Bahariya Formation

Last updated
Bahariya Formation
Stratigraphic range: Early Cenomanian [1]
~100–95  Ma
O
S
D
C
P
T
J
K
Pg
N
Bahariya Formation McAfee.jpg
Restoration of the environment and animals of the formation
Type Geological formation
Underlies El Heiz Fm., El Naqb Fm. [2]
Overlies Basement [2]
Thickness≈100 m (330 ft) [2]
Lithology
Primary Sandstone
Other Mudstone, siltstone
Location
Coordinates 28°24′20″N28°48′20″E / 28.40556°N 28.80556°E / 28.40556; 28.80556
Region Western Desert
CountryFlag of Egypt.svg  Egypt
Type section
Named for Bahariya Oasis
Named bySaid
Year defined1962
Egypt relief location map.jpg
Lightgreen pog.svg
Bahariya Formation (Egypt)

The Bahariya Formation (also transcribed as Baharija Formation) is a fossiliferous geologic formation dating back to the early Cenomanian, which outcrops within the Bahariya depression in Egypt, and is known from oil exploration drilling across much of the Western Desert where it forms an important oil reservoir. [1] [3] [4]

Contents

Extent

Restoration of swimming animals of the formation Spinosaurus with contemporaneous taxa.jpg
Restoration of swimming animals of the formation

The Bahariya Formation forms the base of the depression, the lower part of the enclosing escarpment and all of the small hills within. [5] The type section for the formation is found at Gebel El-Dist, a hill at the northern end of the Bahariya depression. [6]

Stratigraphy and sedimentology

Four depositional sequences have been recognised in the Bahariya Formation in the Bahariya depression, separated by three sub-aerial unconformities. The formation was deposited during a period of relative rise in sea level, with each unconformity representing a relative fall in sea level. [1] Each of the individual sequences contains sediments deposited under fluvial, shoreline and shallow marine conditions.

Microfauna and Meiofauna

Foraminifera

Foraminifera of the Bahariya Formation
GenusSpecies
Charentia C. cuvillieri
Favusella F. washitensis
Mayncina M. orbignyi
Rotalipora R. cushmani
R. reicheli
Thomasinella T. aegyptia
T. fragmentaria
T. punica
Whiteinella W. archaeocretacea

Other microorganisms

Other microorganisms of the Bahariya Formation
GenusSpeciesImages
Botryococcus
Botryococcus Botryococcus braunii.jpg
Botryococcus
Pediastrum Pediastrum duplex wagner.jpg
Pediastrum

Scenedesmus Scenedesmus bijunga EPA.jpg
Scenedesmus
Coronifera C. oceanica
Cyclonephelium C. edwardsii
C. vannophorum
Dynopterigium D. cladoides
Exochosphaeridium
Florentinia F. cooksoniae
F. mantlii
Kallosphaeridium
Mudrongia M. simplex
Palaeoperidinium P. cretaceum
Pediastrum
Pseudoceratium P. anaphrisum
P. securigerum
Scenedesmus
Spiniferites
Subtilisphaera S. perlucida
S. senegalensis
Xiphophoridium X. alatum

Invertebrates

Molluscs

Molluscs of the Bahariya Formation
GenusSpeciesNotesImages
Baculites A heteromorph ammonite with a nearly straight shell.
Baculites. Baculites grandis shell.JPG
Baculites.
Cardium A cockle.
Exogyra A reef-forming true oyster associated with solid substrates and warm temperatures.
Gastrochaena A saltwater clam.
Neolobites N. vibrayeanusA typical rolled ammonite.
Nucula A small saltwater clam.
Ostrea O. flabeataAn edible oyster.

Crustaceans (Ostracoda)

Crustaceans of the Bahariya Formation
GenusSpeciesNotesImages
Amphicytherura A. sexta
Anticythereis A. gaensis
Bairdia B. bassiounii
B. elongata
Brachycythere B. ledaforma porosa
Bythoceratina B. avnonensis
B. tamarae
Bythocypris B. eskeri
Cythereis C. algeriana
C. bicornis levis
C. canteriolata
Cytherella C. ovata
C. paenovata
C. parallela
C. sulcata
Fabanella
Looneyella L. sohni
Loxoconcha L. clinocosta
L. fletcheri
Metacytheropteron M. berbericum
Ovocytheridea O. caudata
O. producta
O. reniformis
Paracypris P. acutocaudata
P. angusta
P. mdaouerensis
P. triangularis
Pterygocythere P. raabi
Veeniacythereis V. jezzineensis
Xestoleberis X. obesa

Insects

Direct fossils are sparse, though plant leaves with extensive damage from folivorous insects have been documented.

