Rotzo Formation | |
---|---|
Stratigraphic range: Early Pliensbachian ~ [1] | |
Type | Geological formation |
Unit of | Calcari Grigi Group |
Sub-units | Tovel Member [2] |
Underlies | Massone Oolitic Limestone |
Overlies | |
Area | Trento Platform |
Thickness | 250 m |
Lithology | |
Primary | Lithified gray silty marl, gray grainstone, bioturbated/intraclastic/ooidal gray wackestone, mud banks and sand deposits. [3] |
Other | Light-grey to yellowish-grey packstone with oolites, bioclasts, algal lumps, pellets, dasycladacean algae, foraminifera, lituolids, and miliolids |
Location | |
Location | Vicenza Province: Trentino-Alto Adige, Southern Alps |
Coordinates | 45°42′N11°06′E / 45.7°N 11.1°E |
Approximate paleocoordinates | 32°06′S16°42′E / 32.1°S 16.7°E |
Region | Veneto |
Country | Italy |
Type section | |
Named for | Rotzo |
The Rotzo Formation (also known in older literature as the Noriglio Grey Limestone Formation) is a geological formation in Italy, dating to roughly between 192 and 186 million years ago and covering the Pliensbachian stage of the Jurassic Period in the Mesozoic Era. [4] Has been traditionally classified as a Sinemurian-Pliensbachian Formation, but a large and detailed dataset of isotopic 13C and 87Sr/86Sr data, estimated the Rotzo Formation to span only over the Early Pliensbachian, bracketed between the Jamesoni-Davoei biozones, marked in the Loppio Oolitic Limestone–Rotzo Fm contact by a carbon isotope excursion onset similar to the Sinemu-Pliens boundary event, while the other sequences fit with the a warm phase that lasts until the Davoei biozone. [1] The Rotzo Formation represented the Carbonate Platform, being located over the Trento Platform and surrounded by the Massone Oolite (marginal calcarenitic bodies), the Fanes Piccola Encrinite (condensed deposits and emerged lands), the Lombadian Basin Medolo Group and Belluno Basin Soverzene Formation (open marine), and finally towards the south, deep water deposits of the Adriatic Basin. [5] The Pliensbachian Podpeč Limestone of Slovenia, the Aganane Formation & the Calcaires du Bou Dahar of Morocco represent regional equivalents, both in deposition and faunal content.
Fossil prosauropod tracks have been reported from the formation. [6] This formation was deposited within a tropical lagoon environment, similar to modern Bahamas which was protected by oolitic shoals and bars from the open deep sea located to the east (Belluno Basin) and towards the west (Lombardia Basin). It is characterized by a rich paleontological content. It is notable mostly thanks to its great amount of big aberrant bivalves, among which is the genus Lithiotis , described in the second half of the nineteenth century. The unusual shape of Lithiotis and Cochlearites shells, extremely elongated and narrow, characterized by a spoon-like body space placed in a high position, rarely preserved, seems to suggest their adaptation to soft and muddy bottoms with a high sedimentation rate. [7] The Bellori outcrop displays about 20 m of limestones with intercalated clays and marls rich in organic matter and sometimes fossil wood (coal) and amber. The limestones are well stratified, with beds 10 cm to more than one metre thick, whereas the clayey levels range between 3 and 40 cm in thickness. [8] [9]
The sedimentary cover of the Southern Alps has been recognized as a well-preserved section of the Mesozoic Tethys' southern continental margin, featuring a horst and graben structure linked to the rifting associated with the opening of the central North Atlantic that in the Late Triassic and Early Jurassic, created elevated blocks separated by troughs. While the western margin (Piedmont and Lombardy) quickly submerged in the Early Jurassic (As seen by the Saltrio Formation & Moltrasio Formation), the eastern regions maintained shallow water sedimentation, including the Friuli and Trento Platforms, this last one latter evolving into a pelagic plateau, and separated from the Lombardian basin by the Garda escarpment fault system. [10]
The Early Jurassic Calcari Grigi Group represents the shallow-water sedimentation phase of the Trento Platform, revealing several sites over an area of about 1,500 km2. The continuity of dinosaur tracks from the Hettangian-Pliensbachian interval indicates a stable connection between the Southern Alps' carbonate tidal flats and nearby vegetated lands and freshwater sources, although the exact locations of these lands remain uncertain. [11] Detailed sedimentological studies of the Calcari Grigi Group, particularly the Rotzo Formation, describe it as a shallow subtidal platform with an inner lagoon bordered by oolitic shoals. [8]
The Coste dell’Anglone ichnosite for example, situated on the margin of this lagoon within a sandy barrier complex, was influenced by pioneer plants like Hirmeriellaceae in semi-arid conditions. Sedimentary structures indicate a shallow water tidal environment with heterolithic stratification pointing to steady flows at low current velocities. The presence of dinosaur tracks and supratidal markers suggests repeated subaerial exposure, contrasting with previous interpretations of the site as fully subtidal. [11] [12]
These findings align with the lagoon-barrier island complex scenario, featuring a subtidal ramp gently inclined to the west and an intertidal-supratidal barrier island complex trending approximately N-S, now corresponding to the Mt. Brento-Biaina and Mt. Baldo chains. [5] [11]
The presence of the families Centropyxidae and Difflugiidae testifies the presence of a mixed marine-terrestrial depositional system, lacking large bodies of water. [13]
Genus | Species | Location | Material | Notes | Images |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tonezza del Cimone | Calcareous Skeleton | A testate amoebae, member of the family Centropyxidae inside Arcellinida. | ||
| Tonezza del Cimone | Calcareous Skeleton | A testate amoebae, member of the family Difflugiidae inside Arcellinida. | ||
| Tonezza del Cimone | Calcareous Skeleton | A testate amoebae, member of the family Difflugiidae inside Arcellinida. | ||
Genus | Species | Location | Material | Notes | Images |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Agerina [14] |
|
| Calcareous Skeletons | A foraminifer of the Cornuspiridae family | |
Ammobaculites [14] |
|
| Calcareous Skeletons | A foraminifer of the family Ammomarginulininae. | |
Amijiella [14] |
|
| Calcareous Skeletons | A foraminifer of the Hauraniidae family | |
Bosniella [14] |
|
| Calcareous Skeletons | A foraminifer of the Biokovinidae family | |
Cymbriaella [15] |
|
| Calcareous Skeletons | A foraminifer of the Hauraniidae family | |
Duotaxis [14] [16] |
|
| Calcareous Skeletons | A foraminifer of the Verneuilinoidinae family | |
|
| Calcareous Skeletons | A foraminifer of the Everticyclamminidae family. | ||
Frondicularia [18] |
|
| Calcareous Skeletons | A foraminifer of the family Nodosariinae. | |
Glomospira [14] |
|
| Calcareous Skeletons | A foraminifer of the family Ammodiscidae. | |
Haurania [14] |
|
| Calcareous Skeletons | A foraminifer of the family Hauraniinae. | |
Lituosepta [14] [19] |
|
