Albian

System Series Stage Age (Ma) Paleogene Paleocene Danian younger Cretaceous Upper Maastrichtian 65.5–70.6 Campanian 70.6–83.5 Santonian 83.5–85.8 Coniacian 85.8–89.3 Turonian 89.3–93.5 Cenomanian 93.5–99.6 Lower Albian 99.6–112.0 Aptian 112.0–125.0 Barremian 125.0–130.0 Hauterivian 130.0–136.4 Valanginian 136.4–140.2 Berriasian 140.2–145.5 Jurassic Upper Tithonian older Subdivision of the Cretaceous system according to the IUGS, as of July 2009. The Albian is both an age of the geologic timescale and a stage in the stratigraphic column. It is the youngest or uppermost subdivision of the Early/Lower Cretaceous epoch/series. Its approximate time range is 112.0 ± 1.0 Ma to 99.6 ± 0.9 Ma (million years ago). The Albian is preceded by the Aptian and followed by the Cenomanian.1 Contents 1 Stratigraphic definitions 2 Lithofacies 3 Palaeontology 3.1 †Ankylosaurs 3.2 Birds 3.3 Bony Fish 3.4 Cartilaginous Fish 3.5 †Ceratopsia 3.6 Crocodylomorphs 3.7 †Ichthyosaurs 3.8 Mammalia 3.9 †Ornithopods 3.10 †Plesiosaurs 3.11 †Pterosauria 3.12 †Sauropods 3.13 †Theropods (non-avian) 3.14 †Ammonites 3.14.1 †Ammonitida 3.14.1.1 Originating in Lower Albian Strata 3.14.1.2 Originating in Middle Albian Strata 3.14.1.3 Originating in Upper Albian Strata 3.15 Belemnites 3.16 Nautiloids 3.17 Phylloceratida 4 References 4.1 Notes 4.2 Literature 4.3 External links // Stratigraphic definitions The Albian stage (French Albien, from Alba = the River Aube in France) was first proposed in 1842 by Alcide d'Orbigny. The base of the Albian is defined as the place in the stratigraphic column where the coccolithophore species Praediscosphaera columnata first appears. A reference profile for the base of the Albian stage (its GSSP) had in 2009 not yet been established. The top of the Albian stage (the base of the Cenomanian stage and Upper Cretaceous series) is defined as the place where the foram species Rotalipora globotruncanoides first appears in the stratigraphic column.2 The Albian is sometimes subdivided in Early/Lower, Middle and Late/Upper subages or substages. In western Europe, especially in the UK, a subdivision in two substages (Vraconian and Gaultian) is more often used. Lithofacies The following representatives of the Albian stage are worthy of notice: the gaize and phosphatic beds of Argonne and Bray in France; the Flammenmergel of northern Germany; the lignites of Utrillas in Spain; the Upper sandstones of Nubia, and the Fredericksburg beds of North America. Palaeontology †Ankylosaurs Ankylosaurs of the Albian Taxa Presence Location Description Images Acanthopholis Acanthopholis Sauropelta Animantarx Anoplosaurus Cedarpelta Cedar Mountain Formation, Utah, USA Gobisaurus Aptian to ?Albian Ulansuhai Formation, Inner Mongolia, China Pawpawsaurus Sauropelta Aptian to Albian Cloverly Formation, Wyoming, Montana, Utah, USA A medium-sized nodosaurid, measuring about 5 meters (16.5 ft) long, Sauropelta had a distinctively long tail which made up about half of its body length. Its neck and back were protected by an extensive bony body armor including characteristically large spines Shamosaurus Mongolia Silvisaurus Dakota Formation, Kansas, USA A nodosaurid estimated to have been approximately four meters in length (13 ft). Besides the usual rounded and polygonal osteoderms, Silvisaurus may have also sported bony spines on its shoulders and tail Stegopelta Late Albian to early Cenomanian Frontier Formation, Wyoming, USA A poorly known genus of nodosaurid Texasetes Paw Paw Formation, Texas, USA Poorly known, probably a nodosaurid Birds Birds of