The Guadalupian-Lopingian boundary (Permian) in a pelagic sequence from Panthalassa recognized by integrated conodont and radiolarian biostratigraphy

Guadalupian-Lopingian sedimentary rocks are widely distributed in accretionary complexes in Japan, but the Guadalupian-Lopingian boundary (G-LB) is not well documented from these pelagic sediments. To identify the G-LB and to better correlate an extinction event that occurred around the Guadalupian-Lopingian boundary, we examined the conodont biostratigraphy from a Permian pelagic chert sequence in the Gujo-hachiman section, Gifu, southwest Japan. Age-diagnostic conodonts, including Clarkina postbitteri postbitteri, were found in this section. The biostratigraphic occurrences of these age-diagnostic conodonts can pinpoint the “G-L transitional zone” in the Gujo-hachiman section by comparison with well-studied sections from south China, including the GSSP section. The transitional zone was recognized by the first occurrence horizons of both Clarkina postbitteri hongshuiensis and C. p. postbitteri. The G-LB has been placed at or above the first occurrence horizon of the radiolarians Albaillella yamakitai or Albaillella cavitata in previous studies from China and Japan. We detected the first occurrence horizon of A. yamakitai below the base of the “G-L transitional zone,” in the Upper Capitanian. The conodont biostratigraphy is consistent with the radiolarian biostratigraphy in this section, which can be correlated to relevant sections in China.