| Calcareous Skeletons | A foraminifer of the Mesoendothyridae family. | |
Meandrovoluta [14] [20] |
|
| Calcareous Skeletons | A foraminifer of the Cornuspiridae family | |
Mayncina [18] [14] |
|
| Calcareous Skeletons | A foraminifer of the Mayncinidae family | |
Orbitopsella [18] [14] |
|
| Calcareous Skeletons | A foraminifer of the Mesoendothyridae family. | |
Ophtalmidium [14] |
|
| Calcareous Skeletons | A foraminifer of the family Ophthalmidiidae. | |
Paleomayncina [14] |
|
| Calcareous Skeletons | A foraminifer of the Planiseptinae family. | |
Pseudocyclammina [14] |
|
| Calcareous Skeletons | A foraminifer of the Pfenderinidae family. | |
Pseudopfenderina [14] |
|
| Calcareous Skeletons | A foraminifer of the Pseudopfenderininae family. |
Microfossils of the Rotzo Formation consist of benthic foraminifera, calcareous algae, Ostracoda and coprolites. Foraminifera are mainly benthic agglutinated species belonging to the superfamily Lituolacea (suborder Textulariina), while lamellar and porcellaneous-walled species are very rare. [21] The bivalve Opisoma excavatum is very common. [22]
Genus | Species | Stratigraphic position | Material | Notes | Images |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Colonial Imprints | A Chaetetidan Demosponge, member of Chaetetinae. Monospecific assamblages with encrusting and symbiont forms are found abundantly on lagoonal facies, distributed in several stratigraphic horizons. | ||
Genus | Species | Stratigraphic position | Material | Notes | Images |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Colonial Imprints | A Scleractinian Coral, member of Montlivaltiidae. This Coral is often found in the Early Jurassic Tethys range, from the Iberian peninsula to Morocco. | ||
Montlivaultia [25] |
|
| Colonial Imprints | A Scleractinian Coral, member of Montlivaltiidae. | |
Pinacophyllum [24] |
|
| Colonial Imprints | A Scleractinian Coral, member of Stylophyllidae | |
Stylophyllopsis [24] |
|
| Colonial Imprints | A Scleractinian Coral, member of Stylophyllidae | |
Synastrea [24] |
|
| Colonial Imprints | A Scleractinian Coral, member of Synastraeidae |
Genus | Species | Stratigraphic position | Material | Notes | Images |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
| A Rhynchonellidan brachiopoda, member of Gibbirhynchiinae. Unusual genus in the Mediterranean region, more common on NW Europe | ||
|
|
| A Terebratulidan brachiopoda, member of Nucleatidae. Typical Mediterranean region taxon in the Pliensbachian | ||
|
|
| A spiriferidan brachiopoda, member of Spiriferinidae. Typical Mediterranean region taxon in the Pliensbachian | ||
|
|
| A Terebratulidan brachiopoda, member of Plectoconchidae. Typical Mediterranean region taxon in the Pliensbachian, the main Branchiopod locally associated with the Lithiotids facies, where they formed rare mass occurrences at discrete intervals. | ||
|
|
| A spiriferidan brachiopoda, member of Spiriferinidae. Typical Mediterranean region taxon in the Pliensbachian | ||
The Rotzo Formation is known mostly due to its massive bivalve associations of the genera Lithiotis , Cochlearites and Lithioperna that extended all along the Pliensbachian Trento Platform forming mass accumulations of specimens that formed Reef-Like structures. [28] This fauna appeared after the early Pliensbachian C-cycle perturbation, that triggered the diffusion of the Lithiotis Fauna, noted on the rapid widespread of this biota after the event layers. [28] All of the genera related with this fauna appeared on the lower Jurassic, and all but one became extinct before the Middle Jurassic. [18] This "Reefs" had a strong zonation, starting with the bivalves Gervilleioperna and Mytiloperna , restricted to intertidal and shallow-subtidal facies. Lithioperna is limited to lagoonal subtidal facies and even in some low-oxygen environments. Finally Lithiotis and Cochlearites are found in subtidal facies, constructing buildups. [18] This sections formed various kinds of ecosystems on the Trento platform, where it appeared in branched corals filled with (Spongiomorpha), Domal corals (Stromatoporida), tubular corals, Styllophyllidae corals, unidentified Cerioidea colonial corals, regular echinoid debris, sponges, and the solitary coral Opelismilia sp., with also aggregated snail shells. [18]
Genus | Species | Stratigraphic position | Material | Notes | Images |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Avicula [29] |
|
| Isolated Shells | A clam, member of Aviculidae inside Ostreida | |
|
|
| An oyster, member of Plicatostylidae inside Ostreida. A large bivalve, with a subequivalved shell, up to 60–70 cm high. It is one of the Three main bivalves recovered on the Lithiotis Facies, with its accumulations generally overlying megalodontid coquinas. [31] | ||
Cypricardinia [29] |
|
| Isolated Shells | A clam, member of Trapezidae inside Cardiida | |
|
| Isolated Shells | A clam, member of Neomiodontidae inside Veneroidei. The so-called Eomiodon horizon represents the lower Rotzo Formation, composed of organic-rich marlstones with abundant specimens of this genus, typical of stressed environment with low salinity. [30] This genus considered an opportunistic shallow infaunal suspension feeder, and the marker genus for brackish environments. [33] | ||
|
| Isolated Shells | An Oyster, member of Bakevelliidae inside Pteriida. Found on greater accumulations on lower shale-dominated levels | ||
|
| Isolated Shells | An oyster, member of Plicatostylidae inside Ostreida. On the Rotzo formation this genus become abundant along rootlets, indicative of a very shallow and restricted lagoon or marsh environment. [31] | ||
Gresslya [29] [27] |
|
| Isolated Shells | A clam, member of Ceratomyidae inside Pholadidea. | |
Homomya [25] |
|
| Isolated Shells | A clam, member of Pleuromyidae inside Pholadidea. | |
Lima [25] |
|
| Isolated Shells | A clam, member of Limidae inside Pteriomorphia | |
Lithophaga [25] |
|
| Isolated Shells | A mussel, member of the family Mytilidae inside Mytilida | |
|
|
| An oyster, member of Plicatostylidae inside Ostreida. This genus was found to be a bivalve with a byssate juvenile stage that developed different modes of life on the adulthood depending on the individual density and bottom firmness. [32] | ||
|
|
| An oyster, member of Plicatostylidae inside Ostreida. It is the major Bivalve identified on the formation, and the genus that gives the name to the Lithiotis fauna. [31] Large, large and aberrant bivalves present on mostly of the Trento Platform. [32] Its accumulation have had different denominations on literature, such as banks, bioherms, biostromes, bivalve reefs or bivalve mounds. [31] | ||
Lucina [25] |
|
| Isolated Shells | A clam, member of Lucinidae inside Lucinida | |
Modiolus [25] |
|
| Isolated Shells | A mussel, member of the family Mytilidae inside Mytilida | |
|
| Isolated Shells | |||
|
| Isolated Shells | A clam, member of Astartidae inside Carditida. Is considered a genus that evolved from shallow burrowing ancestors, becoming a secondarily semi-infaunal edgewise recliner adapted to photosymbiosis. [22] | ||
|
| Isolated Shells | An oyster, member of Plicatostylidae inside Ostreida. | ||