Vertebrates

Cartilaginous fish

Color key
Taxon Reclassified taxonTaxon falsely reported as presentDubious taxon or junior synonym Ichnotaxon Ootaxon Morphotaxon
Notes
Uncertain or tentative taxa are in small text; crossed out taxa are discredited.
Chondrichthyes of the Bahariya Formation
GenusSpeciesAbundanceNotesImages
Aegyptobatus A. kuehneiA sclerorhynchiform.
Modern Gymnura. Gymnura aaustralis csiro-nfc.jpg
Modern Gymnura .

Onchopristis tooth. Onchopristis numidus 052013.JPG
Onchopristis tooth.

Modern Rhinoptera. Rhinoptera steindachneri.jpg
Modern Rhinoptera .

Scapanorhynchus Scapanorhynchus raphiodon.jpg
Scapanorhynchus

Squalicorax Squalicorax2DB.jpg
Squalicorax
Modern Squatina. Squatina australis.jpg
Modern Squatina .
Asteracanthus A. aegyptiacusA hybodont shark.
Baharipristis B. bastetiaeA sclerorhynchiform.
Cretodus C. longiplicatusA shark.
Cretolamna C. appendiculataA mackerel shark.
Distobatus D. nutiaeA sclerorhynchiform.
Gymnura G. laterialataA butterfly ray.
Haimirichia H. amonensisA shark previously classified in the genera Odontaspis , Serratolamna , and Carcharias .
Isidobatus I. tricarinatusA sclerorhynchiform.
Marckgrafia M. lybicaA sclerorhynchiform.
Onchopristis O. numidaOne complete cranium and associated vertebrae.A sclerorhynchid rajoid.
Peyeria P. libycaA sclerorhynchiform.
Ptychotrygon P. henkeliA sclerorhynchiform.
Renpetia R. labiicarinataA sclerorhynchiform.
Rhinoptera A batoid ray.
Schizorhiza S. stromeriAn unusual sclerorhynchid sawfish that retained its rostral teeth after they were replaced.
Squalicorax S. baharijensisA large shark.
Scapanorhynchus S. subulatusA mitsukurinid similar to the modern goblin shark.
Squatina An angelshark.
Tribodus T. aschersoniA hybodont.

Bony fish

Color key
Taxon Reclassified taxonTaxon falsely reported as presentDubious taxon or junior synonym Ichnotaxon Ootaxon Morphotaxon
Notes
Uncertain or tentative taxa are in small text; crossed out taxa are discredited.
Osteichthyes of the Bahariya Formation
GenusSpeciesAbundanceNotesImages
Bawitius B. bartheliA giant bichir.
Ceratodus Ceratodus BW.jpg
Ceratodus

Enchodus Enchodus petrosus.jpg
Enchodus

Lepidotes Lepidotes elvensis.JPG
Lepidotes

Mawsonia MawsoniaDB16.jpg
Mawsonia

Neoceratodus Barramunda.jpg
Neoceratodus

Saurodon Saurodon leanusDB15.jpg
Saurodon
Concavotectum C. moroccensisPossibly synonymous with Paranogmius doederleini.
Ceratodus A lungfish.
Coelodus A pycnodontid.
Enchodus One tooth.A predatory fish.
Lepidotes Isolated scales.Possibly misidentified from Bawitius bartheli.
Mawsonia M. lybicaConsidered a "signature taxon" of the formation.A giant freshwater coelacanth. Species assignation deemed provisional due to the lack of neotype.
Neoceratodus N. africanusA lungfish related to the living Australian species.
Obaichthys O. africanusAn obaichthyid lepisosteiform. Remains formerly attributed to "Stromerichthys". [7]
Palaeonotopterus P. greenwoodi Nomen conservandum of the two Plethodus species previously described.
Paranogmius Paranogmius doederleiniOne vertebra. Holotype lost in World War II. Could be synonymous with Concavotectum moroccensis.
Plethodus P. libycus
P. tibniensis
Holotypes destroyed in World War II, but now believed to have been misidentified Palaeonotopterus greenwoodi.
Retodus R. tuberculatusA lungfish species identified from remains previously assigned to Neoceratodus .
Saurodon Identified by Stromer in 1936, but now rejected due to this genus appearing only in post-Cenomanian Europe and North America. Now listed as Ichthyodectidae incertae sedis .
Stromerichthys S. aethiopicusA fish initially identified as a bowfin relative, but now thought to be a chimera consisting of remains assignable to Bawitius , Obaichthys , and others. [8]

Testudines

Testudines of the Bahariya Formation
GenusSpeciesAbundanceNotesImages
Apertotemporalis A. baharijensisA small pleurodiran turtle, likely belonging to Bothremydidae. Other unnamed species are also present.

