stratigraphic
ranges of these species against the standard planktic zonal scheme,
(3) to infer the paleoenvironment conditions of the sediments in
conjunction with the other data and (4) to compare the faunal record
with the other corresponding low paleolatitudinal areas in the
Caribbean, Atlantic and Western Tethyan region.
0016-7622/2019-93-6-675/$ 1.00 © GEOL. SOC. INDIA | DOI: 10.1007/s12594-019-1246-1
GEOLOGICAL SETTING
Cauvery basin, a pericratonic continental margin basin in SE India,
is bounded on the east by Sri Lankan massif and on the west by
Peninsular craton. The basin has undergone two structural stratigraphic
stages. The first one is confined to late Jurassic-early Cretaceous Period
dominated by block movements and fragmentation along NE-SW
eastern ghat basement trend. The second one was initiated during the
onset of Tertiary with a basinal tilt due east with a series of depressions
filled with sediments due to periodic transgressions and regressions
(Sastri et al., 1977). These depressions were delineated by sub-surface
ridges along basinal faults. These sub-basins and ridges were named
after local geographical places as shown in Fig.1. Maximum
sedimentary fill is of the order 5 to 5.5 km. Nearly two third is of
Mesozoic and the remainder is of Tertiary. On the western margin, the
Cretaceous and early Paleogene sediments are exposed as disconnected
outcrops. The one exposed near Tiruchirapalli – Ariyalur being the
largest one and also widely known by its megafauna (Stoliczka, 1868;
Kossmat, 1895; Sastry et al. 1972; Ayyasami, 1990) and microfauna
(Govindan, 1972, 1977, 1978, 2015; Govindan and Narayanan 1980;
Govindan and Ravindran 1996, 1997; Govindan et al. 1996; Gowda
1964; Narayanan 1977; Rajagopalan 1965; Rasheed and Govindan,
1968 and Ravindran 1980).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The present report is based on the micropaleontological studies of
about 475 well cutting samples collected from 17 exploratory wells.
Including 3 from offshore extension of Cauvery basin. The well
cuttings are from 300m drilled section of Kamalapuram Formation of
Paleocene – Early Eocene age and 300 to 500m section in the
underlying Porto Nova and Nannilam Formation of Maestrichtian –
Campanian age.
The sub-surface lithostratigraphic units (Venkatarengan et al.
1993) referred in well files are indicated against the well known
correlatable exposed groups in Table 1 for reference. The sedimentary
sequence in the deeper part is mostly shales, silty shales, siltstones
and sandstones. Standard micropaleontologic sample processing
procedures were employed for recovery of microfauna from the
washed dried residues. Since, the sample spread varies from 5 to
20m interval, a semi quantitative estimate only on the faunal
abundance could be made. The cutting samples however, provides an
opportunity to compare the benthic foraminiferal record from the east
coast Indian basin with the other Tethyan basins in the same
paleolatitudinal position, at least semi quantitatively. Preservation
varies from excellent to moderate through much of the samples, to
fair and poor in a few samples. In general, forms were picked
from 100 mesh screen (0.149µ) but specimens were also picked from
smaller screen size as well, for paleoecologically taxonomic distinct
taxa.
The studied wells for of this report are falling in different sub–
 Table 1. Exposed Groups and their subsurface lithostratigraphic units in the
Cauvery Basin (Source Venkatarengan et al. 1991)

Fig.1. Location map showing the studied wells in Cauvery basin.

