Calcareous nannofossil events in the Lower-Mildle Pleistocene transition at the Montalbano Jonico section and ODP site 964: Calibration with isotope and sapropel stratigraphy

We present quantitative data on calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy in the section of Montalbano Jonico (Southern Italy). This is one of the candidate Global Statotype Section and Point (GSSP) of the Middle Pleistocene. The first common occurrence (FCO) and last common occurrence (LCO) of Reticulofenestra asanoi are well detectable in the section and are here proposed as additional events for improving biostratigraphic resolution in the interval corresponding to the transition between the small Gephyrocapsa Zone and Pseudoemiliania lacunosa Zone. The potential value of the bioevents is tested in a Mediterranean deep-sea core of ODP Site 964, located in the Ionian Sea. At Site 964 the FCO…