Early Cretaceous ammonite fauna of Catanduanes Island, Philippines

Nine Aptian to early Albian ammonoid species, apparently from the Yop Formation, in Catanduanes Island, Philippines, are described herein: Goretophylloceras sp., Eogaudryceras (Eotetragonites) sp., Notosilesitoides philippinensis gen. et sp. nov., Miyakoceras tanohatense, Neosilesites nepos, Neoastieria? sp., Marshallites miyakoensis, Colombiceras cf. satowi and Colombiceras sp. This is the first systematic palaeontological report of Cretaceous ammonoids from the Philippines. Among the described species, Notosilesitoides philippinensis is proposed as a new genus and species. This fauna shows close similarity to that of the Tomochi Formation, Choshi Group, and the Miyako Group in Japan. These faunas were in a warm current regime that extended from the equator. The age and palaeogeographical significance of the assemblage is discussed.