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During a study of the Talmest ichnological site (2011–2012), where theropod and sauropod tracks were discovered, other ichnites were found that are analyzed in the present work. There are two basic types attributed to two different activities produced by the same vertebrate at the bottom of a flooded area. One type (Cubichnia) is produced by sliding on the bottom surface while the other (Praedichnia) is the result of the excavation, removal and accumulation of mud from the upper levels of the sediment. The analysis of structures and possible trace makers leads to the conclusion that the ichnites were produced by a freshwater fish, during its resting activity on the bottom and during the search for food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The Essaouira-Agadir Basin (EAB) of Morocco contains the most extensive exposure of Aptian to Lower Albian strata onshore the NW African Atlantic Margin. This paper documents the first high-resolution, multi-disciplinary stratigraphic approach for the Aptian to Lower Albian on the NW African Atlantic Margin. Previous biostratigraphic work almost exclusively relied on long-distance correlation of ammonoids to the Mediterranean – Caucasian Realm. Recent biostratigraphic work has questioned some of the previous interpretations, highlighting significant faunal endemism and complications with correlation to other key Aptian sections. This study focuses on 5 key sections: Tiskatine, Id Amran, Assaka, and DSDP 416/370. Distribution of ammonoids, foraminifera, and calcareous nannofossils are reported from a bed-by-bed collection made at Tiskatine. The analysis of foraminiferal and calcareous nannofossil assemblages enable correlation to standard zonation schemes; but also highlights the urgent need of revision and future work on the integration of these schemes across disciplines. The study, further, includes δ13C carb , δ13C org , and total organic carbon (TOC) data that is compared to reference material from the Vocontian Basin. The combined litho-, bio-, chemo-, and sequence stratigraphic analysis establishes a robust chronostratigraphic framework for regional and super-regional correlations and a type section is proposed for the Aptian of NW Africa at Tiskatine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discovered in 1954 by Ambroggi and Lapparent, the Tagragra tracksite (Maastrichtian, Agadir, Morocco) yielded tracks of theropod dinosaurs, birds and enigmatic forms tentatively attributed to Lacertilia under the name Agadirichnus elegans. The original specimens are today considered to be lost, and the status of A. elegans has been questioned, even though these footprints can retrospectively be referred to pterodactyloid pterosaur tracks. In order to discuss the status of these foot prints, the historical site has been actively sought and recently rediscovered by one of us (MdD). New material confirms the presence of pterodactyloid footprints, with two morphotypes, in two different facies, respectively associated with bird and theropod tracks. Morphotype I is tentatively conferred to Pteraichnus Stokes 1957, which extends the stratigraphical distribution of this ichnotaxon to the Maastrichtian. Morphotype II corresponds to the original ichnospecies A. elegans Ambroggi and Lapparent 1954, which is here reassessed as a valid ichnotaxon, with the designation of a neotype. Thus, A. elegans Ambroggi and Lapparent 1954 is historically the first pterosaurian ichnotaxon ever described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A revised ammonoid biostratigraphy is presented for the Aptian of NW Africa, Essaouira-Agadir Basin ( EAB ), Morocco, based on detailed analysis of 5 key sections. A number of bio-events are documented and 26 genus and 43 species fully documented, forming the largest published Aptian ammonite collection made from NW Africa. The section at Tiskatine is documented as the type section, and 8 zones and subzones are defined, of which 5 are new. This work allows correlation of the Aptian of the EAB to the Standard Mediterranean Ammonite Scale ( SMAS ). Two main hiatuses are identified at the scale of the basin scale: a major one that includes most of the lower Aptian and the base of the upper Aptian and a second one encompass the top of the upper Aptian and the base of the lower Albian. The ammonite fauna displays a clear Tethyan palaeobiogeographic character affected by a fairly high degree of endemism at the genus and species level. The new genus and species Elsaisabellia tiskatinensis is introduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cretaceous pterosaurs tracksites are very rare worldwide. Until now,only one African Cretaceous site withtracks of ( Agadirichnus elegans and Pteraichnus ) was known. This makes the discovery of a new outcrop in the Upper Cretaceous of Anza (Morocco) the third manifestation of this type of footprint in Africa, extending the existence of such traces from the Coniacian-Santonian to the Maastrichtian. The site contains only manus tracks, which can be explained as a result of erosion of pes prints. The lack of pes prints and the morphometric characteristics of the manus prints only allow us to relate these prints to Agadirichnus , Pteraichnus or maybe to a new ichnogenus. It is possible that the trackmakers are related to Ornithocheiroidea or Azhdarchoidea superfamilies whose fossil bones have been found from the Late Cretaceous in Morocco. