The El Mers Group is a geological group in the Middle Atlas of Morocco . It is subdivided into three formations named the El Mers I, II, and III Formations, respectively. It is a marine deposit primarily consisting of marl , with gypsum present in the upper part of unit 3. It is the lateral equivalent of the terrestrial Guettioua Sandstone . Dinosaur remains are among the fossils that have been recovered from the group, most notably those of sauropods and the unusual thyreophorans Adratiklit Thyreosaurus Spicomellus Middle Jurassic (with an age of Bajocian -Bathonian for El Mers 1 and a Bathonian-Callovian ? for El Mers II-III), based on detailed stratigraphical biomarkers such as ammonites or Foranimifera.[ 1]
Paleoenvironment
A Modern analogue for El Mers Group is found in the coastal sequences of Coorong, South Australia . The El Mers formations are composed primarily of marls with intermittent layers of limestone and sandstone, characterized by abundant organic matter and benthic fauna.[ 2] marls , sandstones , and limestones , marked by various unique fossils and organic materials. Sedimentary discontinuities reveal deltaic sequences that exhibit varying sedimentary structures and lithological compositions, reflecting dynamic depositional environments ranging from subtidal to continental. The facies associations within the El Mers Group are organized into elementary and mesosequences, delineating the transition from prodelta to deltaic plain environments. These sequences capture the evolution of tidal regimes and depositional dynamics.[ 3] [ 4]
During the Bajocian-Bathonian transition the local faices paint a picture of a dynamic paleoenvironment, where the interplay between land and sea was pronounced.[ 1] [ 1] lagoon or restricted bays where circulation is limited. Upwards there are signs of marine influence growing stronger, particularly at the base of "Interval C", where a notable sea-level rise seems to have occurred, akin to what we might see on today's outer continental shelves , like those in the North Sea , where marine life diversity peaks, specially Bivalves and Ammonites. However, this marine dominance is not consistent, reverting back to a more coastal, land-influenced environment towards the top, similar to modern deltaic regions where riverine and marine waters mix, such as the Louisiana coast or the Coorong National Park . The environment would have experienced variable salinity, much like estuaries where fresh and marine waters blend, affecting the types of biota that could thrive.[ 1]
The shifts in facies and microfauna evolution in the area revelated intriguing patterns, from the establishment of initial supratidal environments characterized by charophytic marls and ostracod limestones followed by a resurgence of marine conditions, evident from the reappearance of coastal facies and the diversification of ostracod faunas, indicating a significant transgressive phase during the Upper Bathonian –Lower Callovian period. While in the Central High Atlas marine influences ceased by the Upper Bajocian –Lower Bathonian giving way to continental red layers, in the Middle Atlas marine influences persisted until the Upper Bathonian–Lower Callovian boundary, indicating a diachronic filling of the Atlas gulfs towards the Tethyan domain from west to east.[ 5]
Fossils
Color key
Notes small text ; crossed out taxa are discredited.
Foraminifera
Genus
Species
Stratigraphic position
Material
Notes
Images
Bullopora [ 5]
SW part of the Skoura syncline
Tests/Shells
A benthic foraminiferan of the family Polymorphinidae
Pfenderella [ 5]
SW part of the Skoura syncline
Tests/Shells
A benthic foraminiferan of the family Pfenderininae
Praekurnubia [ 5]
SW part of the Skoura syncline
Tests/Shells
A benthic foraminiferan of the family Pfenderinidae; a genus found in the Tethys between Bajocian and Oxfordian-aged layers
Pseudocyclammina [ 5]
