Agoudim Formation

The Agoudim Formation (also known as the "Marnes et Marno-Calcaires d'Agoudim") is a geological formation of late Toarcian to Bajocian (Lower–Middle Jurassic^[1]) age in the central High Atlas and Middle Atlas (particularly around Rich and extending to areas like Midelt, Boulemane, and Beni Mellal) of Morocco.^[2][3] The formation is also known as the "Formation Marneuse d’Amane-Ilila", "Marnes de Boulemane", "Marnes de Taffert" and "Calcaires à Cancellophycus".^[2][4]

Agoudim Formation
Stratigraphic range: Late Toarcian–Bajocian 180–168 Ma PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N
Agoudim village
Type	Geological Formation
Underlies	R'cifa Formation
Overlies	Tagoudite Formation Jbel Ouchbis Formation Jbel Aberdouz Formation Jbel Choucht Formation
Thickness	2,000 m (6,600 ft) (up to 5,000 m (16,000 ft) reported)
Lithology
Primary	Marl, Marly Limestone, Bioclastic limestone
Location
Location	Er-Rich
Coordinates	32.25°N 4.50°W / 32.25; -4.50
Approximate paleocoordinates	27.0°N 3.0°W / 27.0; -3.0
Region	High Atlas and Middle Atlas
Country	Morocco
Type section
Named for	Agoudim
Named by	M. Studer
Year defined	1980
Region	Er-Rich, Midelt Province
Thickness at type section	~4,500–5,000 m (14,800–16,400 ft)
Agoudim Formation (Morocco)

Description

Location of the High Atlas basin and Geological overview of the main sectors

The Agoudim Formation is a substantial geological unit primarily composed of marls and marly limestones, representing a continuation from the underlying Tagoudite or Jbel Ouchbis formations and marking a significant shift toward more clay-rich (argillaceous) sedimentation.^[2][5] This shift is periodically interrupted by layers of bioclastic material (deposits rich in shell fragments and other organic debris) that increase in both frequency and thickness moving upward through the formation. It is stratigraphically divided into two main members: a lower marly member dominated by gray-blue marls with occasional nodular bioclastic limestone beds, and an upper member characterized by more calcareous and bioclastic rocks with greater lithological variability.^[6] The boundary between these members is often marked by a distinctive layer of organogenic turbidites, notably the "Calcaires à Cancellophycus", which forms a prominent brown cuesta and serves as an important marker horizon for geological mapping.^[5][7]

The lower member consists of monotonous, micritic marls that reflect relatively quiet hemipelagic depositional conditions, where fine clay and carbonate mud settled along with benthic material.^[2] This distal sedimentation was influenced by intermittent turbiditic currents transporting detrital quartz and glauconite, indicating periodic sediment input from nearby land areas and submarine slopes. In contrast, the upper member shows increasingly energetic conditions with cycles of sedimentation starting with lumachellic limestones (shell-rich limestones with oblique lamination) and ending in thick bioclastic marls.^[5][6] This member records frequent synsedimentary slumps and spectacular deformation structures like ball-and-pillow folds (phacoids), which are indicative of tectonic instability and sediment loading on unstable slopes. The evolution upward culminates with a thick limestone cap dominated by oolitic limestones and bioherms (reef-like carbonate buildups that further highlight the transition to shallower marine conditions).^[6][7]

Paleoenvironment

The Agoudim Formation records multiple Paleoenvironments in a Shallowing basin, from Cold Seep deposits to shallower Reefs

The Agoudim Formation records a progressive transition from deep to shallow marine settings under the influence of rifting, subsidence, and environmental perturbations.^[8] The lower marly members were deposited in hemipelagic conditions below storm wave base, with pelagic sedimentation, fine siliciclastic influx from nearby uplifts, and reworked carbonate from Liassic platforms.^[9][10] Fossils such as ammonites, radiolarians, foraminifera, small bivalves, and echinoderm debris confirm a low-energy offshore environment. Rapid subsidence and sea-level rise during the Early Bajocian led to a drowning phase of the neritic carbonate factory, favoring marl sedimentation locally enriched in organic matter.^[11] Within these successions, several intervals of authigenic carbonates developed, notably yellow micritic nodules, tubular and chimney-like concretions, and conical chemoherms, interpreted as the record of hydrocarbon Cold seep. Petrographic, isotopic, and sedimentological evidence indicates that the second and third authigenic horizons formed at active seep sites, with feeder-pipes, carbonate crusts, microbialites, and bioclast-rich infills, while the yellow nodules of the lower interval likely reflect organic matter remineralization without direct seepage.^[12] Strongly depleted Δ13C values (down to −19‰) point to fluids rich in dissolved inorganic carbon generated by organic matter degradation, likely through bacterial sulfate reduction and anaerobic oxidation of hydrocarbons, rather than pure methane seepage. These processes created localized hardgrounds, serpulidae and oyster colonization, and chemoherm buildups on the seafloor.^[12][13] As sedimentation continued, carbonate production recovered, and three reefal complexes developed, ranging from microbial-coral patch reefs to larger coral–sponge–algal bioherms, accompanied by ooid–peloid shoals and brachiopod-rich limestones.^[14][15][16] These buildups evolved from small mounds to coalescing reefs, shaped by constructive growth, storm reworking, bioerosion, and micritization.^[14][15][16] The upper part of the formation is dominated by shallow platform deposits with abundant brachiopods, gastropods, corals, and reefal frameworks.^{[14][16][17][18]} Some areas, like the Agoudim valley record excepcionally preserved platform sections, showing it´s inner ramp had high-energy ooid–peloid shoals, microbial mounds, and small patch reefs and a proximal middle ramp with mixed coral–sponge–bryozoan–brachiopod assemblages in lower energy waters.^[19] The distal ramp consisted of marl–limestone alternations with storm beds and oyster–coral–sponge buildups. Local syndepositional highs and terrigenous input created semi-restricted zones with fluctuating oxygenation and nutrients.^[19]

