In this study reef corals from two Caribbean and adjacent regions in different periods were investigated. Sclerochronological records of corals from well preserved Miocene to Pleistocene reefs were used to document potential changes in seasonal and interannual climate associated with CAS uplift and closure. In southern Florida the Plio/Pleistocene Caloosahatchee Formation is cropping out. During the deposition of this stacked shallow marine sediments at the Plio/Pleistocene Florida carbonate platform, a rich coral fauna existed. Corals from the Caloosahatchee Formation were investigated herein, regarding to reveal high resolution (bimonthly) climatic archives in their skeletons. The second region investigated herein is the Cibao Valley in the Dominican Republic, where sediments of the Neogene Yaque Group are outcropping. Corals from the Late Miocene Cercado Formation and the Mio/Pliocene Gurabo Formation (both upper part of the Yaque Group) are discussed here. Both formations are mixed carbonate-siliciclastic deposits of the prograding inner-shelf and contain a well preserved faunal record. Sclerochronological methods are used to identify seasonal and interannual climatic variability. Especially radiography, stable isotope analysis and laser ablation measurements (LA-ICP-MS) were used and discussed with a special focus on the pristine preservation of the analysed coralline material.

This paper presents a multilevel analysis of palaeoecological aspects of the process of the Rhynchostreon genera evolution. According to the latest results of research, the process of genus appears to be more dynamic than previously assumed.The processes of internal dynamics of the environment in conjuncture with other studied aspects of the late cretaceous environment (e.g. paleotemperature, salinity, etc.) were a significant factor that initiated the activity of selective pressure and represents an important factor in group evolution. In this work we provide the overall hypothesis about co-evolution of two intrageneric (sisters) lineages in Rhynchostreon genera. The definiton of evolutionary trends of intrageneric lineages within the presented hypothesis (including a new description of oyster species) is supported by various analytical methods, which anchors them in the current zoological nomenclature system. An electron microscopy, isotopes and biometrical analysis of a shell in cooperation with some of the sedimentologic methods suggest a relation of lithology (as a result of environmental aspect) and evolution process. The transregional concept of proposed ecological-evolutionary models, based on materials studies from various paleogeographic regions of cretaceous world, increases the...

In this study reef corals from two Caribbean and adjacent regions in different periods were investigated. Sclerochronological records of corals from well preserved Miocene to Pleistocene reefs were used to document potential changes in seasonal and interannual climate associated with CAS uplift and closure. In southern Florida the Plio/Pleistocene Caloosahatchee Formation is cropping out. During the deposition of this stacked shallow marine sediments at the Plio/Pleistocene Florida carbonate platform, a rich coral fauna existed. Corals from the Caloosahatchee Formation were investigated herein, regarding to reveal high resolution (bimonthly) climatic archives in their skeletons. The second region investigated herein is the Cibao Valley in the Dominican Republic, where sediments of the Neogene Yaque Group are outcropping. Corals from the Late Miocene Cercado Formation and the Mio/Pliocene Gurabo Formation (both upper part of the Yaque Group) are discussed here. Both formations are mixed carbonate-siliciclastic deposits of the prograding inner-shelf and contain a well preserved faunal record. Sclerochronological methods are used to identify seasonal and interannual climatic variability. Especially radiography, stable isotope analysis and laser ablation measurements (LA-ICP-MS) were used and discussed with a special focus on the pristine preservation of the analysed coralline material.