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Three types of ichnites from a new site discovered in Imilchil were studied and described. The structures of pes and manus prints and tail traces of tetrapods provide data to separate: real ichnites (theropod footprints and crocodile tail drag marks); and sauropod’ subtraces. Most of the theropod footprints are deformed by collapse of their walls, the sauropod subtraces show the strong deformation of about ten well-stratified sedimentary levels. The surface on which we can see theropod and crocodile ichnites is the tracking surface, i. e. the original surface on which they were printed, Se estudian tres tipos de icnitas de un nuevo yacimiento descubierto en Imilchil. Las estructuras de las huellas de pies, manos y cola de tetrápodos proporcionan datos para separar: icnitas reales (pisadas terópodas y marcas de arrastre de cola de cocodrilos) y calcos saurópodos? La mayor parte de las huellas terópodas están deformadas por colapso de sus paredes, y las subhuellas saurópodas muestran la fuerte deformación de unos diez niveles sedimentarios bien estratificados. La superficie en la que se encuentran las huellas terópodas y las icnitas de cocodrilo son la superficie de marcha, es decir la superficie original sobre las que se imprimieron

International audience; Aptian to early Albian times are marked by various geodynamic and paleoenvironmental events such as large igneous province volcanism , perturbations of climate and the carbon cycle, and sea-level changes. The Essaouira-Agadir basin (EAB), located on the Atlantic passive margin of Morocco, offers good and fossiliferous exposures of the Aptian-Albian sedimentary series. A detailed analysis of this succession made it possible to establish a biostratigraphic framework. The identification of discontinuities allowed to define eight depositional sequences. As most of them are correlatable with depositional sequences of other Tethyan areas, they suggest that eustacy was the main parameter controlling sedimentation. The analysis of sedimentary facies and nannofossil assemblages provides information on paleoenvironmental changes. Sedimentation in the EAB evolved from a very low energy, carbonate ramp in the early Aptian to a low energy, slightly deeper, mixed carbonate-clastic ramp in the early Albian. This change occurred along with an increase of clastic input, a change from oligotrophic to mesotrophic faunal assemblages, and a decrease of sea-surface temperatures. The occurrence of current sedimentary features, sporadic dysaerobic deposits and local phosphatic and glauconitic crusts suggests that upwelling currents weresignificant during this period. Paleogeographic and isopach maps support a transgressive trend in the late Aptian and early Albian, and unravel subsidence anomalies suggesting mild halokinetic movements during Aptian-early Albian times.

The Agadir-Essaouira area in the occidental High Atlas Mountains of Morocco is characterized by a semi-arid climate. The scarcity and quality of water resources, exacerbated by long drought periods, constitute a major problem for a sustainable development of this region. Groundwater resources of carbonate units within Jurassic and Cretaceous aquifers are requested for drinking and irrigation purposes. In this study, we collected 84 samples from wells, boreholes, springs, and rivers. Hydrochemical and isotopic data were used to examine the mineralization and origin of water, which control groundwater quality. The chemical composition of water seems to be controlled by water-rock interactions, such as dissolution of carbonates (calcite and dolomite), weathering of gypsum, as well as ion exchange processes, which explain the observed variability. Stable isotopes results show that groundwater from the mainly marly Cretaceous aquifer are submitted to an evaporation effect, while samples from the chiefly calcareous Jurassic aquifer indicate a meteoric origin, due to a rapid infiltration of recharge runoff through the karstic outcrops. The low values of δ18O and δ2H suggest a local recharge from areas with elevations ranging from 400 to 1200 m for the Cretaceous aquifer and from 800 to 1500 m for the Jurassic units.