|
| Isolated Shells | A clam, member of Megalodontidae inside Megalodontida. | ||
Pecten [25] |
|
| Isolated Shells | A scallop, member of the family Pectinidae inside Pectinida | |
Pholadomya [27] |
|
| Isolated Shells | A clam, member of Pholadomyidae inside Pholadomyida. | |
Pleuromya [29] |
|
| Isolated Shells | A clam, member of Pleuromyidae inside Pholadidea. | |
Plicatostylus [35] |
|
|
| An oyster, type member of Plicatostylidae inside Ostreida. It has been synonymized with Lithiotis | |
Protodiceras [27] |
|
| Isolated Shells | A clam, member of Megalodontidae inside Megalodontida. | |
|
| Isolated Shells | A clam, incertae sedis inside Pterioida. On the Rotzo formation this byssate bivalve indicates a shallow subtidal or intertidal environment. [32] | ||
Pteria [27] |
|
| Isolated Shells | An oyster, member of Pteriidae inside Ostreida. | |
Tellina [25] |
|
| Isolated Shells | A clam, member of Tellinidae inside Tellinoidea | |
Genus | Species | Stratigraphic position | Material | Notes | Images |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
C. sp. | Shells | An ammonite of the family Schlotheimiidae. A very rare genus on the layers of the formation, being found only a few specimens. | |||
|
| Shells | An Ammonite of the Family Hildoceratidae | ||
| Contrada Ronchi (Recoaro Terme, Vicenza) | Shells | Type member of the family Juraphyllitidae. It is the most abundant Ammonite found on the Rotzo Formation | ||
Protogrammoceras [38] |
|
| Shells | An Ammonite of the family Hildoceratidae. | |
Genus | Species | Stratigraphic position | Material | Notes | Images |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certosa di Vedana | Shells | A marine gastropod (Top Snail) of the Family Trochidae inside Trochoidea. | ||
|
| Shells | A marine gastropod (snail), member of Nerinellidae inside Nerineoidea. | ||
| Certosa di Vedana | Shells | A marine gastropod (snail), type genus of the Family Ataphridae inside Trochoidea. | ||
| Certosa di Vedana | Shells | A marine gastropod (snail) of the Family Fissurellidae inside Fissurelloidea. | ||
| Certosa di Vedana | Shells | A marine gastropod (snail), type genus of the Family Discohelicidae inside Vetigastropoda. | ||
Indeterminate | Certosa di Vedana | Shells | A marine gastropod (snail) of the Family Eucyclidae inside Seguenzioidea. | ||
| Certosa di Vedana | Shells | A marine gastropod (snail), type genus of the Family Eucyclidae inside Seguenzioidea. | ||
|
| Shells | A marine gastropod (limpet) of the family Fissurellidae inside Fissurelloidea. | ||
| Tonezza del Cimone | Shells | A marine gastropod (snail) of the family Ampullinidae inside Campaniloidea. | ||
| Certosa di Vedana | Shells | A marine gastropod (snail) of the family Trochonematidae inside Murchisoniina. | ||
Natica [29] |
|
| Shells | A marine gastropod (Moon snail) of the family Naticidae inside Sorbeoconcha | |
|
| Shells | A marine gastropod (snail), type genus of the family Neritopsidae inside Cycloneritimorpha. | ||
Patella [29] |
|
| Shells | A marine gastropod (limpet) of the family Patellidae inside Patellogastropoda | |
| Certosa di Vedana | Shells | A marine gastropod (Top snail) of the family Trochidae inside Trochoidea. | ||
| Certosa di Vedana | Shells | A marine gastropod (snail) of the family Gordenellidae inside Allogastropoda. | ||
| Tonezza del Cimone | Shells | A marine gastropod (snail) of the family Pseudonerineidae inside Nerineoidea. | ||
| Certosa di Vedana | Shells | A marine gastropod (limpet) of the family Acmaeidae inside Patellogastropoda. | ||
| Tonezza del Cimone | Shells | A marine gastropod (periwinkle) of the family Purpurinidae inside Littorinoidea. | ||
Trochus [29] |
| Noriglio | Shells | A marine gastropod (Top snail) of the family Trochidae inside Trochoidea. | |
Genus | Species | Stratigraphic position | Material | Notes | Images |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hypodiadema [29] |
|
| Sclerites | A Pseudodiadematidae Euechinoidean | |
Pentacrinites [29] [25] |
|
| Sections | A Pentacrinitidae Isocrinidan | |
|
| Two specimens (MCV.20/02 and MCV.20/03) | An Emiratiidae Phymosomatoidan. This Echinoids are recovered from a marginal marine layer, with abundant bivalves, gastropods, small corals, often found in concentrations due to tempestites. [41] | ||
Pseudodiadema [25] |
|
| Multiple specimens | A Pseudodiadematidae Euechinoidean | |
Genus | Species | Stratigraphic position | Material | Notes | Images |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cypris [29] [25] |
| Noriglio | Valves | An Ostracodan of the family Cyprididae inside Podocopida | |
| Valbona Area. [42] | Slightly deformed Exuvia | An Erymid Decapodan Crustacean. With a rostrum about 1.3 cm long and the cephalic part of carapace about 2.5 cm the specimen probably reached a total length between 9–10 cm, being one of the largest specimens belonging to this species. Frequent association with Thalassinoides burrows. [42] [43] | ||
| Tonezza del Cimone. [44] | Valves | An Ostracodan of the family Cytherideidae inside Cytheracea. The earliest record of the genus, the next youngest records of the genus are from Middle Jurassic sequences of France and Great Britain. [44] | ||
| Tonezza del Cimone. [44] | Valves | An Ostracodan of the family Limnocytherinae inside Cytheracea. High probability to be a new species of Limnocythere since the authors know of no other with similar posterolateral sulcation. [44] | ||
| Tonezza del Cimone. [44] | Valves | An Ostracodan of the family Cytherideidae inside Cytheracea. The assemblage is dominated (>95%) by this taxon. [44] It is a rather Medium-sized Ostracodan and markedly sexually dimorphic (males more elongate and more subrectangular versus shorter, more inflated and more subtriangular females). [44] it is likely that the palaeoenvironment was somewhat "stressed" and probably influenced by Salinity, where this genus would adapt better that Other Ostracodans (is related to the modern euryhaline species, Cyprideis torosa). [44] | ||
Genus | Species | Stratigraphic position | Material | Notes | Images |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Isolated scolecodonts | A polychaete of the family Dorvilleidae. Unlike the modern counterparts that live in deeper environments, this species is found linked with shallow marine facies | ||
In the Western Venetian Prealps a shallow-water, oceanic carbonate platform system, the Trento platform, developed on the Early Jurassic, producing a large succession of massive to well-bedded white Limestones, several 100 m (330 ft) thick that are part of the Calcari Grigi Group, where the Rotzo Formation is the Upper Member. [46] On the local limestone of the Rotzo Formation deep burrowing is a very common type of biogenic activity, as is shown due to the presence of a large characteristic network of burrows which reach down to the lagoonal, marly-clayey assigned strata, suggesting intense bioturbation by large unknown organisms, perhaps giant decapod crustaceans (Probably members of the family Erymidae), although, the burrows found are not closely related to the ones of Shrimps or other decapods, but resemble those of Stomatopoda and Malacostraca. [46] Other includes abandoned burrows, vertical biogenic action and infilling on the sea substrate. [46]
