Ngorora Formation

Last updated
Ngorora Formation
Stratigraphic range: Miocene 13–10  Ma
O
S
D
C
P
T
J
K
Pg
N
Type Formation
Underlies Ngerngerwa Formation [1]
Overlies Tiim Formation
Thickness400 m (type)
Lithology
Primary clay, clastic rock, tuff, silt, shale, sand [2]
Location
Coordinates 0°54′N35°48′E / 0.9°N 35.8°E / 0.9; 35.8
Approximate paleocoordinates 0°06′N34°18′E / 0.1°N 34.3°E / 0.1; 34.3
Region Rift Valley
CountryFlag of Kenya.svg  Kenya
Type section
Named forNgorora Administrative Location
Named byW.W. Bishop & G.R. Chapman
Year defined1970
Kenya relief location map.jpg
Yellow pog.svg
Ngorora Formation (Kenya)

The Ngorora Formation is a geological formation in Kenya preserving fossils dating to the Miocene. The uppermost member of the formation shows sign of a faunal turnover that occurred around 11 to 10.5 million years ago, coinciding with faunal changes elsewhere in the world. This turnover includes the arrival of the horse Hipparion in East Africa. [1] The Ngorora Formation was initially mapped by G.R. Chapman in collaboration with the East African Geological Research Unit (EAGRU) and formally described by Bishop & Chapman in 1970. Major fossil finds were made in the early 1970s, with expeditions to the area recovering thousands of mammal, fish and mollusc remains alongside less common fossil material of birds and reptiles. [3] [2]

Contents

Geography

The formation is bordered to the west by the Elgeyo Escarpment, the east by the Laikipia Plateau and to the north by the Tiati volcanic center. To the south the formation is limited by the rising floor of the rift. During its deposition the formation contained two prominent upland areas, the topographic high of the Saimo Horst and Sidekh towards the north east, separated from the Saimo Horst by 8 km of lowland. The formation is roughly separated into four areas. Area I, the Kabarsero Type Area, split into Area Ia and Area Ib by the Kito Pass Fault; Area II west of the Cherial Fault, which includes the Tugen Hills, Kapkiamu Graben and Kaption Volcanic Complex; and Area III just south of the Saimo Horst. [2]

Geology and Stratigraphy

The basin the Ngorora Formation was deposited in is floored by the rocks of the underlying Tiim Formation and has seen repeated tectonic and volcanic activity around and during its deposition.

Member A is a thick layer that consists of volcaniclastic material and clay in Area I of the region. The coarse volcanic sediments likely originated from the possibly reached this part of the formation in the form of lahars originating from the Kaption Volcanic Complex to the south-west.
Member B shows a mix of gritty tuff beds, clay and silt. The lapilli tuff in Area I possibly correlates with similar lithology of Area II and on the upthrow of the Kito Pass Fault the layers of clay and silt found in the type area of the Member are absent, leaving sandy and gritty layers of tuff to lie directly over one another.
The layers of Member C are closely overlying each other and consist of clay and shale with some sand in Area Ia, while in Area Ib slight erosion and channeling can be observed. The shale originated almost entirely through chemical precipitation while the clay likely originated through the erosion of the underlying Tiim Formation.
Member D shows a mix of clay layers cross-bedded with gritty and silty tuffs. Slumps, fissures and faults indicate increased tectonic activity affecting the area during its time of deposition. Area III preserves a mix of red marbled earth and silt which may be equivalent to Member D. Following major faulting at Cheprimok, 130 meters of sediment of this member eroded in the Ngorora Formation, causing Member E to rest unconformably atop of Member A and even overstepping onto the Tiim Formation. This faulting event was widespread and even affected Area II 20 kilometers away.
Another faulting event preceded the deposition of Member E, marking the return of lacustrine conditions as evident by kieselgur (sediments originating from algae) and fish-bearing shales. However tectonic uplift of the Kito Pass and Saimo Faults caused much of the record of this member to be lost to erosion.

