Sheinwoodian (Silurian) conodonts and graptolites from NE Anti-Atlas, Morocco

P. Mannik, David Loydell, S. Lubeseder

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    Conodonts and graptolites from a limestone at the base of the Tamaghrout Formation indicate that this is of early Wenlock age. This is the first unequivocal dating of a Sheinwoodian limestone from Morocco. All of the conodonts are known also from several other regions and suggest that there was no major difference in conodont faunas in northern Gondwana, Baltica and Laurentia at this time. Biostratigraphy, conodonts, graptolites, Morocco, Silurian, Sheinwoodian. The conodont biostratigraphy of the Sheinwoodian (lower Wenlock, Silurian) has been the subject of several detailed studies in recent years, particularly in the Baltic region (e.g. Rubel et al. 2007; Loydell et al. 2010), with the recognition of major changes in conodont faunas at this time, associated with the Ireviken Event (Jeppsson 1997; Loydell et al. 2003; Männik 2007a). Up to 80% of species known from older strata (from the Telychian) became extinct during this event. Sheinwoodian conodont faunas from many other regions are much less well known; none have previously been recorded from North African Gondwana. The collection by one of us (SL) of a limestone sample from the lowermost part of the Silurian succession during fieldwork for a study primarily on upper Silurian limestones from Morocco (Lubeseder 2008) provided the material for the present study. The sample studied yielded conodonts and graptolites. These are discussed here with the aim of providing the first precise biostratigraphical dating of the lowermost Silurian strata in the region and an assessment of the extent of conodont provincialism at this time in the Silurian.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)410-416
    Number of pages7
    JournalLethaia
    Volume44
    Issue number4
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2011

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