Larger foraminifera from the Early Eocene of Shabwa area, Southeastern Yemen

Abstract

Ten larger foraminiferal species are recorded in the lower part of the Umm er Radhuma Formation, Ataq area, Shabwa Governorate, Yemen. These species are Cincoriola arabica Hasson, Dictyokathina simplex Smout, Lockhartia conditi Smout, Lockhartia diversa Smout, Sakesaria dukhani Smout, Daviesina khatiyahi Smout, Daviesina persica Rahaghi, Kathina cf. delseota Smout, Opertorbitolites sp. and ?Hanzawaia sp. It is worth to mention that no stratigraphic or paleontologic studies were published in the study area. Therefore, the faunal assemblage of the present study is compared with that described in the neighboring countries from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Sultanate of Oman. Consequently, the exposed part of the Umm er Radhuma Formation is assigned to the Early Eocene.