REVIEW OF STRATIGRAPHY OF EASTERN PARATETHYS 
diatomaceous limestones). The individual Eastern Paratethyan 
stages can be recognised within the Diatom Suite on the basis on 
fish otoliths and benthonic microfossils (particularly molluscs 
and foraminifera (e.g., Azizbekov, 1972; Ali-Zade et al., 1986) 
and diatoms (E.Z. Ateava, pers. comm., 1994)). The work of 
Dzhabarova (1973) suggests that palynology may also be used to 
recognise the various stages (see notes below). 
In eastern Azerbaijan parts of the Diatom Suite are 
considered to have hydrocarbon source potential. 
Tarkhanian (Fig. 8) 
The Tarkhanian takes its name from a promontory in the 
Crimea (Likharev, 1958). The stratotype section yields Middle 
Miocene (NNS5) calcareous nannoplankton (F. Régl, pers. 
comm., 1994). 
Micropalaeontology. Only non-age-diagnostic quasi-marine, 
smaller benthonic and rare planktonic foraminifera were 
recorded by Bogdanowicz (1950a) from the Tarkhanian of 
Kuban and later by Mamedova (1971) and Azizbekov (1972) 
from the Tarkhanian of Azerbaijan. These include Rotalia 
[Ammonia] ex gr. beccarii (smaller benthonic), which has a 
cosmopolitan distribution and probably ranges no older than 
Middle Miocene (RWJ’s unpublished observations), and Nonion 
[Florilus) boueanum (smaller benthonic) and Globigerina 
— tarchanensis (planktonic), both of which have also been 
recorded in the Badenian of Central Paratethys (Papp ef al., 
1978; Papp & Schmid, 1985). 
Chokrakian (Fig. 9) 
The Chokrakian takes its name from a lake in the Crimea 
(Likharev, 1958). It is of Middle Miocene age on regional 
evidence (see above). Direct biostratigraphic evidence is lacking. 
The “Vindobonian Marls’ of Norfhern Iran appear correlative 
(Stocklin & Setudehnia, 1971, 1972). 
Micropalaeontology. Only non-age-diagnostic, quasi-marine, 
smaller benthonic foraminifera were recorded by Bogdanowicz 
(1950b) from the Chokrakian of the western Precaucasus and 
later by Mamedova (1971) and Azizbekov (1972) from the 
Chokrakian of Azerbaijan and Popkhadze (1983) for the 
Chokrakian of western Georgia. These include Rotalia 
[Ammonia] ex gr. beccarii (smaller benthonic), which has a 
cosmopolitan distribution and probably ranges no older than 
Middle Miocene (RWJ’s unpublished observations), Nonion 
[Florilus] boueanum and Miliolina [Quinqueloculina] akneriana 
sspp., both of which have also been recorded in the Badenian of 
Central Paratethys (Papp & Schmid, 1985), and Miliolina 
caucasica, Sigmoilina tschokrakensis and Tschokrakella 
longiuscula, all of which are endemic to Eastern Paratethys. The 
ostracod, Leptocythere bardrakensis was recorded by Popkhadze 
(1984) from the Chokrakian of western Georgia. 
Palynology. Only non-age-diagnostic palynomorphs were 
recorded by Dzhabarova (1973) from the Chokrakian of the 
Middle Kura Depression. Pollen spectra are characterised by 
relatively high incidences of herb and shrub taxa including 
presence of 
Chenopodiaceae and Ephedra. The 
| Fig.8 Palaeogeographic reconstruction, Late Maykopian to Tarkhanian (Late Oligocene to early Middle Miocene). Key as for Fig. 7. The locations 
of the Maykopian and Tarkhanian stratotypes are indicated. 