the Albian Taxa Presence Location Description Images Gansus Jeholornis Jeholornis Bony Fish Bony Fish of the Albian Taxa Presence Location Description Images Thrissops Thrissops Xiphactinus Cartilaginous Fish Cartilaginous fish of the Albian Taxa Presence Location Description Images Cretoxyrhina mantelli Scapanorhynchus Ischyodus Scapanorhynchus †Ceratopsia Ceratopsia of the Albian Taxa Presence Location Description Images Yamaceratops Gobi Desert, Mongolia Had an intermediate phylogenetic position between Liaoceratops and Archaeoceratops within Neoceratopia Yamaceratops Crocodylomorphs Crocodylomorphs of the Albian Taxa Presence Location Description Images Sarcosuchus Africa Sarcosuchus †Ichthyosaurs Ichthyosaurs of the Albian Taxa Presence Location Description Images Platypterigius Platypterigius Mammalia Mammals of the Hauterivian Taxa Presence Location Description Images Eobaatar several species from Hauterivian to Albian Spain, Mongolia Steropodon Kollikodon Lightning Ridge, New South Wales, Australia Steropodon Lightning Ridge, New South Wales, Australia †Ornithopods Ornithopods of the Albian Taxa Presence Location Description Images Altirhinus Khukhtek Formation, Dornogovi Province, Mongolia An advanced iguanodontian, just basal to the family Hadrosauridae Leaellynasaura Nanyangosaurus Probactrosaurus Qantassaurus Tenontosaurus Atlascopcosaurus Aptian/Albian Dinosaur Cove, Victoria, Australia 2-3 meters long hypsilophodont Eolambia Albian-Cenomanian Utah, USA An iguanodont Leaellynasaura Muttaburrasaurus Nanyangosaurus China Penelopognathus Mongolia Probactrosaurus China An early hadrosauroid iguanodont, about 17 - 20 feet (5 - 6 metres) in length. It had a narrow snout, an elongated lower jaw and double rows of flattened cheek teeth. It was a possible ancestor of the duck-billed dinosaurs. Qantassaurus Siluosaurus Barremian to Albian Tenontosaurus Theiophytalia Aptian to Albian Purgatoire Formation, Colorado, USA An iguanodont described as intermediate in derivation between Camptosaurus and Iguanodon Zephyrosaurus Aptian to Albian Cloverly Formation, Montana, USA Hypsilophodont †Plesiosaurs †Plesiosauria of the Albian Taxa Presence Location Description Images †Kronosaurus †Kronosaurus queenslandicus Aptian to Albian Hughenden district, Queensland, Australia Among the largest pliosaurs, body-length estimates put the total length of Kronosaurus at 9–10 meters Kronosaurus †Pterosauria Pterosaurs of the Albian Taxa Presence Location Description Images Amblydectes Cambridge Greensand, United Kingdom Coloborhynchus Pterodaustro Thalassodromeus Zhejiangopterus Coloborhynchus Morocco; Santana Formation, Brazil; Paw Paw Formation, Texas, USA Lonchodectes Kent and Sussex, England, United Kingdom Lonchognathosaurus Lianmuxin Formation, Xinjiang, China Pterodaustro Valanginian to Albian Lagarcito Formation, Argentina Santanadactylus Aptian or Albian Santana Formation, Brazil Thalassodromeus Aptian to early Albian Santan do Cariri, Brazil; St Gallen, Switzerland Tupuxuara Albian or Cenomanian Santana Formation, Brazil Zhejiangopterus  ? Zhejiang, China †Sauropods Sauropods of the Albian Taxa Presence Location Description Images Aegyptosaurus Africa Argentinosaurus Brachiosaurus Sauroposeidon Amazonsaurus Argentinosaurus Brachiosaurus  ? Brachiosaurus nougaredi Wargla, Algeria Chubutisaurus Jobaria Aptian or Albian Sauroposeidon †Theropods (non-avian) Theropods of the Albian Taxa Presence Location Description Images Acrocanthosaurus North America Acrocanthosaurus Deinonychus Fukuiraptor Irritator Spinosaurus Suchomimus