Maestrichtian is found missing indicating a hiatus. In many well
sections the biozone P3 and P4 in the Paleocene P6 and P7 in the
basins (Fig.1). The wells studied are numbered 1 to 17. The location Early Eocene are of considerable thickness. Lithologic characters,
details could not be provided due to confidentiality and approximate foraminiferal assemblages and log characters helped in the finer
position is however indicated. Suspected K/T boundary of these breakdown of the sequence and well to well inter basinal correlation.
wells is mentioned in the Table 2 for reference. The observed stratigraphic ranges of smaller benthic foraminiferal
species in the subsurface have been shown against standard planktic
BIOSTRATIGRAPHY
The stratigraphic sequence examined from well cuttings represents Table 2. Suspected K/T boundary in the studied wells from different sub-
the early Eocene, late Paleocene, early Paleocene and upper Cretaceous basins.
covering Maestrichtian and Campanian Stages. The presence of age
diagnostic planktic foraminiferal species in the samples facilitated in
age determination by referring to standard scheme of Robaszynski
and Caron (1979) and Premoli Sliva and Sliter (1995) for upper
Cretaceous; Olsson et al. (1999) for Paleocene and Pearson et al. (2006)
for Eocene.
The biozones Globotruncana ventricosa in early-mid Campanian
and Gansserina gansseri in the late Campanian to middle Maestrichtian
are more persistent with considerable thickness in many wells. The
biozone Abathomphalus mayaroensis of highest Maestrichtian age is
recorded in some well sections in the Porto Nova shales. In the
overlying Kamalapuram Formation of Paleocene-early Eocene age
the biozones P1 to P9 has been recognized in the sequence. Not all
the planktic zones in sequential order could be marked in a particular
well with adequate faunal control due to several geological factors.
Since studied wells are from different sub- basins having variable
tectonic subsidence history and lithological facies (Govindan and
Ravindran, 1997). Hence it was not feasible to come across a well
displaying lowest to highest biozone of Campanian to Ypresian Stage
in sequential order. In some wells, early Danian sediments are
condensed/not represented. Likewise in some wells part of

676 JOUR.GEOL.SOC.INDIA, VOL.93, JUNE 2019

zones. The total range of each species has been documented noting
the first downhole appearance and its disappearance level further down
in the section. Since this study is primarily based on well cuttings,
care has been taken to eliminate downhole contaminants as well as
displaced/resedimented forms. Despite these shortcomings, the
distribution of foraminifers is that of the normal reported studies of
corresponding biostratigraphic events. About 198 smaller calcareous
benthic species including one new species (Appendix) with observed
stratigraphic ranges have been compiled for reference (Table 3a
and 3b).
Some generalizations can be made based on the observed
stratigraphic ranges of some benthic species of this basin in several
well sections. Species such as Lenticulina pseudovortex, L. convergens,
L. velascoensis, Dentalina colei, Anomalinoides madrugaensis,
Anomalinoides acutus, Eponides megastoma, Nuttallides truempyi,
Alabamina dissonata, Hoeglundulina elegans, Uvigerina jacksonensis
and Buimina excavata are well represented in the early Eocene
sequence.
Further downhole in the Paleocene sequence relatively high faunal
diversity has been noticed in many well sections. Some forms exhibit
first and last occurrence within the Paleocene. Among these the
following can be cited: Lenticulina klagshamnensis, L. turbinatus, L.
rancocasensis, Vagenulinopsis longiforma, Eponides plummerae,
Ceratobulimina perplexa, Bolivinoides delicatulus, B. paleocenicus,
Tappanina selmensis, Pseudouivergerina triangularis, Dentalina
vistulae, Anomalinoides howelli, A. rubiginosus, Cibicidoides
succeedens and Coleites reticulosus.
A noticeable extinction of nearly 40 benthic species has been
observed at the end of the Paleocene. It has been well established that
the deep sea benthic foraminiferal faunas extinction was a unique global
event at the end of Paleocene (Thomas, 1990a,b; Kennett and Stott, Plate 1. 1. Lenticulina pilulifera (Cushman). Well KJ-10, depth 1300
1991;Thomas and Shackleton, 1996). – 1305m. 2-3. Lenticulina davisi (Bandy), 2. Side view and 3. oblique
No major extinction of smaller calcareous benthic foraminifera edge view; well BV-11; depth 2520 – 2525m. 4. Lenticulina
has been observed at the K/T boundary in the studied wells. Several spissocostatus (Cushman). Well ND-2; depth 1160 – 1165m.
representatives belonging to Nodasariids, Gavelinellids and 5. Lenticulina muensteri (Roemer). Well PP7, depth 1010-1015m.