Biota

Foranimifera

Taxa	Species	Locality	Member	Material	Notes	Images
Ammobaculites[20][21]	fontinensis	Talghemt Ridge	II-IV	Tests	Lituolidae
	agglutinans	Assameur n’Aït Fergane; Bou Kendill; Jbel Tazigzaout; Ifrda n’Tizguienne; Assameur n’Baknou-Aferdoun’Achi	II	Tests	Lituolidae
Bullopora[12]	sp.	Jebel Bou Kendill	III	Tests	Polymorphinidae
Citharina[20]	serratocostata	Talghemt Ridge	IV	Tests	Vaginulinidae
Citharina[20]	sp.	Talghemt Ridge	I-II	Tests	Vaginulinidae
Eoguttulina[20][21]	bilocularis	Assameur n’Aït Fergane; Bou Kendill; Jbel Tazigzaout; Ifrda n’Tizguienne; Assameur n’Baknou-Aferdoun’Achi	II	Tests	Polymorphinidae
	sp.	Talghemt Ridge	IV	Tests	Polymorphinidae
Epistommina[21]	mosquensis	Assameur n’Aït Fergane; Bou Kendill; Jbel Tazigzaout; Ifrda n’Tizguienne; Assameur n’Baknou-Aferdoun’Achi	II-IV	Tests	Epistomininae
Flabellammina[20][21]	althoffi	Assameur n’Aït Fergane; Bou Kendill; Jbel Tazigzaout; Ifrda n’Tizguienne; Assameur n’Baknou-Aferdoun’Achi; Talghemt Ridge	III-IV	Tests	Lituolidae
Garantella[21]	ampasindavaensis	Assameur n’Aït Fergane; Bou Kendill; Jbel Tazigzaout; Ifrda n’Tizguienne; Assameur n’Baknou-Aferdoun’Achi	II	Tests	Epistomininae
	stellata	Assameur n’Aït Fergane; Bou Kendill; Jbel Tazigzaout; Ifrda n’Tizguienne; Assameur n’Baknou-Aferdoun’Achi	II	Tests	Epistomininae
	sp.	Assameur n’Aït Fergane; Bou Kendill; Jbel Tazigzaout; Ifrda n’Tizguienne; Assameur n’Baknou-Aferdoun’Achi	II	Tests	Epistomininae
Haplophragmium[20][21]	subaequale	Assameur n’Aït Fergane; Bou Kendill; Jbel Tazigzaout; Ifrda n’Tizguienne; Assameur n’Baknou-Aferdoun’Achi; Talghemt Ridge	III-IV	Tests	Lituolidae
	aequale	Assameur n’Aït Fergane; Bou Kendill; Jbel Tazigzaout; Ifrda n’Tizguienne; Assameur n’Baknou-Aferdoun’Achi	III-IV	Tests	Lituolidae
Ichthyolaria[20]	carinata	Talghemt Ridge	I	Tests	Ichthyolariidae
	gr. major	Talghemt Ridge	I	Tests	Ichthyolariidae
	sp.	Talghemt Ridge	I	Tests	Ichthyolariidae
Lenticulina[20][21]	argonauta	Assameur n’Aït Fergane; Bou Kendill; Jbel Tazigzaout; Ifrda n’Tizguienne; Assameur n’Baknou-Aferdoun’Achi; Talghemt Ridge	IV	Tests	Nodosariidae
	chicheryi	Talghemt Ridge	I-II	Tests	Nodosariidae
	d'orbignyi	Talghemt Ridge	I-II	Tests	Nodosariidae
	münsteri	Assameur n’Aït Fergane; Bou Kendill; Jbel Tazigzaout; Ifrda n’Tizguienne; Assameur n’Baknou-Aferdoun’Achi; Talghemt Ridge	I-II	Tests	Nodosariidae
	quenstedti	Talghemt Ridge	IV	Tests	Nodosariidae
	subalata	Assameur n’Aït Fergane; Bou Kendill; Jbel Tazigzaout; Ifrda n’Tizguienne; Assameur n’Baknou-Aferdoun’Achi; Talghemt Ridge	I-II	Tests	Nodosariidae
	toarcense	Talghemt Ridge	I	Tests	Nodosariidae
	polymorpha	Assameur n’Aït Fergane; Bou Kendill; Jbel Tazigzaout; Ifrda n’Tizguienne; Assameur n’Baknou-Aferdoun’Achi	III-IV	Tests	Nodosariidae
Parurgonina[21]	sp.	Assameur n’Aït Fergane; Bou Kendill; Jbel Tazigzaout; Ifrda n’Tizguienne; Assameur n’Baknou-Aferdoun’Achi	III-IV	Tests	Parurgoninidae
Planularia[20]	sp.	Talghemt Ridge	IV	Tests	Vaginulinidae
Proteonina[20]	gr. difflugiformis	Talghemt Ridge	IV	Tests	Hormosinidae
Protoglobigerina?[20]	spp.	Talghemt Ridge	I-III	Tests	Globigerinidae
Pseudonodosaria[20]	gr. pygmea	Talghemt Ridge	I	Tests	Nodosariidae
	multicostata	Talghemt Ridge	I	Tests	Nodosariidae
Reinholdella[21]	dreheri	Assameur n’Aït Fergane; Bou Kendill; Jbel Tazigzaout; Ifrda n’Tizguienne; Assameur n’Baknou-Aferdoun’Achi	III-IV	Tests	Ceratobuliminidae
Spirillina[20]	orbicula	Talghemt Ridge	I-II	Tests	Spirillinidae
Textularia[20]	jurassica	Talghemt Ridge	IV	Tests	Textulariidae
Trochammina[20]	globigeriniformis	Talghemt Ridge	IV	Tests	Trochamminidae
Verneuilinoides[20]	cf. subvitreus	Talghemt Ridge	I-II	Tests	Verneuilinidae

