Budoš Limestone

The Budoš Limestone ("Budos Mountain Limestone") is a geological formation in Montenegro, dating to 179 million years ago, and covering the middle Toarcian stage of the Jurassic Period. It has been considered an important setting in Balkan paleontology, as it represents a terrestrial setting, with abundant plant material.[3] It is the regional equivalent to the Toarcian units of Spain such as the Turmiel Formation, units like the Wazzant Formation and the Azilal Formation of Morocco and others from the Mediterranean such as the Posidonia Beds of Greece and the Marne di Monte Serrone of Italy.[4][5]

Budoš Limestone Stratigraphic range: Middle Toarcian ~179 Ma PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N ↓
Duga Valley, where the southernmost Budoš Limestone emerges
Type	Geological formation
Thickness	50–60 m (160–200 ft)[1]
Lithology
Primary	Limestones alternated with green marls and calcareous stone
Other	Lithified limestone
Location
Coordinates	42°59′30″N 18°54′20″E
Region	Nikšić
Country	Montenegro
Type section
Named for	Budoš Mountain[2]
Named by	Pantić
Year defined	1952[1]
Budoš Limestone (Montenegro)

Description

Vakhrameev (1991) recovered the abundant macroflora present in the formation, the richest of the Mediterranean Toarcian realm, with several characteristics, such as the abundant presence of thermophilic Bennettitales and Pachypteris, that grew on semi-arid climates.[6] Most of the research of the flora was done by Pantic between 1952 & 1981, recovering abundant Macroflora and Palynomorphs. Several genera where recovered, such as Coniopteris (Dicksoniaceae), Podozamites (Podocarpaceae) and Elatides (Taxodiaceae).[7] It was considered initially that this flora grew in a continental setting, appearing on deposits that resemble modern inland deposition on ferric soils, thus, in a large inland valley with semi-arid conditions but with nearby large water bodies such as lakes.[8] Other opinions suggested that the flora was divided in two groups, a coastal flora and an interior flora, but part of a small island ecosystem similar to modern Bahamas.[9]

In 2019 the Budoš Limestone strata were identified as part of the now lost continent of Greater Adria, as happened with the terrestrial matter on the Marne di Monte Serrone, with the confirmation of a continental origin for the plant matter, as was proposed in 1990.[10]