Genus | Species | Stratigraphic position | Material | Notes | Images |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coste dell’Anglone dinosaur ichnosite | Star-shaped impressions | An ichnogenus that represents the resting trace resting activity of sea stars (Asteroidea) and brittle stars (Ophiuroidea). [47] The recovered from the Rotzo formation are probably from specimens trapped on tidal changes. [47] | ||
| Campomolon, Valbona | Vertical burrows with preserved entrances | It is difficult to suggest this ichnogenus because on the Formation the vertical and lined burrow with a deep central crater typical of Chomatichnus is never preserved. [46] It resemble described burrows of endobenthic thalassinidean decapods, specially Callianassa subterranea of modern North Sea, Callianassa major, Callianassa californensis or Upogebia pugettensis. [46] It can be also Serpulidae Polychaetan burrows. | ||
| Campomolon, Valbona | Burrowing and track Ichnofossils | In the Rotzo FormationOphiomorpha irregulaire local specimens the walls are extensively reworked by small, secondary burrowers assigned to the ichnogenus Chondrites. [42] Interpreted as the feeding burrow of a sediment-ingesting animal. | ||
| Campomolon, Valbona | Infilled abandoned burrows by coarse-grained skeletal debris | On the local waters during the Lower Jurassic, water motion due to the hurricane action truncated many mounds causing changes on the deposition on the sea-floor and inducing various phases of substrate infillings with carbonate mud, fine-to coarse-grained skeletal debris and fecal pellets. [46] They are assigned to Priapulida, Serpulidae, Siboglinidae, Sabellidae or even Oweniidae. | ||
| Campomolon, Valbona | Burrowing and track Ichnofossils | Two major types of Ophiomorpha where recovered, a smaller one from 2–4 cm in size and the larger one from 5–15 cm in diameter. [48] They are complex burrow systems lined with pelletoidal sediments generally infilled by coarse-grained detritus. [43] Specimens Seems partly destroyed by weathering. [42] | ||
| Campomolon, Valbona | Infilled abandoned burrows by coarse-grained skeletal debris | Ichnofossils done by organisms advancing along the bottom surface. Very narrow, vertical or subvertical, slightly winding unlined shafts filled with mud. Locally, post hurricane burrows are found in fine-grained tempestite beds and muddy layers and they are Domichnia, Fodinichnia and Chemichnia. [46] | ||
| Campomolon, Valbona | Burrowing and track Ichnofossils | Thalassinoides suevicus has been found on mostly of the middle-upper part of the Rotzo Formation associated with muddy deposits. It ranges from 2–5 cm to 6–10 cm and the larger ones from 10 to 16 cm. [43] Y-shaped tunnels that seen in cross-section reveal circular walls made of pelletoidal grainstone, being more probably a fodichnia of a burrowing animal. [48] A few ichnofossils include simple cylindrical tubes up to 80 cm in length, that resemble crustacean described in Seychelles. [48] | ||
Episodic surficial bioturbation is common on the Rotzo Formation, due to invertebrates or fishes which alter intensely but rapidly the substrate for many cm in depth. [46] It this case the Bioturbation is assigned to mollusc predatory Chondrichthyes, such as Hybodontidae and Heterodontidae. [46] It also resembles present day flat angel sharks or Squatinidae and Guitarfish such as Rhinobatos. [46]
Genus | Species | Stratigraphic position | Material | Notes | Images |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Indeterminate |
|
| Uncertain Holocephalii remains | ||
Hybodontiformes [49] | Indeterminate |
|
| Uncertain assignation | |
|
|
| A shark, type genus of the family Hybodontidae inside Hybodontiformes. A very prolific genus, found mostly on open marine units. | ||
Unidentified fish scales are known from the formation. [51]
Genus | Species | Stratigraphic position | Material | Notes | Images |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Indeterminate | Campiluzzi Tunnel, west of Monte Buso. |
| Remains of Ginglymodi bony fishes, previously referred to Semionotiformes and/or the genus Lepidotes | ||
Indeterminate | Campiluzzi Tunnel, west of Monte Buso. |
| Actinopterygii fishes, the oldest record of the family | ||
Indeterminate | Campiluzzi Tunnel, west of Monte Buso. |
| Teleostei fishes, with genera know to form large Fish schools. | ||
Pholidophorus [29] |
| Sega di Noriglio |
| A Bony fish, member of the family Pholidophoridae inside Pholidophoriformes | |
Indeterminate |
|
| Teleostei Fishes of small size, related to lagoonar environments, previously referred to the genus Pycnodus | ||
Genus | Species | Location | Material | Notes | Images |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Indeterminate | Monte Pasubio | A Thalattosuchian Mesoeucrocodylian. It was cited the presence of fragmentary and poorly preserved remains of “Teleosauridae?”. The fossils were found on lagoonal deposits. [51] | |||
On the Inter-supratidal levels show that on the Rotzo Formation the Tracksites were rarely hit by Storm Waves. [54] Bella Lastra Tracksite recovers this environment, where the shales present (Where Fish & Crocodrylomorph Remains where found) are filled with plant roots, pollen grains, spores, freshwater ostracodes and the bivalve Eomiodon. [54] This was deposited mostly on a Lagoonar environment with abundant shed vegetation. [54] The main local Track record recovers specially Theropoda and Sauropoda, where the Sauropods are the most abundant tracks present (70%), moving the Otozum-like Sauropodomorphs of lower levels, with the climate changing from arid to humid. [54] The Coste dell’Anglone ichnosite is considered as derived from semi-arid tidal flat deposits, due to the abundance of Cheirolepidiaceae Pollen. [12] As the Pliensbachian Trento Platform is considered to be formed by a channelized barrier formed by sand, with reiterate tide emersions. The dinosaurs living here probably trampled on the subtidal flats looking for fishes trapped on tidal-derived ponds. [12]
Color key
| Notes Uncertain or tentative taxa are in small text; |
Genus | Species | Location | Member | Material | Notes | Images |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Tovel Member | Footprints | Theropod tracks, type member of the ichnofamily Anchisauripodidae, incertae sedis inside Neotheropoda. Probably related to Coelophysidae, such as Procompsognathus and Panguraptor or Coelophysoidea, such as Lophostropheus . All tracks were probably produced by individuals with the same functional anatomy of the hind foot. [54] | ||
|
| Tovel Member | Footprints | Theropod tracks, member of the ichnofamily Eubrontidae, incertae sedis inside Neotheropoda. Includes Kayentapus sp. assigned to Sinosaurus -alike Theropods, but on the Rotzo Formation include also Abelisauroid-like tracks, similar to the foot of the genus Velocisaurus . [51] The tracks measure 30 cm long and have a distinctive robust digit III. [54] The Coste dell´Anglone tracksite had a pes with the metatarsal III elongated, as found on Dilophosaurus . [12] | ||