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Anza site shows large ichnological surfaces indicating the coexistence in the same area of different vertebrate footprints (dinosaur and pterosaur) and of different types (tridactyl and tetradactyl, semiplantigrade and rounded without digit marks) and the footprint variability of long trackways. This area may become a world reference in ichnology because it contains the second undebatable African site with Cretaceous pterosaur footprints - described in part I - and the first African site with Macropodosaurus footprints. In this work, problems related to long trackways are also analyzed, such as their sinuosity, the order-disorder of the variability (long-short) of the pace length and the difficulty of morphological classification of the theropod footprints due to their morphological variability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A detailed stratigraphic analysis was carried out on Valanginian deposits of six Moroccan sections of the Essaouira-Agadir Basin (EAB, South Tethyan margin) in order to characterize the Weissert Event and propose correlations with the North Tethyan margin (south–east France Basin). The studied successions consist of alternating marlstone and limestone beds with sandy intercalations, and are well exposed and relatively rich in ammonites. Ammonite biostratigraphy and sequence stratigraphy were established for all successions, whereas calcareous nannofossil and carbon stable isotope analyses were performed for two and five sections, respectively. For each succession, an accurate ammonite zonal scheme allows to recognize the standard zonation established for the Mediterranean Province. A calcareous nannofossil zonation is provided for Zalidou and Aït Hamouch, considered as reference sections. The detailed biozonations allowed to ascribe an accurate age for most of the sedimentary discontinuities and depositional sequences identified in the EAB. East–west and north–south transects are established for the Valanginian depositional system. Despite some stratigraphic gaps, the Valanginian carbon isotope excursion (CIE) was recognized in most of the studied sections. The Moroccan successions are correlated with those of reference sections of south–east France i.e., the Vocontian Basin (Vergol-La Charce) and Provence Platform (Carajuan), using bio-sequence-chemo-stratigraphy. These inter-basin correlations allowed to evidence major "mid-Valanginian" and upper Valanginian eustatic regressions; the possible role of tectonics and glacio-eustacy is also discussed. • Integrated stratigraphy is proposed for South Tethyan Valanginian sections in Morocco. • Detailed ammonite ranges and depositional sequences are described for all sections. • Calcareous nannofossil and ammonite zonations are calibrated for two sections. • The mid–Valanginian Weissert Event is characterized through carbon isotope analyses. • Moroccan sections are correlated with reference sections of south–east France. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Lower Ordovician Fezouata Konservat-Lagerstätte from southern Morocco has been one of the major palaeontological discoveries of the last decade. It provides a unique insight into one of the most critical periods in the evolution of marine life: the Cambrian–Ordovician transition. However, its potential for deciphering key trends in animal diversification was hitherto largely limited by major uncertainties concerning its stratigraphic position, age and environmental setting. Based on extensive fieldwork, fossil evidence, and facies recognition, our study provides clarification on these three crucial issues. Exceptional preservation is limited to two intervals within the Fezouata Shale. Graptolites indicate a late Tremadocian age for the Fezouata Konservat-Lagerstätte as a whole, which is supported by biostratigraphical evidence provided by acritarchs. Sedimentological features and reconstructed patterns of relative sea-level changes indicate relatively shallow-water environmental conditions, under distal storm influence, in an offshore to lower shoreface siliciclastic ramp setting. The Fezouata Biota represents a unique and exceptional window into the palaeobiodiversity in open-marine conditions, thus contrasting with the other Ordovician Konservat-Lagerstätten presently known. In our analyses of this new set of data, we pave the way for accurate temporal, faunal and environmental comparisons with other Lower Palaeozoic Konservat-Lagerstätten, and unlock the full potential of the Fezouata Biota to better understand the processes and scenarios of early animal radiations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work we present the description and analysis of a palaeoichnological site (7.9TAG) that only contains crocodile tracks. The site contains well preserved and abundant crocodilian manus and pes prints; there are no belly and/or tail traces. The crocodyle tracks have been mapped and the biomorphic and morphometric characters of the tracks and trackways have been studied. Between the digit traces of the pes prints (not in manus prints) there is a graded depression that indicates the presence of a foot webbing. The number of crocodilian footprints (93) and trackways (8) of the site is sufficient to define, and to support with confidence the data shown in the article. As consequence a crocodiliform ichnogenus, Batrachopus has been defined, characterized by the presence of a trace of a probably interdigital membrane in the pes prints, the trace of a bulge on toe V, the lack of tail traces, and the very narrow gauge trackway. A comparative study is done with all the fossil crocodile footprints described so far. The 7.9TAG footprints printed on sediments of Middle?