During the deposition of the Ngorora Formation the area shows several signs of volcanic activity. The Kaption volcano in Area II is likely responsible for much of the lahar and tuff found in Area I. The Laikipia Area and Tiati volcanic center likewise contributed to the volcanic material of the formation. [2]

Paleoenvironment

The Ngorora Formation shows a great variety of environments and conditions throughout its stratigraphy. Mudcracks, Caliche, plant remains, bird footprints, channeling, signs of evaporation as well as various algae-based sediments all show signs of varying dry and wet conditions during the Miocene.

Member A preserves the bones of proboscideans and rhinos as well as the remains of reptiles and fish and represents an originally lacustrine environment with minor fluvial elements, all affected by lahas and other volcanic activity.

During the deposition of Member B Kaption Volcano was still active at irregular intervals. Member B shows signs of channeling caused by flowing water and flourishing plant growth (evidenced by root casts). At Kalimale weathering and plant growth were so extreme that all of the lapilli in a 45 cm thick layer was destroyed. The fauna of the member is of little use however, as the presence of channels means that animal material was likely derived from various localities over a great distance. Ruminant remains however have been used to derive an open or lightly wooded grassland habitat.

Lake Magadi, an alkine lake in Kenya Lake Magadi Entrance.jpg
Lake Magadi, an alkine lake in Kenya

After increased volcanic and tectonic activity at the beginning of Member C's deposition, three lakes formed in various regions of the formation. At least Kabarsero Lake in Area Ia was freshwater, evidence of which can be found in the presence of diatoms and freshwater crabs. Kapkiamu Lake meanwhile was likely alkaline and inhabited by cichlids of the genus Oreochromis . [4] Similar conditions can be observed in the modern-day Lake Magadi, home to Alcolapia grahami . The rhythmic nature of the shale and clay deposits of Member C indicate seasonally fluctuating climate conditions, further supported by the growth rings of fossil wood. The two lakes were separated by 8 kilometers, which is not unusual given similar occurrences of freshwater and alkaline lakes in the modern day Rift Valley. The area between the lakes was covered by vigorously growing plant life, which lead to the creation of paleosol. The third lake west of Kaption Volcano was also freshwater.

Member D shows increased channeling indicative of rejuvenation through freshwater, which suggests a return of fluvial conditions as present in Member B. Also like in Member B, ruminants are used to infer an open or lightly wooded grassland environment in Area Ia. In Area Ib, ostracods, fish and crabs are all found in marginal lacustrine deposits at Kalimale. This lake underwent varying water levels and frequently dried up. [2]

One particular locality within the lower members (12.6 Ma) of the Ngorora Formation is interpreted to have been a submontaine to lowland rainforest environment preserved by the ash from a local volcanic eruption. The presence of mostly microphyllous (small sized, single veined) leaves and only one leptophyllous (long, slender) leaf indicate a moist to wet environment for the preserved forest habitat. Of the preserved plant fossils, 15% can be classified as herbs, 5% as herbs or shrubs, 12% lianas and 62% as shrubs or trees. Some bias towards herbaceous plants is present due to the preservation through ashfall and the preserved leaves of shrubs and trees are consistent with leaf fall that occurs in forests. The locality shows no signs of a present leaflitter, either due to decomposition following ashfall or due to the rapid decay of plant material in tropical, wet forest environments (in particular during the wet season, prior to increased leaf fall with the onset of the dry season). [5]

Paleofauna

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.

