PERMIAN-TRIASSIC BIOTIC CRISIS AND FORAMINIFERS

Abstract

Two phases can be distinguished in development of foraminifers during the Late Permian crisis. The first phase was marked by extinction of 40% of total foraminiferal genera. The crisis affected particularly fusulinids, which lost 76% of genera and 70% of families. At the end of the Permian, all foraminifers became extinct. Moreover, fusulinids die off completely, whereas some smaller foraminifers (Lazarus-taxa) appear again in the I. isarcica conodont zone. At the beginning, they were represented by archaic Paleozoic forms. The renewal of assemblages owing to development of Mesozoic forms commenced at the end of the Induan Age and significantly accelerated in the Anisian Age.