Praemurgella valenciana nov gen. et sp (Foraminifera) in the Sierra de Utiel Formation (Coniacian-Santonian) of the Prebetic Domain (SE Spain)

Micropaleontological and biostratigraphical examination of Upper Cretaceous shallow marine carbonates outcropping in the Sierra de la Solana near the town of Bocairent (SE Spain) permitted the identification of numerous speci mens of a new species of Foraminifera. To date, the genus of this species i s unknown. Based on the detailed analysis of non-orientated thin sections, the new genus and representative new species were defined. The morphologica l and structural features of Praemurgella valenciana nov. gen. et sp. permi t its interpretation as a primitive species related to Murgella lata LUPERT O SINNI, 1965, from which the name of the new genus was derived. Further, d ue to its biostratigraphical location restricted to a few meters within thi ck, monotonous inner-shelf successions of Betic carbonate platforms, this n ew species is considered to be a good chronobiostratigraphic marker corresp onding to a mid Santonian age.