SW part of the Skoura syncline
Tests/Shells
A benthic foraminiferan of the family Hauraniidae
Dinoflajellates
Genus
Species
Stratigraphic position
Material
Notes
Images
Aldorfia [ 1]
FD section, Skoura Syncline
Cysts
A Dinoflajellate of the family Gonyaulacaceae
Cribroperidinium [ 1]
FD section, Skoura Syncline
Cysts
A Dinoflajellate of the family Gonyaulacaceae
Ctenidodinium [ 1]
C. combazii C. continuum C. cornigerum
FD section, Skoura Syncline
Cysts
A Dinoflajellate, incertae sedis
Dichadogonyaulax [ 1]
FD section, Skoura Syncline
Cysts
A Dinoflajellate, incertae sedis
Korystocysta [ 1]
FD section, Skoura Syncline
Cysts
A Dinoflajellate of the family Gonyaulacaceae
Meiourogonyaulax [ 1]
M. caytonensis M. reticulata M. valensii
FD section, Skoura Syncline
Cysts
A Dinoflajellate of the family Gonyaulacaceae
Nannoceratopsis [ 1]
FD section, Skoura Syncline
Cysts
A Dinoflajellate of the family Nannoceratopsiaceae
Pareodinia [ 1]
FD section, Skoura Syncline
Cysts
A Dinoflajellate of the family Pareodiniaceae
Rhynchodiniopsis [ 1]
FD section, Skoura Syncline
Cysts
A Dinoflajellate of the family Gonyaulacaceae
Trichodinium [ 1]
FD section, Skoura Syncline
Cysts
A Dinoflajellate of the family Gonyaulacaceae
Tubotuberella [ 1]
FD section, Skoura Syncline
Cysts
A Dinoflajellate of the family Gonyaulacaceae
Wanaea [ 1]
W. acollaris W. indotata W. verrucosa
FD section, Skoura Syncline
Cysts
A Dinoflajellate of the family Gonyaulacaceae
Willeidinum [ 1]
FD section, Skoura Syncline
Cysts
A Dinoflajellate, incertae sedis
Brachiopoda
Genus
Species
Stratigraphic position
Material
Notes
Images
Formosarhynchia [ 4]
F. (Rhynchonella?) dumortieri
Isolated shells
A branchipod of the family Rhynchonellidae
Example of specimen of the genus (from Spain)
Ostracoda
Genus
Species
Stratigraphic position
Material
Notes
Images
Cytherella [ 5]
Valves
A freshwater/brackish ostracod of the family Cytherellidae
Fastigatocythere [ 5]
Valves
A freshwater/brackish ostracod of the family Progonocytheridae
Kinkelinella [ 5]
Valves
A freshwater ostracod of the family Progonocytheridae
Metacypris [ 5]
Valves
A freshwater ostracod of the family Limnocytheridae . Local members of the genus genus would not be confined to limnic environments, but would be euryhaline or brackish, since they disappear when faunal diversity is at its maximum.
Procytheridea [ 5]
Valves
A freshwater ostracod of the family Schulerideidae
Xiphosura
Genus
Species
Stratigraphic position
Material
Notes
Images
Selenichnites [ 6]
Skoura Syncline
Taferdouste
Isolated crescent-shaped trace fossils
Traces of xiphosurans , representing the second occurrence of this ichnogenus in Morocco
Extant Horseshoe crab (in New York state)
Mollusca
Genus
Species
Stratigraphic position
Material
Notes
Images
Cadomites [ 5]
C. bremeri C. cf. bremeri
Isolated shells
An ammonite of the family Stephanoceratidae and indicator of the Bathonian age
Example of specimens (from France)
Cercomya [ 4]
Isolated shells
A marine clam of the family Laternulidae
Choffatia [ 7]
Isolated shells
An ammonite of the family Perisphinctidae and indicator of the Callovian age
Corbula [ 4]
Isolated shells
A marine clam of the family Corbulidae
Clydoniceras [ 7] [ 8]
Tamguert n'Tarit
Tizi n'Juillerh
Isolated shells
An ammonite of the family Clydoniceratidae
Eomiodon[ 4]
Isolated Shells
A marine clam of the family Neomiodontidae
Isognomon [ 4]
I. (Mythiloperna) murchisoni
Isolated shells
A marine oyster of the family Malleidae
Example of extant member of the genus (from Cape Verde )
Lima [ 4]
L. (Plagiostoma) subcardiformis
Isolated shells
A marine file clam of the family Limidae
Example of extant member of the genus (from Puerto Rico )
Lopha [ 4]
Isolated shells
A marine oyster of the family Ostreidae
Example of extant member of the genus (from Micronesia )
Modiolus [ 4] [ 8]
M. imbricatus M. cf. bipartitus
Aït Kermouss
El Mers
Tamguert n'Tarit
Isolated shells