Gyroidinoids were seen having extended stratigraphic ranges crossing 6. Lenticulina insulsa (Plummer). Well ND-1; depth 700 – 710m.
K/T boundary as reported among deepwater benthics elsewhere. An 7. Lentiuculina midwayensis (Plummer). Well KJ-10; depth 1800 –
increase in the faunal diversity has been observed in the underlying 1805m. 8. Lenticulina macrodisca (Plummer). Well BV-11; depth 2250
upper Cretaceous section as that of early Paleocene section. – 2245m. 9. L enticulina klagshamnensis (Brotzen). Well KJ-10; depth
Upper Cretaceous benthic assemblages were well represented and 1000 – 1010m. 10. Lenticulina velascoensis White. Well KJ-10; depth
diversified with representatives of Lenticulinids, Buliminids, 1000-1010m. 11. Lenticulina cf. rotulata (Lamarck). Well BV-11; depth
Gavelinellids, Anomalinoidids, Pullenias in the G. gansseri and G. 2280 – 2285m. 12. Oridorsalis umbonatus (Reuss). Spiral view; Well
ventricosa zones in many wells. The buliminids and nodosarids PD-1; depth 1300 – 1305m. 13. Pullenia coryelli White. Side view;
components vary between 10 and 15%, while Gavelinellids make up Well ND-1; depth 1375 – 1380m. 14-15. Pullenia cretacea Cushman.
25 to 35% and agglutinated benthic taxa 10 to 15% of the total benthic 14 – 15 Side view; Well KJ-10; depth 1375-1380m. 16. Gyroidinoides
foraminiferal population. quadratus (Cushman and Church). Umbilical view; Well BV-11; depth
Benthic forms such us Coryphostoma incrassata, C. incrassata 220-2225m. 17. Gyroidinoides beisseli (White). Oblique peripheral
gigantea, Lenticulina ovalis, L. macrodisca, Neoflabellima reticulata, view; Well KJ-10; depth 2130 – 2135m. 18-19. Gyroidinoides
Hoeglundulina supracretacea, Pleurostomella cretacea, Pullenia subangulatus (Plummer). 18. Spiral view and 19. Edge view; Well
cretacea, Alabamina dorsoplana, Gavelinella stephensoni, G. welleri, BV-11; depth 2200-2205m. 20. Lenticulina convergens (Bonnemann).
Anomalinoides affinis, Gyroidinoides nitidus, G. girardana are found Well PD-1; depth 1280-1285m. 21. Eponides plummerae (Cushman).
confining to Upper Cretaceous only. Spiral view; Well KJ-10; depth 1890-1895m. 22. Eponides sp. cf.
Some of the predominant cosmopolitan benthic taxa observed in megastoma (Grzybowski). Spiral view; Well KJ-10; depth 1885-
the studied well sections include Pleurostomella acuta, Praebulimina 1890m. 23. Lenticulina modesta (Bandy). Well BV-11; depth 2280 –
quadrata, p. velascoensis, Pyramudulina affinis, Quadrimorphina 2285m. 24. Gyroidinoides bollii (Cushman and Church). Spiral view;
allomorphinoides, Gyroidinoides subangulata, G. octacamerata, Well BV-11; depth 2180 – 2185m
Gavelinella sandidgei, G. neelyi, Cibicidoides propries and Bulimina
quadrata. All these forms make their downhole appearance below the the depth of deposition of sedimentary deposits of Campanian to
top of Paleocene, P5, M. velascoensis Zone. Many of these forms Ypresian age in Cauvery basin. In this respect, detailed study of
become extinct at the close of Paleocene as recorded elsewhere. benthic forms is most useful in the inference of depth of deposition of
studied sequence. The present documentation of benthic foraminiferal
PALEOENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS assemblages has enabled to note the marine environmental changes in
Lithologic characteristics together with foraminiferal composition, the investigated time interval. The presence of moderately rich
preservation and distribution in the studied samples allow inferring calcareous planktics, benthics and organically walled agglutinated

JOUR.GEOL.SOC.INDIA, VOL.93, JUNE 2019 677

678

Table 3a and 3b. Stratigraphic ranges of commonly recorded Upper Cretaceous and early Paleogene smaller calcareous benthic foraminifera in the Cauvery Basin.

