New ammonitic biostratigraphy of the Barremian (pro parte) of South-Eastern France

Since the Digne conference (South-Eastern France) the ammonite zonation of the Barremian has been considerably modified to produce a more accurate str atigraphical framework than those previously used. In South-Eastern France, from the lowermost A. hugii zone to the G. sartousiana zone, the Barremian is now divided up into nine zones and one sub-zone. Bed by bed collecting, in many sections, both in platform or basin domains, allowed the location of 11 additional horizons characterised by a wide species distribution area spreading over South-Eastern France. These horizons are defined, either by the bed where the species used truly appears, or by the lower bed marking the start of the acmeic phase. This research, which is directed towards the preparation of global stratigraphic sections and points, led to the propos al of a whole succession with twenty-one ammonite horizons, from the A. hug ii zone to the G. sartousiana zone (Vermeulen, 1995b). ((C) Academie des sc iences/Elsevier, Paris.).