The mammal localities of Grand Daoui quarries, Ouled Abdoun Basin, Morroco, Ypresian : a first survey

Nos recherches de terrain permettent de restituer le contexte géologique et stratigraphique d’origine des localités à Phosphatherium escuilliei (Proboscidea) du bassin à phosphates des Ouled Abdoun au Maroc. Le matériel de P. escuilliei et de plusieurs autres mammifères provient des exploitations de Grand Daoui (NE du bassin). Nos observations montrent que leur niveau d’origine est un bone-bed situé à la base de l’Intercalaire Couche II/I daté classiquement de l’Yprésien inférieur. Ces niveaux du début de l’Eocène marquent l’installation d’une nouvelle mégaséquence dans la série phosphatée qui a partiellement remanié les niveaux sous-jacents du Thanétien. Cela explique la présence de sélaciens du Thanétien dans la gangue de P. escuilliei et sa datation initiale du Paléocène. L’étude des sélaciens associés au nouveau matériel mammalien récolté confirme l’âge éocène basal de P. escuilliei avec l’identification de plusieurs espèces de l’Yprésien inférieur. La présence exceptionnelle de mammifères dans les Ouled Abdoun dénote d’une taphonomie particulière des restes continentaux dans les dépôts phosphatés. Ceux-ci ont été transportés dans le bassin depuis l’arrière-pays continental proche dans des conditions de faible énergie hydrodynamique, probablement sous forme de cadavres flottés. Au total le matériel récolté dans les carrières de Grand Daoui documente 7 espèces de mammifères dont un créodonte, deux proboscidiens, deux « condylarthres », et deux espèces indéterminées décrites ici. L’une est un des plus anciens hyracoïdes signalés. P. escuilliei est très largement prédominant parmi ces mammifères. La faune de vertébrés qui leur est associée comprend des restes d’oiseaux signalés pour la première fois dans les bassins à phosphates d’Afrique. Ce sont les plus anciens oiseaux connus en Afrique et parmi les premiers représentants des groupes marins modernes

A new dyrosaurid crocodyliform from the Paleocene of Morocco and a phylogenetic analysis of Dyrosauridae

A new genus and species belonging to Dyrosauridae, Arambourgisuchus khouribgaensis, from the Thanetian (Palaeocene) of Morocco, is erected. Two more or less complete skulls and three mandibular fragments enable a reconstruction of the anatomical characteristics of this species. Dyrosaurid systematics is mainly based on mandibular characters. The comparison of this new material with several dyrosaurid species previously known provides new systematic data for this group. The width of the interfenestral bar, the shape and development of the occipital tuberosities and the shape of the supraoccipital and the basioccipital are of particular importance. A phylogenetic analysis of the dyrosaurids provides an outline of the relationships between the best known species. Chenanisuchus lateroculi is the most primitive dyrosaurid. Sokotosuchus ianwilsoni and Phosphatosaurus gavialoidesform a clade, more closely related to other dyrosaurids than to Chenanisuchus lateroculi. The relationships between Arambourgisuchus, Rhabdognathus, Congosaurus, and Hyposaurus are unclear, and the two latter taxa remain too poorly known to provide an uncontested phylogenetic result. The dyrosaurids are known from nearly all continents. The phylogenetic results suggest a North African range for basal members, and the wide distribution of Rhabdognathus and Hyposaurus confirms the possibility of transoceanic dispersal of these taxa. Unfortunately, many dyrosaurids are insufficiently known to be included in the analysis, and the present analysis considers mainly African forms. A better knowledge and the inclusion of other taxa from other geographic regions should significantly improve and modify the hypothesis

FIRST ASCERTAINED AFRICAN ''CONDYLARTH'' MAMMALS (PRIMITIVE UNGULATES: cf. BULBULODENTATA AND cf. PHENACODONTA) FROM THE EARLIEST YPRESIAN OF THE OULED ABDOUN BASIN, MOROCCO

International audienceWe report here the discovery of the first well identified ''condylarths'' from Africa, from the phosphatic beds of Ouled Abdoun Basin, Morocco, of probable early Ypresian age, which have also yielded the oldest known proboscidean. Abdounodus hamdii n. gen., n. sp. and Ocepeia daouiensis, gen. et sp. nov., show closest relationships with Mioclaenidae and Phenacodonta respectively. Both taxa also have resemblances with South American primitive ungulates, especially Abdounodus which resembles kollpaniine mioclaenids in several derived features, mostly related to a similar crushing specialization. However divergent specializations in Abdounodus and kollpaniines strongly suggest their parallelisms, in accordance with their age disparity. Some features of Abdounodus appear to be even original with respect to known mioclaenids. Though Ocepeia shares peculiar derived features with phenacodontids, it is strikingly specialized in its secondarily simplified p4, indicating sister-taxa relationships within Taxeopoda (Phenacodonta, Pan-tomesaxonia). Moreover, Ocepeia shares a remarkable derived feature with more advanced pantomesaxonian ungulates (Perissodactyla, Hyracoidea, Tethytheria and extinct relatives): the development of an entolophid. This raises the alternative question of their sister-taxa relationships within Taxeopoda and indeed the question of an African origin of Pantomesaxonia, which is congruent with the Paenungulata hypothesis.Though still poorly documented, these new Ouled Abdoun taxa show that early Paleogene African mammal faunas might provide key-data for the problem of the origin and basal phylogeny of main pantomesaxonian ungulate lineages. These fossils show again the importance of the African scene in the early evolution of (modern) eutherians and the poor state of our knowledge there

