Voorthuyseniella (Problematica) from the Pleistocene of the Texas Continental Shelf

Abstract

A cuttings sample, predominantly composed of mollusk fragments with subsidiary quartz and minor glauconite, was obtained from a well located in the Brazos area of offshore Texas. This sample (approximately 10 ml of dry residue) yielded a rich foraminiferal fauna. Twenty-seven benthonic species, with over 500 individuals, and seven planktonic species with over 30 individuals were recorded. The associated fauna and flora is composed of ostracods, bryozoa, and calcareous algae. The fossil assemblage indicates a middle neritic (50'-300' water depth) environment of deposition and an upper Pleistocene age for the sample.