Aganane Formation
Introduction The '''Aganane Formation''' is a Pliensbachian (Early Jurassic) geologic formation in the Azilal, Béni-Mellal, Ouarzazate, Tinerhir and Errachidia provinces, central Morocco, being the remnant of a local massive Carbonate platform, and known mostly for its rich tracksites (up to 1350 tracks in 1988) including footprints of thyreophoran, sauropod and theropod dinosaurs. This formation has been dated to the Pliensbachian stage of the Lower Jurassic, thanks to the find of the ammonite ''Arieticeras cf. algovianum'', indicator of Middle Domerian (=Uppermost Pliensbachian) in the upper zone, and lower delimitation by the foraminifers ''Mayncina termieri'' and ''Orbitopsella praecursor'' (indicators of Carixian=Lower Pliensbachian age). The dinosaur tracksites are all located a few metres below the Pliensbachian-Toarcian limit, being coeval and connected with the lowermost layers of the continental Azilal Formation. The Aganane Formation was also coeval with the Jbel Taguendouft Formation and the Tamadout 1 Formation, all developed along a local "platform-furrow" in the Middle Atlas Mountains, that act as a barrier controlling the western border of the Jurassic Atlas Gulf. The nearshore sections, including both carbonate platforms and close to sea terrestrial facies where located on an isolated internal domain thanks to the control of the barrier, allowing the Aganane Formation to develop on a hot and humid climate, where a local algal marsh had intermittent progradations, intercalated with a layer of terrigenous continental origin. The ichnosites were developed in tidal flats and coastal deposits suitable to sea flooding.The Aganane Formation is a member of the Pliensbachian facies section of the Central Atlas, which are distributed from west to east: The Aït Chitachen Formation at Demnate (continental-fluvial, coastal lagoon), the Aganane itself at Azilal. At Tazoult, part of the Azilal profile contacts the bottom with the karst Talmest-Tazoult Formation, then a section where the Aganane itself indicates an eastward expansion of the carbonate facies, finally, the most recent Pliensbachian strata belong to the Amezraï Formation (Intertidal to coastal marine), this last change being the result of a transgression where we see a westward advance of the Imilchil pelagic facies.At Tazoult, the presence of a Diapir (the Tazoult salt wall) is remarkable. In the Pliensbachian, this area begins with the deposition of the Talmest-Tazoult Formation, and then is invaded from the west by the shallow marine carbonate platform of the Aganane Formation. At this time, a decrease in the growth rate of the diapir is detected compared to the Sinemurian. In fact, with the eastward extension of the Aganane Formation, the Tazoult salt wall registers a major change towards shallower facies, confirming a higher diapir relief and a decrease in water depth towards this area during the Pliensbachian, not excluding a complete stop of diapir activity in this interval.__TOC__
Paleoenvironment The Aganane Formation is characterized as representing a carbonate platform, the most important Lower Jurassic platform in the central High Atlas, bounded to the west at Demnat by the Aït Chitachen Formation, which represents environments ranging from fluvial to coastal lagoons, with palynological residues ''Corollina quezelii'' & ''Corollina yvesi'' (Cheirolepidiaceae) as dominant, indicating an arid environment, accompanied by ''Cupressacites oxycedroides'' & ''Diadocupressacites moghrebiensis'', both palynological residues of Cupressaceae.The Carbonates of this unit were subjected to an examination of the diagenetic characteristics of the carbonates, allowing the construction of a model of diagenetic environments, where changes in the surface environment were consistently reflected in a sequence of rocks by diagenetic characteristics, maybe a tentative correlation of major events, such as Hurricanes. The carbonate rocks that form the massive "Aganane Platform" are clearly influenced by tidal and shallow marine flows, ascribed to three environments: supratidal, intertidal and subtidal. The supratidal sector is diverse, including continental deposits with abundant quartz-rich cricundant deposits and fluvial channels, as well as others composed of considerable thicknesses of stratified gypsum and chicken-wire cargneules, lime and dolomite shales and marls, with drying cracks, caliche crusts and vadose pisoliths. These sediments suggest a continental zone bordering river courses, connected to coastal sectors where shales and siltstones derived from Sabkhas in which interstitial evaporites were formed. Intertidal deposits are composed of algal laminates, bioturbated pelletiferous shales, uniformitarian shales and wackestones with disruptive channels and storm sequences. Algal laminated Boundstones developed in both supratidal and intertidal zones, following present-day patterns such as Shark Bay in Australia or the Persian Gulf. Whereas the pelletoid lime packstone/wackestone facies most likely represented tidal flat areas, or analogs to modern coastal mangrove growth. Subtidal deposits include both those of an intertidal nature, indicating shallow water or coastal lagoons, with extensive accumulations of skeletal lime packstones, oolitic tidal deltas and offshore bars, oncoliths and coral reefs, and occasional ''Opisoma'' spp. While further east the more open subtidal conditions are represented by flint-bearing calcareous shales and sparse faunas where ammonites begin to appear.Modern Sebkha of Imlily, near Dakhla. Certain sections of the Aganane Formation present beds