M. isp. |
| Tovel Member | Footprints | Thyreophoran tracks, type member of the ichnofamily Moyenisauropodidae, incertae sedis inside Neornithischia. Is considered by some authors synonymous with the ichnogenus Anomoepus . The tracks adscribed share some morphological affinity with those referred to the Ankylosauridae, such as the ichnogenera Metatetrapodus and Tetrapodosaurus , and probably belonged to medium-sized Scelidosaurs or other kind of Thyreophorans. Include Specimens of up to 30 cm, suggesting +4 m long scelidosauroids. [57] | ||
|
| Tovel Member | Footprints | Sauropodomorph tracks, member of the ichnofamily Otozoidae, incertae sedis inside Sauropodomorpha. A single trackway that strongly differs from the others found on the same tracksite. It wears morphological and morphometrical appearance that suggests relationships with a prosauropod trackmaker. [57] | ||
|
| Tovel Member | Footprints | Sauropod tracks, type member of the ichnofamily Parabrontopodidae, incertae sedis inside Sauropodomorpha. Tracks from large basal members of Sauropoda. The larger tracks comprise elliptic pes (L=70 cm; W=50 cm) and subcirluar manus prints (L=33 cm; W=30 cm), what are among the largest known dinosaur tracks of the lower jurassic. [54] While nearly destroyed, the Tracks resemble the foot of the genus Barapasaurus . There is a type B of Parabrontopodus slightly smaller that resemble the genus Vulcanodon . | ||
The Rotzo Formation was deposited on a Lagoon on the emerged Trento Platform, leading to a well preserved fossil flora record, collected and studied since the 19th century. [59] The great level of floral fossilization has even allow to discovery fossil amber on the Bellori section. This amber has allowed to determine that the environment was a shallow tropical lagoon, only a few metres deep, closed seawards by oolitic shoals and bars. [59] This levels are dominated by a high abundance of Classopollis sp. (Cheirolepidiaceae), associated with dry and wet climates in coastal areas. The abundance of this group of conifers is also proven by the high presence of cuticles of Pagiophyllum cf. rotzoanum. [60] Beyond this genera, spores are highly diversified, including from Sphenophyta, Selaginellales to Ferns, with abundance (more than 50%) of trilete spores ( Deltoidospora ), what suggest a good freshwater availability corresponding to a wet climate, proven also by the presence of aquatic miospores of algae such as Botryococcus and Pseudoschizaea . [59] The climate was arid on some seasons with monsoon months. The abundance of marine fauna on this sediments, including fragments of corals, bryozoans, bivalves, echinoids, and foraminifera, suggest transport from brackish lagoons and marshes, probably occurred during storm events. [59] Overall data points to a marshy and/or submerged paleoenvironment, comparable to the present-day Taxodium swamp or cypress swamp and a Bahamian-type marine environment in a rather wet monsoonal climate as in the modern southeastern Asia. [59] [60]
The Rotzo Formation records one of the few Early Jurassic assamblages with Amber in the world, the nicknamed "Bellori amber" found near the village of the same name. [61] Made mostly of small droplets of less than 1 mm with exceptionally preserved morphology its likely the amber producing plants were likely not stressed or affected by disease. [61] Due to the small size animal inclusion have not been found. However various plant materials, identified “mummified wood” and wood tissue are known. [61] Additionally large amounts of Circumpolles Cheirolepidiaceous pollen, and occasional freshwater algae Pseudoschizaea remains are included. [61] Several cuticle fragments are attributed to the araucariaceous or Hirmeriellaceae genus Pagiophyllum . [61] Those lived on a coastal and wet palaeoenvironment similar to the present-day Taxodium swamps with monsoonal seasons as in the modern southern Asia. [61]
Genus | Species | Location | Material | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Spores | Incertae sedis; affinities with the Pteridophyta | |
|
| Spores | Affinities with Voltzia ( Willsiostrobus ) and Corystospermales | |
|
| Spores | Affinities with Lycophytes, in situ in Cyclostrobus , Lycostrobus and Annalepis zeiller. | |
|
| Spores | Incertae sedis; affinities with the Pteridophyta | |
|
| Spores | Affinities with the family Osmundaceae in the Polypodiopsida. | |
|
| Spores | Affinities with the Calamitaceae in the Equisetales. | |
|
| Spores | Affinities with the family Lycopodiaceae in the Lycopodiopsida. | |
|
| Spores | Affinities with Selaginellaceae | |
|
| Spores | Affinities with the family Zamiaceae in the Cycadales. It is among the most abundant flora recovered on the upper section of the coeval Rya Formation, and was found to be similar to the pollen of the extant Encephalartos laevifolius . [64] | |
|
| Pollen | Affinities with the Hirmeriellaceae in the Pinopsida. | |
|
| Spores | Incertae sedis; affinities with the Pteridophyta | |
|
| Pollen | Affinities with the family Cycadaceae and Bennettitaceae. | |
|
| Spores | Incertae sedis; affinities with the Pteridophyta | |
|
| Spores | Affinities with the Selaginellaceae in the Lycopsida. | |
| Bellori, Ponte Basaginocchi, Vajo dell’Anguilla | Pollen | Type pollen of the Erdtmanithecales, related to the Gnetales. | |
|
| Spores. | Affinities with Selaginellaceae | |
|
| Pollen | Affinities with the Hirmeriellaceae in the Pinopsida. | |
|
| Spores | Affinities with the Selaginellaceae in the Lycopsida. | |
|
| Spores | Affinities with the Selaginellaceae in the Lycopsida. | |
|
| Spores | Incertae sedis; affinities with the Pteridophyta | |
|
| Spores | Affinities with the family Lycopodiaceae in the Lycopodiopsida. | |
|
| Spores | Affinities with the family Lycopodiaceae in the Lycopodiopsida. | |
|
| Spores | Affinities with the Ophioglossaceae in the Filicales. | |
|
| Spores | Affinities with the family Lycopodiaceae in the Lycopodiopsida | |
|
| Pollen | Affinities with the family Karkeniaceae and Ginkgoaceae in the Ginkgoales. | |
|
| Pollen | Affinities with the family Cupressaceae in the Pinopsida. | |
|
| Pollen | ||
|
| Spores | Affinities with the family Lycopodiaceae in the Lycopodiopsida | |
|
| Spores | Affinities with the family Lycopodiaceae in the Lycopodiopsida | |
|
| Spores | Incertae sedis; affinities with the Pteridophyta | |
|
| Cysts | Affinities with Chlorophyta | |
|
| Pollen | Affinities with the Hirmeriellaceae in the Pinopsida | |
|
| Spores | Incertae sedis; affinities with the Pteridophyta | |
|
| Spores | Affinities with the family Osmundaceae in the Polypodiopsida. | |
|
| Spores | Incertae sedis; affinities with the Pteridophyta | |
|
| Spores | Affinities with Selaginellaceae | |
|
| Spores | Incertae sedis; affinities with the Pteridophyta | |
|
| Pollen | From the family Caytoniaceae in the Caytoniales. | |
Genus | Species | Location | Material | Notes | Images |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Calcified Thalli | A Green Algae of the family Dasycladaceae. A reefal algae usually found in carbonate settings along all the Mediterranean | ||
