Diplocraterion: A useful marker for sequence stratigraphy and correlation in the Kimmeridgian, Jurassic (Prebetic Zone, Betic Cordillera, southern Spain)

Diplocraterion parallelum with exclusively protrusive spreite are documente d at particular horizons in fine-grained Lower Kimmeridgian (Upper Jurassic ) deposits from the Prebetic Zone (Betic Cordillera, southern Spain). The o ccurrence of D. parallelum and the interpreted change from a Cruziana ichno facies to a mixed Skolithos-Cruziana assemblage is related to increasing en ergy and more proximal and unstable substrates resulting from relative sea- level falls. These relative sea-level changes agree with a proposed Type-II sequence boundary inferred from sequence stratigraphic analysis. Bio-chron ostratigraphic control shows the persistent occurrence of Diplocraterion cl ose to the Platyltota/Hypselocyclum Zone boundary (Lower Kimmeridgian); tha t is, these occurrences correlate between sections irrespective of slight d eviations in the sedimentary package. Thus, Diplocraterion occurrence is pr oposed as a reference level for stratigraphy within epicontinental deposits of the northern, margin of the westernmost Tethys. This work supports the usefulness of the trace fossil approach in basin analysis, either in sequen ce stratigraphic studies of deposits characterized by correlative conformit ies and/or stratigraphic correlation in basins wherein guide fossils are sc arce.