Conodont biostratigraphy of Triassic pelagic strata, Albania

A biostratigraphic scheme for the Triassic pelagic sediments in Albania, ba sed on the distribution of conodonts, is presented for the first time. The investigated series range from Late Olenekian (Spathian) to the Norian or E arly Rhaethian. The lowest Spathian level contains Neospathodus waageni, N. triangularis and N. homeri. The Aegean (Early Anisian) is characterised by Chiosella timorensis, the Pelsonian (Late Anisian) by Pararagondelella bul garica and the presence of Nicoraella kockeli, whereas the Illyrian is docu mented by the presence of Paragondolella bifurcata, P. excelsa and the Neog ondolella constricta cornuta complex. The Late Anisian to Early Ladinian tr ansition remains problematic as well as the Fassanian (Early Ladinian). The Late Ladinian (Longobardian) is well documented by Budurovighatus diebeli and B. mostleri. The Carnian with Paragon dolella polygnathiformis and P. a uriformis and it is followed by more Norian conodonts like Metapolygnathus primitius and Epigondoledla bidentata. The uppermost Norian - Rhaetian boun dary is verified by the presence of Misikella hernsteini, associated with E pigondolella slovakensis. Conodont associations provide a biostratigraphic scheme of the Triassic pel agic facies for each tectonic zone of Albania, i.e. Korabi, Mirdita, Cukali , Krasta, Albanian Alps).