Ichnotaxa

Ichnogenus	Ichnospecies	Locality	Member	Made by	Images
Chondrites[22]	isp.	Assameur, Jebel Taferdout	III-IV	Polychaeta Sipuncula	Example of Chondrites trace fossil
Planolites[22]	isp.	Assameur, Jebel Taferdout	III-IV	Annelids Bivalves Arthropods	Example of Planolites specimens .
Phycodes[22]	isp.	Assameur, Jebel Taferdout	III-IV	Arenicolidae Capitellidae Sipuncula Spionida
Thalassinoides[12][23]	isp.	Jebel Bou Kendill	III	Actinopteri Anomura Decapoda Dipnoi Polychaeta Sipuncula	Thalassinoides from France
Trypanites[22]	isp.	Assameur, Jebel Taferdout	III-IV	Arenicolidae Capitellidae Sipuncula Spionida
Zoophycos[24]	(Cancellophycus) ispp.	Amellago; Talghemt Ridge; Assameur n’Aït Fergane; Bou Kendill; Jbel Tazigzaout; Ifrda n’Tizguienne; Assameur n’Baknou-Aferdoun’Achi	I-IV	Arenicolidae Capitellidae Sipuncula Spionida Echinoidea	Zoophycos fossil from Kentucky

Brachiopoda

Taxa	Species	Locality	Member	Material	Notes	Images
Acanthothiris[25]	oligocantha	Rich (syncline of Jebel Bou Kendill)	II	Shells	Athyrididae
	tenuispina	Rich (syncline of Jebel Bou Kendill)	III	Shells	Athyrididae
Cymatorhynchia[26]	quadriplicata	Jebel Assameur; Boukendil; Rich-Gourrama area	IV	Shells	Tetrarhynchiidae
Kallirhynchia[27]	concinna	Amellago, Talghemt Ridge	I	Shells	Rhynchonellidae
Loboidothyris[25]	sp.	Rich (syncline of Jebel Bou Kendill)	II	Shells	Loboidothyrididae
Lophrothyris[25]	contracta	Rich (syncline of Jebel Bou Kendill)	II	Shells	Terebratulidae
Monsardithyris[16][25]	cortonensis	Rich (syncline of Jebel Bou Kendill)	III	Shells	Terebratulidae
	ventricosa	Assameur n’Ait Fergane	IV	Shells	Terebratulidae
	sp. cf. M. loubensis	Bou-Ouchène (northern platform); Rich	III	Shells	Terebratulidae
Quadratirhynchia[27]	vasconcellosi	Amellago	I	Shells	Tetrarhynchiidae
Rhactorhynchia[25]	distracta	Rich (syncline of Jebel Bou Kendill)	III	Shells	Rhynchonellidae
Rhynchonelloidea[25]	goyi	Amellago	I	Shells	Rhynchonellidae
Rugitela[25]	cf. hughesi	Rich (syncline of Jebel Bou Kendill)	II–III	Shells	Zeilleriidae
Zeilleria[16][25]	truncatella	Rich (syncline of Jebel Bou Kendill)	III	Shells	Zeilleriidae
	perlata	Assameur n’Ait Fergane, Boukendil	IV	Shells	Zeilleriidae

