IN THE ESNA-IDFU REGION, NILE VALLEY, EGYPT 255 



This faunal sequence has been correlated with previously described successions 

 elsewhere in Egypt. 



The planktonic Foraminfera from eight main sections representing the succession 

 in different parts of the region were then studied. One hundred and nineteen species 

 and subspecies were identified, twenty species and six subspecies of which are new. 

 These provided a sound basis for the zonation of the succession and for its correlation 

 with the known planktonic foraminiferal zones in other parts of the world. This 

 zonal scheme has helped to establish the true ranges of the co-existent macrofossils, 

 most of which are not known from outside the Middle East and North Africa. Again, 

 the rich planktonic foraminiferal populations encountered have helped to clear up the 

 confusion surrounding most of the species and to establish their morphological 

 characters and stratigraphical ranges. They have also helped to explain the inter- 

 and intra- specific variations among large species populations and have indicated 

 certain trends and tendencies in their phylogenetic development. Seven faunal 

 zones and four subzones have been erected on the basis of the planktonic Fora- 

 minifera ; in addition, three other zones, which are either devoid of planktonic 

 Foraminifera or which contain rare indeterminable forms have been recognized. 

 These zones and subzones are as follows : 



10. A Zone with indeterminable planktonic Foraminifera. 

 9. The Globorotalia wilcoxensis Zone. 

 8. The Globorotalia velascoensis Zone. 



(b) The Globorotalia aequa j Globorotalia esnaensis Subzone. 



(a) The Globorotalia pseudomenardii Subzone. 

 7. The Globorotalia angulata Zone. 



(b) The Globorotalia pusilla Subzone. 

 (a) The Globorotalia uncinata Subzone. 



6. The Globorotalia compressajGlobigerina daubjergensis Zone. 

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5. The Globotruncana esnehensis Zone. 



4. The Globotruncana gansseri Zone. 



3. The Globotruncana fornicata Zone. 



2. A Zone with rare indeterminable planktonic Foraminifera. 



1. A Non-fossiliferous Zone. 



A consideration of the lithological classification of the succession together with the 

 macro-fossil and planktonic foraminiferal zonation enabled a correlation to be made 

 with comparable successions in Egypt and other parts of the world, and led to the 

 following conclusions : 



A. Conclusions concerning the Stratigraphy of the Esna-Idfu Region. 



1. The Nubia Sandstone and Variegated Shale, which is the oldest formation to 

 crop out in the region is of Campanian and ?pre-Campanian age. 



2. The Sibaiya Phosphate formation is of Upper Campanian age. It is charac- 

 terized by the Lopha villei Zone and is equated with the Bostrychoceras polyplocum 

 Zone which characterizes the Upper Campanian in its type section. 