Table 3a
JOUR.GEOL.SOC.INDIA, VOL.93, JUNE 2019
 Table 3b
JOUR.GEOL.SOC.INDIA, VOL.93, JUNE 2019 679
Plate 2. 1 – 2. Anomalinoides rubiginosus (Cushman). 1. Umblical
view 2. Peripheral view; Well ND-1; depth 1350-1355m. 3.
Gavelinella sandidgei (Brotzen). Spiral view; Well ND-1; depth 1400-
1405m. 4. Gavelinella cf. eriksdalensis (Brotzen). Spiral view; Well
ND-1; depth 1150 – 1160m. 5. Cibicidoides proprius (Brotzen). Spiral
view; Well PM-6; depth 2400 – 2410m. 6. Gavelinella henbesti
(Plummer). Umblical view; Well PM-6; depth 2010-2015m. 7.
Anomalinoides affinis (Hantken). Umbilical view; Well ND-1; depth
1550-1555m. 8. Cibicioides dayi (White) Umbilical view; Well KJ-
10; depth 1890 – 1895m. 9. Gavelinella cf. nacatochensis (Cushman).
Umbilical view; Well My-2; depth 2100 - 2105m. 10. Cibicidina
blanpiedi (Toulmin). Spiral view; Well PM-6; depth 1920-1925m. 11.
Cibicides simplex (Brotzen). Spiral view; Well KJ-10; depth 1850 –
1855m. 12. Cibicidoides succeedens (Brotzen). Umbilical view; well
MY-2; depth 1840 – 1845m. 13. Angulogavelinella avnimelechi
(Reiss). Umbilical view; Well ND-1; depth 1300-1305m. 14.
Anomalinoides nobilis Brotzen. Spiral view; Well PD-1; depth 1140
– 1145m. 15. Anomalinoides acutus (Plummer). Umblical view; Well
KJ-10; depth 1870-1875m. 16. Anomalinoides madrugaensis
(Cushman and Brmudez). Umblical view; Well ND-1; depth 1760 –
1770m. 17. Gavelinella stephensoni (Cushman). Spiral view; Well
PE-8; depth 1780 – 1785m.. 18. Anomalinoides umbonatus
(Cushman). Spiral view; Well ND-1; depth 1250 - 1255m. 19.
Ceratobulimina cretacea Cushman and Harris. Umbilical view; Well
ND-1; depth 1520 – 1525m. 20–23 Anomalinoides giganteus
Govindan, n. sp., 20 - Spiral view; Paratype; ONG/RGLB/017/2. Well
ND-1; depth 1425 – 1430m. 21 – Umbilical view; Holotype; ONG/
RGLB/017/1. Well ND-1; 1425 – 1430m. 22 – Umbilical view;
Paratype; ONG/RGLB/017/3. Well ND-1; depth 1450-1455m. 23 –
Edge view; Paratype. Well ND-1; depth 1450 – 1455m
Plate 3. 34. Nodosaria macneili Cushman. Well ND-2; depth 520 –
525m. 35. Chrysalogonium cretaceum Cushman and Church. Well
PM-6; depth 2080 – 2090m. 36. Ellipsoidella kugleri (Cushman and
Renz). Well KJ-10; depth 1100 – 1105m
680
Plate 3. 1–2. Praebulimina kickapoensis Cole. Well KJ-10; depth
1950 – 1955m. 3, 6. Praebulimina carseyae (Plummer). Well KJ-10;
depth 1950 – 1955m. 4. Praebulimina reussi (Morrow). Well BV-11;
depth 1500 – 1505m. 5. Praebulimina aspera (Cushman and Parker).
