Paleontology and taphonomy of Kuphus polythalamius (Linnaeus 1767), Navab anticline, Central Iran

The Burdigalian carbonate of the Central Iran contains very well-preserved specimens of Kuphus polythalamius. The tube of Kuphus polythalamius is a calcareous secretion that enables Pelecypoda to live in the mud of shallow seas. This research focusses on the Paleontology and taphonomy of the Kuphus polythalamius of the Member F (Qom Formation) in the southeast of Kashan located in the Central Iran. The Member F is 60 meters thick and composed of medium bedded limestone. The scattering of the larger benthic foraminifera in the study area indicates the existence of the Borelis melo curdica-Borelis melo melo assemblage zone of Burdigalian age. The presence of Kuphus polythalamius among the porcelaneous foraminiferal and green algal assemblage demonstrate that carbonate generation happened in warm tropical to subtropical marine. The surface of some samples contains distinct horizons of beekite, indicating a break in sedimentation, which is expanded as a silica crust on carbonate tubes.