Sannine Formation

Last updated
Sannine Formation
Stratigraphic range: late Albian-Cenomanian
~100–93.5  Ma
Type Geological formation
Underlies Maameltain Formation
Overlies Hammana Formation
ThicknessCoastal: >2,000 m (6,600 ft)
Mountains: 500–700 m (1,600–2,300 ft)
Lithology
Primary Chalk, limestone
Other Marl
Location
Coordinates 34°06′N35°42′E / 34.1°N 35.7°E / 34.1; 35.7
Approximate paleocoordinates 12°54′N30°24′E / 12.9°N 30.4°E / 12.9; 30.4
Region Jabal Lubnan
CountryFlag of Lebanon.svg  Lebanon
Type section
Named for Mount Sannine
Lebanon location map Topographic.png
Green pog.svg
Sannine Formation (Lebanon)

The Sannine Formation, also called the Sannine Limestone, is a Cretaceous geologic formation in Lebanon.

Contents

Description

It is primarily Cenomanian in age. The formation laterally varies from east to west; the western lowland "coastal" sequence is over 2000 metres thick and primarily consists of deep water limestone and chalk, while the eastern "mountain" sequence is 500–700 metres thick and consists of shallow water limestone. [1] Pterosaur fossils have been recovered from the formation, including those of Mimodactylus [2] and Microtuban . [3] The pythonomorphs Pontosaurus, Eupodophis and probably Aphanizocnemus are known from the formation. [4] Insects are also known from compression fossils, including those of a dragonfly, [5] enigmatic pond-skater like insect Chresmoda. [6] and a mesoblattinid cockroach. [7] Compression fossils of angiosperm Sapindopsis are also known. [8] Numerous species of fossil fish are known, [9] including Ionoscopid Spathiurus dorsalis [10] and pycnodontid Flagellipinna rhomboides. [11]

Fossil Content

Fish

Fish reported from the Sannine Formation
GenusSpeciesPresenceNotesImages
Armigatus A. alticorpusNamoura [12] and Hakel [13] A clupeomorph [13] [12]
A. brevissimusHeckel and Hajula [13] A clupeomorph [13]
Ellimmichthyiformes - Armigatus brevissimus.JPG
A.namourensisNamoura [12] A clupeomorph [13]
Belonostomus B. sp., B. sp.Namoura [12] 2 unnamed species awaiting better material [12]
Ctenodentelops C. striatusNamoura [12] An elopid [12]
Cyclobatis C. oligodactylusHjoula [14] [15] [14]
Enchodus E. mecoanalisNamoura [12]
Flagellipinna F. rhomboidesHaqelA pycodontid [11]
Gigapteryx G. lebanonensisNamoura [12] A euacanthopterygiian [12]
Gladiopycnodus G. byrnei Hajoula [16]
Hensodon H. spinosusHakelA pycnodont [17]
Lebonichthys L. namourensisNamoura [12] An albulid [12]
Paracentrus P. lebanonensisNamoura [12] A holocentroid [12]
Pseudocorax P. kindlimmaniHaqel [18]
Scombroclupea S. diminutaNamoura [12] A clupeiforme [12]
Serrilepis S. prymnostrigos, S. minorNamoura [12] A halecid [12]
Spathiurus S. dorsalisHaqel [10]
Tethymyxine T. tapirostrumHâdjoulaOne of the earliest known definitive fossil hagfish. [19]
Trewavasia T. carinata [17]
Triplomystus T. noorae, T. oligoscutatusNamoura [12] 2 species known from the same site, of the paraclupeid family. [12]
Ypsiloichthys Y. sibelleaeHaqel [20] A teleost.

Amniotes

Amniotes reported from the Sannine Formation
GenusSpeciesPresenceNotesImages
Aphanizocnemus A. libanensisAlthough the type locality is unknown, it is said to "almost certainly" originate from the Sannine Formation. [4]
Aphanizocnemus libanensis 1.JPG
Enantiophoenix E. electrophyla Namoura [21]
Eupodophis E. descouensi [4]
Eupodophis descouensi Holotype.jpg
Microtuban M. altivolans [3]
Mimodactylus M. libanensis [2]
Mimodactylus in life.png
Pontosaurus P. kornhuberi [4]
Pontosaurus kornhuberi 4.JPG
Rhinochelys R. nammourensisAdult and multiple hatchling remains known, suggesting a nesting site was nearby. [22] [22]
Protostegidae - Rhinochelys nammourensis.JPG


Invertebrates

Invertebrates reported from the Sannine Formation
GenusSpeciesPresenceNotesImages
Allocrioceras A. cf. annulatum [18] [23]
Boreopeltis B. smithiHâkel [24]
Chresmoda C. libanica [6]
Dorateuthis D. syriaca Sâhel Aalma [24]
Keuppia K. levante, K. hyperbolaris, K. sp. Hâdjoula 2 or 3 species known from the same locality [25]
Keuppia levante.jpg
Libanocordulia L. debiei Hjoula A dragonfly [5]
Libanoliupanshania L. mimi Hjoula A dragonfly [5]
Mantelliceras M. mantelliHaqel"the occurrence of Mantelliceras mantelli is regarded doubtful, as this species has been used for various taxa within the family Acanthoceratidae de Grossouvre, 1894, and specimens have never been figured" [18] [23]
Mieroblattina M. pacisNammoura [7]
Styletoctopus S. annaeHâqel [25]

Plants

Plants reported from the Sannine Formation
GenusSpeciesPresenceNotesImages
Aryskumia cf. A. zelkovifoliaPoorly reserved leaf with ovate blade [26]
Nammouria N. gracilisNammoura [26]
Nammourophyllum N. altingioidesNammoura [26]
Nupharanthus N. cretaceaNammoura [26]
Parvileguminophyllum P. sp.Complete leaflet known from Nammoura [26]
'Phragmites'P. sp. [26]
Platycaryeae gen. et sp. indet. Infructescence of bracteate fruits resembling Platycarya americana [26]
Pseudolarix P. sp. [26]
Pseudotorellia P. sp. [26]
Pteris P. sp.Nammoura [26]
Sapindopsis S. anhouryiNammoura [26]
S. libanensisNammoura [26]

See also

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