Fossil content

Megaespores

Genus	Species	Stratigraphic position	Material	Notes	Images
Nannoceratopsis[7]	Nannoceratopsis cf. gracilis	Budos Mountain	Multiple Spores.	Affinities with the Dinophyceae. Freshwater Green Algae, related to ponds and static water bodies.
Scrinocassis[7]	Scrinocassis sp.	Budos Mountain	Multiple Spores.	Dubious Genus with affinities with Dinophyceae. Freshwater Green Algae, related to ponds and static water bodies.
Aratrisporites[7]	Aratrisporites sp	Budos Mountain	Multiple Spores.	Affinities with Lycophyta, in situ found related to genera such as Cyclostrobus, Lycostrobus and Annalepis zeiller.
Leptolepidites[7]	Leptolepidites macroverrucosus Leptolepidites cf. crassibalteus	Budos Mountain	Multiple Spores.	Affinities with Lycopsida.
Styxisporites[7]	Styxisporites sp	Budos Mountain	Multiple Spores.	Affinities with Lycopsida.
Ischiosporites[7]	Ischiosporites sp.	Budos Mountain	Multiple Spores.	Affinities with Lycopsida.
Calamospora[7]	Calamospora sp.	Budos Mountain	Multiple Spores.	Affinities with the genus Calamites inside Equisetales. Large spores of Equisetum-like Flora, common near freshwater deposits inland.
Densoisporites[7]	Densoisporites "sp. A" Densoisporites "sp. B" Densoisporites "sp. C"	Budos Mountain	Multiple Spores.	Affinities with Selaginellaceae, small flora related to freshwater bodies, specially rivers and ponds.
Foveosporites[7]	Foveosporites vissheri Foveosporites sp."	Budos Mountain	Multiple Spores.	Affinities with Selaginellaceae, small flora related to freshwater bodies, specially rivers and ponds.
Verrucosisporites[7]	Verrucosisporites "sp. A" Verrucosisporites "sp. B"	Budos Mountain	Multiple Spores.	Affinities with Pteridophyta. Fern spores related to freswater ponds.
Deltoidospora[7]	Deltoidospora minor	Budos Mountain	Multiple Spores.	Affinities with Pteridophyta. Fern spores related to freswater ponds.
Granulatisporites[7]	Granulatisporites "sp. A" Granulatisporites "sp. B" Granulatisporites "sp. C"	Budos Mountain	Multiple Spores.	Affinities with Pteridophyta. Fern spores related to freswater ponds.
Murospora[7]	Murospora cf. bicolateralis	Budos Mountain	Multiple Spores.	Affinities with the genus Pteridophyta. Various kinds of ferns from different environments.
Duplexisporites[7]	Duplexisporites problematicus	Budos Mountain	Multiple Spores.	Affinities with the genus Gleichenia inside Gleicheniaceae. Tropical Ferns related to humid ferric soils.
Granulatisporites[7]	Concavisporites cf. kaiseri Concavisporites "sp. A" Concavisporites "sp. B" Concavisporites cf. Gleichenia unbonatus	Budos Mountain	Multiple Spores.	Affinities with the genus Gleichenia inside Gleicheniaceae. Tropical Ferns related to humid ferric soils.
Monolites[7]	Monolites couperi	Budos Mountain	Multiple Spores.	Affinities with the genus Matonia inside Matoniaceae. Ferns of several sizes, from both dry land and near water environments.
Matonisporites[7]	Matonisporites cf. phlebopteroides	Budos Mountain	Multiple Spores.	Affinities with the genus Matonia inside Matoniaceae. Ferns of several sizes, from both dry land and near water environments.
Klukisporites[7]	Klukisporites variegatus Klukisporites neovariegatus	Budos Mountain	Multiple Spores.	Affinities with Schizaeaceae. Small ferns spores, abundant on humid locations.
Cycadopites[7]	Cycadopites "sp. A" Cycadopites "sp. B" Cycadopites cf. follicularis	Budos Mountain	Multiple Spores.	Affinities with the genus Bjuvia inside Cycadales. Spores from Medium-sized Cycas.
Bennettiteaepollenites[7]	Bennettiteaepollenites sp.	Budos Mountain	Multiple Spores.	Affinities with Bennettitales.
Obtusisporites[7]	Obtusisporites sp	Budos Mountain	Multiple Spores.	Dubious Genus with affinities with Gymnospermophyta. Named only on this Formation
Porcellispora[7]	Porcellispora longdonensis	Budos Mountain	Multiple Spores.	Dubious Genus with affinities with Gymnospermophyta related to static bodies of water.
Skarbysporites[7]	Skarbysporites sp.	Budos Mountain	Multiple Spores.	Dubious Genus with affinities with Gymnospermophyta. Named only on this Formation
Callialasporites[7]	Callialasporites sp.	Budos Mountain	Multiple Spores.	Affinities with Coniferales. Spores from Arbustive to Arboreal Pine-like trees.
Classopollis[7]	Classopollis cf. chateaunovi Classopollis "sp. A" Classopollis "sp. B" Classopollis "sp. C" Classopollis meyeriana Classopollis cf. simplex	Budos Mountain	Multiple Spores.	Affinities with Cheirolepidiaceae. Spores from Arbustive to Arboreal Coniferous trees.
Podocarpidites[7]	Podocarpidites sp.	Budos Mountain	Multiple Spores.	Affinities with Podocarpaceae. Spores from Arbustive to Arboreal Coniferous trees.
Cerebropollenites[7]	Cerebropollenites macroverrucosus	Budos Mountain	Multiple Spores.	Affinities with Pinaceae. Spores from Arbustive to Arboreal Coniferous trees.
Vitreisporites[7]	Vitreisporites pallidus	Budos Mountain	Multiple Spores.	Affinities with Pinaceae. Spores from Arbustive to Arboreal Coniferous trees.
Pityosporites[7]	Pityosporites sp	Budos Mountain	Multiple Spores.	Affinities with Pinaceae. Spores from Arbustive to Arboreal Coniferous trees.