Sestrosphaera [65] |
|
| Calcified Thalli | A Green Algae of the family Triploporellaceae. |
Genus | Species | Location | Material | Notes | Images |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Stems | Affinities with Equisetaceae. Related to humid environments, the stems of local Equisetopsids show a rather large grown cycle, like the Bamboo on the modern Southern Asia, implicating tall Plants influenced by a Tropical Climate. | ||
|
| Leaf Whorl | Affinities with Phyllothecaceae inside Equisetales | ||
Genus | Species | Location | Material | Notes | Images |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Fronds | Affinities with Polypodiales inside Polypodiidae. | ||
|
| Fronds | Affinities with Marattiales inside Marattiopsida. | ||
|
| Fronds | Affinities with Dipteridaceae inside Gleicheniales. | ||
|
| Fronds | Affinities with Gleicheniaceae inside Polypodiopsida | ||
|
| Fronds | Affinities with either Dicksoniaceae or Polypodiidae inside Polypodiopsida. Similar to the genus Coniopteris. | ||
|
| Fronds | Affinities with Matoniaceae inside Gleicheniales. | ||
|
| Fronds | Affinities with Matoniaceae inside Gleicheniales. | ||
|
| Fronds | Affinities with Matoniaceae inside Gleicheniales. | ||
|
| Fronds | Affinities with Matoniaceae inside Gleicheniales. | ||
|
| Fronds | Affinities with Dipteridaceae inside Gleicheniales. A rather lower Fern, with great resemblance with the modern genus Dipteris . | ||
Genus | Species | Location | Material | Notes | Images |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Fronds | Affinities with Corystospermaceae inside Corystospermales. On the Roverè di Velo collection, C. brauniana is the most common Frond found. The Fronds belong to medium to large arboreal Ferns. | ||
|
| Fronds | Affinities with Corystospermaceae inside Corystospermales. | ||
|
| Fronds | Affinities with Corystospermaceae inside Corystospermales.. Represents the largest "Seed Fern" Leaf in the fossil record, with leaves up to 70 cm, having an habit resembling the extant angiosperm Nypa fruticans . [71] | ||
Genus | Species | Location | Material | Notes | Images |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Leaflets | Affinities with Caytoniaceae inside Caytoniales. | ||
|
| Leaflets | Affinities with Caytoniaceae inside Caytoniales. There is a superficial doubt with the assignation to S. goeppertiana, and due to that Roverè di Velo specimen may be confirmed by comparing them with original Zigno's Material. | ||
Genus | Species | Location | Material | Notes | Images |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Androstrobus [72] |
|
| Reproductive structure | Incertade sedis inside Cycadophyta | |
Apoldia [67] |
|
| Leaflets | Incertade sedis inside Cycadophyta. Related with Cycad-like trees. | |
Cycadospadix [72] |
|
| Reproductive structure | Incertade sedis inside Bennettitales or Cycadophyta | |
Genus | Species | Location | Material | Notes | Images |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Blastolepis [72] [73] |
|
| Reproductive structure | Incertade sedis inside Bennettitales. | |
Cycadeospermum [72] |
|
| Reproductive structure | Incertade sedis inside Bennettitales or Cycadophyta | |
Deltolepis [67] [70] |
|
| Reproductive structure | Incertade sedis inside Bennettitales or Cycadophyta | |
|
| Fronds | Incertade sedis inside Bennettitales. | ||
|
| Pinnate leaf fragments | Affinities with Williamsoniaceae inside Bennettitales. Overall, the genus Otozamites is among the most abundant flora genus recovered on some of the levels of the Rotzo Formation, and also one of the most diversified. It belongs to arbustive Bennetites. | ||
|
| Leaflets | Affinities with Williamsoniaceae inside Bennettitales. This genus has been related with the more arboreal family Williamsoniaceae, although is more probably from a low arboreal to arbustive Bennetite. | ||
|
| Leaves | Affinities with Williamsoniaceae inside Bennettitales. Was previously ascribed by Guiscardi (Director of the Geology Department of the Napoles University between 1861 al 1885) to Pachypteris visianica and Cycadopteris brauniana. | ||
|
| Leaflets | Affinities with Williamsoniaceae inside Bennettitales. Related with Cycad-like trees. | ||
|
| Bennettite "Flower" | Affinities with Williamsoniaceae inside Bennettitales. Weltrichia is considered by some authors some kind of Bennetitalean Flower, putting that group on relationships with the Angiosperms. | ||
|
| Bennettite "Flower" | Affinities with Williamsoniaceae inside Bennettitales. | ||
|
| Leaflets | Incertade sedis inside Bennettitales. This genus has been related with the more arboreal family Williamsoniaceae, although is more probably from a low arboreal to arbustive Bennetite. | ||
Genus | Species | Location | Material | Notes | Images |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Val d´Assa | Leaves | Affinities with the genus Trichopitys , as probably a member of Karkeniaceae inside Ginkgoopsida, with strong resemblance with the genus Baiera, lumped in some papers as Baiera lindleyana. | ||
Genus | Species | Location | Material | Notes | Images |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
| Affinities with Araucariaceae or Cheirolepidiaceae inside Coniferales. Brachyphyllum tropidimorphyrn shows close resemblance between African and Venetian conifers and its distribution suggests a lowland araucarian forest. [75] | ||
|
| Branched shoots | Affinities with Cheirolepidiaceae inside Coniferales. | ||
|
| Isolated leaves | A possible Conifer leaf. Was suggested to have affinities with Czekanowskiales, sometimes found inside Ginkgoopsida, yet recent finds of it associated with the cone genera Sphaerostrobus and Ourostrobus points to a coniferophyte affinity, maybe as a member of Palissyaceae. [76] | ||
|
| Branched shoots | Affinities with Cupressaceae inside Coniferales. Arboreal plants similar to the modern genus Cunninghamia | ||
|
|
| Affinities with Araucariaceae or Cheirolepidiaceae inside Coniferales. One of the specimens was assigned to Otozamites massalongianus, due to confusing the overlapping appearance and the Otozamites-like shape of the leaves of the apical portion of the main shoot. | ||
|
|
| Incertae sedis inside Coniferales, initially identified as "Yuccites schimperianus", suggested as a member of its own family, the "Pelourdeaceae". A hygrophytic riparian conifer with herbaceous or shrubby habit. Some specimens are difficult to identify. | ||
|
| Branched shoots | Affinities with Palyssiaceae inside Coniferales. Extinct group conifer leaves with similarities with Sequoia or Amentotaxus. Maybe Includes the species "Taxites vicentina". | ||
Saltriovenator is a genus of ceratosaurian dinosaur that lived during the Sinemurian stage of the Early Jurassic in what is now Italy. The type and only species is Saltriovenator zanellai; in the past, the species had been known under the informal name "saltriosaur". Although a full skeleton has not yet been discovered, Saltriovenator is thought to have been a large, bipedal carnivore similar to Ceratosaurus.
