New correlation between charophyte and larger foraminifera biozones (Middle Eocene, Southeastern Pyrenees)

A correlation between the charophyte index-species Raskyella peckii and the biozonation of larger foraminifera (Shallow Benthic Zones SBZ 13 and SBZ 1 8) is proposed, which results in a widening to about 6 MA of the present kn own chronostratigraphic range of the charophyte species. The new range is E arly Lutetian to Late Bartonian. This leads to a significant modification i n charophyte biozonation including a redefinition of the charophyte biozone of Raskyella peckii as a partial range zone and the elimination of the bio zone of Maedleriella embergeri (Early Lutetian). In addition, the new chron ostratigraphic range of Rashyella peckii overlaps the range of the related species Raskyella vadaszi, covering the gap which separated both species. G aps in the fossil record of Raskyellaceae gave rise to the hypothesis of a polyphyletic origin for this fossil family. The new, continuous chronostrat igraphic range suggests that at least the genus Rashyella appears to be mon ophyletic and did not originate from different characean ancestors.