resembling this type of ecosystemThe Carbonate Facies of the High Atlas "Middle Lias" (Pliensbachian) generally have a low bathymetry. They show a notable evolution from east to west from a lagoon-marine facies to brackish facies. At the level of the Azilal Atlas, the Middle Lias occurs on both sides of the Demnat Fault: to the southwest of the fault, the Aït Bazzi Formation with dolomitic and red marly facies (lagoonal and lagoon-evaporitic facies), while to the northeast develop the thicker facies of the Aganane Formation. In this area, formations of this stage begin either with conglomeratic facies associated with red marls or with scree and conglomerates associated with local erosion, recovering the same lower Pliensbachian emersion phase observed in the Beni-Mellal Atlas. Toward the south, the "basin" facies ends at the bottom of the gulf near the Jbel Oukarde accident, at the western end of the Tilougguit syncline. The southern limit of this basin, hidden by the later sediments, corresponds to the present-day course of the Azilal-Anergui submeridian fault. Toward the south, on the Amezraï and Aït Bouguemmez basins, a platform zone was established in the heart of the Central High Atlas, consisting of the Jbel Choucht, Aganane, Assemsouk, and Amezraï formations. The Jbel Choucht Formation is the type locality here, characterized by a great development of coralligenous facies. The Jbel Choucht Formation is also present towards the north-central High Atlas, but without any reef character, being rather rich in megalodont bivalves, while the Aganane Formation presents more or less the same characteristics as those described in the Beni-Mellal Platform. To the east, at the level of the Jbel Aroudane, the thickening and sedimentary polarity of the Jbel Choucht Formation occurs this time southward, with a W-E subsident basin centered on the Jbel Azourki and the Jbel Aroudane.In the Aganane Formation towards terminal Carixian (Lias biozone C2 in the High Atlas of Morocco) several sedimentary environments are distinguished in the carbonate inner platform. These environments are characterized by rhythmic sedimentation composed of metric sedimentary sequences analogous to present-day "marnières". Lithologically, there are two juxtaposed sedimentary units that represent two types of complex environments: a first assemblage that includes the marlodolomitic unit of the Aganane Formation and the Aït Bazzi Formation; these units are also equivalent to lagoonal and lagoon-evaporitic facies. This sedimentary assemblage corresponds to a carbonate supratidal coastal plain environment regularly overlain by red marl deposits of continental origin, which can be compared to the modern Sabkhas in the Persian Gulf, but in a less arid climatic context, for the frequent presence of dinosaur tracks suggests extensive vegetation cover in the hinterland, and thus high annual precipitation, suggesting overall tropical conditions reminiscent of the Andros Island model in the Bahamas. A second set (a light gray limestone-dolomite subunit) more distal to the inner platform, in which the environment varies, repeatedly, from subtidal to supratidal conditions, from marine to coastal plain deposits, sometimes showing red terrigenous intercalations, revealing the presence of local cycles evolving from temporary lagoon to "sabkha", while in the outermost part of the platform the existence of a permanent lagoon can be assumed. The facies of this lagoon are muddy and highly bioturbated, with numerous marine organisms colonizing the soft substrate of the lagoon: Lamellibranchs, Gastropods, Brachiopods, with calcareous algae (''Palaeodasycladus'', Solenopores, etc.) oncoliths and Foraminifers. These levels with large Lamellibranchs (especially "Lithiotidae") are rather rare in the Carixian.Locations such as Ait Athmane recover the typical Sinemurian-Pliensbachian mediterranean lithiotid bivalve reefs, composed by aggrupation of aberrant bivalves. These "Reefs" had a strong zonation, starting with the bivalves ''Gervilleioperna'' and ''Mytiloperna'', restricted to intertidal and shallow-subtidal facies. ''Lithioperna'' is limited to lagoonal subtidal facies and even in some low-oxygen environments. Finally ''Lithiotis'' and ''Cochlearites'' are found in subtidal facies, constructing buildups. Locally, these reefs were developed as shallow subtidal, cross-bedded floatstones, later evolving to layers with evidence of subaerial exposure, including lagoonal marls, and bioturbated red mudstones with root traces and calcrete. These layers are abundant on the aberrant bivalves ''Lithioperna'' and ''Cochlearites'', as well common corals, gastropods, the bivalve ''Opisoma'' and oncoids, all living in a sheltered lagoon in the interior of the local carbonate platform, similar to the Rotzo Formation of the Trento Platform.At Ait Bou Guemmez, the upper Aganane Formation records the development of a lagoonal environment south of the Jbel Tizal-Jbel Azourki accident, which evolves to a more or less open subtidal platform environment north of this accident. The local transgressive procession is marked by the dominance of subtidal facies with a microfauna of biozone C1, whereas the high marine level procession is represented by a succession of intertidal to supratidal dolomitic limestones, its top is surmounted by an important subaerial discontinuity materialized by red clay with paleosols and abundant plant roots (e.g. at Tizi n'Terghist). In other localities are mainly biodetritic limestones, showing emersion structures at their top (dolomitization, mud cracks, roots and plant remains, footprints of Dinosaurs).
