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Bahariya Formation

Coordinates:28°24′20″N28°48′20″E/ 28.40556°N 28.80556°E/28.40556; 28.80556
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Bahariya Formation
Stratigraphic range:Early Cenomanian[1]
~100–95Ma
↓
Restoration of the environment and animals of the formation
TypeGeological formation
UnderliesEl Heiz Fm.,El Naqb Fm.[2]
OverliesBasement[2]
Thickness≈100 m (330 ft)[2]
Lithology
PrimarySandstone
OtherMudstone,siltstone
Location
Coordinates28°24′20″N28°48′20″E/ 28.40556°N 28.80556°E/28.40556; 28.80556
RegionWestern Desert
CountryEgypt
Type section
Named forBahariya Oasis
Named bySaid
Year defined1962
Bahariya Formation is located in Egypt
Bahariya Formation
Bahariya Formation (Egypt)

TheBahariya Formation(also transcribed asBaharija Formation) is afossiliferousgeologic formationdating back to the earlyCenomanian,which outcrops within theBahariya depressioninEgypt,and is known from oil exploration drilling across much of theWestern Desertwhere it forms an important oilreservoir.[1][3][4]

Extent

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Restoration of swimming animals of the formation

The Bahariya Formation forms the base of the depression, the lower part of the enclosing escarpment and all of the small hills within.[5]Thetype sectionfor the formation is found at Gebel El-Dist, a hill at the northern end of the Bahariya depression.[6]

Stratigraphy and sedimentology

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Four depositional sequences have been recognised in the Bahariya Formation in the Bahariya depression, separated by three sub-aerialunconformities.The formation was deposited during a period of relative rise in sea level, with each unconformity representing a relative fall in sea level.[1]Each of the individual sequences contains sediments deposited underfluvial,shoreline and shallow marine conditions.

MicrofaunaandMeiofauna

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Foraminifera

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Foraminiferaof the Bahariya Formation
Genus Species
Charentia C. cuvillieri
Favusella F. washitensis
Mayncina M. orbignyi
Rotalipora R. cushmani
R. reicheli
Thomasinella T. aegyptia
T. fragmentaria
T. punica
Whiteinella W. archaeocretacea

Other microorganisms

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Othermicroorganismsof the Bahariya Formation
Genus Species Images
Botryococcus
Botryococcus
Pediastrum

Scenedesmus
Coronifera C. oceanica
Cyclonephelium C. edwardsii
C. vannophorum
Dynopterigium D. cladoides
Exochosphaeridium
Florentinia F. cooksoniae
F. mantlii
Kallosphaeridium
Mudrongia M. simplex
Palaeoperidinium P. cretaceum
Pediastrum
Pseudoceratium P. anaphrisum
P. securigerum
Scenedesmus
Spiniferites
Subtilisphaera S. perlucida
S. senegalensis
Xiphophoridium X. alatum

Invertebrates

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Molluscs

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Molluscsof the Bahariya Formation
Genus Species Notes Images
Baculites A heteromorphammonitewith a nearly straight shell.
Baculites.
Cardium Acockle.
Exogyra Areef-formingtrue oysterassociated with solidsubstratesand warm temperatures.
Gastrochaena Asaltwaterclam.
Neolobites N. vibrayeanus A typical rolled ammonite.
Nucula A small saltwater clam.
Ostrea O. flabeata An edible oyster.

Crustaceans (Ostracoda)

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Crustaceansof the Bahariya Formation
Genus Species Notes Images
Amphicytherura A. sexta
Anticythereis A. gaensis
Bairdia B. bassiounii
B. elongata
Brachycythere B. ledaforma porosa
Bythoceratina B. avnonensis
B. tamarae
Bythocypris B. eskeri
Cythereis C. algeriana
C. bicornis levis
C. canteriolata
Cytherella C. ovata
C. paenovata
C. parallela
C. sulcata
Fabanella
Looneyella L. sohni
Loxoconcha L. clinocosta
L. fletcheri
Metacytheropteron M. berbericum
Ovocytheridea O. caudata
O. producta
O. reniformis
Paracypris P. acutocaudata
P. angusta
P. mdaouerensis
P. triangularis
Pterygocythere P. raabi
Veeniacythereis V. jezzineensis
Xestoleberis X. obesa

Insects

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Direct fossils are sparse, though plant leaves with extensive damage fromfolivorousinsectshave been documented.

