Palynomorphs from the Cambrian Series 3, Parahio valley (Spiti), Northwest Himalaya

We present low-diversity acritarch assemblages, including Alliumella baltica, Bavlinella faveolata, Brocholaminaria nigrita, Brocholaminaria sp., Eliasum sp., Leiosphaeridia minutissima, Leiosphaeridia spp., Lophosphaeridium sp., Pterospermella solida, Satka colonialica, Siphonophycus sp., and Synsphaeridium sp., as well as filamentous algae and cryptospore-like microfossils recorded from 45 rock samples around the Oryctocephalus indicus Zone (Cambrian Series 3) in the Cambrian Kunzam La (Parahio) Formation at the Kaltarbo locality in the Parahio valley, Northwest Himalaya. One new species Synsphaeridium parahioense was established. The acritarch assemblages at the basal part of the Cambrian Series 3 in the Kunzam La (Parahio) Formation were dependent on the local marine environment. The new discovery of cryptospore-like microfossils from the Cambrian Kunzam La (Parahio) Formation supports the extensive distribution of possible cryptospores in the Cambrian stratigraphic sequences.     

黔东早—中寒武世凯里组疑源类组合及其界线意义

通过对台江八郎和丹寨两条剖面凯里组中疑源类化石的分析,研究,台江剖面产疑源类化石有17属35各（12未定种）,其中以Leiosphaeridia,Synsphareidium,Cymatiosphaera,Pterospermella最为丰富,可划分为3个组合,即Cymatiosphaera cf.cristata-Fimbriaglomerella memebrancea组合,Cristallinium-Micrhystridium-Pterospermella组合和Dictyotidium-Granomarginata组合,丹寨平寨剖面凯里组所产疑源类化石有：13属21种（5未定种）,同样划分为3个组合,即Leiosphaeridia-Tasmanites组合,Retisphaeridium-Micrhystridium tentatium组合和Baltisphaeridium-Bubomorpha hunjiangensis组合,本文对两条剖面中的凝源类化石的组成,相对含量做了详细的统计,发现在八郎剖面9－2层和平寨剖面3层疑源类的丰度,分异度开始发生明显的变化,表现由早寒武世向中寒武世疑源类组合面貌的转变,这一疑源类转变层位正好是与三叶虫划分的中,下寒武统界线的层位位置相一致,这充分表明疑源类化石可作为划分中,下寒武统的极有价值的微体生物化石证据。     

A new oryctocephalid trilobite from the Balang Formation (Cambrian Stage 4) of northwestern Hunan,South China,with remarks on the classification of oryctocephalids

A new trilobite, Longaspis paiwuensis n. gen. n. sp., from the Balang Formation (Cambrian Stage 4) in northwestern Hunan, South China, is described. This rare trilobite adds to an expanding taxonomic list of organisms recognized from the Balang Lagerstätte, a deposit of exceptional preservation from the Cambrian. Longaspis paiwuensis is an unusually large-sized, micropygous oryctocephalid trilobite that has proparian facial sutures, pit-like lateral glabellar furrows, up to 17 thoracic segments, and a distinct medial notch in the pygidium; it lacks marginal spines.The classification of the family Oryctocephalidae is reviewed. Three subfamilies are recognized, and Longaspis n. gen. is assigned to the subfamily Oryctocarinae.     

A Middle and Late Cambrian age for the Booley Bay Formation,County Wexford,Ireland: New acritarch data and its implications

