Palaeoecology of calcified microfossils from the Lower Devonian (Pragian-Emsian) of Sierra Morena (SW Spain)

Abstract Lower Devonian (Pragian – Emsian) reefal deposits of Sierra Morena (SW Spain) contain locally abundant calcified cyanobacteria, calcareous alga, and various microfossils including foraminifers. Calcified cyanobacteria are represented by Girvanella spp. A–C, which form crusts and clumps of various shape. Supposed green alga (?Dasycladales) is represented by a new genus with one new species, Bediaella hispanica gen. nov. sp. nov. Algospongia include Vasicekia margaritula (Saltovskaya, 1986) n. comb. Microproblematica is represented by Rothpletzella sp. The studied assemblages indicate photic and warm conditions in a shallow and well-agitated environment with normal salinity, and probably mirror episodes of shallowing due to eustatic sea level fluctuations.