Vertebrates

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Cartilaginous fish

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Color key
Taxon Reclassified taxon Taxon falsely reported as present Dubious taxon or junior synonym Ichnotaxon Ootaxon Morphotaxon
Notes
Uncertain or tentative taxa are insmall text;crossed outtaxa are discredited.
Chondrichthyesof the Bahariya Formation
Genus Species Abundance Notes Images
Aegyptobatus A. kuehnei Asclerorhynchiform.
ModernGymnura.

Onchoprististooth.

ModernRhinoptera.

Scapanorhynchus

Squalicorax
ModernSquatina.
Asteracanthus A. aegyptiacus Ahybodontshark.
Baharipristis B. bastetiae A sclerorhynchiform.
Cretodus C. longiplicatus A shark.
Cretolamna C. appendiculata Amackerel shark.
Distobatus D. nutiae A sclerorhynchiform.
Gymnura G. laterialata Abutterfly ray.
Haimirichia H. amonensis A shark previously classified in the generaOdontaspis,Serratolamna,andCarcharias.
Isidobatus I. tricarinatus A sclerorhynchiform.
Marckgrafia M. lybica A sclerorhynchiform.
Onchopristis O. numida One complete cranium and associated vertebrae. Asclerorhynchidrajoid.
Peyeria P. libyca A sclerorhynchiform.
Ptychotrygon P. henkeli A sclerorhynchiform.
Renpetia R. labiicarinata A sclerorhynchiform.
Rhinoptera Abatoidray.
Schizorhiza S. stromeri An unusual sclerorhynchid sawfish that retained its rostral teeth after they were replaced.
Squalicorax S. baharijensis A large shark.
Scapanorhynchus S. subulatus Amitsukurinidsimilar to the moderngoblin shark.
Squatina Anangelshark.
Tribodus T. aschersoni A hybodont.

Bony fish

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Color key
Taxon Reclassified taxon Taxon falsely reported as present Dubious taxon or junior synonym Ichnotaxon Ootaxon Morphotaxon
Notes
Uncertain or tentative taxa are insmall text;crossed outtaxa are discredited.
Osteichthyesof the Bahariya Formation
Genus Species Abundance Notes Images
Bawitius B. bartheli A giantbichir.
Ceratodus

Enchodus

Lepidotes

Mawsonia

Neoceratodus

Saurodon
Concavotectum C. moroccensis Possibly synonymous withParanogmius doederleini.
Ceratodus Alungfish.
Coelodus Apycnodontid.
Enchodus One tooth. A predatory fish.
Lepidotes Isolated scales. Possibly misidentified fromBawitiusbartheli.
Mawsonia M. lybica Considered a "signature taxon" of the formation. A giantfreshwatercoelacanth.Species assignation deemed provisional due to the lack ofneotype.
Neoceratodus N. africanus A lungfish related to the livingAustralianspecies.
Palaeonotopterus P. greenwoodi Nomen conservandumof the twoPlethodusspecies previously described.
Paranogmius Paranogmius doederleini One vertebra. Holotypelost inWorld War II.Could be synonymous withConcavotectum moroccensis.
Plethodus P. libycus
P. tibniensis 		Holotypes destroyed in World War II, but now believed to have been misidentifiedPalaeonotopterus greenwoodi.
Retodus R. tuberculatus A lungfish species identified from remains previously assigned toNeoceratodus.
Saurodon Identified byStromerin 1936, but now rejected due to this genus appearing only in post-Cenomanian Europe and North America. Now listed asIchthyodectidaeincertae sedis.
Stromerichthys S. aethiopicus A predatorybowfinrelative.

Testudines

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Testudinesof the Bahariya Formation
Genus Species Abundance Notes Images
Apertotemporalis A. baharijensis A smallpleurodiranturtle, likely belonging toBothremydidae.Other unnamed species are also present.

Squamates

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Squamatesof the Bahariya Formation
Genus Species Abundance Notes Images
Simoliophis Abundant First knownsea snake,with functional hind legs. Now believed to include elements from different species and at least one of a different, unnamed genus.