A marine mussel of the family Mytilidae
Example of extant member of the genus (from Norway)
Morphoceras [ 7]
Isolated shells
An ammonite of the family Morphoceratidae and indicator of the Bathonian age
Mytilus [ 4]
M. (Falcimytilus) tumidus
Isolated shells
A marine mussel of the family Mytilidae
Example of extant member of the genus (from an unknown location)
Nucula [ 4]
Isolated shells
A marine nut clam of the family Nuculanidae
Example of extant member of the genus (from Massachusetts )
Oraniceras [ 7]
Isolated shells
An ammonite of the family Parkinsoniidae and indicator of the Bathonian age
Orionoides [ 4]
Isolated shells
An ammonite of the family Perisphinctidae
Ostrea [ 4] [ 7] [ 8]
O. sandalina O. (Liostrea) hebridica
Aït Kermouss
El Mers
Tamguert n'Tarit
Isolated shells
A marine oyster of the family Ostreidae
Example of extant member of the genus (from an unknown location)
Paracenoceras [ 4]
Isolated shells
A Nautilidan of the family Paracenoceratidae
Example of specimen (from an unknown location)
Parkinsonia [ 5]
Isolated shells
An ammonite of the family Parkinsoniidae and indicator of the Bajocian age for the lower portions of the Group
Example of specimen (from England)
Protocardia [ 7] [ 8]
Isolated shells
A marine cockle of the family Cardiidae
Echinoderms
Genus
Species
Stratigraphic position
Material
Notes
Images
Acrosalenia[ 4]
Isolated Individuals
An Echinoidean of the family Acrosaleniidae
Hemicidaris [ 4]
H. jauberti H. cf. icaunensis
Isolated Individuals
An Echinoidean of the family Hemicidaridae
Example of specimen of the genus (from Switzerland)
Fishes
Genus
Species
Stratigraphic position
Material
Notes
Images
Lepidotes [ 9]
Ait Hammou
Djmila
Oued El Mers
Tizi n'Juillerh
Cranial material, isolated teeth and scales
A marine/brackish bony fish of the family Lepidotidae
Example of specimen of the genus (from an unknown location)
Scheenstia [ 9]
Partial specimen wirth cranial material
A marine/brackish bony fish of the family Lepidotidae
Reconstruction
Testudinata
Genus
Species
Stratigraphic position
Material
Notes
Images
Testudinata [ 7] [ 8]
Tamguert n'Tarit
Tizi n'Juillerh
Very numerous debris: escutcheons, plates, vertebrae, ribs, long bones
Turtle remains of uncertain affinity
Crocodylomorpha
Genus
Species
Stratigraphic position
Material
Notes
Images
Hatcherichnus [ 10]
Footprints
Indeterminate Crocodrylomorph Tracks
"Megalosaurus [ 7] [ 8]
Isolated teeth and vertebra
A marine crocodylomorph of the family Teleosauridae . Mistaken as Theropod remains in the past.[ 11]
Steneosaurus [ 7]
Bou Iferaoun
Botane
Darak
Djmila
Oued Tamemecht
Tamguert r'Tane
Tirardine
Tissenfelt
Isolated teeth, cranial and postcranial material, both isolated and semi-articulated
A marine crocodylomorph of the family Teleosauridae . The referral to the genus Steneosaurus should be taken with caution, as this genus was overlumped.
Dinosauria
Theropoda
Genus
Species
Stratigraphic position
Material
Notes
Images
Carmelopodus [ 10]
Footprints
Theropod tracks of uncertain affinity, suggested to come from Ceratosauria members
Grallator [ 10]
Footprints
Theropod Tracks, referred usually to small-medium sized Genera
Hispanosauropus [ 10]
Footprints
Theropod tracks of uncertain affinity, different from Megalosauripus in the larger metatarsophalangeal region
Megalosauripus [ 12] [ 10]
El Mers
Tasra
Tasra Westbank
Tassmante O'Moche
Oued Tamghilt
Footprints
Traces of theropods; members of the ichnofiber family Eubrontidae, incertae sedis within Theropoda
Averostra [ 7] [ 12]
Isolated Teeth
Isolated teeth of unidentified or undescribed/studied theropods. Teeth associated with the Teleosaur "Megalosaurus" mersensis have recently been suggesting to come from indeterminate Averostrans. Other remains need revision.[ 13] [ 14]
Theropodipedia[ 10] [ 15] [ 12]
El Mers
Inzar O'Founass
Ifri N'Tfrane
Laach O'Medda
Oulad Ali
Tasra
Tasra Westbank
Tassmante O'Moche
Footprints
