Cretaceous Roveacrinids from Mexico revisited: Overcoming the taxonomic misidentifications and subsequent biostratigraphic abuse

Abstract

The Mesozoic carbonate deposits of Mexico yield a number of overlooked, ill-known, and even enigmatic microfossils, among which are roveacrinoids (Echinodermata, Crinoidea, Roveacrinida). Most of these pelagic organisms probably came from the central Tethysian seaways, and later on from the early central Atlantic Ocean through the northwestern Tethysian neck, thus reaching the Central American platforms (Comanchean shelf, Central Texas platform, and Coahuila platform) and the Western Interior seaway. The present work intends to enlist as comprehensively as possible the Mexican records of roveacrinid crinoids, to propose a revised interpretation of the sections illustrated (most of them being originally erroneously assigned) and to provide a sound data base for further systematic and biostratigraphic research.