-Upper Jurassic age (Isli Formation) are the first Batrachopus ichnites described both from this age and in the African continent. • A new Batrachopus , crocodilian fossil print, has been described. • Webbed pes and a protrusión of toe V are two singular and differential anatomical characters. • High-walking and lack of tail marks trackways. • The only Batrachopus ichnogenus of Middle?-Upper Jurassic age. • The first mention of Batrachopus ichnogenus in the African continent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Anza tracksite, discovered in 2013, is one of several sites in the Western High Atlas of Morocco that contain well-preserved and diverse dinosaur and pterosaur trackways. The occurrence of rare tracks at Anza combined with the stratigraphic position, coastal location, and easy accessibility, have inspired the scientific community, non-governmental organizations, and local inhabitants, to increase public awareness of the scientific, geoeducational, and ichnological heritage potential of the tracksite, as well as to develop strategies for site conservation and protection. • Presents the dinosaur and pterosaur tracksite at Anza as a potential geosite. • Describes the geographic and geologic context of the Anza tracksite. • Summarizes the paleontological importance of the tracks. • Describes the educational/touristic value and protection/conservation efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extensive exposures of Mesozoic rocks along the Atlantic Moroccan margin can offer the best and the most continuous record of Mesozoic sediments and Upper Jurassic – Lower Cretaceous deposits along the Atlantic margin. This study reports the results of high resolution sampling and sedimentary logging of key outcrops to allow for ammonite, calpionellid and nannofossil biostratigraphy, in order to build a new integrated biostratigraphic chart for the uppermost Tithonian to the lowermost upper Barremian. This has been correlated to the offshore record (DSDP Sites 370/416A), which has also been redated using newly described calcareous nannofossil assemblages that confirm a thick and previously undescribed upper Tithonian through Berriasian succession. Calpionellid assemblages, although sparse, show affinities to the Mediterranean Tethys assemblages. Ammonites also show affinities to the Mediterranean Tethys taxa, but the identification of two new species points to periods of endemism during the lower Hauterivian. Calcareous nannofossils show varied affinities; to the North Atlantic Tethys and Mediterranean Tethyan Realms, the Cental Atlantic and short, but distinct cold-water Boreal Realm exchanges during the Berriasian, lower Valanginian and upper Hauterivian which have necessitated the development of a local EAB nannofossil zonation. The faunal affinities, local morphological variations and periods of faunal endemism are attributed to relative sea level changes which influenced the connection between the Essaouira-Agadir Basin (EAB), Central Atlantic and the western Tethyan Realm. A major sedimentary hiatus in the middle part of the Berriasian is recognised in the studied sections based on the biostratigraphy. This is interpreted to record a middle Berriasian unconformity that can be correlated both regionally and globally, due to an important period of tectonic activity associated with the break-up stage of the Atlantic. This new biostratigraphy builds on recent published studies that have focused on a high resolution integrated stratigraphic framework for the upper Barremian - lower Albian interval (Lower Cretaceous) in the Essaouira-Agadir Basin of Morocco. • New data on Lower Cretaceous ammonites, nannofossils and calpionellids. • Proposition of a new age biozonation chart for the Moroccan Atlantic margin. • Affinity of Lower Cretaceous Morocco with Tethyan and North Atlantic. • Endemism of some early Hauterivian ammonites onshore Morocco. • Identification of middle Berriasian hiatus, likely related to central Atlantic rift. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Correlations of four sections, constrained by stable isotope stratigraphy and micropalaeontology, along a 80km-long, E/W-oriented transect from the western High-Atlas to the present-day coast (Taghazoute), show that the Cenomanian–Turonian boundary event (CTBE) occurred within shallow-water, oyster-bearing limestones and marls, and not in the overlying black shale. The age of the laminated shale is early Turonian as the planktonic marker Helvetoglobotruncana helvetica is found from its first centimetres upward. The underlying deposits hosting the CTBE event are bounded by two unconformities interpreted as emersion surfaces, and represent the strongest seawardshifts of facies in the local Cenomanian sedimentary wedge. The δ13C anomaly is only recorded in the coastal Taghazoute section, not in other sections landward, meaning that the CTBE occurred here during a short transgressive phase within an overall regressive trend. The lower Turonian black shale of the Taghazoute section is transgressive onto the second unconformity and pass landward to white, evenly laminated, chert-bearing mudstones, then to bioturbated mudstones in the easternmost sections of the transect (western High-Atlas). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]