Palaeoecology of Late Triassic conodonts: Constraints from oxygen isotopes in biogenic apatite

The oxygen isotopic composition of conodont apatite derived from the Late Triassic (Carnian to lower Norian), Pignola 2 and Sasso di Castalda sections in the Lagonegro Basin (Southern Apennines, Italy) was studied in order to constrain the habitat of Late Triassic conodont animals. Oxygen isotope ratios of conodonts range from 18.5 to 20.8%0 V-SMOW, which translate to palaeotemperatures ranging from 22 to 31 degrees C, assuming a delta O-18 of Triassic subtropical sea water of -0.12%0 V-SMOW. These warm temperatures, which are well comparable to those of modern subtropical-tropical oceans, along with the body features of the conodont animal suggest that conodont delta O-18 values reflect surface water temperatures, that the studied conodont taxa lived in near-surface waters, and that delta O-18 values of Late Triassic conodonts can be used for palaeoclimatic reconstructions.