Paleogeography  Details of some carbonate regressive cycles of filling taken in two geological sections (south rift and High Atlas of Beni Mellal) distant of 230 kmThe Aganane Formation is located largely within the "Grand e Accident du Nor d'Altasien" or North Atlas Fault, the largest and most important of the Central High Atlas faults. During the late Pliensbachian, 200 m of carbonate sediments accumulated south of the fault on an overturned block, while to the north more than 700 m of similar material accumulated. This fault line probably marked the northern boundary of a Paleozoic basement peninsula that advanced eastward from the Tichka Massif into the Atlas Trench.The paleogeographic evolution of our region can be described in three main stages:*The Lower Pliensbachian ("Carixian"), which follows the typical Sinemurian paleogeographic pattern with foreshores and prolonged emersion facies (paleosols, karsts and teepee-shaped structures), the latter being mainly observed on the southern slopes of the central High Atlas, evolving on the subtidal platform of the Upper Sinemurian, with the "Lithiotidae" colonizing for the first time the main areas located in line with the active accidents, notably the fault located NE-SW, separating the Tilougguit trough to the SE from its limiting platform to the NW. *The "middle" Pliensbachian ("Carixian" - lower "Domerian") marine environment gradually resettles along the western edge of the High Atlas Basin, with maximum opening of depositional environments in the Carixian-Domerian transition (rhythmic mamocalcic sedimentation in the Tilougguit Trench, turbidite facies on the SE edge of the Beni-Mellal platform and subsident lagoons in the other sectors). At the same time, the NW-SE-trending Demnat Fault and the N70-trending North Atlas Fault become evident, whereas the southern edge of the Telouet Graben does not appear to have changed significantly during the Middle Lias like its counterpart in the northern part of the range, being here the main site of the shallow sedimentation of the Aganane Formation. Towards the Tincghir meridian, open sea facies are encountered. *The last facies belong to the Upper Pliensbachian (Upper Domerian) where the paleogeography of the Central High Atlas becomes very contrasted, with emersion of a vast sector of the platform (At Demnat), leading to the development of paleosols and karst and the accumulation of lignite deposits along tectonically active faults. At the same time, there is a filling of the Tilougguit ditch by carbonate and terrigenous sedimentation, showing small basins like Tamadout and Taquat N'Agrd with a sedimentation with a gravity component, and shoals (Jbel Taguendouft) with condensed deposits. Finally an intensification of the activity of the North leading to the deepening of the central platform (creation of the new basin of Amezraï), to the individualization of strongly subsident zones in the aplomb of this accident (gutter of Jbel Azourki-Jbel Aroudane) and to the birth of the first wrinkles in the center of the high-Atlasic basin.
Foraminifera  Genus Species Stratigraphic position Material Habitat Notes Images''Everticyclammina''*''Everticyclammina sp. ''*Aganane/Assit Bernai Calcareous SkeletonsMarine or LagoonalA foraminifer of the Everticyclamminidae family. It represents a species similar to '''E. virguliana''', known from the Middle Jurassic of Morocco. ''Haurania''*''Haurania amiji''*''Haurania deserta''*Aganane*Aît Bou Guemez*An Blal*Assit Bernai*Gorges du Tisakht *Jbel Choucht*Jbel Rhat*Jbel Tarahalt*Jbel Tarkeddid*Tadghouit*WazzantCalcareous SkeletonsMarine or LagoonalA foraminifer of the Hauraniinae family. ''Lituosepta''*''Lituosepta recoarensis''*''Lituosepta compressa''*Aganane *Aît Bou Guemez*An Blal*Assit Bernai*Assit Lakhdar*Gorges de Taghia*Gorges du Tisakht *Jbel Choucht*Jbel Rhat*Jbel Tarahalt*Jbel Tarkeddid*Nit Blal—Tacht*Tadghouit*WazzantCalcareous SkeletonsMarine or LagoonalA foraminifer of the Mesoendothyridae family. ''Mayncina''*''Mayncina termieri''*Aganane*An Blal*Assit Bernai *Gorges du Tisakht *Jbel Choucht*Jbel Rhat*Jbel Tarahalt*Jbel Tarkeddid*WazzantCalcareous SkeletonsMarine or LagoonalA foraminifer of the Nezzazatoidea family. ''Mesoendothyra''*''Mesoendothyra sp. ''*Aganane*An Blal*Assit Bernai *WazzantCalcareous SkeletonsMarine or LagoonalA foraminifer of the Mesoendothyridae family. ''Orbitopsella''*''Orbitopsella primaeva''*''Orbitopsella praecursor''*Aganane*Alt Blal*Alt Bou Guemez*Assif Bernal*Assif Lakhdar *Assif Imejdag*Col d'Adoumaz *Col du R'nim*Col (Tizi) n-Toudat*Gorges du Makin*Gorges de Taghia*Jbel Choucht*Jbel Mahan*Jbel Rhat*Taclghouit*Jbel Tadaghas*Jbel Tafenfent*Jbel Tarkeddid*WazzantCalcareous SkeletonsMarine or LagoonalA foraminifer of the Mesoendothyridae family. ''Pseudocyclammina''*''Pseudocyclammina liasica''*Alt Blal*WazzantCalcareous SkeletonsMarine or LagoonalA foraminifer of the Pfenderinidae family. ''Pseudopfenderina''*''Pseudopfenderina butterlini''*Aganane*An Blal*Assit Bernai *Gorges du Tisakht *Jbel Choucht*Jbel Rhat*Jbel Tarahalt*Jbel Tarkeddid*WazzantCalcareous SkeletonsMarine or LagoonalA foraminifer of the Pfenderinidae family. ''Siphovalvulina''*''Siphovalvulina sp. ''*Aganane*An Blal*Assit Bernai *WazzantCalcareous SkeletonsMarine or LagoonalA foraminifer of the Pfenderinidae family.