Theropod tracks of uncertain affinity, suggested to come from "allosaurs or megalosaurs"[ 15]
Sauropoda
Genus
Species
Stratigraphic position
Material
Notes
Images
Breviparopus [ 12] [ 10]
Footprints
Traces of sauropods typical of the ichnofamily Parabrontopodidae, incertae sedis within Sauropodomorpha . Includes traces with pes similar to Diplodocoidea .[ 12]
Cetiosaurus [ 7] [ 16]
Aîn ou N'Jourh
Taghrout
Tamguert r'Tane
Tamguert n'Tarit
Tich Niouine
Oued Botane
Complete skeleton and referred co-types of partially complete and incomplete specimens
A eusauropod of the family Cetiosauridae , currently awaiting revision and likely not a member of the genus Cetiosaurus [ 17]
Sauropoda [ 18] [ 19]
Aït Tamjout
Boulahfa
1 km east of Taguelft
Isolated and articulated bones
Indeterminate or undescribed sauropod remains
Sauropodina[ 10] [ 15] [ 20]
El Mers
Tasra
Tasra Westbank
Oulad Ali
Footprints
Sauropod tracks of uncertain affinity. There are both small and enormous sauropod tracks, including some among the largest known worldwide, with a pes track length of up to 130 cm.[ 10]
Ornithischia
Genus
Species
Stratigraphic position
Material
Notes
Images
Adratiklit [ 21]
NHMUK PV R37366 (A dorsal vertebra), three cervical vertebrae (NHMUK PV R37367; R37368), a dorsal vertebra (NHMUK PV R37365), and a left humerus (NHMUK PV R37007)
A dacentrurine stegosaur
Cerapoda [ 22]
USMBA 001, a partial left femur
The oldest known cerapodan dinosaur
Ornithopodichnus ?[ 10]
Footprints
Ornithichian tracks, referred to short-toed forms such as Gilmoreosaurus
Spicomellus [ 23]
NHMUK PV R37412, a partial rib bearing four co-ossified spines
An early ankylosaurian
Thyreosaurus [ 24]
HIIUC-BN00, a partial postcranial skeleton that includes nine dorsal vertebrae and 21 dorsal rib remains, a limb bone (fibula?), and six dermal elements
A dacentrurine stegosaur with unusual recumbent osteoderms
Dasycladales
Genus
Species
Stratigraphic position
Material
Notes
Images
Heteroporella [ 5]
SW part of the Skoura syncline
Calcareous imprints
A dasycladacean algae of the family Dasycladaceae
Sarfiatella [ 5]
SW part of the Skoura syncline
Calcareous imprints
A dasycladacean algae, associated in adjacent regions with Aalenian–Bajocian faunas
Charophyta
Genus
Species
Stratigraphic position
Material
Notes
Images
Porochara [ 5]
Oogonia
A characean algae of the family Porocharaceae; charophytes are abundant in lower levels, associated with freshwater ostracods
Example of modern characean algae
Plantae
Genus
Species
Stratigraphic position
Material
Notes
Images
Araucariacites[ 1]
FD section, Skoura Syncline
Pollen
Affinities with Araucariaceae inside Coniferae .
Example of extant Araucaria
Callialasporites[ 1]
C. dampieri C. segmentatus C. turbatus C. spp.
FD section, Skoura Syncline
Pollen
Affinities with Araucariaceae inside Coniferae .
Classopollis [ 1]
FD section, Skoura Syncline
Pollen
Affinities with Cheirolepidiaceae inside Coniferae .
Cyathidites[ 1]
FD section, Skoura Syncline
Spores
Affinities with the family Cyatheaceae inside Cyatheales . Arboreal Fern Spores
Modern Cyathea Cyathidites come probably from similar genera
Densoisporites[ 1]
FD section, Skoura Syncline
Spores
Affinities with the Selaginellaceae in the Lycopsida .
Modern Selaginella Densoisporites probably come from a similar Plant
Lycopodiumsporites[ 1]
L. austroclavatidites L. spp.
FD section, Skoura Syncline
Spores
Affinities with the family Lycopodiaceae in the Lycopodiopsida . Lycopod spores, related to herbaceous flora common in humid environments.
Modern Lycopodium Lycopodiumsporites probably come from a similar plant
Protocupressinoxylon [ 25]
Fossil wood
Conifer wood of the family Hirmeriellaceae , considered to be a potential synonym of the genus Brachyoxylon
Example of petrified wood trunk of the same genus (from an unknown location)
See also
References
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