A well preserved Ediacara-type fauna was recorded for the first time a few years ago from the bases of seven sandstone beds in the type section of the Lower Palaeozoic Booley Bay Formation in County Wexford, Ireland. Four microfossil samples from mudstones interbedded with the sandstones yielded an acritarch microflora considered indicative of a late Late Cambrian age for the Ediacara fauna, thus suggesting extension of its range from the Neoproterozoic to the Late Cambrian, rather than to the Middle Cambrian as had been previously suggested. The current study examines the microfossils in more detail, with 18 samples, all of which were productive. One additional Ediacara bed approximately 100 m above those recorded earlier was also observed. The exceptionally well preserved acritarch assemblages indicate a clear Middle Cambrian age for the Ediacara beds, thus predating the previously suggested upper limit for Ediacara faunas. The uppermost part of the formation, above known occurrences of Ediacara beds, is younger; that is, early Late Cambrian, probably coeval with the Olenus trilobite zone. In addition, the age now proposed for the Booley Bay Formation shows that it is part of the Lower Palaeozoic Ribband Group of southeast Ireland, and not part of the Cahore Group as has recently been suggested by the Irish Geological Survey. Thirty-seven acritarch species (or species groups) are distinguished and illustrated. One new species, Stellechinatum ? mariatheresae Vanguestaine, is established.     

A new eocrinoid fauna (Cambrian Series 2) from Guizhou Province,South China

A new eocrinoid locality of the Balang Formation (Cambrian Series 2) near Kaili City is reported. The fauna is associated with index trilobites, such as Redlichia (Pteroredlichia) murakamii Resser and Endo in Kobayashi, 1935 and Arthricocephalus chauveaui Bergeron, 1899, that are common in the Balang Biota (Cambrian Series 2) but absent in the younger Kaili Biota (Cambrian Series 3). This new locality contains a new eocrinoid fauna (n = 22) that is different from Guizhoueocrinus yui Zhao, Parsley and Peng, 2007a in bearing a smaller theca, a shorter stalk, and a robust attachment disk; thus, a taxon Globoeocrinus zhaoyuanlongensis n. sp. is proposed.     

Early Cambrian phytoplankton diversification and appearance of trilobites in the Swedish Caledonides with implications for coupled evolutionary events between primary producers and consumers

The newly examined Lower Cambrian strata in the Laisvall-Storuman area, central Swedish Caledonides, yield diverse and stratigraphically significant phytoplanktic organic-walled microfossils (acritarchs) associated with the olenellid trilobites of Holmia sp. that appear to be at the lowermost horizon ever recorded in the Caledonides. The acritarchs, recovered throughout the Grammajukku Formation, are taxonomically reviewed in the context of regional and global trends of phytoplankton diversity. The assemblages are assigned to acritarch zones Skiagia ornata-Fimbriaglomerella membranacea and Heliosphaeridium dissimilare-Skiagia ciliosa , corresponding to the Schmidtiellus mickwitzi and Holmia kjerulfi trilobite zones. The records of acritarch radiations and appearances of trilobites and other faunas in Baltica, and on a more interregional scale, are biochronologically correlated, revealing tightly coupled evolutionary events among primary producers and consumers. The timing of early diversifications of trilobites in various faunal provinces is discussed and the relative age of the oldest known non-mineralized arthropods from the Zawiszyn Formation in Poland is estimated.     

Brachiopods and other fossils from the Permo-Triassic boundary beds of the Antalya Nappes (SW Taurus, Turkey)

An uppermost Permian-Lower Triassic biota of brachiopods, conodonts, algae and foraminifers from the Pamucak and Kokarkuyu formations at Çürük Da? (Antalya, Turkey) is here described. The brachiopods belong to two different assemblages: a lower assemblage, early Wuchiapingian in age, with Spinomarginifera cf. S. helica, Spinomarginifera cf. S. iranica, Alatorthotetina sp. ind., Orthothetina sp. ind., Ombonia antalyensis nov. sp. and few specimens of Pennospiriferinoidea; an upper assemblage, Changhsingian in age, comprising S. cf. S. iranica, Spinomarginifera cf. S. spinosocostata, Spinomarginifera sp. ind. and Orthothetina sp. ind., characteristic taxa of the low diversity survival brachiopod faunas of latest Permian age (Survival Fauna 1). The occurrence of the conodont Hindeodus cf. praeparvus above the brachiopod fauna confirms its Changhsingian age. The oolitic grainstones at the top of the Pamucak Formation contain Permocalculus sp., Macroporella cf. apachena, species of Hemigordius and Palaeozoic Lagenida. Coarse calcite fibrous cements pervade the oo-bioclastic grainstones, suggesting early marine cementation. The base of the Kokarkuyu Formation is characterized by the disaster forms Earlandia amplimuralis and “Cornuspira” mahajeri, gastropods and ostracods. The conodont Isarcicella lobata has been recovered 31 m above the base of the Kokarkuyu Formation, indicating the occurrence of the second Triassic conodont zone above the parvus biozone and below the staeschei biozone. The faunal content at the transition of the Pamucak and Kokarkuyu formations records the biotic survival in the aftermath of the end-Permian extinction. Facies evolution from lower energy inner platform wackestones and packstones to higher energy open platform oolitic grainstones indicates a transgression at the top of the Pamucak Formation, which continues into the Lower Triassic Kokarkuyu Formation.     