Molluscs

NameSpeciesMemberMaterialNotesImage
Bellamya [2] B. sp.
Bellamya dissimilis Bellamya dissimilis 01.JPG
Bellamya dissimilis
Lanistes [2] L. sp.
Lanistes bernardianus Lanistes bernardianus 01.JPG
Lanistes bernardianus
Melanoides [2] M. tuberculata
Melanoides tuberculata Melanoides tuberculata 001.JPG
Melanoides tuberculata
Mutela [2] M. sp.
Mutela bourguignati Naturalis Biodiversity Center - ZMA.MOLL.419524 - Mutela bourguignati Bourguignat, 1885 - Iridinidae - Mollusc shell.jpeg
Mutela bourguignati
Pleiodon [2] P. sp.
Pleiodon ovatus Naturalis Biodiversity Center - ZMA.MOLL.210192 - Pleiodon ovatus (Swainson, 1823) - Iridinidae - Mollusc shell.jpeg
Pleiodon ovatus

Annelids

NameSpeciesMemberMaterialNotesImage
Annelidae indet. [2] Member C

Member D

Member E

Arthropods

NameSpeciesMemberMaterialNotesImage
Candona [2] C. sp.
Coleoptera indet. [2]
Diptera indet. [2]
Heterocypris ? [2] H. sp.?
Isoptera indet. [2]
Lepidoptera indet. [2]
Limnicythere [2] L. sp.
Metacypris [2] M. sp.
Potamon [2] C. sp.

Fish

NameSpeciesMemberMaterialNotesImage
cf. Clarias [2] cf. C. sp.Member D

Member E

Cyprinidae indet. [2] Member C
Baringochromis [6] B. senutaeMember Emore than a dozen skeletonsspecies flock of haplochromine cichlids
B. sonyiiMember Efive skeletons
B. tallamaeMember Eseveral skeletons
Oreochromis [4] O. martyniMember Calso known as "Sarotherodon" martyni, inhabitant of an alkaline lake
Oreochromimos [7] O. kabchorensisMember Cseveral complete skeletonsoldest known member of the Oreochromini
Rebekkachromis [8] P. kiptalamiMember Da nearly complete skeleton pseudocrenilabrine cichlid likely inhabiting alkaline lakes, possible species flock
P. ngororus Member Da nearly complete skeleton
P. valyricusMember Ca skeleton
P. vancouveringaeMember Ca skeleton
P. spp.Member A

Member C

a skeleton
Tugenchromis [9] T. pickfordiMember Epartially complete skeletonpseudocrenilabrine cichlid
Warilochromis [10] W. unicuspidatusMember Ea single skeletonpseudocrenilabrine cichlid

Reptiles

NameSpeciesMemberMaterialNotesImage
Crocodylus [2] C. sp.Member A

Member B

Member C

Member D

Member E

Crocodylus niloticus Crocodylus niloticus in Lake Chamo 02.jpg
Crocodylus niloticus
Ophidia indet. [2]
Pelusios [2] P. cf. sinuatusMember A

Member B

Member E

Serrated Hinged Terrapin (Pelusios sinuatus) Serrated Hinged Terrapin (Pelusios sinuatus) (16711115324).jpg
Serrated Hinged Terrapin (Pelusios sinuatus)
Testudo [2] T. sp.Member D
Trionyx [2] T. sp.Member B

Member D

Member E

Varanidae indet.Member B [2]

Member D

Birds

NameSpeciesMemberMaterialNotesImage
Anhinga [11] A. cf. pannonicaproximal end of the humerus
Leptoptilos [12] L. sp.Member Ca partial skeleton composed mostly of limb bonesone of the oldest known marabou skeletons
an extant species of marabou Marabou Stork (4106609143).jpg
an extant species of marabou
Struthio [13] S. sp.Member Climb bonesdistinct from the roughly contemporary S. coppensi

Mammals

Afrotheres

NameSpeciesMemberMaterialNotesImage
Deinotherium [2] D. bozasiMember D
Deinotherium bozasi JG.png
Afrochoerodon [14] A. ngororaMember A

Member D

Member E

a choerolophodontine gomphothere
Gomphotherium [15] G. ngororaMember AAn early gomphothere.
Macroscelididae indet. [2] an indetermined elephant shrew
Myorycteropus [16] M. chemeldoiMember Ba type of aardvark
Parapliohyrax [17] P. ngororaensisMember B