Bryozoa

Genus	Species	Locality	Member	Material	Notes	Images
Berenicea[16]	sp.	Boukendil, Assameur	IV	Colonies	Bereniceidae
Collapora[16]	cf. straminea	Boukendil	IV	Colonies	Atactotoechidae
Entalophora[16]	cf. stokesi	Boukendil	IV	Colonies	Entalophoridae

Cnidaria

Genus	Species	Locality	Member	Material	Notes	Images
Acropora[16]	cf.sp.	Assameur n’Ait Fergane, Boukendil	IV	Colonies	Acroporidae	Extant specimen
Aggomorphastraea[28]	"sp. 1"	Amellago	I	Colonies	Latomeandridae
Allocoenia[28]	"sp. 1"	Amellago	I	Colonies	Actinastreidae
	"sp. 2"	Amellago	I	Colonies	Actinastreidae
Ampakabastrea[28]	ampakabensis	Amellago	I	Colonies	Astrocoeniidae
Cladophyllia[16]	sp.	Assameur n’Ait Fergane	IV	Colonies	Caryophylliidae
Comophyllia[16]	sp.	Assameur n’Ait Fergane	IV	Colonies	Comophylliidae	Comophyllia Fossil
Complexastrea[28]	"sp. 1"	Amellago	I	Colonies	Thecosmiliidae
Cyathocoenia[28]	faugeresi	Amellago	I	Colonies	Actinastreidae
	"sp. 1"	Amellago	I	Colonies	Actinastreidae
Dendrarea[16]	sp.	Assameur n’Ait Fergane	IV	Colonies	Scleractinia (family uncertain)
Dasmosmilia[28]	"sp. 1"	Amellago	I	Colonies	Dermosmiliidae	Dasmosmilia Fossil
Dimorpharaea[16]	sp.	Assameur n’Ait Fergane	IV	Colonies	Scleractinia (family uncertain)
Edwardoseris[16]	sp.	Assameur n’Ait Fergane	IV	Colonies	Scleractinia (family uncertain)
Enallocoenia[28]	"sp. 1"	Amellago	I	Colonies	Actinastreidae
Isastrea[16][28]	sp.	Assameur n’Ait Fergane	IV	Colonies	Latomeandridae/Montlivaltiidae	Fossil Isastrea
	"sp. 1"	Amellago	I	Colonies	Latomeandridae
Kobymeandra[16]	sp.	Assameur n’Ait Fergane	IV	Colonies	Scleractinia (family uncertain)
Latiastrea[28]	"sp. 1"	Amellago	I	Colonies	Latomeandridae
Microphyllia[28]	irregularis	Amellago	I	Colonies	Latomeandridae
Montlivaltia[16]	sp.	Assameur n’Ait Fergane	IV	Coralla	Montlivaltiidae (solitary)
Polystylidium[16]	sp.	Assameur n’Ait Fergane	IV	Colonies	Scleractinia (family uncertain)
Stylosmilia[16][28]	sp.	Foum Zabel (southern margin)	II-III	Colonies	Thecosmiliidae
	"sp. 1"	Amellago	I	Colonies	Thecosmiliidae
Thecocyathus[28]	mactrus	Amellago	I	Solitary corallites	Caryophylliidae
Vallimeandropsis[28]	lineata	Amellago	I	Colonies	Scleractinia (family uncertain)

Porifera

Genus	Species	Locality	Member	Material	Notes	Images
Cheilosporites[22]	tirolensis	Assameur, Jebel Taferdout	IV	Sponge body fossils	Vaceletidan
	spp.	Assameur, Jebel Taferdout	IV	Sponge body fossils	Vaceletidan
Cladocoropsis[16]	spp.	Boukendil, Assameur	IV	Sponge body fossils	Axinellidan	Extant relative, Axinella
Eudea[16]	cf. globata	Boukendil, Assameur	IV	Sponge body fossils	Stellispongiida

