Dakhla Formation

Last updated
Dakhla Formation
Stratigraphic range: Maastrichtian-Danian
~71–63  Ma
Type Geological formation
Sub-units
  • Ammonite Hill Member [1]
  • Baris Oyster Mudstone Member [2]
  • Beida Shale Member [3]
  • Kharga Shale Member [2]
Underlies Tarawan Formation [4]
Overlies Duwi Formation [4]
Thickness230 meters [4]
Lithology
Primary Shale [4]
Other Marl, Phosphorite
Location
CountryFlag of Egypt.svg  Egypt

The Dakhla Formation, also called the Dakhla Shale, [5] is a Maastrichtian-Danian geologic formation in the Western Desert, Egypt. [4] [6] Dinosaur remains are among the fossils that have been recovered from the formation, although none have yet been referred to a specific genus. [7]

Contents

Fossil content

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.

Reptiles

Dinosaurs

Dinosaurs reported from the Dakhla Formation
GenusSpeciesPresenceMaterialNotesImages
Sauropoda Ammonite Hill Member [8] A left femur (Vb-646). [8] Most similar to femurs of Brachiosaurus or Saltasaurus . [8]

Turtles

Turtles reported from the Dakhla Formation
GenusSpeciesPresenceMaterialNotesImages
Arenila A. krebsiAmmonite Hill Member [9] Partial skull. [9] A bothremydid turtle.
?Cf. A. krebsiAmmonite Hill Member [9] Partial dorsal shell & right pelvis. [9] A bothremydid turtle.
Bothremydidae Undetermined large formsAmmonite Hill Member [9] Nuchal bone, left pleuron & partial plastron of one individual. [9] A large bothremydid turtle, with a shell length of 70 to 80 centimeters. [9]
Panchelonioidea Gen. et. sp. indet.Ammonite Hill Member [10] Humerus (NVP010). [10] A giant marine turtle.
Taphrosphys T. cf. sulcatusAmmonite Hill Member [9] Anterior part of dorsal shell & partial dorsal shell with partial anterior plastral lobe. [9] A bothremydid turtle.
Cf. T. sp.Ammonite Hill Member [9] Left first pleural. [9] A bothremydid turtle.
?Aff. Tasbacka ?Aff. T. sp.Ammonite Hill Member [9] Left humerus. [9] A chelonioid sea turtle.
Tasbacka danica.JPG
Zolhafah Z. bellaAmmonite Hill Member [9] Skull. [9] A bothremydid turtle.

Mosasaurs

Mosasaurs reported from the Dakhla Formation
GenusSpeciesPresenceMaterialNotesImages
Globidens G. phosphaticusBeris Oyster Mudstone Member [2] A single tooth crown (CUNV0011). [2] A mosasaurine.
Globidens phosphaticus maastrichtian marocco.JPG
Halisaurus H. hebaeBeris Oyster Mudstone Member [11] A halisaurine
Mosasaurinae IndeterminateBeris Oyster Mudstone Member [2] A fragmentary small dentary with a single tooth (CUNV0012). [2] A mosasaurine.
Prognathodon P. sp."Lower part"Two tooth crowns, three cervical, nine dorsal, three caudal vertebrae, and ribs, found in association (NVP025). [5] Most similar to P. overtoni, possibly a member of that species

Fish

Fish reported from the Dakhla Formation
GenusSpeciesPresenceMaterialNotesImages
Anomoeodus A. aegypticusLower Beris Member [12] A single specimen (NVP023). [12] A pycnodont.
Diastemapycnodus D. tavernensisBeris Member [13] "A single vomer with partial dentition". [13] A pycnodont.
Onchopristis O. sp.Beris Member [14] Four fragmentary rostral teeth and an exceptionally large, 1.46 metres (4.8 ft) long rostrum. [14] A sawskate.

Invertebrates

Bivalves

Bivalves reported from the Dakhla Formation
GenusSpeciesPresenceMaterialNotesImages
Apectoichnus A. longissimusAmmonite Hill Member [1] Borings in Nypa fruits. [1] Bivalve borings.
Teredolites T. clavatusAmmonite Hill Member [1] 32 moderately preserved borings (TBT02-33) & two badly preserved specimens (TBT44-45) in Nypa fruits. [1] Bivalve borings.

Plants

Plants reported from the Dakhla Formation
GenusSpeciesPresenceMaterialNotesImages
Nypa N. burtiniiFruits & seed casts. [15] A mangrove palm
N. sp.Ammonite Hill Member [1] Fruits with bivalve borings. [1] A mangrove palm.

See also

Related Research Articles

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References

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Bibliography