Fusiteuthis polonica, a rare and unusual belemnite from the Maastrichtian
Walter Kegel Christensen
A specimen of Fusiteuthis polonica, from the basal Maastrichtian of the "Saturn" chalk pit at Kronsmoor in northwest Germany, is described. It came from the uppermost part of the Belemnella lanceolata Zone, ca. 9.5 m above the base of the Maastrichtian as defined on belemnites. Fusiteuthis was very rare, but widely distributed. Single occurrences are known from northwest Germany, Poland and Crimea. It has been recorded only from the lowest and uppermost parts of the Maastrichtian; the longevity of this genus was thus slightly less than 6 myr. Fusiteuthis belongs to the Upper Cretaceous belemnite family Belemnitellidae.
Key words: Belemnitellids, Fusiteuthis, taxonomy, Maastrichtian, northwest Germany.
Walter Kegel Christensen, Geological Museum, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade5−7, DK−1350 Copenhagen, Denmark. Dr. Walter Kegel Christensen passed away on October 18th, 2002.
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