Mollusks

Taxa	Species	Locality	Member	Material	Notes	Images
Actinostreon[12][15]	sp.	Assameur n’Ait Fergane, Boukendil	IV	Shells	Gryphaeidae
Alocolytoceras[1]	ophioneum	Gheris Valley	I	Shells	Lytoceratidae
Ambersites[1]	sp.	Rich region	II–III	Shells	Hammatoceratidae
Ancolioceras[29]	opalinoides	n’Zala (Jbel Aouja)	I–II	Shells	Graphoceratidae
Asthenoceras[1]	sp.	Rich (Concavum–Discites zones)	II–III	Shells	Sonniniidae
Belemnopsis[30]	baculiformis	Iwansitn	III	Rostra	Belemnopseidae
	pougatchevskae	Iwansitn	III	Rostra	Belemnopseidae
Bositra[1]	buchi	Amellago; Rich	I–III	Shells	Posidoniidae
Botula[15]	sp.	Boukendil area	IV	Shells, borings	Mytilidae
Bradfordia[1]	costata	Rich region	III	Shells	Oppeliidae
	sp.	Rich region	III	Shells	Oppeliidae
Calabribelus[30]	combemoreli	Rich (Jbel Bou Kandil), Iwansitn (Middle Atlas)	II–III	Rostra	Holcobelidae
	tetramerus	Rich, Iwansitn	II–III	Rostra	Holcobelidae
Calliphylloceras[31]	C. nilssoni	Amellago	I	Shells	Phylloceratidae
Catulloceras[1]	sp.	n’Zala (Jbel Aouja)	I	Shells	Graphoceratidae
Chlamys[1]	sp.	Rich, Amellago	II–III	Shells	Pectinidae
Conobelemnopsis[30]	sp. A	Rich, Iwansitn	III	Rostra	Belemnopseidae
Cotteswoldia[29]	sp.	n’Zala (Jbel Aouja)	I	Shells	Graphoceratidae
Ctenostreon[1]	sp.	Rich, Amellago	II–III	Shells	Limidae
Cypholioceras[29]	sp.	n’Zala (Jbel Aouja)	II	Shells	Graphoceratidae
Dactylioceras[20][31]	(Eodactylites) mirabile	Amellago	I	Shells	Dactylioceratidae	Dactylioceras reconstruction
	(Eodactylites) pseudocommune	Amellago	I	Shells	Dactylioceratidae
	(Eodactylites) simplex	Talghemt Ridge	I	Shells	Dactylioceratidae
	(Orthodactylites) aff. crosbeyi	Amellago	I	Shells	Dactylioceratidae
	(Orthodactylites) cf. semiannulatum	Amellago	I	Shells	Dactylioceratidae
?Dicoelites[30]	sp. A	Iwansitn	III	Rostra	Dicoelitidae
Docidoceras[1]	wysogorskii	Rich	III	Shells	Otoitidae
Eleganticeras[31]	exaratum	Amellago	I	Shells	Dactylioceratidae
	sp.	Amellago	I	Shells	Dactylioceratidae
Emileia[32]	(Emileia) polymera	Boukendil, Assameur	IV	Shells	Otoitidae
Eudmetoceras[1]	flexuosum	Rich	II–III	Shells	Hammatoceratidae
	masticonense	Rich	III	Shells	Hammatoceratidae
	eudmetum	Rich	III	Shells	Hammatoceratidae
	sp.	Rich	II–III	Shells	Hammatoceratidae
Euaptetoceras[1]	amaltheiforme	Rich	III	Shells	Hammatoceratidae
	amplectens	Rich	III	Shells	Hammatoceratidae
	sp.	Rich	II–III	Shells	Hammatoceratidae
Fontannesia[1]	aurita	Rich	II	Shells	Sonniniidae
	montillanensis	Rich	II	Shells	Sonniniidae
	sp.	Rich	II–III	Shells	Sonniniidae
Grammatodon[1]	sp.	Rich	II–III	Shells	Parallelodontidae
Hammatoceras[31]	H. aff. insigne	n’Zala (Jbel Aouja)	I	Shells	Hammatoceratidae
Harpoceras[31]	falciferum	Amellago	I	Shells	Hildoceratidae	Harpoceras reconstruction
	pseudoserpentinum	Amellago	I	Shells	Hildoceratidae
	serpentinum	Amellago	I	Shells	Hildoceratidae
	subplanatum	Amellago	I	Shells	Hildoceratidae
Hildaites[31]	forte	Amellago	I	Shells	Hildoceratidae
	levisoni	Amellago	I	Shells	Hildoceratidae
	cf. serpentiniformis	Amellago	I	Shells	Hildoceratidae
	cf. subserpentinus	Amellago	I	Shells	Hildoceratidae
	striatus	Amellago	I	Shells	Hildoceratidae
	wrighti	Amellago	I	Shells	Hildoceratidae
Hildoceras[20][31]	bifrons	Amellago; Talghemt Ridge	I	Shells	Hildoceratidae	Hildoceras sublevisoni
	lusitanicum	Amellago; Talghemt Ridge	I	Shells	Hildoceratidae
	semipolitum	Amellago; Talghemt Ridge	I	Shells	Hildoceratidae
	sublevisoni	Amellago; Talghemt Ridge	I	Shells	Hildoceratidae
	bonarellii	Talghemt Ridge	I–II	Shells	Hildoceratidae
	sp.	Amellago	I	Shells	Hildoceratidae
Hyperlioceras[1]	walkeri	Rich	III	Shells	Graphoceratidae
	incisum	Rich	III	Shells	Graphoceratidae
	inclusum	Rich	III	Shells	Graphoceratidae
	mundum	Rich	III	Shells	Graphoceratidae
	sp.	Rich	III	Shells	Graphoceratidae
Leioceras[29]	cf. comptum	n’Zala (Jbel Aouja)	II	Shells	Graphoceratidae
	costusum	n’Zala (Jbel Aouja)	II	Shells	Graphoceratidae
Lithophaga[16]	sp.	Boukendil area	IV	Shells, borings	Mytilidae	Lithophaga specimen
Ludwigia[29]	aff. haugi	n’Zala (Jbel Aouja)	II	Shells	Graphoceratidae
Lytoceras[31][33]	siemensi	Amellago; n’Zala	I	Shells	Lytoceratidae	Lytoceras fimbriatum
	subfimbriatum	n’Zala	II	Shells	Lytoceratidae
	sp.	Amellago; n’Zala	I–II	Shells	Lytoceratidae
Maconiceras[31]	soloniacense	Amellago	I	Shells	Hammatoceratidae
Malladaites[1]	pertinax	Rich	III	Shells	Hammatoceratidae
Nerinea[16]	sp.	Assameur n’Ait Fergane	IV	Shells	Nerineidae
Nicaniella[1]	sp.	Rich, Amellago	II–III	Shells	Astartidae
Palaeonucula[1]	hammeri	Rich, Amellago	II–III	Shells	Nuculidae
Palaeoneilo[1]	sp.	Rich	III	Shells	Malletiidae
Phylloceras[31]	sp.	Amellago; n’Zala	I–II	Shells	Phylloceratidae	Phylloceras reconstruction
Pholadomya[26]	(Bucardiomya) bucardium	Jebel Assameur; Boukendil; Rich-Gourrama area	IV	Shells	Pholadomyidae
Planammatoceras[29]	sp.	n’Zala (Jbel Aouja)	II	Shells	Hammatoceratidae
Pleydellia[29]	aalensis	n’Zala (Jbel Aouja)	II	Shells	Graphoceratidae
Polyplectus[31]	pluricostatum	Amellago	I	Shells	Hammatoceratidae
	sp.	Amellago	I	Shells	Hammatoceratidae
Porpoceras[31]	gr. vortex-verticosum	Amellago; Talghemt Ridge	I	Shells	Dactylioceratidae
Praestrigites[1]	sp.	Rich	III	Shells	Strigoceratidae
Praeoppelia[1]	sp.	Rich	III	Shells	Oppeliidae
Protetragonites[33]	sp.	n’Zala	II	Shells	Lytoceratidae
Protoecotraustes[1]	sp.	Rich	III	Shells	Haploceratidae
Rastellum[16]	sp.	Assameur n’Ait Fergane, Boukendil	IV	Shells	Ostreidae	Rastellum fossil
Saxicava[16]	sp.	Boukendil area	IV	Shells, borings	Hiatellidae
Sonninia[1]	dominans	Rich	III	Shells	Sonniniidae
	modestum	Rich	III	Shells	Sonniniidae
	nannomorpha	Rich	III	Shells	Sonniniidae
Tmetoceras[29]	T. scissum	n’Zala (Jbel Aouja)	I–II	Shells	Hammatoceratidae
Toxamblyites[32]	densicostatus	Boukendil, Assameur	IV	Shells	Haploceratidae
Trigonia[1]	sp.	Rich	III	Shells	Trigoniidae
Trilobiticeras[1]	platygaster	Rich	III	Shells	Otoitidae
	trilobitoides	Rich	III	Shells	Otoitidae
	sp.	Rich	III	Shells	Otoitidae
Tylostoma[1]	globosum	Rich	III	Shells	Tylostomatidae
Vacekia[29]	sp.	n’Zala (Jbel Aouja)	I–II	Shells	Graphoceratidae
Zurcheria[1]	sp.	Rich	III	Shells	Hammatoceratidae

