36 
Fig.9 Palaeogeographic reconstruction, Chokrakian to Karaganian (Middle Miocene). Key as for Fig. 7. The location of the Karaganian strato- 
type is indicated. 
Chenopodiaceae probably indicates the local development of 
salt-marshes. 
Karaganian (Fig. 9) 
The Karaganian takes its name from a locality on the 
Mangyshlak Peninsula in Kazakhstan (Likharev, 1958). It is 
Middle Miocene on regional evidence (see above). Direct 
biostratigraphic evidence is lacking. The Spaniodontella Beds of 
Northern Iran appear correlative (St6cklin & Setudehnia, 1971, 
1972). 
Micropalaeontology. Only non-age-diagnostic, quasi-marine, 
smaller benthonic foraminifera were recorded by Mamedova 
(1971) and Azizbekov (1972) from the Karaganian of 
Azerbaijan. These include Nonion bogdanowiczi. The fish 
otoliths Rhombus corius and R. corius binagadinica are regarded 
as index-species for the Karaganian in Azerbaijan (E.Z. Ateava, 
pers. comm., 1994). 
Palynology. Only non-age-diagnostic palynomorphs were 
recorded by Dzhabarova (1973) from the Karaganian of the 
Middle Kura Depression. Pollen spectra are characterised by 
relatively high incidences of tree taxa, which indicates a forested 
hinterland. The predominance of Betula (birch) indicates a 
climatic regime similar to that of the present-day taiga or 
forest-tundra. 
Konkian (Fig. 10) 
The Konkian takes its name from a river in the Ukraine (a 
tributary of the Dniepr) (Likharev, 1958). It is of Middle 
R.W. JONES AND M.D. SIMMONS 
Chokrakian to Karaganian Reservoirs 
in Indol Kuban and Terek Caspian 
Foredeeps and Eastern Azerbaidzhan 
Miocene age on regional evidence (see above). Direct — 
biostratigraphic evidence is lacking. The Pholas Beds of — 
Northern Iran appear correlative (St6cklin & Setudehnia, 1971, 
1972). 
Micropalaeontology. Only non-age-diagnostic, quasi-marine, — 
smaller benthonic foraminifera were recorded by Bogdanowicz — 
(1965) from the Konkian of the western Precaucasus and by — 
Mamedova (1971) and Azizbekov (1972) from the Konkian 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unpublished observations), Articulina gibbosa and Miliolina 
[Quinqueloculina] haidingerii, both of which have also been 
recorded in the Badenian of Central Paratethys (Papp & © 
Schmid, 1985), and Articulina elongata konkensis, Bulimina : 
konkensis and Elphidium nachischevanicus, all of which are 
endemic to Eastern Paratethys. Bulimina konkensis and 
Elphidium kudakoense, together with the fish otolith Trigla | 
konkensis, are regarded as index-species for the Konkian in 
Azerbaijan (Podobina et al., 1956; Mamedova, 1971). 
Shishova (1955) and Gasanova (1965) recorded the following E 
diatoms from the Konkian of Eastern Azerbaijan: Actinocyclus 
ehrenbergi, A. rafsii, Asterolampra marylandica, Cocconeis — 
placentula lineta, C. scutelum, Coscinodiscus radiatus, C. oculus — 
and Melosira sulcata. Coscinodiscus radiatus was considered 
particularly typical. 
— 
Palynology. Only non-age-diagnostic palynomorphs were 
recorded by Dzhabarova (1973) from the Konkian of the Middle 
Kura Depression. Pollen spectra are characterised by relatively | 
high incidences of tree taxa, which indicates a forested 
j 