Alxasaurus Asia Angaturama South America Cristatusaurus Niger Deinonychus North America Erectopus Genusaurus France Irritator South America Fukuiraptor Japan Spinosaurus Africa Suchomimus Africa Timimus †Ammonites †Ammonitida Moffitites Originating in Lower Albian Strata The following is a list of Ammonite genera whose fossils are geochronologically found first in lower Albian strata. These genera may survive into later portions of the Ablian stage, or even into later geological stages. This list should not be thought of in terms of the lifespan of the genera included. Aioloceras Anacleoniceras Anadesmoceras Anisoceras Arcthoplites Brancoceras Brewericeras Cleoniceras Cymahoplites Douvilleiceras Epileymeriella Eubranoceras Farnhamia Hoplites Kossmatella Labeceras Leconteites Lemuroceras Leymeriella Lyelliceras Neobibolites Otohoplites Oxytropidoceras Paracanthoplites Parasilesites Parengonoceras Plictetia Prohelicoceras Proleymeriella Prolyelliceras Protohoplites Pseudoleymeriella Pseudosonneratia Puzosia Puzosigella Rhytidohoplites Rossalites Silesitoides Sokolovites Sonneratia Tegoceras Tetrahoplites Tetrahoplitoides Zealandites Originating in Middle Albian Strata The following is a list of Ammonite genera whose fossils are geochronologically found first in middle Albian strata. These genera may survive into later portions of the Ablian stage, or even into later geological stages. This list should not be thought of in terms of the lifespan of the genera included. Anagaudryceras Anahoplites Astiericeras Dimorphoplites Dipoloceras Dipoloceroides Engonoceras Epihoplites Euhoplites Falciferella Falloticeras Gastroplites Hamitoides Hysteroceras Isohoplites Manuaniceras Mojsisoviczia Mortoniceras Ostlingoceras Protengonoceras Proturrilitoides Pseudhelicoceras Scaphamites Subarcthoplites Sulcohoplites Turrilitoides Venezoliceras Zuluscaphites Originating in Upper Albian Strata The following is a list of Ammonite genera whose fossils are geochronologically found first in upper Albian strata. These genera may survive into later portions of the Ablian stage, or even into later geological stages. This list should not be thought of in terms of the lifespan of the genera included. Schloenbachia Scaphites Adkinsites Arestoceras Beudantiella Bhimaites Borissiakoceras Cainoceras Callihoplites Cantabrigites Cenisella Cottreauites Cyrtochilus Deiradoceras Diplasioceras Discohoplites Ellipsoceras Elobiceras Eogunnarites Eopachydiscus Eoscaphites Erioliceras Ficheuria Flickia Gaudryceras Gazdaganites Goodhallites Hemiptychoceras Hengestites Hypengonoceras Hyphoplites Idiohamites Karamaiceras Karamaites Koloceras Lechites Lepthoplites Lytodiscoides Mantelliceras Mariella Metengonoceras Myloceras Neogastroplites Neoharpoceras Neokentoceras Neophlycticeras Pachydesmoceras Paradolphia Paraturrilites Pervinquieria Plesiohamites Plesioturrilites Pleurohoplites Prohysteroceras Psilohamites Rusoceras Salaziceras Saltericeras Scaphites Schloenbachia Sciponoceras Semenovites Spathiceras Stoliczkaia Stomohamites Worthoceras Belemnites Belemnites of the Albian Taxa Presence Location Description Images Belospirula Belemnites Dimitobelus Nautiloids Nautiloids of the Albian Taxa Presence Location Description Images Deltoidonautilus An illustration of a variety of fossil nautiloids. Phylloceratida Carinophylloceras References Notes ^ For a detailed geologic timescale, see Gradstein et al. (2004) ^ See Kennedy et al. (2004) for a description of the GSSP for the Cenomanian Literature Gradstein, F.M.; Ogg, J.G. & Smith, A.G.; 2004: A Geologic Time Scale 2004, Cambridge University Press. Kennedy, W.J.; Gale, A.S.; Lees, J.A. & Caron, M.; 2004: The Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) for the base of the Cenomanian Stage, Mont Risou, Hautes-Alpes, France, Episodes 27, pp. 21–32. d'Orbigny, A.C.V.M.; 1842: Paléontologie française: Terrains crétacés, vol. ii.