The Carnian is the lowermost stage of the Upper Triassic Series. It lasted from 237 to 227 million years ago (Ma). The Carnian is preceded by the Ladinian and is followed by the Norian. Its boundaries are not characterized by major extinctions or biotic turnovers, but a climatic event occurred during the Carnian and seems to be associated with important extinctions or biotic radiations. Another extinction occurred at the Carnian-Norian boundary, ending the Carnian age.
The Ladinian is a stage and age in the Middle Triassic series or epoch. It spans the time between 242 Ma and ~237 Ma. The Ladinian was preceded by the Anisian and succeeded by the Carnian.
The Ziliujing Formation is a geological formation in China, It is Early Jurassic in age. It is part of the stratigraphy of the Sichuan Basin. The dinosaur Gongxianosaurus and indeterminate theropod material are known from the Dongyuemiao Member of the formation, as well as dinosaur footprints, Zizhongosaurus and indeterminate prosauropods from the Da'anzhai Member. The basal sauropod Sanpasaurus is known from the Maanshan Member. An possible unnamed stegosaur and the pliosauroid plesiosaur Sinopliosaurus are also known from this formation but they were found an indeterminate member. An unnamed teleosaurid known from a complete skull has also been found in the formation, pending a formal description. The deposition environment during the Da'anzhai Member in the lower Toarcian is thought to have been that of a giant freshwater lake encompassing the whole of the Sichuan basin, around 3 times larger than Lake Superior, coeval with the Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event around 183 Ma. The Sinemurian-Pliensbachian boundary event has been recorded on the top of the Dongyuemiao Member, while lower parts of this member are of Earliest Sinemurian age.
The Saltrio Formation is a geological formation in Italy. It dates back to the Early Sinemurian, and would have represented a pelagic or near-epicontinental environment, judging by the presence of marine fauna such as the nautiloid Cenoceras. The Fossils of the Formation were described on the late 1880s and revised on 1960s, finding first marine biota, such as Crinoids, Bivalves and other fauna related to Epicontinental basin deposits.
The Posidonia Shale geologically known as the Sachrang Formation, is an Early Jurassic geological formation of southwestern and northeast Germany, northern Switzerland, northwestern Austria, southern Luxembourg and the Netherlands, including exceptionally well-preserved complete skeletons of fossil marine fish and reptiles.
Gastrochaenolites is a trace fossil formed as a clavate (club-shaped) boring in a hard substrate such as a shell, rock or carbonate hardground. The aperture of the boring is narrower than the main chamber and may be circular, oval, or dumb-bell shaped. Gastrochaenolites is most commonly attributed to bioeroding bivalves such as Lithophaga and Gastrochaena. The fossil ranges from the Ordovician to the Recent. The first Lower Jurassic Gastrochaenolites ichnospecies is Gastrochaenolites messisbugi Bassi, Posenato, Nebelsick, 2017. This is the first record of boreholes and their producers in one of the larger bivalves of the globally occurring Lithiotis fauna which is a unique facies in the Lower Jurassic Tethys and Panthalassa.
The Aganane Formation is a Pliensbachian geologic formation in the Azilal, Béni-Mellal, Ouarzazate, Tinerhir and Errachidia provinces, central Morocco, being the remnant of a local massive Carbonate platform, and known mostly for its rich tracksites including footprints of thyreophoran, sauropod and theropod dinosaurs. It may also include the fossiliferous levels of the Calcaires du Bou Dahar, if true, it would be one of the richest Early Jurassic formations in the entire tethys area.
The Hasle Formation is a geologic formation on the island on Bornholm, Denmark. It is of early to late Pliensbachian age. Vertebrate fossils have been uncovered from this formation. The type section of the formation is found at the south of the costal Hasle Town, and it is composed by rusty yellow to brownish siltstones and very fine-grained sandstones. The southernmost arch, Hvjdoddebuen, is not as fossil-bearing as the type unit in Hasle. The formation can be separated in two different petrographic types: type 1 sandstones are friable with layers and lenses of concretionary siderite and type 2 well-cemented sandstones. Both types where deposited in a relatively high-energy marine environment with a diagenetic pattern that demonstrates a close relation to various phases of subsidence and uplift in the tectonically unstable Fennoscandian Border Zone. Most of its deposition happened on a storm-dominated shoreface, with the exposed parts deposited in an open marine shelf within 1–2 km distance from the fault-controlled coastlines. However, recent works have recovered terrestrial fauna from it, including a footprint, suggesting easterly winds and low tide could have exposed the inner parts of the upper shoreface, and create long-lasting Floodplain-type environments. Field works since 1984 have shown a mostly hummocky cross-stratified deposition, with great complexity of the sediments that suggests very complicated and variable flow conditions, with Megaripples derived from storm events. Storms were frequent and the coastline faced a wide epeiric sea with a fetch towards the west of possibly 1000 kilometers. The Jamesoni–Ibex Chronozone in the Central European Basin represents a clear sea Transgression, due to the appearance of ammonites from Thuringia and southern Lower Saxony, showing a full marine ingression towards the west. This rise in the sea level is also measured in the north, as is proven by the presence of Uptonia jamesoni in Kurremölla and Beaniceras centaurus plus Phricodoceras taylori on the Hasle Formation. The whole Hasle Sandstones are a result of this rise in the sea level, where the marine sediments cover the deltaic layers of the Rønne Formation. The rise in the sea level is observed on palynology, as on the Hasle Formation Nannoceratopsis senex (Dinoflajellate) and Mendicodinium reticulaturn appear, indicating a transition from paralic and restricted marine to fully marine.
The Charmouth Mudstone Formation is a geological formation in England, dating to the Early Jurassic (Sinemurian–Pliensbachian). It forms part of the lower Lias Group. It is most prominently exposed at its type locality in cliff section between Lyme Regis and Charmouth but onshore it extends northwards to Market Weighton, Yorkshire, and in the subsurface of the East Midlands Shelf and Wessex Basin. The formation is notable for its fossils, including those of ammonites and marine reptiles and rare dinosaur remains. The formation played a prominent role in the history of early paleontology, with its Lyme Regis-Charmouth exposure being frequented by fossil collectors including Mary Anning.