Well KJ-10; depth 1600 – 1605m. 7. Nuttallides truempyi (Nuttall).
Umbilical view; Well PBS-11-1; depth 1950 – 1955m. 8. Karreria
fallax Rzehak. Side view; Well ND – 2; depth 400 – 410m. 9.
Saracenaria triangularis (d’Orbigny). Edge view; Well KJ-10; depth
1550 – 1555m. 10. Neoflabellina permutata Koch. Well KJ-10; depth
2000 – 2005m. 11. Hoeglundulina elegans (d’Orbigny). Spiral view;
Well PD-1; depth 1930 – 1935m. 12. Colomia californica Bandy.
Well PM-6; depth 2400 – 2405m. 13. Vaginulina plummerae Cushman.
Well ND-2; depth 1180 – 1185m. 14. Vaginulinopsis longiforma
(Plummer). Well KJ-10; depth 1850 – 1855m. 15. Siphonodosaria
nuttalli (Cushman and Jarvis). Well BV-11; depth 1160-1165m. 16.
Stillostomella gracilima (Cushman and Jarvis). Well MY-2; depth 1700
– 1705m. 17. Dentalina legumen (Reuss). Well PM-6; depth 2200 –
2205m. 18. Orthomorphina rohri (Cushman and Stainforth). Well UP-
3; depth 1195 – 1200m. 19. Dentalina colei (Cushman and Dusenbury).
Well ND-2; depth 620 – 630m. 20. Laevidentalina altrenata (Jones).
Well KJ-10; depth 1250 – 1255m. 21. Stilostomella paleocenica
(Cushman and Todd). Well ND-1; depth 850 – 880m. 22. Ramulina
aculeata (d’Orbigny). Well ND-1; depth 1250 – 1255m. 23.
Laevidentalina catenula (Reuss). Well KJ-10; depth 1650 – 1655m.
24. Lagena stavensis Bandy. Well ND-1; depth 1300 – 1300m. 25.
Bulimina trinitatensis Cushman and Jarvis. Well PM-6; depth 1550 –
1560m. 26. Nodosaria limbata (d’Orbigny). Well ND-1; depth 1375
– 1380m. 27. Stilostomella paleocenica (Cushman and Todd). Well
ND-2; depth 500 – 505m. 28. Nodosaria aspera Reuss. Well ND-1;
depth 1575 – 1580m. 29. Pseudoglandulina manifesta (Reuss). Well
MY-2; depth 2140 – 2145m. 30. Pyramidulina latejugata (Guembell).
Well MY-2; depth 1905 – 1910m. 31. Nodosaria obscura (Reuss).
Well AG-1; depth 2240 – 2250m. 32. Pyramidulina orthaplerua
(Reuss). Well AG-1; depth 2250 – 2250m. 33. Pyramidulina
multicostata (d’ Orbigny). Well ND-2; depth 730 – 740m.
JOUR.GEOL.SOC.INDIA, VOL.93, JUNE 2019

Plate 4. 1. Colomia californica Bandy. Well PP-7; depth 1920 –
1925m. 2. Lenticulina carlsbadensis Sliter. Well PT-2; depth 1760 –
1765m. 3. Pleurostomella subnodosa (Reuss). Well BV-11; depth 2180
– 2185m. 4. Bandyella greatvalleyensis (Trujillo). Well PP-7; depth
1910 – 1915m. 5. Chilostomella trinitatensis (Cushman and Todd).
Well BV-11; depth 1820 – 1825m. 6. Laevidentalina basiplanata
(Cushman). Well KJ-10; depth 1550 – 1555m. 7. Globulina lacrima
(Reuss). Well ND-1; depth 1400 – 1405m. 8. Fissurina oblonga Reuss.
