Early Tithonian ammonites, microfacies, biostratigraphy, and biogeography from the Mészkemence section (Zengővárkony, Mecsek Mountains, South Hungary)

A rich but poorly preserved Lower Tithonian faunal assemblage is reported from the abandoned limekilns at Zengővárkony (Mecsek Mountains, Hungary). Except the Darwini Zone, all Lower Tithonian ammonite chronozones (Hybonotum, Semiforme, Fallauxi, and Peroni/Ponti) zones are recognised Fallauxi and Ponti/Peroni zones are first recorded from the region. The pelagic fauna is dominated by ammonites and their aptychi. Brachiopods, belemnites, and very rarely bivalves are accessory elements of the fauna. The mollusc fauna comprises 167 specimens that represent 18 genera and 13 species. Volanoceras sp. ex gr. volanense, Pseudopallasiceras? sp., Biplisphinctes pseudocolubrinus, Aulacosphinctoides sp. ex gr. infundibulum, and Physodoceras cf. widerai are first records from the Mecsek Mountains. The ammonite fauna has typical Mediterranean character. Based on cluster analysis, the fauna is closest to the ammonite assemblages of the Transdanubian Range (Hungary).