(French) External links GeoWhen Database - Albian Mid-Cretaceous timescale, at the website of the subcommission for stratigraphic information of the ICS (The top of the Albian stage is also still visible on their Late Cretaceous timescale) Stratigraphic chart of the Lower Cretaceous, at the website of Norges Network of offshore records of geology and stratigraphy Albian Stage, Cretaceous Period in Hampshire Cretaceous Period Lower/Early Cretaceous Upper/Late Cretaceous Berriasian | Valanginian | Hauterivian Barremian | Aptian | Albian Cenomanian | Turonian | Coniacian Santonian | Campanian | Maastrichtian v · d · eGeologic history of Earth  Precambrian (4.57 Gya – 542 Mya) In left column are eons; right column: bold are eras; not bold are periods: Hadean (4.57 – 4 Gya) (informal) Archean (4 – 2.5 Gya) Eoarchean (4 – 3.6 Gya) Paleoarchean (3.6 – 3.2 Gya) Mesoarchean (3.2 – 2.8 Gya) Neoarchean (2.8 – 2.5 Gya) Proterozoic (2.5 Gya – 542 Mya) Paleoproterozoic (2.5 – 1.6 Gya): Siderian (2.5 – 2.3 Gya) · Rhyacian (2.3 – 2.05 Gya) · Orosirian (2.05 – 1.8 Gya) · Statherian (1.8 – 1.6 Gya) Mesoproterozoic (1.6 – 1 Gya): Calymmian (1.6 – 1.4 Gya) · Ectasian (1.4 – 1.2 Gya) · Stenian (1.2 – 1 Gya) Neoproterozoic (1 Gya – 542 Mya): Tonian (1 Gya – 850 Mya) · Cryogenian (850 – 635 Mya) · Ediacaran (635 – 542 Mya) Mya = millions years ago. Gya = billions years ago.  Phanerozoic (542 – 0 Mya) In horizontal bars are eras; in left column are periods; right column: bold are epochs; not bold not italic are ages; italic are chrons:  Paleozoic (542 – 251 Mya) Cambrian (542 – 488.3 Mya) Terreneuvian (542 – 521 Mya): Fortunian (542 – 528 Mya) · Age 2* (528 – 521 Mya) Epoch 2* (521 – 510 Mya): Age 3* (521 – 515 Mya) · Age 4* (515 – 510 Mya) Epoch 3* (510 – 499 Mya): Age 5* (510 – 506.5 Mya) · Drumian (506.5 – 503 Mya) · Guzhangian (503 – 499 Mya) Furongian (499 – 488.3 Mya): Paibian (499 – 496 Mya) · Age 9* (496 – 492 Mya) · Age 10* (492 – 488.3 Mya) Ordovician (488.3 – 443.7 Mya) Early Ordovician (488.3 – 471.8 Mya): Tremadocian (488.3 – 478.6 Mya) · Floian (478.6 – 471.8 Mya) Middle Ordovician (471.8 – 460.9 Mya): Dapingian (471.8 – 468.1 Mya) · Darriwilian (468.1 – 460.9 Mya) Late Ordovician (460.9 – 443.7 Mya): Sandbian (460.9 – 455.8 Mya) · Katian (455.8 – 445.6 Mya) · Hirnantian (445.6 – 443.7 Mya) Silurian (443.7 – 416 Mya) Llandovery (443.7 – 428.2 Mya): Rhuddanian (443.7 – 439 Mya) · Aeronian (439 – 436 Mya) · Telychian (436 – 428.2 Mya) Wenlock (428.2 – 422.9 Mya): Sheinwoodian (428.2 – 426.2 Mya) · Homerian (426.2 – 422.9 Mya) Ludlow (422.9 – 418.7 Mya): Gorstian (422.9 – 421.3 Mya) · Ludfordian (421.3 – 418.7 Mya) Pridoli (418.7 – 416 Mya) Devonian (416 – 359.2 Mya) Early Devonian (416 – 397.5 Mya): Lochkovian (416 – 411.2 Mya) · Pragian (411.2 – 407 Mya) · Emsian (407 – 397.5 Mya) Middle Devonian (397.5 – 385.3 Mya): Eifelian (397.5 – 391.8 Mya) · Givetian (391.8 – 385.3 Mya) Late Devonian (385.3 – 359.2 Mya): Frasnian (385.3 – 374.5 Mya) · Famennian (374.5 – 359.2 Mya) Carboniferous (359.2 – 299 Mya) Mississippian (359.2 – 318.1 Mya): Tournaisian / Early Mississippian (359.2 – 345.3 Mya) · Viséan / Middle Mississippian (345.3 – 328.3 Mya) · Serpukhovian / Late Mississippian (328.3 – 318.1 Mya) Pennsylvanian (318.1 – 299 Mya): Bashkirian / Early Pennsylvanian (318.1 – 311.7 Mya) · Moscovian / Middle Pennsylvanian (311.7 – 307.2 Mya) · Late Pennsylvanian (307.2 – 299 Mya): Kasimovian (307.2 – 303.4 Mya) · Gzhelian (303.4 – 299 Mya) Permian (299 – 251 Mya) Cisuralian (299 – 270.6 Mya): Asselian (299 – 294.6 Mya) · Sakmarian (294.6 – 284.4 Mya) · Artinskian (284.4 – 275.6 Mya) · Kungurian (275.6 – 270.6 Mya) Guadalupian (270.6 – 260.4 Mya): Roadian (270.6 – 268 Mya) · Wordian (268 – 265.8 Mya) · Capitanian (265.8 – 260.4 Mya) Lopingian (260.4 – 251 Mya): Wuchiapingian (260.4 – 253.8 Mya) · Changhsingian (253.8 – 251 Mya)  Mesozoic (251 – 65.5 Mya) Triassic (251 – 199.6 Mya) Early Triassic (251 – 245.9 Mya): Induan (251 – 249.5 Mya) · Olenekian (249.5 – 245.9 Mya) Middle Triassic (245.9 – 228.7 Mya): Anisian (245.9 – 237 Mya) · Ladinian (237 – 228.7 Mya) Late Triassic (228.7 – 199.6 Mya): Carnian (228.7 – 216.5 Mya) · Norian (216.5 – 203.6 Mya) · Rhaetian (203.6 – 199.6 Mya) Jurassic (199.6 – 145.5 Mya) Early Jurassic (199.6 – 175.6 Mya): Hettangian (199.6 – 196.5 Mya) · Sinemurian (196.5 – 189.6 Mya) · Pliensbachian (189.6 – 183 Mya) · Toarcian (183 – 175.6 Mya) Middle Jurassic (175.6 – 161.2 Mya): Aalenian (175.6 – 171.6 Mya) · Bajocian (171.6 – 167.7 Mya) · Bathonian (167.7 – 164.7 Mya) · Callovian (164.7 – 161.2 Mya) Late Jurassic (161.2 – 145.5 Mya): Oxfordian (161.2 – 155.6 Mya) · Kimmeridgian (155.6 – 150.8 Mya) · Tithonian (150.8 – 145.5 Mya) Cretaceous (145.5 – 65.5 Mya) Early Cretaceous (145.5 – 99.6 Mya): Berriasian (145.5 – 140.2 Mya) · Valanginian (140.2 – 133.9 Mya) · Hauterivian (133.9 – 130 Mya) · Barremian (130 – 125 Mya) · Aptian (125 – 112 Mya) · Albian (112 – 99.6 Mya) Late Cretaceous (99.6 – 65.5 Mya): Cenomanian (99.6 – 93.6 Mya) · Turonian (93.6 – 88.6 Mya) · Coniacian (88.6 – 85.8 Mya) · Santonian (85.8 – 83.5 Mya) · Campanian (83.5 – 70.6 Mya) · Maastrichtian (70.6 – 65.5 Mya)  Cenozoic (65.5 – 0 Mya) Paleogene, Neogene and early Pleistocene comprise former Tertiary* (65.5 – 1.8 Mya) period. Gelasian and Calabrian comprise Early Pleistocene (2.588 Mya – 781 kya) subepoch. Paleogene (65.5 – 23.03 Mya) Paleocene (65.5 – 55.8 Mya): Danian (65.5 – 61.1 Mya) · Selandian (61.1 – 58.7 Mya) · Thanetian (58.7 – 55.8 Mya) Eocene (55.8 – 33.9 Mya): Ypresian (55.8 – 48.6 Mya) · Lutetian (48.6 – 40.4 Mya) · Bartonian (40.4 – 37.2 Mya) · Priabonian (37.2 – 33.9 Mya) Oligocene (33.9 – 23.03 Mya): Rupelian (33.9 – 28.4 Mya) · Chattian (28.4 – 23.03 Mya) Neogene (23.03 – 2.588 Mya) Miocene (23.03 – 5.332 Mya): Aquitanian (23.03 – 20.43 Mya) · Burdigalian (20.43 – 15.97 Mya) · Langhian (15.97 – 13.82 Mya) · Serravallian (13.82 – 11.608 Mya)  · Tortonian (11.608 – 7.246 Mya)  · Messinian (7.246 – 5.332 Mya) Pliocene (5.332 – 2.588 Mya): Piacenzian (5.332 – 3.6 Mya) · Zanclean (3.6 – 2.588 Mya) Quaternary (2.588 – 0 Mya) Pleistocene (2.588 Mya – 11.4 kya): Gelasian (2.588 – 1.806 Mya) · Calabrian (1.806 Mya – 781 kya) · Middle Pleistocene / Ionian (781 – 126 kya) · Late Pleistocene / Tarantian (126 – 11.4 kya): Oldest Dryas* (18 – 14.67 kya) · Bølling* (14.67 – 14 kya) · Older Dryas* (14 – 13.7 kya) · Allerød* (13.7 – 12.8 kya) · Younger Dryas* (12.8 – 11.4 kya) Holocene (11.4 – 0 kya): Preboreal* (11.4 – 9 kya) · Boreal* (9 – 8 kya) · Atlantic* (8 – 5 kya) · Subboreal* (5 – 2.5 kya) · Subatlantic* (2.5 – 0 kya) kya = thousands years ago. Mya = millions years ago. * Not officially recognized by the I.C.S. Source: International Stratigraphic Chart. International Commission on Stratigraphy. Retrieved 8 February 2008.