Upper Ordovician microphytoplankton of the Bill's Creek Shale and Stonington Formation,Upper Peninsula of Michigan,U.S.A.: Biostratigraphy and paleogeographic significance

An abundant, diverse, and well-preserved organic-walled microphytoplankton assemblage is described from the Upper Ordovician Bill's Creek Shale and the lower Stonington Formation (Bay de Noc Member) in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, U.S.A. Based on graptolite and conodont evidence, the Bill's Creek Shale and Stonington Formation are Richmondian (=Ashgill) in age. The assemblage is dominated by acritarchs, which comprise 29 species (including the enigmatic palynomorph Gloeocapsomorpha prisca) assigned to 20 genera. The prasinophyte phycomata are represented by undifferentiated species of Leiosphaeridia and Tasmanites. In addition, chitinozoans are abundant, and scolecodonts and graptolite fragments are common. Paleontologic-palynologic and sedimentologic evidence indicates that the Bill's Creek Shale was deposited in a low-energy, shallow, nearshore marine environment. The overlying Bay de Noc Member of the Stonington Formation also accumulated in a low-energy, normal marine environment, but in a more offshore, somewhat deeper water setting. Both formations experienced minor transgressive and regressive episodes as indicated by fluctuations in the composition of the palynoflora. The combined Bill's Creek/Stonington acritarch assemblage closely resembles those described from the Richmondian-aged Maquoketa Shale (Missouri and Kansas), Sylvan Shale (Oklahoma), and Vauréal Formation (Anticosti Island, Québec, Canada). The overall composition of the acritarch assemblage from these four formations reflects a distinctive, recognizably Laurentian character. Nonetheless, many of the Bill's Creek/Stonington acritarchs have been reported from Upper Ordovician localities elsewhere, providing additional evidence for Late Ordovician cosmopolitanism of the marine microphytoplankton community. Additionally, the restricted stratigraphic range of many of the taxa further enhances their biostratigraphic application, both regionally and globally, and reaffirms the Richmondian (=Ashgill) age of the Bill's Creek Shale and Stonington Formation.     

Trace and soft body fossils from the Pedroche Formation (Ovetian, Lower Cambrian of the Sierra de Córdoba, S Spain) and their relation to the Pedroche event