Algae  Genus Species Stratigraphic position Material Habitat Notes Images''Boueina''*''Boueina sp. ''*Aganane*An Blal*Assit Bernai *Gorges du Tisakht *Jbel Choucht*Jbel Rhat*Jbel Tarahalt*Jbel Tarkeddid*WazzantCalcareous SkeletonsMarine or LagoonalAn alga of the Halimedaceae family. ''Cayeuxia''*''Cayeuxia liasica''*Aganane*An Blal*Assit Bernai *Gorges du Tisakht *Jbel Choucht*Jbel Rhat*Jbel Tarahalt*Jbel Tarkeddid*WazzantCalcareous SkeletonsMarine or LagoonalAn alga of the Halimedaceae family. ''Paleodasycladus''*''Paleodasycladus mediterraneus''*Aganane*An Blal*Ait Athmane*Assemsouk*Assit Bernai *Gorges du Tisakht *Jbel Choucht*Jbel Rhat*Jbel Tarahalt*Jbel Tarkeddid*Ibaqalliwn*WazzantCalcareous SkeletonsMarine or LagoonalAn alga of the Dasycladaceae family. ''Pseudolithocodium''*''Pseudolithocodium carpathicum''*Aganane*An Blal*Assit Bernai *Col du R'nim*Gorges du Tisakht *Jbel Choucht*Jbel Rhat*Jbel Tarahalt*Jbel Tadaghas*Jbel Tarkeddid*WazzantCalcareous SkeletonsMarine or LagoonalAn alga of the Thaumatoporellales family. ''Sestrosphera''*''Sestrosphera liasina''*Aganane*An Blal*Assit Bernai *Gorges du Tisakht *Jbel Choucht*Jbel Rhat*Jbel Tarahalt*Jbel Tarkeddid*WazzantCalcareous SkeletonsMarine or LagoonalAn alga of the Solenoporaceae family. This genus is the most common algal type found in the Biozone A (''Lituosepta recoarensis''). ''Thaumatoporella''*''Thaumatoporella parvovesiculifera''*''Thaumatoporella spp. ''*Aganane*An Blal*Assit Bernai *Gorges du Tisakht *Jbel Choucht*Jbel Rhat*Jbel Tarahalt*Jbel Tarkeddid*WazzantCalcareous SkeletonsMarine or LagoonalAn alga of the Thaumatoporellales family.
Invertebrata === Ichnofossils === Genus Species Location Material Type Made by Notes Images''Arenicolites''*''Arenicolites isp.'' *Aganane*Alt Blal*Alt Bou Guemez*Assif Bernal*Assif Lakhdar *Assif Imejdag*Col d'Adoumaz *Col du R'nim*Col (Tizi) n-Toudat*Gorges du Makin*Gorges de Taghia*Jbel Choucht*Jbel Mahan*Jbel Rhat*Taclghouit*Jbel Tadaghas*Jbel Tafenfent*Jbel Tarkeddid*WazzantBorrowing TracesDomichnia  *Polychaetes (Spionida and Carpitellida)*Crustaceans (Amphipodan suspension feeders). *SipunculaMarine, brackish, or freshwater Unbranched U-shaped burrows, subvertical in orientation, with or without lining and passive infill. Are common in modern coastal environments.155px''Chomatichnus''*''Chomatichnus wegberensis'' Tubular FodinichniaFodinichnia *Decapoda*Annelids (Polychaeta)*Sipuncula Interpreted as the feeding burrow of a sediment-feeding animal. ''Chondrites''*''Chondrites isp.'' Tubular FodinichniaFodinichnia*Annelids (Polychaeta)*SipunculaBurrow-like ichnofossils. Interpreted as the feeding burrow of a sediment-ingesting animal. A more recent study has found that ''Scoloplos armiger'' and ''Heteromastus filiformis'', occurring in the German Wadden Sea in the lower parts of tidal flats, make burrows that are homonymous with numerous trace fossils of the ichnogenus.Illustration of ''Chondrites bollensis''''Rhizocorallium''*''Rhizocorallium parallelum'' *''Rhizocorallium ispp.'' Tubular FodinichniaDomichnia and/or fodinichnia. *Crustaceans*Annelids*FishesDwelling and feeding burrow of a suspension-feeder or deposit-feeder, associated usually with shallow watersSpecimens''Skolithos''*''Skolithos isp. ''Cylindrical to subcylindrical burrowsDomichnia*Polychaetes*PhoronidansBurrow-like ichnofossils made by organisms advancing along the bottom surface. Very narrow, vertical or subvertical, slightly winding unlined shafts filled with mud. Interpreted as dwelling structures of vermiform animals; specifically, the domichnion of a suspension-feeding worm or phoronidansSkolithos ichnofosil reconstruction, with possible fauna associated''Thalassinoides''*''Thalassinoides suevicus''*''Thalassinoides isp.'' Tubular FodinichniaFodinichnia*Thalassinidea*Several Crustaceans (Anomura, Decapoda)*Annelids (Polychaeta*Sipuncula*DipnoiBurrow-like ichnofossils. Large burrow-systems consisting of smooth-walled, essentially cylindrical components. Common sedimentary features are ''Thalassinoides'' trace fossils in the fissile marlstone to claystone intervals''Thalassinoides'' burrowing structures, with modern related fauna, showing the ecological convergence and the variety of animals that left this Ichnogenus. ''Zoophycos''*''Zoophycos isp.'' Dwelling tracesDomichnia & Fodinichnia*Polychaetes (Spionida and Carpitellida)*Deposit-feeding SipunculaBurrow-like ichnofossils. It has been related to Echiurans, but also from moving and feeding polychaete worms.Example of ''Zoophycos'' fossil=== Anthozoa === Genus Species Stratigraphic Position Material Notes Images''Ampakabastraea''*''Ampakabastraea sp. ''*Ait AthmaneCalcified skeleton piecesA Coral of the family  Stylinidae. ''Archaeosmilia''*''Archaeosmilia beata''*''Archaeosmilia sp. ''*Ait AthmaneCalcified skeleton piecesA Coral of the family  Zardinophyllidae. Late Pliensbachian corals of the Aganane Formation are mainly limited to ''Retiophyllia'', ''Thamnasteria'' and ''Archaeosmilia''. ''Archaeosmiliopsis''*''Archaeosmiliopsis sp. ''*Ait AthmaneCalcified skeleton piecesA Coral of the family  Archaeosmiliidae. ''Oppelismilia''*''Oppelismilia sp. ''*AssemsoukCalcified skeleton piecesA Coral of the family  Oppelismiliidae. ''Phacelostylophyllum''*''Phacelostylophyllum sp. ''*AssemsoukCalcified skeleton piecesA Coral of the family  Stylophyllidae. ''Phacelophyllia''*''Phacelophyllia sp. ''*Ait AthmaneCalcified skeleton piecesA Coral of the family  Dermosmiliidae. ''Periseris''*''Periseris sp. ''*Ait AthmaneCalcified skeleton piecesA Coral of the family  Latomeandridae. ''Retiophyllia''*''Retiophyllia zizensis''*''Retiophyllia spp. ''*Ait AthmaneCalcified skeleton piecesA coral of the family  Reimaniphylliidae. The phaceloid genus at this site is similar to the common Triassic genus ''Retiophyllia''. ''Thamnasteria''*''Thamnasteria cf. mettensis''*Ait AthmaneCalcified skeleton piecesA coral of the family Thamnasteriidae.=== Demospongea === Genus Species Stratigraphic position Material Notes Images''Cladocoropsis''*''Cladocoropsis  mirabilis''*Aganane*An Blal*Assit Bernai *Gorges du Tisakht *Jbel Choucht*Jbel Rhat*Jbel Tarahalt*Jbel Tarkeddid*WazzantCalcareous SkeletonMarine or LagoonalA sponge of the family Cladocoropsidae. Fossils of this and other unidentified sponges are commonly found in reef deposits, associated with corals.=== Crustacea === Genus Species Stratigraphic position Material Habitat Notes Images''Parafavreina''*''Parafavreina thoronetensis''*''Parafavreina spp. ''*Aganane*Ait Athmane*Assemsouk*Col du R'nimCoprolitesMarine, Tidal Flat or LagoonCrustacean fossil coprolites, assigned to the ichnofamily Favreinidae. Crustacean coprolites are most abundant in lagoonal deposits, where they are associated with reefs. Possibly coprolites of Thalassinidea155px=== Brachiopoda === Genus Species Stratigraphic position Material Notes Images''Calcirhynchia''*''Calcirhynchia moghrabiensis''*''Calcirhynchia spp. ''*Tizi n’Talrhemt*TelouetIsolated ShellsA Brachiopodan of the family Cirpinae. Relatively abundant on seashore deposits. It was originally identified as part of the genus ''Rhynchonella''''Hesperithyris''*''Hesperithyris atlantis''*''Hesperithyris termieri''*''Hesperithyris reinerii''*Aïn Kahla*Aïn Leuh*Almis du Guigou*Taïlilout*Tazergount*Tazioualt*Vallée d’OunilaIsolated ShellsA Brachiopodan of the family Zeilleriidae''Spiriferina''*''Spiriferina betacalcis''*''Spiriferina mediterranea''*Chebbout bou HedliIsolated ShellsA Brachiopodan of the family Spiriferinidae''Tauromenia''*''Tauromenia aretusa''*''Tauromenia polymorpha''*''Tauromenia itoensis''*''Tauromenia brevicostata''*Col de Talrhemt*Ito*SW du Jbel AnremeurIsolated ShellsA Brachiopodan of the family Zeilleriidae=== Bivalves === Genus Species Stratigraphic position Material Notes Images''Arcomytilus''*''Arcomytilus furcatus''*Assemsouk*TazioualtIsolated ShellsA saltwater bivalve of the family Mytilidae. ''Cochlearites''*''Cochlearites loppianus''*''Cochlearites spp. ''*Aganane*An Blal*Ait Athmane*Assemsouk*Assit Bernai *Gorges du Tisakht *Jbel Choucht*Jbel Rhat*Jbel Tarahalt*Jbel Tarkeddid*Tizi n'TizintIsolated ShellsA saltwater bivalve of the family Pterioida. A large bivalve, with a subequal shell, that can reach 60–70 cm in height. It is one of the three principal bivalves found on the Lithiotis facies, whose accumulations generally cover megalodontid coquinas. ''Eomiodon''*''Eomiodon serradensis'' *''Eomiodon spp.'' *Aganane*An Blal*Ait Athmane*Assemsouk*Assit Bernai *Gorges du Tisakht *Jbel Choucht*Jbel Rhat*Jbel Tarahalt*Jbel Tarkeddid*Tizi n'TizintIsolated ShellsA saltwater/brackish bivalve of the family Neomiodontidae. This genus is