Squamates

Squamates of the Bahariya Formation
GenusSpeciesAbundanceNotesImages
Simoliophis AbundantFirst known sea snake, with functional hind legs. Now believed to include elements from different species and at least one of a different, unnamed genus.

Plesiosaurs

Color key
Taxon Reclassified taxonTaxon falsely reported as presentDubious taxon or junior synonym Ichnotaxon Ootaxon Morphotaxon
Notes
Uncertain or tentative taxa are in small text; crossed out taxa are discredited.
Plesiosaurs of the Bahariya Formation
GenusSpeciesAbundanceNotesImages
Leptocleidus L. capensisA small plesiosaur that visited brackish or fresh water systems. Though known from both South Africa and England, the Egyptian material lacks diagnostic traits of the genus and is now referred as Polycotylidae incertae sedis .
Leptocleidus Leptocleidus1DB.jpg
Leptocleidus

Crocodyliformes

Color key
Taxon Reclassified taxonTaxon falsely reported as presentDubious taxon or junior synonym Ichnotaxon Ootaxon Morphotaxon
Notes
Uncertain or tentative taxa are in small text; crossed out taxa are discredited.
Crocodyliformes of the Bahariya Formation
GenusSpeciesAbundanceNotesImages
Aegyptosuchus A. peyeriA poorly known, possibly stomatosuchid crocodile.
Hamadasuchus August 1, 2012 - Hamadasuchus rebouli Skull on Display at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM 52620).jpg
Hamadasuchus

Stomatosuchus Stomatosuchus2.jpg
Stomatosuchus
Hamadasuchus H. rebouliA terrestrial, dog-like peirosaurid. It is possible that some material previously attributed to Libycosuchus actually belongs to this species.
Libycosuchus L. brevirostrisA terrestrial crocodile of uncertain affinities, possibly related to Notosuchus .
Stomatosuchus S. inermisA complete craniumA large, flat-headed stomatosuchid with multiple small conical teeth, and possibly a pelican-like throat pouch. The only remains were destroyed in World War II.
Stromerosuchus S. aegyptiacusFragmentary remains Nomen dubium assigned to material found in 1911, that were badly damaged in 1922 while being shipped to Germany for study. Some material may belong to Aegyptosuchus and other to Stomatosuchus .

Pterosaurs

Color key
Taxon Reclassified taxonTaxon falsely reported as presentDubious taxon or junior synonym Ichnotaxon Ootaxon Morphotaxon
Notes
Uncertain or tentative taxa are in small text; crossed out taxa are discredited.
Pterosaurs of the Bahariya Formation
GenusSpeciesMaterialNotesImages
Pterosauria indet. [9] IndeterminateLeft first wing phalanxA medium-sized pterosaur. The first record of a pterosaur from Egypt.

Sauropods

Color key
Taxon Reclassified taxonTaxon falsely reported as presentDubious taxon or junior synonym Ichnotaxon Ootaxon Morphotaxon
Notes
Uncertain or tentative taxa are in small text; crossed out taxa are discredited.
Sauropods of the Bahariya Formation
GenusSpeciesMaterialNotesImages
Aegyptosaurus [3] A. baharijensis [3] Partial postcranial skeleton [10] A titanosaur of about 15 meters. All remains were destroyed in World War II.
Aegyptosaurus Aegyptosaurus LM.png
Aegyptosaurus

Dicraeosaurus Dicraeosaurus hansemanni22.jpg
Dicraeosaurus


Paralititan Paralititan stromeri.jpg
Paralititan
Dicraeosaurus D. hansemanniIsolated scapula and vertebraIdentified by Stromer in 1932. Subsequently considered a rebbachisaurid, or a third, unnamed titanosaur.
Paralititan [3] P. stromeri [3] Partial postcranial skeleton [11] One of the largest titanosaurs of the Cretaceous, with a 1.69 meters long humerus and an estimated total length of 26 meters.