Member C

Member D

Member E

a type of hyrax

Artiodactyles

NameSpeciesMemberMaterialNotesImage
Albanohyus [18] A. cf. castellensisskull without teetha possible ancestor of Cainochoerus
Anthracotheriidae indet. [16]
Climacoceras [16] C. gentryia giraffid
Cephalophini? indet. [2] an indetermined species of duiker
Dorcatherium [16] D. sp.a genus of mouse deer
Dorcatherium Dorcatherium 1.JPG
Dorcatherium
Gazella [2] G. sp.
Homoiodorcas [19] H. tugenicum
Kenyapotamus [20] [21] K. sp.Member D Member Emolarsthe possible ancestor of the modern hippos
Kipsigicerus [19] K. labidotusa close relative of the Four-horned antelope
Kipsigicerus labidotus Protragocerus labidotus.JPG
Kipsigicerus labidotus
Lagomerycidae indet. [2]
Listriodon [22] L. bartulensisMember Amandible and teeththe molars of this species are notably smaller than that of Eurasian taxa
mandible of Listriodon splendens from Europe Listriodon splendens.JPG
mandible of Listriodon splendens from Europe
Lopholistriodon [22] L. kidogosanaMember B

Member C

Member D

skull and teeth as well as a fragment of a mandibular symphysisLopholistriodon marks another decrease in size within the African listriodontine lineage
"Palaeotragus" [23] "P. primaevus"a potential new genus and species in need of revision
Palaeotragus-Tianjin Natural History Museum Palaeotragus-Tianjin Natural History Museum.jpg
Palaeotragus-Tianjin Natural History Museum
Protoryx [19] P. sp.
Pseudotragus ? [16] P.? gentryi
Samotherium ? [2] S. sp.a genus of giraffid
Samotherium skull angled view from the Natural History Museum collections Samotherium skull angled view from the Natural History Museum collections.jpg
Samotherium skull angled view from the Natural History Museum collections
Sivoreas [24] S. eremitaMember A

Member C

Member D

horn coresa boselaphine bovid

Carnivorans

NameSpeciesMemberMaterialNotesImage
Amphicyonidae indet. [25] molar
Dissopsalis [26] D. pyroclasticusan incomplete first or second molarA genus of teratodontine hyaenodontid.
Eomellivora [27] E. tugenensisMember Da broken snouta relative of the modern honey badger of similar size
the mandible of the related Eomellivora piveteaui (Spain) Eomellivora piveteaui mandible - Batallones 3 fossil site, Torrejon de Velasco, Madrid, Spain.jpg
the mandible of the related Eomellivora piveteaui (Spain)
Herpestidae indet. [27] Member Aa right mandiblean indetermined mongoose
Megistotherium [27] M. osteothlastesMember A

Member D

a damaged molar and distal end of a humerus the youngest known remains of the genus
Megistotherium Megistotherium.jpg
Megistotherium
Myacyon [28] M. kiptalamiMember Da snout broken behind the second molara species as large or slightly larger than an African Lion, originally considered to belong to the genus Agnotherium [27]
Percrocuta [27] P. tobieniMember B

Member D Member E

a left mandible fragmenta lioness-sized genus of percrocutids or true hyaenas
Tugenictis [27] T. ngororaensisMember Aa right molara genus of viverrid similar in size to the African Civet
Vishnuonyx [27] V. chinjiensisMember Da premolara genus of otter
Viverridae indet. [27] Member Ba mandible with fragments of the premolarsthe morphology resembles the genus Genetta more than it does Viverra and is slightly larger

Perissodactyls

NameSpeciesMemberMaterialNotesImage
Aceratherium / Dicerorhinus [2]
Brachypotherium [29] B. sp.although the genus was reported, no detailed description or figures were given, rendering a more detailed assignment not possible
Chilotheridium [30] C. sp.Member Ea maxillary fragment including several teethoriginally described as C. pattersoni, subsequent research showed the fossil is not well preserved enough for such an assignment
Hipparion [1] H. sp.Member Etooth fragments and other remainsdated to 11 to 10.5 Ma, the fossils at Ngorora indicate a rapid dispersal of the genus throughout Africa and Eurasia
Hipparion gracile skull Hipparion gracile skull.jpg
Hipparion gracile skull