considered an opportunistic suspension feeder of shallow infauna, and the marker genus for brackish environments. ''Fimbria''*''Fimbria trulla''*''Fimbria spp. ''*Assemsouk*Tizi n'TizintIsolated ShellsA saltwater bivalve of the family Lucinidae.155px''Gervilleia''*''Gervilleia termieri''*''Gervilleia spp. ''*TazergountIsolated ShellsA saltwater bivalve of the family Bakevelliidae. ''Gervillioperna''*''Gervillioperna atlanta''*''Gervillioperna spp. ''*Ait Athmane*AssemsoukIsolated ShellsA saltwater bivalve of the family Malleidae. Abundant along the rootlets, indicating a very shallow and restricted lagoon or swamp environment''Liogryphaea''*''Liogryphaea arcuata''*''Liogryphaea spp. ''*Ait Athmane*AssemsoukIsolated ShellsA saltwater bivalve of the family Gryphaeidae. This genus develops a noted material oyster biostrome at Aït Athmane, where a discontinuous, patchy layer is formed, developed under submarine lithification and a relative enrichment in terrigenous matter.155px''Lithioperna''*''Lithioperna scutata''*''Lithioperna spp. ''*Aganane*An Blal*Ait Athmane*Assemsouk*Assit Bernai *Gorges du Tisakht *Jbel Choucht*Jbel Rhat*Jbel Tarahalt*Jbel Tarkeddid*Tizi n'TizintIsolated ShellsA saltwater bivalve of the family  Pterioida. This genus was founded to be a bivalve with a juvenile byssate stage that developed different lifestyles in adulthood depending on the density of individuals and the firmness of the bottom''Lucina''*''Lucina sp. ''*Assemsouk*Tizi n'TizintIsolated ShellsA saltwater/brackish bivalve of the family Lucinidae. Linked with intertidal settings155px''Mytiloperna''*''Mytiloperna spp. ''*Aganane*An Blal*Ait Athmane*Assemsouk*Assit Bernai *Gorges du Tisakht *Jbel Choucht*Jbel Rhat*Jbel Tarahalt*Jbel TarkeddidIsolated ShellsA saltwater bivalve of the family Malleidae ''Opisoma''*''Opisoma menchikoffi''*''Opisoma excavatum''*''Opisoma spp. ''*Ait Athmane*Assemsouk*Bou Dahar*Grand Pic de l'Ouarsenis*Tizi n'TizintIsolated ShellsA saltwater/brackish bivalve of the family  Astartidae. Is considered a genus that evolved from shallow burrowing ancestors, secondarily becoming an edge-lying semi-fauna adapted to photosymbiosis. In the Aganane Formation, this genus is both associated with Corallinaceous facies and tidal flats, even recovered on intertidal channels similar to the ones recovered on modern mangroves''Pachyrisma''*''Pachyrisma crassa''*''Pachyrisma spp. ''*Aganane*An Blal*Ait Athmane*Assemsouk*Assit Bernai *Gorges du Tisakht *Jbel Choucht*Jbel Rhat*Jbel Tarahalt*Jbel TarkeddidIsolated ShellsA saltwater bivalve of the family Pachyrismatidae''Pecten''*''Pecten juhanus''*Assemsouk*Tizi n'TizintIsolated ShellsA saltwater bivalve of the family Pectinoidae 155px''Pholadomya''*''Pholadomya scutata''*AssemsoukIsolated ShellsA saltwater bivalve of the family  Pholadomyidae155px''Protodiceras''*''Protodiceras pumilum''*''Protodiceras spp. ''*Aganane*An Blal*Ait Athmane*Assemsouk*Assit Bernai *Gorges du Tisakht *Jbel Choucht*Jbel Rhat*Jbel Tarahalt*Jbel TarkeddidIsolated ShellsA saltwater bivalve of the family Pachyrismatidae=== Gastropoda === Genus Species Stratigraphic position Material Notes Images''Nerinea''*''Nerinea spp. ''*Ait Athmane*AssemsoukIsolated ShellsA saltwater gastropod of the family Nerineidae. Local specimens appear to have algal material on the shells, indicating a restricted lagoon environment.155px''Pseudonerinea''*''Pseudonerinea terebra''*''Pseudonerinea spp. ''*TazergountIsolated ShellsA saltwater gastropod of the family Nerineidae''Scurria''*''Scurria spp. ''*AssemsoukIsolated ShellsA saltwater gastropod of the family Nerineidae. "Scurria" was found in the Assemsouk structure on a "Cochlearites" valve and a shallow ovoid excavation, similar to the resting trace of a limpet, was found inside a transported "Lithiotis".155px=== Ammonites === Genus Species Stratigraphic position Material Notes Images''Arieticeras''*''Arieticeras ceratitoïdes''*''Arieticeras cf. algovianum''*Jbel Aït Abess*Midelt*Zawyat AhançalIsolated ShellsAn ammonite of the family Hildoceratidae. ''Arieticeras cf. algovianum'' is indicative of the Middle Domerian (Upper Pliensbachian) in the upper zone''Fuciniceras''*''Fuciniceras mellahense''*''Fuciniceras volubile''*Beni-MellalIsolated ShellsAn ammonite of the family Hildoceratidae''Seguenziceras''*''Seguenziceras