Plesiosaurs

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Color key
Taxon Reclassified taxon Taxon falsely reported as present Dubious taxon or junior synonym Ichnotaxon Ootaxon Morphotaxon
Notes
Uncertain or tentative taxa are insmall text;crossed outtaxa are discredited.
Plesiosaursof the Bahariya Formation
Genus Species Abundance Notes Images
Leptocleidus L. capensis A small plesiosaur that visitedbrackishorfresh watersystems. Though known from bothSouth AfricaandEngland,the Egyptian material lacks diagnostic traits of the genus and is now referred asPolycotylidaeincertae sedis.
Leptocleidus

Crocodyliformes

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Color key
Taxon Reclassified taxon Taxon falsely reported as present Dubious taxon or junior synonym Ichnotaxon Ootaxon Morphotaxon
Notes
Uncertain or tentative taxa are insmall text;crossed outtaxa are discredited.
Crocodyliformesof the Bahariya Formation
Genus Species Abundance Notes Images
Aegyptosuchus A. peyeri A poorly known, possiblystomatosuchidcrocodile.
Hamadasuchus

Stomatosuchus
Hamadasuchus H. rebouli A terrestrial, dog-likepeirosaurid.It is possible that some material previously attributed toLibycosuchusactually belongs to this species.
Libycosuchus L. brevirostris A terrestrial crocodile of uncertain affinities, possibly related toNotosuchus.
Stomatosuchus S. inermis A complete cranium A large, flat-headed stomatosuchid with multiple small conical teeth, and possibly apelican-likethroat pouch.The only remains were destroyed in World War II.
Stromerosuchus S. aegyptiacus Fragmentary remains Nomen dubiumassigned to material found in 1911, that were badly damaged in 1922 while being shipped toGermanyfor study. Some material may belong toAegyptosuchusand other toStomatosuchus.

Pterosaurs

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Color key
Taxon Reclassified taxon Taxon falsely reported as present Dubious taxon or junior synonym Ichnotaxon Ootaxon Morphotaxon
Notes
Uncertain or tentative taxa are insmall text;crossed outtaxa are discredited.
Pterosaursof the Bahariya Formation
Genus Species Material Notes Images
Pterosauriaindet.[7] Indeterminate Left first wing phalanx A medium-sized pterosaur. The first record of a pterosaur from Egypt.

Sauropods

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Color key
Taxon Reclassified taxon Taxon falsely reported as present Dubious taxon or junior synonym Ichnotaxon Ootaxon Morphotaxon
Notes
Uncertain or tentative taxa are insmall text;crossed outtaxa are discredited.
Sauropodsof the Bahariya Formation
Genus Species Material Notes Images
Aegyptosaurus[3] A. baharijensis[3] Partial postcranial skeleton[8] Atitanosaurof about 15 meters. All remains were destroyed in World War II.
Aegyptosaurus

Dicraeosaurus


Paralititan
Dicraeosaurus D. hansemanni Isolatedscapulaand vertebra Identified by Stromer in 1932. Subsequently considered arebbachisaurid,or a third, unnamed titanosaur.
Paralititan[3] P. stromeri[3] Partial postcranial skeleton[9] One of the largest titanosaurs of the Cretaceous, with a 1.69 meters longhumerusand an estimated total length of 26 meters.

Theropods

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Color key
Taxon Reclassified taxon Taxon falsely reported as present Dubious taxon or junior synonym Ichnotaxon Ootaxon Morphotaxon
Notes
Uncertain or tentative taxa are insmall text;crossed outtaxa are discredited.
Theropodsof the Bahariya Formation
Genus Species Abundance Notes Images
Abelisauridaeindet.[10] Indeterminate "MUVP 477, an isolated caudal (tenth) cervical vertebra" A medium-sized abelisaurid, estimated around 5.77 meters (~18.9 feet) long. The first unambiguous abelisaurid known from the Bahariya Formation.
Abelisauridae indet.