Se describe un nuevo yacimiento con icnitas saurópodas del Cretácico Superior encontrado en Chott Tigri, en la zona de la Meseta Meridional Marroquí, entre el Atlas SaharianoyelAtlas Medio, separada del resto de yacimientos marroquíes. En conjunto hay tres rastrilladas titanosauriformes de ancho de via variable y otra de un dinosaurio desconocido que atribuimos a un ornitisquio cuadrúpedo no ornitópodo. En este trabajo se han aplicado cálculos basados en el análisis de las rastrilladas para deducir la distancia glenoacetabular y el tipo de marcha; en las tres rastrilladas saurópodas son congmentes con marcha amblar, In this paper a new Upper Cretaceous site with sauropod footprints is described . The outcrop, found in Chott Tigri, in the meridional are a of the High Plateau of Morocco, between the Saharan Atlas and the Middle Atlas is separate from other known sites with dinosaur footprints. We have found: three trackways of titanosauriform featu res and variable gauge, and o n e tra ckw ay o f an unknown dinosaur that we attribute to an ornithischian quadruped, but not an ornithopod. In this paper we have implemented calculations based on trackway analysis to deduce the glenoacetabular distance distance and the type of gait. In the three sauropod trackways the data are consistent with amble gait

Se describe un nuevo yacimiento con icnitas saurópodas del Cretácico Superior encontrado en Chott Tigri, en la zona de la Meseta Meridional Marroquí, entre el Atlas SaharianoyelAtlas Medio, separada del resto de yacimientos marroquíes. En conjunto hay tres rastrilladas titanosauriformes de ancho de via variable y otra de un dinosaurio desconocido que atribuimos a un ornitisquio cuadrúpedo no ornitópodo. En este trabajo se han aplicado cálculos basados en el análisis de las rastrilladas para deducir la distancia glenoacetabular y el tipo de marcha; en las tres rastrilladas saurópodas son congmentes con marcha amblar In this paper a new Upper Cretaceous site with sauropod footprints is described . The outcrop, found in Chott Tigri, in the meridional are a of the High Plateau of Morocco, between the Saharan Atlas and the Middle Atlas is separate from other known sites with dinosaur footprints. We have found: three trackways of titanosauriform featu res and variable gauge, and o n e tra ckw ay o f an unknown dinosaur that we attribute to an ornithischian quadruped, but not an ornithopod. In this paper we have implemented calculations based on trackway analysis to deduce the glenoacetabular distance distance and the type of gait. In the three sauropod trackways the data are consistent with amble gait

El conjunto de afloramientos de 1AAR presenta huellas de dinosaurios bípedos y cuadrúpedos. Las huellas bípedas se han asociado a icnitas terópodas y prosaurópodas, mientras que las segundas se asocian a icnitas prosaurópodas. Cabe la posibilidad de que parte de las icnitas cuadrupedas sean saurópodas, pero la mala conservación y las condiciones de los afloramientos no permiten hacer observaciones directas ni apropiadas sobre ellas. En este trabajo se describen los caracteres determinativos y la posible asignación de las icnitas.Aunque no es la primera vez que se mencionan huellas prosaurópodas en AAR, las de estos afloramientos son morfológicamente diferentes debido probablemente al comportamiento del barro durante la formación de la pisada, The 1AAR group of outcrops show traces of bipedal and quadrupedal dinosaurs. The bipedal ichnites have been associated with theropod and prosauropod footprints, while the quadrupedal are associated with prosauropod footprints. It is possible that some of the quadrupedal traces were sauropod footprints, but the poor preservation and the outcrop conditions do not allow us direct and appropriate observations of them. Diagnostic characters and the possible attribution of the footprints are described in this paper. Although it is not the first time that prosauropod traces are signaled from the AAR, the footprints of the present outcrops result morphologically different, probably due to reaction of mud during the formation of the ichnite

El conjunto de afloramientos de 1AAR presenta huellas de dinosaurios bípedos y cuadrúpedos. Las huellas bípedas se han asociado a icnitas terópodas y prosaurópodas, mientras que las segundas se asocian a icnitas prosaurópodas. Cabe la posibilidad de que parte de las icnitas cuadrupedas sean saurópodas, pero la mala conservación y las condiciones de los afloramientos no permiten hacer observaciones directas ni apropiadas sobre ellas. En este trabajo se describen los caracteres determinativos y la posible asignación de las icnitas.Aunque no es la primera vez que se mencionan huellas prosaurópodas en AAR, las de estos afloramientos son morfológicamente diferentes debido probablemente al comportamiento del barro durante la formación de la pisada The 1AAR group of outcrops show traces of bipedal and quadrupedal dinosaurs. The bipedal ichnites have been associated with theropod and prosauropod footprints, while the quadrupedal are associated with prosauropod footprints. It is possible that some of the quadrupedal traces were sauropod footprints, but the poor preservation and the outcrop conditions do not allow us direct and appropriate observations of them. Diagnostic characters and the possible attribution of the footprints are described in this paper. Although it is not the first time that prosauropod traces are signaled from the AAR, the footprints of the present outcrops result morphologically different, probably due to reaction of mud during the formation of the ichnite