cf.algovianum''*TamsiftIsolated ShellsAn ammonite of the family Polymorphitidae''Tropidoceras''*''Tropidoceras cf. demonense''*''Tropidoceras spp. ''*IfraneIsolated ShellsAn ammonite of the family Polymorphitidae''Uptonia''*''Uptonia jamesoni''*''Uptonia spp. ''*TazioualtIsolated ShellsAn ammonite of the family Polymorphitidae155px=== Annelida === Genus Species Stratigraphic position Material Habitat Notes ImagesSerpulidaeIndeterminate*Aganane*An Blal*Ait Athmane*Assemsouk*Assit Bernai *Gorges du Tisakht *Jbel Choucht*Jbel Rhat*Jbel Tarahalt*Jbel TarkeddidCalcareous skeletonMarine or LagoonalA Sabellida of the family Serpulidae. These annelids are found as well in the reef facies as in the lagoon deposits155px
Dinosaur Tracks === Theropoda === Genus Species Stratigraphic position Material Notes Images''Anchisauripus''*''Anchisauripus isp. ''*Aït Blal*Akourbi*Assif-n-Sremt*Issil-n-Aït Arbi tracksite*TabantFootprintsTraces of theropods, members of the ichnofamily Anchisauripodidae, ''incertae sedis'' within Neotheropoda. Attributed to dinosaurs of type Coelophysidae The prints of ''Anchisauripus'' belong to a genus similar to that of ''Procompsognathus''''Argoides''*''Argoides isp. ''*Aït Blal*Assif-n-Sremt*Ibaqualiwn*IskatafeneFootprintsTheropod tracks, member of the ichnofamily Anchisauripodidae, ''incertae sedis'' inside Neotheropoda. Mistaken originally as coelurosaur tracks, this specimens have pes that resemble those of Noasaurids and other Abelisauroids. Includes a pathologic trackway with evidence of limping, as well three morphotypes: Didactyl, tridactyl and tetradactyl theropod trackways.The footprints of ''Argoides'' belong to a genus with a pes similar to ''Velocisaurus'', yet does not implicate is a member of the family or a relative''Carmelopodus''*''Carmelopodus isp. ''*Ibaqualiwn*Tizi-n-AïtFootprintsTheropod tracks, member of the ichnofamily Eubrontidae, ''incertae sedis'' inside Theropoda. Ceratosaur tracks. Includes the largest theropod track from the Early Jurassic of Morocco.The footprints of ''Carmelopodus'' belong to a genus with a pes similar to ''Ceratosaurus'', yet does not implicate is a member of the family or a relative''Eubrontes''*''Eubrontes isp. ''*Aït Blal*Aït Kelelch*Assif-n-Sremt*Tizi-n-Aït *WaougoulzatFootprintsTheropod tracks, type member of the ichnofamily Eubrontidae, ''incertae sedis'' inside Theropoda. Eubrontes is related to the Genus ''Dilophosaurus'', representing a basal Neotheropods.155px''Grallator''*''Grallator tuberosus''*''Grallator variabilis''*''Grallator isp. ''*Akourbi*Aït Blal*Ansous*Assif-n-Sremt*Ibaqualiwn*Issil-n-Aït Arbi*Tabant*Sidi Moussa tracksite*WaougoulzatFootprintsTheropod tracks, typical member of the ichnofamily Grallatoridae, ''incertae sedis'' within Theropoda. Attributed to dinosaurs of type Coelophysidae and ''Dilophosaurus''155px ''Megalosauripus''*''Megalosauripus isp. ''*Akourbi*Ibaqualiwn*Talsnant*Tizi-n-AïtFootprintsTraces of theropods, members of the ichnofiber family Eubrontidae, ''incertae sedis'' within Theropoda. Traces of tetanurans, some with a resemblance to Allosauroids.The footprints of ''Megalosauripus'' belong to a genus with a pes similar to ''Allosaurus'', yet does not implicate is a member of the family or a relative''Plesiornis?''*''Plesiornis? isp. ''*Aït BlalFootprintsTraces of theropods, members of the ichnofamily Anchisauripodidae, ''incertae sedis'' within Neotheropoda. Theropods with bird-like legs or similar to that of CoelurosaursTheropodipedia*Theropodipedia ichnog. indeterminate*Akourbi*Aït Blal*Ansous*Ibaqualiwn*Iba Ziz*Issil-n-Aït Arbi*Tabant*Sidi Moussa*WaougoulzatFootprintsTheropod Tracks of uncertain affinity === Sauropodomorpha === Genus Species Stratigraphic position Material Notes Images''Breviparopus''*''Breviparopus isp. ''*IbaqalliwnFootprintsTraces of sauropods, typical member of the ichnofamily Parabrontopodidae, ''incertae sedis'' within Sauropodomorpha. Includes traces with pes similar to Diplodocoidea.The footprints of ''Breviparopus'' may have belong to a genus with a similar pes to that of ''Haplocanthosaurus'', yet it doesn't mean they were made by a Neosauropod''Eosauropus''*''Eosauropus isp. ''*Assif-n-Sremt*IbaqalliwnFootprintsTraces of sauropods, typical member of the ichnofamily Parabrontopodidae, ''incertae sedis'' within Sauropodomorpha. Includes traces with pes