Bahariasaurus

Carcharodontosaurus

Spinosaurus
Bahariasaurus B. ingens[3] A medium-sized theropod of uncertain affinities. Possibly amegaraptoran,a relative ofDeltadromeus,or both.
Carcharodontosaurus[3] C. saharicus[3] A largecarcharodontosauridallosauroid.
Elaphrosaurus E. bambergi Material now considered to be indeterminate theropod remains.[3]
Sigilmassasaurus[3] S. brevicollis Previously considered a species ofSpinosaurus,or a synonym ofS. aegyptiacus.
Spinosaurus S. aegyptiacus Most common dinosaur of the formation. A largespinosaurid.

In addition, there are isolated theropod teeth disputedly assigned todromaeosaurids,or toabelisaurids.

Flora

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Thirty different genera are known from Bahariya, includingmegaflora.Much of the material is yet to be described.[11][12]Other taxa includeSapindales,Piperaceae,Lauraceae,Platanaceae,Magnoliopsida,Nymphaeaceae,Cornaceae,ProteaceaeandVitaceaenot identified at genus level; andmiosporeandpollenspecies.[13][14]

Vascular Plants
Genus Species Abundance Notes Images
Agathis/Wollemia[15] A/W spp. Few Specimens AnAraucarianconifer,now restricted toAustralasia.
Cladophlebis
Sapindopsis
Weichselia
Araliaephyllum?[11][13] Indeterminate ( "Morphotype-14" ) Few Specimens Suggested to be related withLauraceae
Cladophlebis[11][13] C. spp. Few Specimens Fern Laflets
Cornophyllum[11][13] C. distense Few Specimens Suggested to be related withCornaceae
Cinnamophyllum?[11][13] Indeterminate ( "Morphotype-12" ) Few Specimens Suggested to be related withLauraceae
Eucalyptolaurus/ "Myrtophyllum”(?)[13][14] Indeterminate ( "Morphotype-08" ) Few Specimens Specimens of the familyLauraceae
Laurophyllum[11][13] L. africanum Few Specimens Specimens of the familyLauraceae
Liriophyllum[11][13] L. farafraense Few Specimens Specimens of the familyMagnoliaceae
Marsilea[15] aff.Marsilea spp. Few Specimens Water fern.
Magnoliid[13][14]
  • "Morphotype-01"
  • "Morphotype-04"
  • "Morphotype-09"
  • "Morphotype-11"
  • "Morphotype 21"?
 Few Specimens Shows festooned brochidodromous venation
Magnoliaephyllum[13]
  • M. auriculatum
  • M. bahariyense
  • M. isbergiana
 Few Specimens Possible affinities withLauraceae
Nelumbites[13][14]
  • N. schweinfurthi
  • N. giganteum
 Common occurrence in the lower shale bed Typical leaves of the faimilyNelumbonaceae
Paradoxopteris[11][13] P. stromeri Co-Dominant plant Xerophytictree fernsuggestive of a dry tropical climate.
Plumafolium?[13][14] Indeterminate ( "Morphotype-18" ) Few Specimens A Monocot, probably related withLiliopsida
Rogersia[11][13] R. longifolia Few Specimens Likely lobes of a much bigger leaf ofSapindopsistype
Typhaephyllum[11][13] cf.T.sp. Few Specimens Interpreted as a monocot, probably related toTyphaceae
Vitiphyllum[11][13] V.aff.multifidum Few Specimens Some similarities withPabianiaof the familyLauraceae
Weichselia[11] W. reticulata Dominant plant Xerophytictree fernsuggestive of a dry tropical climate.