The low Lower Cambrian rocks from the Sierra de Córdoba contain one of the best successions in Europe, which consists of well exposed mixed facies with abundant fossil assemblages showing long stratigraphical ranges throughout the Pedroche Formation. These assemblages include diverse Ovetian archaeocyaths, trilobites, small shelly fossils, calcimicrobes, trace fossils and stromatolites. Trace fossils are still poorly known, and thus they are the main objective of this work. Ichnological data are obtained from the Arroyo de Pedroche 1, Arroyo de Pedroche 2 and Puente de Hierro sections. Trace fossils include the ichnogenera Bergaueria, aff. Bilinichnus, Cochlichnus, aff. Cosmorhaphe?, Cylindrichnus, Dactyloidites, Dimorphichnus, Diplichnites, Monocraterion, Palaeophycus, aff. Phycodes, Planolites, Psammichnites, Rusophycus, Skolithos, Torrowangea and Treptichnus, as well as faecal pellets, meniscate trace fossils and others. They are abundant in shales and sandstones, and indicate important changes in the benthic conditions with respect to the underlying Torreárboles Formation. Changes in fossil assemblages within Member I of the Pedroche Formation indicate palaeoecological disruptions, which led to the disappearance of numerous archaeocyath species and the decrease of stromatolite biodiversity. This was followed by dominance of trilobite and brachiopod assemblages, accompanied by trace fossils of the Psammichnites ichnosp. A ichnoassociation. This biotic turnover (Pedroche event) occurred at the lower part of the archaeocyath Zone III, within the Bigotina bivallata biozone. The diagnoses of the ichnospecies Cochlichnus anguineus and Dactyloidites cabanasi are emended.     

Ediacaran acanthomorphic acritarchs from the Outer Krol Belt,Lesser Himalaya,India: Their significance for global correlation

Large acanthomorphic acritarchs have been previously reported from the Ediacaran successions of the Pachmunda and Krol Hill synclines in the Outer Krol Belt of Lesser Himalaya, India. Thin sections of chert from Krol ‘A’ Formation in Khanog and Rajgarh synclines, Outer Krol Belt, record an equally well developed and diversified assemblage of Ediacaran large acanthomorphic acritarchs. This assemblage contains specimens belonging to seven genera and ten species, identified as: Appendisphaera fragilis, A. grandis, Asterocapsoides sp. A, Asterocapsoides sp. B, Cavaspina acuminata, C. basiconica, Eotylotopalla dactylos, Knollisphaeridium sp., Papillomembrana sp., and Weissiella cf. grandistella. It also contains five unnamed forms, viz. A, B, C, D, and E. The Krol acritarch assemblage shows a close resemblance with the Upper Doushantuo or Tanarium anozos–Tanarium conoideum assemblage of China. However, the absence of biostratigraphically important markers such as Tanarium anozos and T. conoideum from the Krol assemblage, so far, makes it difficult to establish a definite biostratigraphic correlation between the two assemblages. The current observations from this new locality provide additional data for regional and global biostratigraphic correlation, and significantly increase the purview of Ediacaran sequences for global biostratigraphic zonation.     

Dinoflagellate cyst and nannoplankton assemblages from the Middle Eocene Kuma Formation of Crimean Peninsula — biostratigraphy and palynofacies

The stratigraphic correlation of the Kuma Formation from the south of the Russian Platform and the Crimea-Caucasian region has been a matter of debate for decades. A bed-by-beds study of dinocysts and nannoplankton from the the Kuma Formation made it possible to recognize a sequence of biotic events, important for defining and correlating the biozones. At the Bakhchisarai limestone quarry, six dinoflagellate zones and six nannoplankton zonal units were recognized, assignable to the Middle Eocene Lutetian and Bartonian stages. Our paleoecological analyses of the organic-walled microphytoplankton assemblages and of the palynofacies indicate that the the Kuma Formation deposited in the inner shelf zone, probably of anoxic and eutrophic settings within the Pontic-Transcaucasian magmatic belt. Assemblages of organic-walled microphytoplankton comprise potentially toxic dinoflagellate species of Alexandrium. The Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum event is recorded in the upper part of the the Kuma Formation, presumably indicated by the Dracodinium rhomboideum dinoflagellate zone, which is characterized by an acme of Dracodinium laszczynskii Gedl and the lowest occurrence of nannofossils Reticulofenestra bisecta (Hay, Mohler and Wade) Roth. Two new species are described: Pentadinium rugosum Vasilyeva, n. sp. (dinocyst) and Corannulus tauricum Musatov, n. sp. (nannofossil). The bioevents and biozones established herein are significant for correlations of the Middle Eocene of the Crimean Peninsula and the south of the Russian Platform.     

