Röt Formation

The Röt Formation or Rötton Formation (German for Röt Shale), or Upper Buntsandstein, is a geologic formation of the Buntsandstein in Germany. It preserves fossils dating back to the Middle Triassic Epoch (Anisian or Aegean or Bithynian in the regional stratigraphy).^[1] The formation overlies the Plattenstein and Solling Formations and is overlain by the Jena Formation.^[2][3]

Röt Formation
Stratigraphic range: Anisian (Aegean or Bithynian) ~247–242 Ma PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N ↓
Stratigraphy and extent of the Triassic in Germany
Type	Formation
Unit of	Buntsandstein
Sub-units	Violet Horizon 5 Member
Underlies	Jena Formation
Overlies	Plattensandstein & Solling Formations
Lithology
Primary	Limestone, mudstone, shale
Other	Sandstone
Location
Coordinates	51.5°N 11.9°E / 51.5; 11.9
Approximate paleocoordinates	17.5°N 19.7°E / 17.5; 19.7
Region	Sachsen-Anhalt, Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Hessen
Country	Germany
Extent	Central Germany
Röt Formation (Germany)

The limestones, mudstones, shales and sandstones of the formation, deposited in a shallow marine environment, have provided fossils of early archosaurs, temnospondyls, fish and insects.

Fossil content

The formation has provided the following fossils:^[1]

Group	Taxa	Notes	Images
Temnospondyls	Eocyclotosaurus woschmidti	[4][5]
	Heptasaurus cappelensis (described as Mastodonsaurus cappelensis)	[4]
	Capitosauria indet.	[6]
Reptiles	Amotosaurus rotfeldensis	[7]
	Anomoiodon krejcii	[7]
	Crenelosaurus nigrosilvanus	[7]
	Cymatosaurus erikae	[8]
	C. erytheus	[8]
	C. fridericianus	[9]
	Marcianosuchus angustifrons
	Sclerosaurus armatus	[10]
	Seemannia palaeotriadica	[11]
	Ctenosauriscidae indet.	[6]
Fish	Selachii indet.	[6]
Insects	Rhoeniella granulata	[12]

Correlations

Based on the fossils of early archosaurs, the formation is correlated with the Donguz Formation of Russia, the upper Heshanggou Formation of China and the Holbrook Member of the Moenkopi Formation of Arizona.^[3]

• 
  Paleogeography of the Early Triassic with archosaur fossil finds
• 
  Early Triassic formations with archosaur fossil finds

See also

• List of fossiliferous stratigraphic units in Germany
• Anisian formations
  • Besano Formation, fossiliferous formation of the Alps
  • Manda Formation, fossiliferous formation of Tanzania
  • Omingonde Formation, fossiliferous formation of Namibia