The Evergreen Formation is a Pliensbachian to Toarcian geologic formation of the Surat Basin in New South Wales and Queensland, eastern Australia. Traditionally it has been considered to be a unit whose age has been calculated in between the Pliensbachian and Toarcian stages of the Early Jurassic, with some layers suggested to reach the Aalenian stage of the Middle Jurassic, yet modern data has found that an Early Pliensbachian to Latest Toarcian age is more possible. The formation was named due to the "Evergreen Shales", defined with a lower unit, the Boxvale Sandstone, and a partially coeval, partially younger upper unit, the Westgrove Ironstone Member. This unit overlies the Hettangian-Sinemurian Precipice Sandstone, as well several informal units such as the Nogo Beds, and Narayen beds, as well Torsdale Volcanics. This unit likely was deposited in a massive lacustrine body with possible marine environment influences.
The Calcare di Sogno is a geological formation in Italy, dated to roughly between 182-169 million years ago and covering the Lower Toarcian-Late Bajocian stagess of the Jurassic Period in the Mesozoic Era. Thallatosuchian remains are known from the formation, as well fishes and other taxa.
The Budoš Limestone is a geological formation in Montenegro and maybe Albania, dating to 192-182 million years ago, and covering the Pliensbachian-Toarcian stage of the Jurassic Period. It is located within the High karst zone, and represents a unique terrestrial setting with abundant plant material, one of the few know from the Toarcian of Europe. It is the regional equivalent to the Toarcian-Aalenian units of Spain such as the Turmiel Formation and the El Pedregal Formation, the Sinemurian Coimbra Formation in Portugal, units like the Aganane Formation or the Tafraout Group of Morocco and others from the Mediterranean such as the Posidonia Beds of Greece and the Marne di Monte Serrone of Italy. In the Adriatic section, this unit is an equivalent of the Calcare di Sogno of north Italy, as well represents almost the same type of ecosystem recovered in the older (Pliensbachian) Rotzo Formation of the Venetian region and the Podpeč Limestone of Slovenia, know also for its rich floral record.
The Sorthat Formation is a geologic formation on the island of Bornholm, Denmark and in the Rønne Graben in the Baltic Sea. It is of Latest Pliensbachian to Late Toarcian age. Plant fossils have been recovered from the formation, along with several traces of invertebrate animals. The Sorthat Formation is overlain by fluvial to lacustrine gravels, along with sands, clay and in some places coal beds that are part of the Aalenian-Bathonian Bagå Formation. Until 2003, the Sorthat Formation was included as the lowermost part of the Bagå Formation, recovering the latest Pliensbachian to lower Aalenian boundary. The Sorthat strata reflect a mostly marginally deltaic to marine unit. Large streams fluctuated to the east, where a large river system was established at the start of the Toarcian. In the northwest, local volcanism that started in the lower Pliensbachian extended along the North Sea, mostly from southern Sweden. At this time, the Central Skåne Volcanic Province and the Egersund Basin expelled most of their material, with influences on the local tectonics. The Egersund Basin has abundant fresh porphyritic nephelinite lavas and dykes of lower Jurassic age, with a composition nearly identical to those found in the clay pits. That indicates the transport of strata from the continental margin by large fluvial channels of the Sorthat and the connected Röddinge Formation that ended in the sea deposits of the Ciechocinek Formation green series.
The Moltrasio Formation also known as the Lombardische Kieselkalk Formation is a geological formation in Italy and Switzerland. This Formation mostly developed in the Lower or Middle Sinemurian stage of the Lower Jurassic, where on the Lombardian basin tectonic activity modified the current marine and terrestrial habitats. Here it developed a series of marine-related depositional settings, represented by an outcrop of 550–600 m of grey Calcarenites and Calcilutites with chert lenses and marly interbeds, that recovers the Sedrina, Moltrasio and Domaro Formations. This was mostly due to the post-Triassic crisis, that was linked locally to tectonics. The Moltrasio Formation is considered a continuation of the Sedrina Limestone and the Hettangian Albenza Formation, and was probably a shallow water succession, developed on the passive margin of the westernmost Southern Alps. It is known due to the exquisite preservation observed on the Outcrop in Osteno, where several kinds of marine biota have been recovered.
The Borucice Formation, also known in older literature as the Borucice Series, is a Jurassic geologic formation that extends to nearly whole of Poland. This formation represents the last sequence of the lower Jurassic in Poland, recovering the depositional sequences IX and X, and may even recover lowermost parts of the first Middle Jurassic sequence. It represents mostly a series of alluvial depositional systems with subordinate intervals of deltaic deposits. Dinosaur Tracks are among the fossils that have been recovered from the formation. Most of the sediments of the Polish realm come from deltaic, fluvial and marine deposits. It mainly consists of light whitish-grey, fine grained sandstones interbedded by clay containing plant detritus and minute fragments of coal. It also has dark grey mudstones with marine lamellibranches and an Upper Lias microfauna. Its main equivalents are the Jurensismergel Formation of Germany, upper part of the Rya Formation and the uppermost Sorthat Formation (Bornholm). There are also coeval abandoned informal units in Poland: Upper Lisiec beds, or the Kamień Beds.
The Mizur Formation is a geological formation that outcrops in North Ossetia–Alania in the North Caucasus, representing a series of marginal marine to coastal layers with terrestrial influence. It is of Late Pliensbachian age. It is notable as the only major unit with preserved dinosaur footprints of various orders not yet ascribed to any concrete ichnogenus.
The Podpeč Limestone is a geological formation of Pliensbachian-Earliest Toarcian age in southern and southwestern Slovenia, including South-West of Ljubljana or nearby Mount Krim, with other isolated locations such as in the Julian Alps. This unit represents the major depositional record of the Adriatic Carbonate platform, being known for its shallow marine-lagoon deposits and its bivalve biota, that are abundant enough to give the vulgar name to this unit sometimes in literature as the "Lithiotis Horizon". Is a regional ecological equivalent to the Veneto Rotzo Formation, the Montenegro Budoš Limestone or the Moroccan Aganane Formation. Its regional equivalents include the hemipelagic Krikov Formation at the Tolmin basin.
The Calcaires du Bou Dahar is a geological formation or a sequence of formations of Late Sinemurian to Pliensbachian-Toarcian boundary age in Bni Tadjite, the Central High Atlas, Morocco. This unit represents an excepcional record of an evolving reef complex, platform slopes and a emerged shoal developed inside a carbonate platform, recording the evolutionary cycles of this environment with notorious precision, also yielding what is considered one of the greatest/most diverse marine biotas of the entire Jurassic Tethys Ocean. The Bou Dahar carbonate platform shoal stands prominently and structurally above surrounding plains, spanning 35-40 km in length and 4-15 km in width, with a relief of 100-450 m. This carbonate formation originated on metamorphosed Silurian to Ordovician siliciclastic rocks and tholeiitic volcanic layers tied to Central Atlantic Magmatic Province basalts, forming a corridor oriented WSW to ENE. Surrounding alluvial plains expose green marls, shales, and dark lime-mudstones representing basinal deposits contemporaneous or subsequent to the platform. It has been considered to be a sequence of different coeval inner geological formations, including the Foum Zidet Formation, the Aganane Formation and Ouchbis Formation, but is usually interpreted as a single major unit due to it´s unique preservation.