Figure 17 in A new species of Halisaurus from the Late Cretaceous phosphates of Morocco, and the phylogenetical relationships of the Halisaurinae (Squamata: Mosasauridae)

Figure 17. Strict consensus tree of six most parsimonious trees (270 steps) showing the phylogenetic relationships of Halisaurus arambourgi sp. nov. and Halisaurinae among Mosasauridae.Published as part of <i>Bardet, Nathalie, Suberbiola, Xabier Pereda, Iarochene, Mohamed, Bouya, Baadi & Amaghzaz, Mbarek, 2005, A new species of Halisaurus from the Late Cretaceous phosphates of Morocco, and the phylogenetical relationships of the Halisaurinae (Squamata: Mosasauridae), pp. 447-472 in Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 143 (3)</i> on page 463, DOI: 10.1111/j.1096-3642.2005.00152.x, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/10114628">http://zenodo.org/record/10114628</a&gt

A new large mammal from the Ypresian of Morocco: evidence of surprising diversity of early proboscideans

We describe a new primitive proboscidean, Daouitherium rebouli gen. et sp. nov., from the early Ypresian of the Ouled Abdoun Basin, Morocco, which also yielded Phosphatherium. It is the earliest known large mammal from Africa and one of the oldest known proboscideans. It has true lophodont molars similar to those of Barytherium and Numidotherium. It is closer to these genera and more advanced than Phosphatherium (e.g., morphology of the mandible), but it is also primitive in striking features known also in Phosphatherium (absence of diastema, retention of two additional teeth in front of p2). A parsimony analysis of Daouitherium suggests its intermediate phylogenetic position between the basal, small Phosphatherium and the large, more derived Numidotherium and Barytherium. Daouitherium is a better candidate for the ancestry of N. koholense than Phosphatherium, but it is also specialized. Daouitherium and Numidotherium may belong to the same basal radiation of “Barytherioidea”. However, the family referral of Daouitherium is uncertain (Numidotheriidae?). The discovery of such a large and derived proboscidean with respect to Phosphatherium in the same African beds of such antiquity is evidence of an unexpected early diversity of proboscideans and of the old origin of the order. It also supports the African origin of Proboscidea s.s

Les mammifères des carrières de Grand Daoui, bassin des Ouled Abdoun, Maroc, Ypresian: un premier état des lieux

International audienceThe unexpected discovery of mammals such as the earliest known proboscidean Phosphatherium escuilliei in the Ouled Abdoun phosphate Basin (Morocco), which is otherwise renowned for its very rich marine vertebrate fauna, has opened major new perspectives on the early African placental fauna. It was the impetus for several field parties by us between 1997 and 2001 which has allowed this survey of the geological, stratigraphic and paleontological context of Phosphatherium localities. This is the first important paleontological field work dealing with higher vertebrates in the Ouled Abdoun Basin since the work of C. Arambourg. Most of the material of Phosphatherium and other Ouled Abdoun mammals was found by local people searching for fossils for dealing, in an area where the economy is widely dominated by the mining development, in addition to more traditional but very poor agricultural resources. All Phosphatherium remains were found in the northeasternmost quarries of the Ouled Abdoun Basin, from a restricted quarrying area called Grand Daoui (fig. 3). In all Grand Daoui recognized localities (8), the mammals come from the lowermost Eocene level. The stratigraphically re-situated mam-malian material was found in a bone-bed of the level called "Intercalaire Couches II/I" which is dated as early(iest) Ypresian on the basis of its relative stratigraphic position and its selachian fauna. At present, the occurrence of several mammal horizons in the "Intercalaire Couches II/I" (and Couche I ?) cannot be excluded, but their age difference seems not significant according to both the associated selachian taxa and the mammalian material, in present data. The bone-bed is very rich in macro-vertebrates. It includes especially large teeth of the shark Otodus obliquus which are the subject of very active research for dealing, and which explains the recent discovery of mammals such as Phosphatherium.Nos recherches de terrain permettent de restituer le contexte géologique et stratigraphique d'origine des loca-lités à Phosphatherium escuilliei (Proboscidea) du bassin à phosphates des Ouled Abdoun au Maroc. Le matériel de P. escuilliei et de plusieurs autres mammifères provient des exploitations de Grand Daoui (NE du bassin). Nos observations montrent que leur niveau d'origine est un bone-bed situé à la base de l'Intercalaire Couche II/I daté classiquement de l'Yprésien inférieur. Ces niveaux du début de l'Eocène marquent l'installation d'une nouvelle mégaséquence dans la série phosphatée qui a partiellement remanié les niveaux sous-jacents du Thanétien. Cela explique la présence de séla-ciens du Thanétien dans la gangue de P. escuilliei et sa datation initiale du Paléocène. L'étude des sélaciens associés au nouveau matériel mammalien récolté confirme l'âge éocène basal de P. escuilliei avec l'identification de plusieurs espè-ces de l'Yprésien inférieur. La présence exceptionnelle de mammifères dans les Ouled Abdoun dénote d'une tapho-nomie particulière des restes continentaux dans les dépôts phosphatés. Ceux-ci ont été transportés dans le bassin depuis l'arrière-pays continental proche dans des conditions de faible énergie hydrodynamique, probablement sous forme de cadavres flottés. Au total le matériel récolté dans les carrières de Grand Daoui documente 7 espèces de mammifères dont un créodonte, deux proboscidiens, deux « condylarthres », et deux espèces indéterminées décrites ici. L'une est un des plus anciens hyracoïdes signalés. P. escuilliei est très largement prédominant parmi ces mammifères. La faune de vertébrés qui leur est associée comprend des restes d'oiseaux signalés pour la première fois dans les bassins à phosphates d'Afrique. Ce sont les plus anciens oiseaux connus en Afrique et parmi les premiers représentants des groupes marins modernes