Theropods

Color key
Taxon Reclassified taxonTaxon falsely reported as presentDubious taxon or junior synonym Ichnotaxon Ootaxon Morphotaxon
Notes
Uncertain or tentative taxa are in small text; crossed out taxa are discredited.
Theropods of the Bahariya Formation
GenusSpeciesAbundanceNotesImages
Abelisauridae indet. [12] Indeterminate"MUVP 477, an isolated caudal (tenth) cervical vertebra"A medium-sized abelisaurid, estimated around 5.77 meters (~18.9 feet) long. The first unambiguous abelisaurid known from the Bahariya Formation.
Abelisauridae indet. Bahariya abelisaurid McAfee.png
Abelisauridae indet.

Bahariasaurus Bahariasaurus ingens, like megaraptora.jpg
Bahariasaurus

Carcharodontosaurus Carcharodontosaurus.png
Carcharodontosaurus

Spinosaurus Spinosaurus aegyptiacus.png
Spinosaurus
Bahariasaurus B. ingens [3] A medium-sized theropod of uncertain affinities. Possibly a megaraptoran, a relative of Deltadromeus , or both.
Carcharodontosaurus [3] C. saharicus [3] A large carcharodontosaurid allosauroid.
Elaphrosaurus E. bambergiMaterial now considered to be indeterminate theropod remains. [3]
Sigilmassasaurus [3] S. brevicollisPreviously considered a species of Spinosaurus, or a synonym of S. aegyptiacus.
Spinosaurus S. aegyptiacusMost common dinosaur of the formation.A large spinosaurid.

In addition, there are isolated theropod teeth disputedly assigned to dromaeosaurids, or to abelisaurids.

Flora

Thirty different genera are known from Bahariya, including megaflora. Much of the material is yet to be described. [13] [14] Other taxa include Sapindales, Piperaceae, Lauraceae, Platanaceae, Magnoliopsida, Nymphaeaceae, Cornaceae, Proteaceae and Vitaceae not identified at genus level; and miospore and pollen species. [15] [16]

Vascular Plants
GenusSpeciesAbundanceNotesImages
Agathis / Wollemia [17] A/W spp.Few SpecimensAn Araucarian conifer, now restricted to Australasia.
Cladophlebis Cladophlebis retallackii.tif
Cladophlebis
Sapindopsis Sapindopsis anhouryi.JPG
Sapindopsis
Weichselia Weichselia reticulata.jpg
Weichselia
Araliaephyllum ? [13] [15] Indeterminate ("Morphotype-14")Few SpecimensSuggested to be related with Lauraceae
Cladophlebis [13] [15] C. spp.Few SpecimensFern Laflets
Cornophyllum [13] [15] C. distenseFew SpecimensSuggested to be related with Cornaceae
Cinnamophyllum ? [13] [15] Indeterminate ("Morphotype-12")Few SpecimensSuggested to be related with Lauraceae
Eucalyptolaurus /"Myrtophyllum”(?) [15] [16] Indeterminate ("Morphotype-08")Few SpecimensSpecimens of the family Lauraceae
Laurophyllum [13] [15] L. africanumFew SpecimensSpecimens of the family Lauraceae
Liriophyllum [13] [15] L. farafraenseFew SpecimensSpecimens of the family Magnoliaceae
Marsilea [17] aff. Marsilea spp.Few SpecimensWater fern.
Magnoliid [15] [16]
  • "Morphotype-01"
  • "Morphotype-04"
  • "Morphotype-09"
  • "Morphotype-11"
  • "Morphotype 21"?
Few SpecimensShows festooned brochidodromous venation
Magnoliaephyllum [15]
  • M. auriculatum
  • M. bahariyense
  • M. isbergiana
Few SpecimensPossible affinities with Lauraceae
Nelumbites [15] [16]
  • N. schweinfurthi
  • N. giganteum
Common occurrence in the lower shale bedTypical leaves of the faimily Nelumbonaceae
Paradoxopteris [13] [15] P. stromeriCo-Dominant plant Xerophytic tree fern suggestive of a dry tropical climate.
Plumafolium ? [15] [16] Indeterminate ("Morphotype-18")Few SpecimensA Monocot, probably related with Liliopsida
Rogersia [13] [15] R. longifoliaFew SpecimensLikely lobes of a much bigger leaf of Sapindopsis type
Typhaephyllum [13] [15] cf. T. sp.Few SpecimensInterpreted as a monocot, probably related to Typhaceae
Vitiphyllum [13] [15] V. aff. multifidumFew SpecimensSome similarities with Pabiania of the family Lauraceae
Weichselia [13] W. reticulataDominant plant Xerophytic tree fern suggestive of a dry tropical climate.

See also

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References

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