Introduction

The purpose of this section is to document the stratigraphic distributions of smaller benthic and planktic foraminifera in the Early Cretaceous of eastern Venezuela and their correlation with a planktic foraminiferal zonal scheme. The complexity of the Early Cretaceous in this area as regards lithologies, stratigraphic subdivisions and lateral facies changes has led to differing interpretations by the numerous investigators particularly from the point of view of correlation.

Most of the studies were carried out as oil company projects, some using internal company formational names. Some of these results were later published. One of them is Rod & Maync's (1954) paper ‘Revision of Lower Cretaceous stratigraphy of Venezuela’. In the part on eastern Venezuela the authors proposed a number of new lithologic and stratigraphic units and gave lists of foraminifera and ammonites occurring in the different formations. They also proposed a zonal scheme based on foraminifera which will be discussed in more detail below.

Of the published larger scale investigations only in one (Guillaume, Bolli & Beckmann, 1972) was the occurrence and distribution of benthic and planktic foraminifera followed in detail through all lithologic units investigated (Fig. 66) and tied into a predominantly planktic foraminiferal zonal scheme (Fig. 68). This publication is a shortened and revised version of Guillaume's (1961) oil company report. Before considering the foraminiferal results of this publication and report, a brief overview on the Early Cretaceous formations of eastern Venezuela and their faunal content is given below.