similar to those of ''Blikanasaurus''.155px''Otozoum''*''Otozoum moodii'' *''Otozoum isp.'' *Assif-n-Sremt*Ibaqalliwn*Issil-n-Aït Arbi*TimitFootprintsTraces of sauropodomorphs, a type member of the ichnofamily Otozoidae, ''incertae sedis'' within Sauropodomorpha. Includes a gigantic 84 or 75 cm track that represents the largest ''Otozoum'' ever described in the literature.The local Footprints of ''Otozoum'' may have belonged to a genus similar to that of ''Lamplughsaura''''Parabrontopodus''*''Parabrontopodus isp. A''*''Parabrontopodus isp. B''*''Parabrontopodus isp. C''*Assif-n-Sremt*Aguer-n-Ouzrou*Aguerd*Ibaqalliwn*Tabant*Tigharguenine*Tizi-n-Aït*Waougoulzat FootprintsTraces of sauropods, typical member of the ichnofamily Parabrontopodidae, ''incertae sedis'' within Sauropodomorpha. Includes tracks with pes similar to those of ''Vulcanodon'' (perhaps left by ''Tazoudasaurus''?) and other morphotype more similar to ''Rhoetosaurus''.The Footprints of ''Parabrontopodus'' may have belonged to a genus similar to that of ''Vulcanodon''''Pseudotetrasauropus''*''Pseudotetrasauropus isp.'' *Issil-n-Aït ArbiFootprintsTraces of sauropodomorphs, a type member of the ichnofamily Otozoidae, ''incertae sedis'' within Sauropodomorpha. The prints of ''Pseudotetrasauropus'' may have belonged to a genus similar to that of ''Leonerasaurus''Sauropodomorphidia*Sauropodomorphidia ichnog. indeterminate*An*Assif-n-Sremt*Jbel Azourki*Ibaqalliwn*Iba'ziz*Issil-n-Aït Arbi*Tabant*Tizi-n-Aït*Tigharguenine*Timit tracksiteFootprintsSauropodomorph tracks of uncertain affinitySauropodina*Sauropodina ichnog. indéterminé*Ahbak*Ait Waggown*Ansous*Assif-n-Sremt*Tizi-n-Aït *Tabant*Timit*Iba'ziz*Tigharguenine*WaougoulzatFootprintsSauropod tracks of uncertain affinityMetric tracks of a giant sauropod dinosaur, at the top of an emersive "shallowing upward" carbonate cycle ===Ornithischia=== Genus Species Location Material Notes Images ''Deltapodus?''*''Deltapodus? isp. ''*Ansous tracksite FootprintsThyreophoran tracks, type member of the ichnofamily Moyenisauropodidae, ''incertae sedis'' inside Neornithischia. Is considered synonymous with the ichnogenus ''Anomoepus''. The tracks adscribed resemble basal Thyreorphora feet. The tracks related to the genus are vinculated with genera such as ''Scelidosaurus'', whose fossils have been found on Pliensbachian strata of England. Due to its morphology, this tracks have been latter identified as possible Deltapodus, yet this does not mean they are of Stegosaur origin. ''Scelidosaurus'', one of the best known Early Jurassic Thyreophorans, matches with the bodyplan assigned to the ichnogenus ''Moyenisauropus''
Photo Gallery File:Cycle émersif Maroc.jpg|Metric emersive cycle in the carbonate platform. Deposition of marine lagoon with foraminifera then dolomitized algal laminations in intertidal to supratidal environment.File:Desiccation Rnim.jpg| Desiccation cracks on the surface of a dolomitized limestone bench, metric emersive cycle top of the Liassic Platform Lagoon.File:Calcretes et ammonites.jpg|Ammonites and belemnites displaced on the supratidal plain ("teepee") by a storm wave or a tidal currentFile:Brèche de tempête.jpg|Storm breach at the top of a metric regressive sequence.File:Pisolithes vadoses.jpg|Vadose pisoliths and "birdseyes" in coastal carbonate sand, emergent; outer shelf.File:Keystone vugs meniscus.jpg|Aerial, supratidal (vadose) diagenesis in a carbonate sand with foraminifera displaced by tidal currents and storm waves on the shelf.File:Calcretes remaniés dolomie.jpg|Thin layer: calcretes (calcareous crusts) reworked in a gravelly coastal sediment, partly dolomitized.File:Ciment stalactite vadose.jpg|Stalactite cement at the top of a "keystone vug" typical of diagenesis in a vadose environment, at the top of an emersive cycle (L=0.3 mm).File:Calcretes et birdseyes.jpg|Calcretes (calcareous crust) and "birdseyes" in a gravelly coastal sediment.File:Teepee supratidal flat.jpg|Diagenetic structure in "teepee" on the supratidal plain, formed by the increase in volume of the sediment following the crystallization of carbonates (dolomite).
See also * List of dinosaur-bearing rock formations** List of stratigraphic units with theropod tracks** List of stratigraphic units with sauropodomorph tracks** List of stratigraphic units with ornithischian tracks
References