Les mammifères des carrières de Grand Daoui, bassin des Ouled Abdoun, Maroc, Ypresian: un premier état des lieux

International audienceThe unexpected discovery of mammals such as the earliest known proboscidean Phosphatherium escuilliei in the Ouled Abdoun phosphate Basin (Morocco), which is otherwise renowned for its very rich marine vertebrate fauna, has opened major new perspectives on the early African placental fauna. It was the impetus for several field parties by us between 1997 and 2001 which has allowed this survey of the geological, stratigraphic and paleontological context of Phosphatherium localities. This is the first important paleontological field work dealing with higher vertebrates in the Ouled Abdoun Basin since the work of C. Arambourg. Most of the material of Phosphatherium and other Ouled Abdoun mammals was found by local people searching for fossils for dealing, in an area where the economy is widely dominated by the mining development, in addition to more traditional but very poor agricultural resources. All Phosphatherium remains were found in the northeasternmost quarries of the Ouled Abdoun Basin, from a restricted quarrying area called Grand Daoui (fig. 3). In all Grand Daoui recognized localities (8), the mammals come from the lowermost Eocene level. The stratigraphically re-situated mam-malian material was found in a bone-bed of the level called "Intercalaire Couches II/I" which is dated as early(iest) Ypresian on the basis of its relative stratigraphic position and its selachian fauna. At present, the occurrence of several mammal horizons in the "Intercalaire Couches II/I" (and Couche I ?) cannot be excluded, but their age difference seems not significant according to both the associated selachian taxa and the mammalian material, in present data. The bone-bed is very rich in macro-vertebrates. It includes especially large teeth of the shark Otodus obliquus which are the subject of very active research for dealing, and which explains the recent discovery of mammals such as Phosphatherium.Nos recherches de terrain permettent de restituer le contexte géologique et stratigraphique d'origine des loca-lités à Phosphatherium escuilliei (Proboscidea) du bassin à phosphates des Ouled Abdoun au Maroc. Le matériel de P. escuilliei et de plusieurs autres mammifères provient des exploitations de Grand Daoui (NE du bassin). Nos observations montrent que leur niveau d'origine est un bone-bed situé à la base de l'Intercalaire Couche II/I daté classiquement de l'Yprésien inférieur. Ces niveaux du début de l'Eocène marquent l'installation d'une nouvelle mégaséquence dans la série phosphatée qui a partiellement remanié les niveaux sous-jacents du Thanétien. Cela explique la présence de séla-ciens du Thanétien dans la gangue de P. escuilliei et sa datation initiale du Paléocène. L'étude des sélaciens associés au nouveau matériel mammalien récolté confirme l'âge éocène basal de P. escuilliei avec l'identification de plusieurs espè-ces de l'Yprésien inférieur. La présence exceptionnelle de mammifères dans les Ouled Abdoun dénote d'une tapho-nomie particulière des restes continentaux dans les dépôts phosphatés. Ceux-ci ont été transportés dans le bassin depuis l'arrière-pays continental proche dans des conditions de faible énergie hydrodynamique, probablement sous forme de cadavres flottés. Au total le matériel récolté dans les carrières de Grand Daoui documente 7 espèces de mammifères dont un créodonte, deux proboscidiens, deux « condylarthres », et deux espèces indéterminées décrites ici. L'une est un des plus anciens hyracoïdes signalés. P. escuilliei est très largement prédominant parmi ces mammifères. La faune de vertébrés qui leur est associée comprend des restes d'oiseaux signalés pour la première fois dans les bassins à phosphates d'Afrique. Ce sont les plus anciens oiseaux connus en Afrique et parmi les premiers représentants des groupes marins modernes