Biostratigraphic and paleoecologic analysis of ostracode assemblages from late Paleocene and early Eocene sedimentary rocks, Core Uak-5, Ganjo Takkar Inlier, Sindh Province, Pakistan

One hundred and forty-one species of ostracodes representing 45 genera were identified from upper Paleocene and lower Eocene sedimentary rocks in core UAK-5. The core was taken southwest of Ganjo Takkar, an inlier south of Hyderabad, southern Sindh Province. The 400 m core contains rocks from the upper part of the Bara Formation, the Lakhra Formation, the Sohnari Formation, and most of the Laki Formation (here including the Meting Limestone and Meting Shale Members). Five ostracode assemblage zones are recognized based on the stratigraphic ranges of the species. Major changes in the ostracode fauna are indicated near the top of the Lakhra, in the basal part of the Meting Limestone, and just above the base of the Meting Shale. The Meting Shale has the highest species diversity and abundance, and is interpreted to represent normal marine salinity and deeper inner to middle shelf water depths. The Meting Limestone has the next highest species diversity and abundance, and is interpreted to represent normal marine salinity and middle shelf water depths. The Lakhra and fossiliferous horizons in the upper part of the Bara show moderate species diversity and abundance, and are interpreted to represent normal marine salinity and inner shelf water depths.