Abstract

The Pabdeh Formation (Paleocene to Oligocene in age) comprises alternation of marl and limestone with the Purple Shale at the base is well exposed on the flanks of the Kabir-Kuh. Thalassinoides , Rhizocorallium, Planolites, Chondrites, cf. Rosselia, Spirophyton and Zoophycos were found in the limestone beds, among which trace fossils of Zoophycos group (Spirophyton and Zoophycos) are the most abundant. Structural variations of trace fossils of Zoophycos group were utiliized for recognition of five morphotypes including Rhizocorallium-shaped, branched Zoophycos, Spirophyton, short and fan-shaped lobate Zoophycos and long lobate Zoophycos morphotypes. Occurrence of these morphotypes in the studied sections implies an evolutionary trend, i.e. Rhizocorallium-shaped and branched Zoophycos morphotypes are developed in the lower parts of studied sections, whereas Spirophyton morphotype, is arranged in the mid-part of the Pabdeh Formation. Finally, short and fanshaped lobate and long lobate Zoophycos morphotypes are abundant in the upper part of the formation. Seemingly, these morphotypes variation were adopted with switch of stable and calm water to unstable and relatively high energy environments.