New latest Permian foraminifers from Laren (Guangxi Province, South China): Palaeobiogeographic implications

Microfacies analyses performed on the latest Permian Wujiaping Formation at Laren (Guangxi Province, South China) show that the bioclastic-rich limestones of Late Permian age contain a rich and well-diversified foraminiferal fauna. This fauna is here revised in order to be compared with time-equivalent levels of southern Iran and southern Turkey. Some new and unexpected phylogenetic trends are highlighted among the biseriamminoids. The new or poorly known genera Retroseptellina, Septoglobivalvulina, Paraglobivalvulinoides, Dagmarita?, Bidagmarita nov. gen., Louisettita, Paradagmaritopsis nov. gen. and Paradagmarita? are concerned. Nevertheless, these newly appeared biseriamminoids are subordinate to abundant Tetrataxis and Climacammina, ultimate survivors of the families Palaeotextulariidae and Tetrataxidae, appeared as old as the Early Carboniferous (“Mississippian”). Algae, miliolids, and nodosarioids are poorly represented. Two genera and four species are here newly described: Globivalvulina curiosa nov. sp., Louisettita ultima nov. sp., Bidagmarita nov. gen., Bidagmarita sinica nov. gen. nov. sp., Paradagmaritopsis nov. gen., Paradagmaritopsis kobayashii nov. gen. nov. sp. The palaeogeographic distribution of these foraminifers is interpreted to be typically of Neo-Tethyan regions, ranging from southern Turkey (Hazro) to South China (Laren) and up to Japan for some species (i.e., Paradagmaritopsis). At Laren, Late Permian strata are generally characterized by Reichelina ex gr. simplex Sheng. Isolated samples of packstones, collected in Tsoteng region (Guangxi Province, South China), contain Sphaerulina sp. together with various smaller foraminifers and numerous representatives of the new species G. curiosa nov. sp. In this study we demonstrate that the regions of Zagros (Iran), Taurus (Turkey), South China and even Japan shared similar foraminiferal assemblages and represented intermittently connected palaeobiogeographic provinces during Late Permian times.     

湖北宜昌地区晚奥陶世三叶虫动物群及分带序列

从湖北宜昌黄花场和普溪河桥宝塔组剖面获得的新材料,极大地丰富了华南晚奥陶世三叶虫动物群内容,包括22属、1亚属、31种之多。新材料保存完美,很大程度上完整了有关三叶虫的形态特征。RemopleuridesamphitryonoidesLu,1975一种由于新发现了活动颊、唇瓣、胸部及尾部,证明它确实是Remopleurides的成员,排除了对该种归属的怀疑。文中建立了1新属和2新种:Pentacopygepuxiheensisgen.etsp.nov.,Lamproscutellum?limbatumsp.nov.。同时,以桨肋虫类为基础在宝塔组Nankinolithus带之下进一步划分出4个三叶虫带,从下到上依次为Pentacopygepuxiheensis间隔带,Hexacopygeyichangensis间隔带,Remopleuridesamphitryonoides延限带(普溪河段,卡拉道克中期),和Dislobosaspisguizhouensis延限带(临湘段下部,卡拉道克晚期)。     

New species of Palaeobolbomyia Kovalev and Ussatchovia Kovalev (Diptera, Brachycera, Rhagionidae) from the Callovian-Oxfordian (Jurassic) Daohugou biota of China: Biostratigraphic and paleoecologic implications

Three new species of fossil snipe flies (Insecta, Diptera, Rhagionidae) from the Daohugou Formation of Chifeng City in Nei Monggol Autonomous Region (= Inner Mongolia), northeastern China are described as Palaeobolbomyia sinica nov. sp., Ussatchovia robusta nov. sp. and Ussatchovia gracilenta nov. sp. They represent the first records of the genera Palaeobolbomyia Kovalev and Ussatchovia Kovalev in China and have implications for stratigraphic correlation of the formations in which they are found. Although the precise age of the Daohugou Formation is currently unresolved, it is most likely Callovian-Oxfordian (latest Middle Jurassic-earliest Late Jurassic) rather than early Middle Jurassic (late Aalenian-early Bajocian) or Early Cretaceous.     

