Relationship between mid-Cretaceous (upper Albian–Cenomanian) ammonoid facies and lithofacies in the Yezo forearc basin, Hokkaido, Japan

An examination of inner shelf, outer shelf, and slope deposits in the Yezo forearc basin, northern Japan, provides new insights into the relationship between mid-Cretaceous ammonoid facies and lithofacies. Although undergoing post-mortem transport to some degree, the ammonoids were not moved to areas outside of their original habitat. This assumption is based on the condition of the outer shell surface, general absence of fragmentation, and sedimentary structures. Desmoceras predominates in the upper Albian–Cenomanian succession regardless of lithofacies, the family Gaudryceratidae is the second-most dominant group in each lithofacies, the abundance of Zelandites decreases offshore, and other groups, including Acanthoceratidae, are uncommon but occur in both inshore and offshore facies. External shell ornamentation does not necessarily vary according to lithofacies differences, while the shape of the whorl section does vary with lithofacies as a reflection of ambient environments. The smooth, slender Zelandites and the compressed morph of the smooth Desmoceras predominate in high-energy regimes represented by frequent hummocky cross-stratification and current ripple marks of an inner shelf. In contrast, the depressed morph of Desmoceras predominates in low-energy, offshore, muddy sea-floor regimes.