Well KJ-10; depth 2150 – 2155m. 9. Reosolina apiculata elliptica
(Reuss). Well ND-1; depth 1325 – 1330m. 10. Coryphostoma
incrassata (Reuss). Well BV-11; depth 2180 – 2185m. 11
Coryphostoma incrassata gigantea (Wicher). Well BV-11; depth 2220
– 2225m. 12 – 13. Uvigerina jacksonensis Cushman. Well PD-1; depth
1080 – 1085. 14. Uvigerina cf. gallowayi Cushman. Well UP-3; depth
1250 – 1255m. 15 Uvigerina arkadelphiana midwayensis (Cushman
and Parker) Well MY-2; depth 1805 – 1810m. 16. Pyrulina
velascoensis (Cushman) Well ND-1; depth 1350 – 1355m 17.
Praeglobobulima ovata (d’Orbigny) Well PM-6; depth 1750 – 1755m.
18 – 20. Gavelinella beccariiformis (White). 18. Umbilical view; 19.
Peripheral view; 20. Spiral view; Well MY-2; depth 2160 – 2165m.
21 Neoflabellina cf. reticulata (Reuss) Well MY-2; depth 2140 – 2145m
benthics in the studied section indicates warm open ocean depositional
conditions.
In many wells, in the Kamalapuram Formation of Paleocene-early
Eocene age, the smaller calcareous benthic forms are composed chiefly
of representatives of Gavelinellids, Anomalinoidids, Lenticulinids,
Praebuliminids, Osangularids, Vaginulinopsids and Cibicidids. All
these were indicative of upper neritic to upper bathyal water depth;
200 to 500m (Berggren and Philips, 1971; Douglas, 1973; Vincent et
al., 1974) The occurrence of Nuttalides truempyi and Uvigerina
jacksonensis in the early Eocene sediments is also suggestive of deeper
bathymetric conditions.
Another commonly recorded form Gavelinella beccariiformis
together with other gavelinellids, praebuliminids and gyoidinoidids
in many well sections are also indicative of deep bathyal environments
JOUR.GEOL.SOC.INDIA, VOL.93, JUNE 2019
(Aubert and Berggren, 1976; Nyong and Olsson, 1984, Katz and
Miller, 1991; Speijer and Vander Zwann, 1996).
Besides these forms, the presence of organic walled deep water
agglutinated benthics such as Haplophragmoides, Trochammina,
Recurvoides, Cribrostromoides and Hyperammina co-occurring with
calcareous benthics in this time interval would thus support this
bathymetric attribution (Govindan, 2015).
The greater diversity of benthic species, the high relative percentage
of planktic forms and the co occurrence of deep water agglutinated
benthics suggest that these Upper Cretaceous and early Paleogene
sediments are deeper water outer shelf to upper- middle slope deposits.
The different sub-basins seem to have undergone rapid tectonic
subsidence at this period (Govindan and Ravindran, 1997). The sub-
basins Ramnad, Palk Bay including offshore extension in the southern
part of the basin reflects more deepening of the depocenters, in contrast
with those sub-basins in the northern part. This is well evident by the
presence of several deep water agglutinated benthic species of
Paratrochamminoides at the Maestrichtian in many wells in southern
sub-basins. The commonly occurring forms Stensioina pommerana,
Osangularia cordieriana, Eouvigerina subscultptura, Pullenia coryelli
and Pullenia cretacea associated with other deep water bathyal
indicator benthic species in the Porto Nova Formation indicates
deposition in the deep slope conditions.
The concomitant cessation of terrigenous sediments from the
adjoining basement is probably the cause of widespread Campanian –
Maestrichtian transgression in the basin. These events were also
influenced by local tectonic movements of different sub-basin and
consequently local basin topography and supply of terrigenous clastic
deposits.
The ostracod and foraminiferal fauna reported in the adjoining
outcropping sediments appear to have been deposited in less
bathymetric condition than those from the coeval sub-surface section
(Gowda, 1964; Sastry et. al., 1972).