Arthropods

Taxa	Species	Locality	Member	Material	Notes	Images
Bairdia[20]	sp. A	Talghemt Ridge	I–II	Valves	Bairdiidae
	aff. hilda	Talghemt Ridge	IV	Valves	Bairdiidae
Bairdiacypris[20][21]	sp.	Assameur n’Aït Fergane; Bou Kendill; Jbel Tazigzaout; Ifrda n’Tizguienne; Assameur n’Baknou-Aferdoun’Achi; Talghemt Ridge	I–II	Valves	Bairdiacyprididae
Cytherella[20][21]	aff. concentrica	Talghemt Ridge	IV	Valves	Cytherellidae
	aff. fullonica	Talghemt Ridge	IV	Valves	Cytherellidae
	aff. toarcensis	Talghemt Ridge	I–II	Valves	Cytherellidae
	spp.	Assameur n’Aït Fergane; Bou Kendill; Jbel Tazigzaout; Ifrda n’Tizguienne; Assameur n’Baknou-Aferdoun’Achi; Talghemt Ridge	II	Valves	Cytherellidae
Cytherelloidea[20]	gr. catenulata	Talghemt Ridge	IV	Valves	Cytherelloididae
Favreina[22]	isp.	Assameur, Jebel Taferdout	III-IV	Coprolites	Decapod Coprolites (Axiidea?)
Kinkelinella[20]	K. sermoisensis	Talghemt Ridge	I–II	Valves	Kinkelinellidae
	gr. sermoisensis	Talghemt Ridge	I–II	Valves	Kinkelinellidae
Micropneumatocythere[21]	sp.	Assameur n’Aït Fergane; Bou Kendill; Jbel Tazigzaout; Ifrda n’Tizguienne; Assameur n’Baknou-Aferdoun’Achi; Talghemt Ridge	II	Valves	Podocopida
Monoceratina[20]	aff. ventrale	Talghemt Ridge	IV	Valves	Monoceratidae
Paracypris[20]	sp.	Talghemt Ridge	IV	Valves	Cytheridae
Polycope[20]	sp.	Talghemt Ridge	IV	Valves	Polycopidae
Pontocyprella[20]	sp.	Talghemt Ridge	I–II	Valves	Cyprididae
Procytheridea[20][21]	sp. B	Assameur n’Aït Fergane; Bou Kendill; Jbel Tazigzaout; Ifrda n’Tizguienne; Assameur n’Baknou-Aferdoun’Achi; Talghemt Ridge	II-IV	Valves	Cytherideidae
Striatojonesia[20]	S. striata	Talghemt Ridge	IV	Valves	Bythocytheridae