See also

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References

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  1. ^abcCatuneanu O., Khalifa M.A. & Wanas H.A. (2006)."Sequence stratigraphy of the Lower Cenomanian Bahariya Formation, Bahariya Oasis, Western Desert, Egypt"(PDF).Sedimentary Geology.190(1–4): 121–137.Bibcode:2006SedG..190..121C.doi:10.1016/j.sedgeo.2006.05.010.
  2. ^abcCatuneany et al., 2006, p.122
  3. ^abcdefghijWeishampel, David B; et al (2004). "Dinosaur distribution (Late Cretaceous, Africa)." In: Weishampel, David B.; Dodson, Peter; and Osmólska, Halszka (eds.): The Dinosauria, 2nd, Berkeley: University of California Press. Pp. 604.ISBN0-520-24209-2.
  4. ^Macgregor D.S. & Moody R.T.G. (1998)."Mesozoic and Cenozoic petroleum systems of North Africa".In Macgregor D.S.; Moody R.T.G.; Clark-Lowes D.D. (eds.).Petroleum geology of North Africa.Special Publications. Vol. 132. Geological Society. pp. 201–216.ISBN9781862390041.
  5. ^Khalifa M.A. & Catuneanu O. (2008). "Sedimentology of the fluvial and fluvio-marine facies of the Bahariya Formation (Early Cenomanian), Bahariya Oasis, Western Desert, Egypt".Journal of African Earth Sciences.51(2): 89–103.Bibcode:2008JAfES..51...89K.doi:10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2007.12.004.
  6. ^Tanner L.H. & Khalifa M.A. (2010). "Origin of ferricretes in fluvial-marine deposits of the Lower Cenomanian Bahariya Formation, Bahariya Oasis, Western Desert, Egypt".Journal of African Earth Sciences.56(4–5): 179–189.Bibcode:2010JAfES..56..179T.doi:10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2009.07.004.
  7. ^Salem, Belal S.; Sallam, Hesham M.; El-Sayed, Sanaa; Thabet, Wael; Antar, Mohammed; Lamanna, Matthew C. (October 2019)."NEW DINOSAUR, PTEROSAUR, AND CROCODYLIFORM FOSSILS FROM THE UPPER CRETACEOUS (CENOMANIAN) BAHARIYA FORMATION OF THE BAHARIYA OASIS, EGYPT".Society of Vertebrate Paleontology (SVP) – Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
  8. ^"Table 13.1," in Weishampel, et al. (2004). Page 267.
  9. ^"Table 13.1," in Weishampel, et al. (2004). Page 269.
  10. ^Salem, Belal S.; Lamanna, Matthew C.; O'Connor, Patrick M.; El-Qot, Gamal M.; Shaker, Fatma; Thabet, Wael A.; El-Sayed, Sanaa; Sallam, Hesham M. (2022)."First definitive record of Abelisauridae (Theropoda: Ceratosauria) from the Cretaceous Bahariya Formation, Bahariya Oasis, Western Desert of Egypt".Royal Society Open Science.9(6): 220106.Bibcode:2022RSOS....920106S.doi:10.1098/rsos.220106.PMC9174736.PMID35706658.
  11. ^abcdefghijklLejal-Nicol, A; Dominik, W. (1990). "Sur la paleoflore a Weichseliaceae et a angiospermes du Cenomanien de la region de Bahariya (Egypte du Sud-Ouest)".Berliner geowissenschaftliche Abhandlungen A.120(5): 957–991.
  12. ^Ijouhier, Jamale (2016) A reconstruction of the palaeoecology and environmental dynamics of the Bahariya Formation of Egypt.PeerJ Preprints,https://doi.org/10.7287/peerj.preprints.2470v1
  13. ^abcdefghijklmnopEl Atfy, Haytham; Coiffard, Clément; El Beialy, Salah Y.; Uhl, Dieter (2023-01-30)."Vegetation and climate change at the southern margin of the Neo-Tethys during the Cenomanian (Late Cretaceous): Evidence from Egypt".PLOS ONE.18(1): e0281008.Bibcode:2023PLoSO..1881008E.doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0281008.ISSN1932-6203.PMC9886267.PMID36716334.
  14. ^abcdeEl Atfy, Haytham; Coiffard, Clément; Uhl, Dieter; Spiekermann, Rafael; El Khoriby, Essam M.; Aleraky, Heba; Mohamed, Ahmed (2023)."A new florula dominated by angiosperms from the Cenomanian of Egypt".Cretaceous Research.149:105554.Bibcode:2023CrRes.14905554E.doi:10.1016/j.cretres.2023.105554.ISSN0195-6671.
  15. ^abLyon, M. A.; Johnson, K. R.; Wing, S. L.; Nichols, D. J.; Lacovara, K. J.; Smith, J. B. (2001)."Late Cretaceous equatorial coastal vegetation: new megaflora associated with dinosaur finds in the Bahariya Oasis, Egypt".Geological Society of America, Annual Meeting:198.
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