Stratigraphical correlation of Paleogene deposits of the KopetDagh Central Asia based on lithological and Oyster fauna evidences

To separate the different units of the Paleogene sequences of the Kopet-Dagh basin and their regional correlation with the adjacent areas in the Central Asia, the Oyster bivalves fossils are used in the current research. Also, the study of their paleobiogeography has been considered in this study. Based on this fauna, Pycnodonte-Oestra community in the Chehelkaman Formation uppermost parts represents the late Paleocene age and the first occurrence of Flemingostrea hemiglobosa at the base of the Khangiran Formation confirms the beginning of Eocene epoch. Association of different species and subspecies of Turkostrea in the Khangiran Formation demonstrates the middle part of early Eocene and Sokolowia community near the top of the Khangiran Formation shows the Lotetian-Bartonin ages. These features are in full compliance with the bivalve communities recorded from the other parts of Central Asia such as Amu-Darya, Farghana, Afghan - Tajik and Trim basin of China. It illustrates the same geological history of the mentioned areas during Paleogene, indicates the occurrence of different types of molluscan taxa in the Kopet-Dagh basin is the same as parallel horizons and equivalent time units throughout the extensive Central Asian region.