Echinoderms

Genus	Species	Locality	Member	Material	Notes	Images
Cidaris[26]	sp.	Jebel Assameur; Boukendil; Rich-Gourrama area	IV	Spines & Specimens	Cidaridae	Cidaris
Diplopodia[21][26]	cf. morierii	Boukendil; Rich-Gourrama area; Assameur n’Aït Fergane; Jbel Tazigzaout; Ifrda n’Tizguienne; Assameur n’Baknou-Aferdoun’Achi	IV	Spines & Specimens	Diplopodiidae
Gymnocidaris[26]	pustulosa	Jebel Assameur; Boukendil; Rich-Gourrama area	IV	Spines & Specimens	Hemicidaridae
Hemicidaris[21][26]	koechlini	Boukendil; Rich-Gourrama area; Assameur n’Aït Fergane; Jbel Tazigzaout; Ifrda n’Tizguienne; Assameur n’Baknou-Aferdoun’Achi	IV	Spines & Specimens	Hemicidaridae	Hemicidaris
Psephechinus[21][26]	globosus	Boukendil; Rich-Gourrama area; Assameur n’Aït Fergane; Jbel Tazigzaout; Ifrda n’Tizguienne; Assameur n’Baknou-Aferdoun’Achi	IV	Spines & Specimens	Stomechinidae

Annelida

Genus	Species	Locality	Member	Material	Notes	Images
Nogrobs[32]	moroccensis	Boukendil, Assameur	IV	Quadrangular tubes	Serpulidae
Serpula[12][16]	socialis	Assameur n’Ait Fergane, Boukendil; Jebel Bou Kendill (cap bed)	III–IV	Tubes / colonies	Serpulidae	Serpula vermicularis
	sp.	Assameur n’Ait Fergane, Boukendil; Jebel Bou Kendill (cap bed)	III–IV	Tubes / colonies	Serpulidae
Terebella[16]	lapilloides	Assameur n’Ait Fergane, Boukendil; Jebel Bou Kendill (cap bed)	III–IV	Tubes / colonies	Terebellidae	Terebella

Chondrichthyes

Taxa	Species	Locality	Member	Material	Notes	Images
Strophodus[34]	atlasensis	Talsint (eastern High Atlas)	III–IV	Articulated dentition (holotype PIMUZ A/I 5181)	Acrodontidae	Strophodus atlasensis

Dinoflajellates

Taxa	Species	Locality	Member	Material	Notes	Images
Kallosphaeridium[35]	sp.	Amellago	I-II	Cysts	Incertade Sedis
Luehndea[35]	cirilliae	Amellago	I	Cysts	Luehndeoideae
	spinosa	Amellago	I	Cysts	Luehndeoideae
Mancodinium[35]	semitabulatum	Amellago	I-III	Cysts	Mancodinioideae
Mendicodinium[35]	microscabratum	Amellago	I-II	Cysts	Gonyaulacales
	sp. 1	Amellago	I-II	Cysts	Gonyaulacales
Moesiodinium[35]	sp.	Amellago	I-II	Cysts	Heterocapsaceae
Phallocysta[35]	sp.	Amellago	I-II	Cysts	Peridiniphycideae
Wallodinium[35]	cf. cylindricum	Amellago	I-II	Cysts	Incertade Sedis