A new site has been found in the Central HighAtlas, in the Issil-n-Aït Arbi near the Dadés Gorges. This paper is the first study presented of this locality, with the description of a quadruped trackway of pentadactyl pes and tridactyl manus, which we have attributed to Otozoum. The characters of these prints and trackway are described, compared, and analyzed in the text and they are attributed to a prosauropod trackmaker. Some anatomical considerations are deduced from this type of trackway. It is the first track of this ichnogenus cited in north of Africa, though it is possible other similar ones exist in Lesotho, Se ha encontrado un nuevo yacimiento en el Alto Atlas en Issil-n-Aït Arbí muy próximo a las gargantas del Dadés. Este trabajo es el primero de los estudios que se presenta de esta localidad. con la descripción de una rastrillada cuarúpeda de pies pentadáctilos y manos tridáctilas que hemos atribuido a Otozoum. En el texto se describen comparan y analizan los caracteres de estas pisadas y los de la rastrillada y se atribuyen a un icnopoyeta prosaurópodo de cuya forma de caminar se deducen algunas consideraciones anatómicas. Es el primer rastro de este icnogénero que se cita en el Norte de África aunque es posible que otros similares se encuentren en Lesotho

A new site has been found in the Central HighAtlas, in the Issil-n-Aït Arbi near the Dadés Gorges. This paper is the first study presented of this locality, with the description of a quadruped trackway of pentadactyl pes and tridactyl manus, which we have attributed to Otozoum. The characters of these prints and trackway are described, compared, and analyzed in the text and they are attributed to a prosauropod trackmaker. Some anatomical considerations are deduced from this type of trackway. It is the first track of this ichnogenus cited in north of Africa, though it is possible other similar ones exist in Lesotho Se ha encontrado un nuevo yacimiento en el Alto Atlas en Issil-n-Aït Arbí muy próximo a las gargantas del Dadés. Este trabajo es el primero de los estudios que se presenta de esta localidad. con la descripción de una rastrillada cuarúpeda de pies pentadáctilos y manos tridáctilas que hemos atribuido a Otozoum. En el texto se describen comparan y analizan los caracteres de estas pisadas y los de la rastrillada y se atribuyen a un icnopoyeta prosaurópodo de cuya forma de caminar se deducen algunas consideraciones anatómicas. Es el primer rastro de este icnogénero que se cita en el Norte de África aunque es posible que otros similares se encuentren en Lesotho

Se citan cuatro yacimientos en Ansous con icnitas terópodas, saurópodas y tireóforas de los que se describen una parte de las huellas terópodas y las tireóforas.Aunque se han publicado otras tres referencias de huellas tireóforas en Marruecos, esta es la primera asignación fundamentada de huellas cuadrúpedas de este tipo y de edad Jurásico Inferior (Pliensbachiense) en el país. Se proporcionan los datos biomórficos y morfométricos de las improntas terópodas y de las tireóforas. La atribución se hace por los caracteres biomórficos de las icnitas y por la edad de las rocas en las que están los yacimientos. Es recomendable continuar con la prospección en esta zona debido al excepcional potencial paleoicnológico, In this paper thyreophoran and theropod footprints contained in two of four new sites found in Ansous are described. In one of the sites there are also preserved sauropod tracks. Although there have been cited three other references to thyreophoran footprints in Morocco, this is the first of such quadrupedal footprints from the Lower Jurassic age (Pliensbachian) in the country.We provide biomorphic and morphometric data of booth footprint types (theropod and thyreophoran). The assignation is made by the biomorphic characters of the ichnites and the age of the rocks on which the sites are placed.We recommend continuing to explore in this area due to its exceptional potential of dinosaur palaeoichnology