Plant remains

Genus	Species	Location	Stratigraphic position	Material	Notes
Equisetum[1][7]	Equisetum sp Equisetum columnare	Budos Mountain		Leaves and Branches	Affinities with Equisetaceae inside Sphenopsida. Near water plants, associated with static freswater ponds and other Humid environments.
Coniopteris[1][7]	Coniopteris sp	Budos Mountain		Leaves and Branches	Affinities with Dicksoniaceae inside Pteridopsida. Tree ferns of Different sizes, associated to humid conditions.
Pachypteris[1][7]	Pachypteris sp	Budos Mountain		Leaves and Branches	Affinities with Umkomasiaceae inside Peltaspermopsida. Large Tree ferns associated to humid conditions.
Caytonia[1][7]	Caytonia sp.	Budos Mountain		Leaves and Branches	Affinities with Caytoniales inside Peltaspermopsida. Reproductive organ of the Peltaspermales, with berry like cupules with numerous small seeds arrayed along axes.
Otozamites[1][7]	Otozamites beani Otozamites cf. gramineus Otozamites tenuatus Otozamites sp.	Budos Mountain		Leaves and Branches	Affinities with Bennettitales inside Cycadeoideopsida. Cycadales-Like medium sized trees. The most abundant flora on the Budos Mountain Limestone.
Ptilophyllum[1][7]	Ptilophyllum pectinoides Ptilophyllum cf. pecten	Budos Mountain		Leaves and Branches	Affinities with Bennettitales inside Cycadeoideopsida. Cycadales-Like medium sized trees. The most abundant flora on the Budos Mountain Limestone.
Zamites[1][7]	Zamites sp.	Budos Mountain		Leaves and Branches	Affinities with Bennettitales inside Cycadeoideopsida. Cycadales-Like medium sized trees. The most abundant flora on the Budos Mountain Limestone.
Eretmophyllum[1][7]	Eretmophyllum sp.	Budos Mountain		Leaves and Branches	Affinities with Ginkgoales inside Ginkgoopsida. Ginko Relatives with a more wider leaf, representing among the best specimens found on the mediterranean realm.
Brachyphyllum[1][7]	Brachyphyllum crucis	Budos Mountain		Leaves and Branches	Affinities with Araucariaceae inside Coniferales. Leaves from Arbustive to Arboreal Coniferous trees.
Pagiophyllum[1][7]	Pagiophyllum kurri	Budos Mountain		Leaves and Branches	Affinities with Araucariaceae inside Coniferales. Leaves from Arbustive to Arboreal Coniferous trees.
Lindleycladus[1][7]	Lindleycladus lanceolatus	Budos Mountain		Leaves and Branches	Affinities with Araucariaceae inside Coniferales. Leaves from Arbustive to Arboreal Coniferous trees.
Elatides[1][7]	Elatides williamsoni	Budos Mountain		Leaves and Branches	Affinities with Cupressaceae inside Coniferales. Leaves from Arbustive to Arboreal Coniferous trees.

Color key Taxon Reclassified taxon Taxon falsely reported as present Dubious taxon or junior synonym Ichnotaxon Ootaxon Morphotaxon		Notes Uncertain or tentative taxa are in small text; crossed out taxa are discredited.

See also

• List of fossiliferous stratigraphic units in Italy
• Toarcian turnover
• Toarcian formations

• Marne di Monte Serrone, Italy
• Calcare di Sogno, Italy
• Posidonia Shale, Lagerstätte in Germany
• Ciechocinek Formation, Germany and Poland
• Krempachy Marl Formation, Poland & Slovakia
• Lava Formation, Lithuania
• Azilal Group, North Africa
• Whitby Mudstone, England
• Fernie Formation, Alberta and British Columbia
• Poker Chip Shale
• Whiteaves Formation, British Columbia
• Navajo Sandstone, Utah
• Los Molles Formation, Argentina
• Mawson Formation, Antarctica
• Kandreho Formation, Madagascar
• Kota Formation, India
• Cattamarra Coal Measures, Australia

References

1. PANTIC, N., 1952: Liassic flora from Budos mountain - Montenegro. - Glasnik Prir. muzeja Srp. zem„ A, 1, 5, 293-308, Beograd.
2. Antović, N. M., Svrkota, N., Antović, I., Svrkota, R., Žižić, R., & Živković, D. (2014). Radioactivity impact assessment of Nikšić region in Montenegro. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 302(2), 831-836.
3. PANTIC, N., GRus1c, A. & SLA01c-TR1FuNov1c, M., 1983: The importance of Mesozoic floras and faunas from intraoceanic carbonate platforms for the interpretation of paleogeographic and geodynamic events in the Tethys. - Boll. Soc. Pal. ltaliana 22: 5-14.
4. Farinacci, A. (2002). Western Tethys Jurassic Gaps as Windows on the Land: Interaction Between Hot-spots and Gaps (No. 4). Università La Sapienza.
5. Dragičević, I., & Velić, I. (2002). The northeastern margin of the Adriatic Carbonate Platform. Geologia Croatica, 55(2), 185-232.
6. Vakhrameev, V. A. (1991). Jurassic and Cretaceous floras and climates of the Earth. Cambridge University Press.
7. Pantić, N. K. (1981). Macroflora and palynomorphs from Lower jurassic of Budos Mountain, Montenegro. Ann. Geol. Peninsule Balk, 45, 157-171.
8. PANTIC, N. & Duuc, 1., 1990: Palaeophytogeography of Jurassic land flores in Tethyan regions and its margins. - Geol. an. Balk. pol., Llll: 237-247, Beograd.
9. Barrón, E., Ureta, S., Goy, A., & Lassaletta, L. (2010). Palynology of the Toarcian–Aalenian Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) at Fuentelsaz (Lower–Middle Jurassic, Iberian Range, Spain). Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, 162(1), 11-28.
10. Van Hinsbergen, Douwe J.J.; Trond H. Torsvik; Stefan M. Schmid; Liviu C. Maţenco; Marco Maffione; Reinoud L.M. Vissers; Derya Gürera, and Wim Spakman. 2019. Orogenic architecture of the Mediterranean region and kinematic reconstruction of its tectonic evolution since the Triassic. Gondwana Research 81. 79–229. Accessed 2020-03-17. doi:10.1016/j.gr.2019.07.009