Primates

NameSpeciesMemberMaterialNotesImage
Catarrhini indet.caninepossible hominoid clearly distinct from Proconsul [16]
Hominoidea indet.Member Cincisor and premolara large hominoid similar to Proconsul or Equatorius [16]
Microcolobus M. tugenensisa colombine monkey.
Victoriapithecus V. sp.Member B

Member C

various teethpossibly a new species of the genus [16]
Victoriapithecus Victoriapithecus.jpg
Victoriapithecus

Rodents

NameSpeciesMemberMaterialNotesImage
Cricetidae indet. A [2]
Cricetidae indet. B [2]
Dendromurinae indet. [2]
Pedetidae? [2] Member B
Phiomyidae [2]
cf. Vulcanisciurus [31] cf. Vulcanisciurus sp.A genus of squirrel.

Paleoflora

NameSpeciesMemberMaterialNotesImage
Acalypha [5] A. sp.a type of herb/shrub
Acalypha hidpida Acalypha hidpida a1.jpg
Acalypha hidpida
Acanthaceae [5]
Artabotrys [5] A. sp.a type of shrub
Artabotrys hexapetalus Artabotrys hexapetalus 12zz.jpg
Artabotrys hexapetalus
Bignoniaceae [5]
cf. Cola [5] cf. C. sp.a species of the tree canopy
Cola acuminata, flower of the Kola Nut tree Cola acuminata, flower of the Kola Nut tree (9906050364).jpg
Cola acuminata, flower of the Kola Nut tree
Dioscorea [5] D. sp.a liana
Dioscorea sansibarensis Dioscorea sansibarensis-Jardin des Plantes de Paris (4).jpg
Dioscorea sansibarensis
Graminae [5] a type of grass
Icacinaceae [5]
Lasiodiscus [5] L. sp.an understory taxon
Lasiodiscus mildbraedii Lasiodiscus mildbraedii, blare, bo & onder, Inhamitangabos.jpg
Lasiodiscus mildbraedii
Loganiaceae/Melastomataceae [5]
Menispermaceae [5]
Myrtaceae [5]
Mystroxylon [5] M. sp.a type of shrub/tree
Mystroxylon aethiopicum subsp schlechteri Mystroxylon aethiopicum subsp schlechteri, stam en takke, Waterberg Natuurpraal, a.jpg
Mystroxylon aethiopicum subsp schlechteri
Olacaceae [5]
Pollia P. tugenensis [32] stems, leaves and fruita dominant plant of the herbaceous layer, Pollia tugenensis likely grew in clusters
the fruit of P. tugenensis resemble those of the Marble Berry (Pollia condensata), the leaves however are closer to P. zollingeri Marble Berry (Pollia condensata), Mount Mabu, Mozambique 2.jpg
the fruit of P. tugenensis resemble those of the Marble Berry (Pollia condensata), the leaves however are closer to P. zollingeri
Rauvolfia [5] R. sp.a tree or shrub
Rauvolfia tetraphylla Rauvolfia tetraphylla 02.JPG
Rauvolfia tetraphylla
Rubiaceae [5]
Rutaceae [5]
Sapindaceae [5]
cf. Sapium [5] cf. S. sp.a type of milkree
Sapium glandulosum Sapium glandulosum.jpg
Sapium glandulosum
cf. Sapotaceae [5]
Tiliaceae [5]
Violaceae [5]
cf. Zizyphus [5] cf. Z. sp.a spiny shrub/tree of the buckthorn family
Zizyphus sp. Zizyphus sp. (1963855353).jpg
Zizyphus sp.

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References

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