Eight vertebrate trackways were found near the Imi-n-Tanout village, in the proximity of the two Marrakesh-Agadir roads: three theropod, two sauropods trackways; and three of an unknown bipedal trackmaker. The outcrop is the first Early Cretaceous dinosaur tracksite found in Morocco and the second (Barremian-early Aptian) site of Africa. This preliminary report provides morphometric and biomorphic descriptions of the footprints and trackways, their classification, and an interpretation on the formation of the two “pes-only” sauropod trackways Se han descubierto ocho rastrilladas de vertebrados cerca del pueblo de Imi-n-Tanout, en la vecindad de las dos carreteras que unen Marrakesh y Agadir. El contenido icnológico incluye: tres rastrilladas terópodas; dos de saurópodos; y tres de icnopoyetas bípedos no identificados. Es el primer yacimiento encontrado con huellas de dinosaurio del Cretácico Inferior de Marruecos y el segundo (Barremiense-Aptiense inferior) del continente africano. En el trabajo se proporcionan los datos morfométricos y biomórficos de las icnitas, su clasificación y una interpretación sobre la génesis de las dos rastrilladas saurópodas “solo de pies”

Eight vertebrate trackways were found near the Imi-n-Tanout village, in the proximity of the two Marrakesh-Agadir roads: three theropod, two sauropods trackways; and three of an unknown bipedal trackmaker. The outcrop is the first Early Cretaceous dinosaur tracksite found in Morocco and the second (Barremian-early Aptian) site of Africa. This preliminary report provides morphometric and biomorphic descriptions of the footprints and trackways, their classification, and an interpretation on the formation of the two “pes-only” sauropod trackways, Se han descubierto ocho rastrilladas de vertebrados cerca del pueblo de Imi-n-Tanout, en la vecindad de las dos carreteras que unen Marrakesh y Agadir. El contenido icnológico incluye: tres rastrilladas terópodas; dos de saurópodos; y tres de icnopoyetas bípedos no identificados. Es el primer yacimiento encontrado con huellas de dinosaurio del Cretácico Inferior de Marruecos y el segundo (Barremiense-Aptiense inferior) del continente africano. En el trabajo se proporcionan los datos morfométricos y biomórficos de las icnitas, su clasificación y una interpretación sobre la génesis de las dos rastrilladas saurópodas “solo de pies”

Se citan cuatro yacimientos en Ansous con icnitas terópodas, saurópodas y tireóforas de los que se describen una parte de las huellas terópodas y las tireóforas.Aunque se han publicado otras tres referencias de huellas tireóforas en Marruecos, esta es la primera asignación fundamentada de huellas cuadrúpedas de este tipo y de edad Jurásico Inferior (Pliensbachiense) en el país. Se proporcionan los datos biomórficos y morfométricos de las improntas terópodas y de las tireóforas. La atribución se hace por los caracteres biomórficos de las icnitas y por la edad de las rocas en las que están los yacimientos. Es recomendable continuar con la prospección en esta zona debido al excepcional potencial paleoicnológico In this paper thyreophoran and theropod footprints contained in two of four new sites found in Ansous are described. In one of the sites there are also preserved sauropod tracks. Although there have been cited three other references to thyreophoran footprints in Morocco, this is the first of such quadrupedal footprints from the Lower Jurassic age (Pliensbachian) in the country.We provide biomorphic and morphometric data of booth footprint types (theropod and thyreophoran). The assignation is made by the biomorphic characters of the ichnites and the age of the rocks on which the sites are placed.We recommend continuing to explore in this area due to its exceptional potential of dinosaur palaeoichnology

International audience

During the 2009's summer courses (universities Rabat-La Rioja) 6 new paleoichnological sites are found in the Bou Guemez river. The previously know Ibaqalliwn-Talsnant sites are located in the close west. All new, and Ibaqualliwn-Talsnant fossil traces, are print over the upper levels of marine limestones from Arganane Formation (Domerian). The likewise Domerian lowermost part continental sediments of the superposed Azilal Formation is placed to 5 m above the ichnites. The Utological composition, invertebrate fossil content, and number ofichnological levels is similar in the AssifAit-n-Bou Cuemez-Assif-n-Rbat zone. In spite ofthe Quaternary aluvial sediments cover, the geological properties are enough to define exactly the same stratigraphic position of the sites. The Arganane Formation dissapear to east part and the new sites are the east end ofthe Bou Guemez dinosaur footprints outcrops. It is important show the sauropod supremacy in the Bou Guemez zone