The Upper Cretaceous succession exposed at Wadi El Dier, Saint Paul area, and Wadi El Dakhl was measured and studied in detail using macrofossil assemblages. The studied sequence is subdivided lithostratigraphically, into the Galala Formation (Cenomanian-Early Turonian), the Umm Omeiyid Formation (early Middle Turonian), the Wata Fotrmation (late Middle-Late Turonian), the Matulla Formation (Coniacian –?Early Campanian), and the Sudr Chalk (Campanian-Maastrichtian). Biostratigraphically, five ammonite zones have been recognized from Wadi El Deir section; Acanthoceras amphibolum Zone (late Middle Cenomanian), Vascoceras cauvini Total Range Zone (late Late Cenomanian), Choffaticeras segne Total Range Zone (Early Turonian), Coilopoceras requienianum Total Range Zone (late Middle-early Late Turonian), Metatissotia fourneli Total Range Zone (Middle – Late Coniacian). Six ammonites zones are recognized from Wadi El Dakhl section, the same five zones mentioned from Wadi El Deir and a sixth zone namely Texanites texanus Total Range Zone (Early Santonian). Based on the macrofossil assemblages other than the ammonites eleven zones are identified from Wadi El Deir section. These are from older to younger as follows: Inoceramus cf. atlanticus Total Range Zone = Hemiaster (Hemiaster) cubicus Total Range Zone, Ilymatogyra africana Total Range Zone, Costagyra olisiponensis Total Range Zone, Mytiloides labiatus Total Range Zone = Hemiaster (Mecaster) heberti turonensis-Coenholectypus turonensis Acme Zone, Trochactaeon salomonis Total Range Zone, Pseudamaura bulbiformis-Hemiaster (Mecaster) fourneli Assemblage Zone, Nicaisolopha tissoti Total Range Zone, Nicaisolopha nicaisei Total Range Zone, Pycnodonte (Phygraea) vesicularis Acme Zone, and Terebratulina gracilis Total Range Zone. Seven biozones are recognized from Wadi El Dakhl section from older to younger as follows: Hemiaster (Hemiaster) cubicus Total Range Zone, Ilymatogyra africana Total Range Zone, Costagyra olisiponensis Total Range Zone, Pycnodonte (Ph.) vesiculosa Interval Zone, Hemiaster (Mecaster) heberti turonensis-Coenholectypus turonensis Acme Zone, Pycnodonte (Costeina) costei Total Range Zone, and Oscillopha dichotoma Total Range Zone. The integration between the proposed ammonites and non-ammonite zones as well as local and interregional correlation with other well dated zonal schemes has been discussed. The stage boundaries of the studied strtatigraphic intervals are discussed by using macrofossil groups |
