Coral microbialite environment in a Middle Miocene reef of Hungary

The presence of microbial crusts (microbialites) is reported here for the f irst time from a Middle Miocene (Badenian) coral reef in Hungary. The succe ssion of initiation and development of the microbial crusts is described in relation to the reef architecture. The main features of the palaeoenvironm ent are discussed, with focus on the associated invertebrate faunas, mostly corals, molluscs, bryozoans, and crabs. We conclude that the microbial cru sts developed under normal marine conditions and were a significant contrib utor to reef framework development, including its strengthening through cal cification of the microbial organisms. Microbialites are anticipated in oth er Early and Middle Miocene coral reef occurrences of the Mediterranean-Par atethys realm, and to date may have simply escaped positive recognition. (C ) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.