Algae

Taxa	Species	Locality	Member	Material	Notes	Images
Biscutum[9][36][37]	depravatum	Amellago; Talghemt Ridge	II–III	Coccoliths	Biscutaceae
	grande	Amellago; Talghemt Ridge	II–III	Coccoliths	Biscutaceae
Botryococcus[35]	sp.	Amellago	I-III	Miospore	Botryococcaceae
Cayeuxia[16][17]	sp.	Assameur n’Ait Fergane; Assoul ramp	IV	Filamentous thalli	Cyanobacteria
Carinolithus[9][36][37]	superbus	Amellago; Talghemt Ridge	II–III	Coccoliths	Carinolithaceae
Cylindroporella[16]	arabica	Assameur n’Ait Fergane	IV	Thalli	Dasycladaceae
Discorhabdus[9][36][37]	ignotus	Amellago; Talghemt Ridge	II–III	Coccoliths	Discorhabdaceae
	striatus	Amellago; Talghemt Ridge	II–III	Coccoliths	Discorhabdaceae
Garwoodia[19]	sp.	Amellago canyon	IV	Filamentous thalli	Cyanobacteria
Girvanella[16]	sp.	Assameur n’Ait Fergane	IV	Filamentous thalli	Cyanobacteria
Halimeda[16]	sp. (cf.)	Assameur n’Ait Fergane	IV	Thallus fragments	Halimedaceae	Halimeda
Lotharingius[9][36][37]	hauffii	Amellago; Talghemt Ridge	II–III	Coccoliths	Lotharingiaceae
Mitrolithus[9][36][37]	jansae	Amellago; Talghemt Ridge	II–III	Coccoliths	Mitrolithaceae
Permocalculus[16]	sp.	Assameur n’Ait Fergane, Boukendil	IV	Encrusting thalli	Gymnocodiaceae
Rivularia[19]	sp.	Amellago canyon	IV	Filamentous thalli	Rivulariaceae
Sarfatiella[16]	dubari	Assameur n’Ait Fergane	IV	Thalli	Dasycladaceae
Schizosphaerella[9][36][37]	sp.	Amellago; Talghemt Ridge	II–III	Coccoliths	Schizosphaerellaceae
Sellinoporella[16]	sp.	Assameur n’Ait Fergane	IV	Thalli	Dasycladaceae
Similiscutum[9][36][37]	finchii	Amellago; Talghemt Ridge	II–III	Coccoliths	Biscutaceae
	novum	Amellago; Talghemt Ridge	II–III	Coccoliths	Biscutaceae
Solenopora[16]	sp. (cf.)	Assameur n’Ait Fergane	IV	Encrusting thalli	Solenoporaceae
Tasmanites[35]	sp.	Amellago	I-III	Miospore	Tasmanaceae
Triscutum[9][36][37]	sullivanii	Amellago; Talghemt Ridge	II–III	Coccoliths	Biscutaceae
Watznaueria[9][36][37]	colacicchii	Amellago; Talghemt Ridge	III	Coccoliths	Watznaueriaceae
	fossacincta	Amellago; Talghemt Ridge	III	Coccoliths	Watznaueriaceae

Plants

Taxa	Species	Locality	Member	Material	Notes	Images
Alisporites[35]	spp.	Amellago	I	Pollen	Corystospermaceae
Callialasporites[35]	spp.	Amellago	I-II	Pollen	Araucariaceae	Callialasporites was probably related to modern plants such as Araucaria.
Classopollis[35]	sp.	Amellago	I	Pollen	Hirmeriellaceae
Cyathidites[35]	spp.	Amellago	I	Spores	Cyatheaceae	Cyathidites was probably related to modern plants such as Cyathea.
Deltoidospora[35]	spp.	Amellago	I	Spores	Pteridophyte
Kraeuselisporites[35]	reissingeri	Amellago	I	Spores	Lycopodiaceae	Kraeuselisporites was probably related to modern plants such as Selaginella.
Ischyosporites[35]	variegatus	Amellago	I	Spores	Lycopodiaceae	Ischyosporites was probably related to modern plants such as Anemia.
Neoraistrickia[35]	spp.	Amellago	I-II	Spores	Selaginellaceae
Quadraeculina[35]	spp.	Amellago	I	Pollen	Podocarpaceae	Quadraeculina was probably related to modern plants such as Dacrycarpus.
Zonalapollenites[35]	spp.	Amellago	I-II	Pollen	Araucariaceae

See also

• Toarcian turnover
• Toarcian formations
  • Tafraout Formation, SISTER UNIT, Morocco
  • Tagoudite Formation, SISTER UNIT, Morocco
  • Azilal Formation, SISTER UNIT, Morocco
  • Aganane Formation, Morocco
  • Calcaires du Bou Dahar, Morocco
  • Marne di Monte Serrone, Italy
  • Podpeč Limestone, Slovenia
  • El Pedregal Formation, Spain
  • Mizur Formation, North Caucasus
  • Sachrang Formation, Austria
  • Posidonia Shale, Lagerstätte in Germany
  • Irlbach Sandstone, Germany
  • Ciechocinek Formation, Germany and Poland
  • Krempachy Marl Formation, Poland and Slovakia
  • Djupadal Formation, Central Skane
  • Lava Formation, Lithuania
  • Whitby Mudstone, England
  • Fernie Formation, Alberta and British Columbia
    • Poker Chip Shale
  • Whiteaves Formation, British Columbia
  • Navajo Sandstone, Utah
  • Los Molles Formation, Argentina
  • Mawson Formation, Antarctica
  • Kandreho Formation, Madagascar
  • Kota Formation, India
  • Cattamarra Coal Measures, Australia