COMPARISION WITH OTHER AREAS
Comparison with the other low paleolatitudinal regions at
which this time interval faunal record was reported reveals close
similarities. The benthic foraminiferal microfaunas are nearly similar
between this basin and the U.S. Gulf – Atlantic Coastal, Caribbean
and Mediterranean region. Several of the recorded benthic foraminifers
can be identified by referring to the pioneering studies of Plummer
(1927), Jennings (1936), Cushman (1946, 1951) and Olsson (1960)
from U.S. Gulf and Atlantic coastal region. Among the common species
in the faunal assemblage between these regions the following occurring
in the basin can be mentioned: Lenticulina velascoensis, L.
navarronensis, L. spissocostatus, L. macrodisca, Gyroidinoides
globosus, G. nitidus, Praebulimina kickapoensis, P. reussi, P. quadrata,
Pullenia cretacea, P. coryelli, Nuttallides truempyi, Eouvigerina
subsculptura, Osangularia cordieriana and several others. Besides,
many agglutinated benthic species are also common between these
regions. (Govindan, 2015).
A detailed document on the smaller benthic foraminifera occurring
in the stratigraphic section from Late Albina to Early Eocene of
Trinidad has been brought out by Bolli, Beckmann and Saunders
(1994). A total stratigraphic range of each reported species is presented.
Age equivalent commonly occurring benthic species between Trinidad
and Cauvery Basin include Pyramudulina latejugata, P. obscura,
Lenticulina convergens, L. klagshamnensis, L. midwayensis, L.
muensteri. L. velascoensis, Sarceenaria triangularis, S.saratagona
Loxostomoides applinae, Tappanina, selmensis, Bolivonoides
delicatulus, B. draco, B. miliaris, Eouvigerina subsculptura,
Praebulimina kickapoensis, P. quadrata, Coryphostoma incrassata,
Siphonodosaria nuttalli, Cibicidoides proprius, Nuttalides truempyi,
Pullenia coryelli, Allomorphina cretacea, Alabamina midwayensis,
681
Anomalinoides rubigenosus, A. nobilis, Gyroidinoides globosus,
Cibicidoides dayi and G. beccariiformis. Further, nearly 50% of
deepwater agglutinated benthic species are common between these
regions (Kaminski et al., 1988; Govindan, 2015). An increasing number
of similar benthic forms has been observed in the Cauvery Basin as
that of reported from north eastern Mexico ( Alegret and Thomas,
2001). South Atlantic ODP sites (Sliter, 1968, 1977. Beckmann, 1978;
Widmark and Malmgren, 1992), Indian Ocean ODP sites (Proto-
Decima and Bolli, 1978; Basov and Krasheninnikov, 1983; Katz and
Miller, 1991).
A direct comparison of the presence and ranges of individual
benthic taxa between these areas would contribute towards a better
understanding of paleobathymetric conditions of Cauvery basin
during upper Cretaceous and early Paleogene.
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
The Cauvery basin, a coastal, continental margin basin in south
east India contains one of the expanded and biostratigraphically nearly
complete sedimentary deposits of upper Cretaceous - early Paleogene
age. The isolated exposures in the western margin adjoining the
Peninsular craton are widely known for its rich mega and microfauna.
Additionally significant data has come to light in recent times through
studies on deep well samples on bio-litho stratigraphy, tectano
sedimentation and hydrocarbon source prone sections. The present
detailed study on calcareous benthic foraminifers in the subsurface
sediments conclusively indicated an open ocean deep water
environment.
The present study deals on the report of 198 benthic foraminifers
including one new species, belonging to 65 genera. The calcareous
benthics are dominated by representatives of Gavelinellids,
Anomalinoidids, Lenticulinids, Stilostomellids, Praebulimids and
Pullenias. The reported occurrence of deep water agglutinated benthic
foraminifers of Bathysiphon, Haplophragmoides, Trochamminoides
Paratrochamminoides, Glomospira and Caudammina, in these well
samples further substantiates that these are deep shelf/slope sediments
deposited in quiet water, dysoxic condition with rapid sedimentation
of fine grained silts and clays.
The corresponding age equivalent sediments exposed on the
western margin adjoining the Peninsular craton containing comparable
benthic foraminiferal assemblages with the exception of deepwater
agglutinated benthics foraminifera prevalent in the subsurface sections.
Besides the representatives of Polymorphnids, some Nodosriids as
Frondicularia recorded from exposed sections are not well represented
in the subsurface.
No major extinction of calcareous benthic foraminifera was
observed at K/T boundary in the studied wells. Representatives
belonging to Gavelinellids, Anomalinoidids and Gyroidinoidids were
recorded with extended stratigraphic ranges across K/T boundary as
normally reported among deep sea benthics. Further, it is observed
from the vertical distribution of benthic species, a noticeable extinction
of about 40 species at the close of Paleocene. The taxa that become
extinct at this time interval are mostly epifaunal trochospiral
morphotypes such as species of Gavelinellids, Anomalinoidids and
Gyroidinoidids. A change in the characterization of deep sea water
has been suggested for extinction of benthics at this interval (Thomas,
1990a,b). Further, the extinction of deepwater benthonic foraminifera
at Paleocene/Eocene boundary coinciding with thermal maximum
could be significant factor affecting and particularly eliminating the
calcareous benthics foraminferal microfauna (Thomas, 1998; 2007;
Zamagni, et. al. 2012)
Acknowledgement: The author A. Govindan is grateful to Director
(Exploration) ONGC Ltd., Basin Manager Cauvery Basin and Head
RGL for giving an opportunity to carry out biostratigraphic studies in
682
certain key wells of this basin. He thanks Drs. W.A. Berggren, Ellen
Thomas, Laia Algret, Speijer, Scheibner and many others for sparing
their publications; to Dr. R. Nagendra, Anna University for extending
assistance in providing SEM micrographs for some forms and Mr. G.
Karthik for bringing out the text and plates in digital format. He also
thanks Drs. S. Hussain and Suresh Gandhi conveners of 26th ICMS
organized by the department of Geology University of Madras in
August 2017 for extending invitation to preside over the colloquium
and to present this study as a keynote address.
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(Received: 11 August 2018; Revised form accepted: 18 March 2019)

APPENDIX New Species

Family ANOMALINIDAE Cushman, 1927
Genus Anomalinodies Brotzen, 1942
Anomalinodies giganteus Govindan, n. sp.
Pl.2 figs.20 – 23
Description: The abnormally large sized trochospiral test is nearly biconvex, subcircular, slightly higher than broad, spiral side is partially evolute
with 1 ½ whorls while umbilical side nearly involute with 10-12 gradually increasing higher than broad chambers in the final whorl. Sutures gently
curved, flush to faintly depressed, indistinct, and distinct when wet. Periphery subrounded. Aperture typical anomalinoidid type, a continuous
interiomarginal slit like opening from a short distance on the umbilical side extending on to the spiral side with an incipient lip.
Remarks: Abnormally large sized test with diameter ranging from 4mm to 6mm and thickness from 1.5mm to 2.3mm, clearly sets apart from other
anomalinoidids. The test is showing a high degree of intraspecific variation mainly shown by variation in the end chambers tending to become uncoil
and in the thick deposition of secondary calcite on both sides of the test giving smooth granular structure to calcareous perforate wall are distinguishing
features of this species.
Max. diameter 4.0mm to 6.0mm Max. thickness 1.5mm to 2.3mm; Holo type: ONG/RGLB/017/1 (Pl.2; Fig. 21) Para type: ONG/RGLB/017/
2 (Pl. 2; Fig. 20) Type level: Maestrichtian – Gansserina gansseri Zone. Type locality: Well ND-1 depth 1250 – 1260m. Cauvery Basin, India.

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