Conodonts from the Global Stratotype section for the base of the Guzhangian Stage (Cambrian) at Luoyixi,Hunan, South China

The base of the Guzhangian Stage (Cambrian) has been ratified recently at the lowest occurrence of the cosmopolitan agnostoid trilobite Lejopyge laevigata (base of the Lejopyge laevigata Zone) in the Huaqiao Formation in the Luoyixi section, Guzhang County, Hunan Province, China.Sampling of the Luoyixi section in the boundary interval reveals 16 protoconodont and paraconodont taxa. The conodont succession can be correlated with the Gapparodus bisulcatus-Westergaardodina brevidens and the Shandongodus priscus-Hunanognathus tricuspidatus zones of South China and with the Laiwugnathus laiwuensis and the Shandongodus priscus zones of North China. Laiwugnathus laiwuensis occurs immediately below the lowest occurrence of Lejopyge laevigata. The first occurrence of Shandongodus priscus is 14.95 m above the base of the Lejopyge laevigata Zone. A significant change in the conodont associations occurs in the interval corresponding to the uppermost Lejopyge armata trilobite Zone. This interval is characterized by an increase in diversity with the appearance of the paracondont genera Furnishina and Laiwugnathus. Laiwugnathus laiwuensis, which occurs immediately below the lowest occurrence of Lejopyge laevigata, has a short stratigraphic record and allows confident correlation with North China.     

First record of organic-walled microfossils from the Tonian Shiwangzhuang Formation of the Tumen Group in western Shandong,North China

Organic-walled microfossils offer important information on the biospheric evolution in pre-Cryogenian and provide biostratigraphic implications for many Proterozoic fossiliferous sequences that are poorly age constrained for the lack of reliable radiometric date. Recently, macroscopic carbonaceous compression fossils have been reported for the first time from the Tonian Shiwangzhuang Formation of the Tumen Group in western Shandong, North China. However, organic-walled microfossils have never been discovered from this formation up till now. To improve our knowledge about Proterozoic biodiversity in North China, we conducted a micropaleontological survey on the argillaceous limestone samples of the Shiwangzhuang Formation, which also contain macroscopic carbonaceous compression fossils, from the Baishicun section in Anqiu, western Shandong, North China. Our investigation shows that the Shiwangzhuang microfossil assemblage is dominated by smooth-walled sphaeromorphic acritarchs and cyanobacterium-like filaments and relatively low abundance of other acritarchs, including 16 taxa, such as Polysphaeroides filliformis, Ostiana microcystis, Simia annulare, ?Jacutianema sp., Arctacellularia tetragonala, Pellicularia tenera, Polythrichoides lineatus, and Navifusa actinomorpha. The Shiwangzhuang organic-walled microfossil assemblage, although consisting of long-ranging and not age diagnostic taxa, is consistent with a Tonian age suggested by macroscopic carbonaceous compression fossils, including the Chuaria-Tawuia and Sinosabellidites-Protoarenicola-Pararenicola assemblages, revealed from the same fossiliferous horizon of the Shiwangzhuang Formation and by organic-walled microfossil assemblage, including the late Mesoproterozoic to Tonian index fossil Trachyhystrichosphaera aimika, from the underlying Tongjiazhuang Formation. However, it is also worth noting that a Cryogenian or Ediacaran age cannot be completely excluded based just on the Shiwangzhuang microfossils because of their limited biostratigraphic utility.     

Stratigraphic distribution of selected acritarchs in the Ordovician subsurface,Canning Basin,Western Australia

Palynological investigation of 80 core samples from four boreholes, drilled through the Lower to Middle Ordovician marine sections of the central-northeastern Canning Basin, northwestern Australia, reveals diverse acritarch associations including a number of stratigraphically significant species. The stratigraphic succession studied, embracing the Willara Formation and conformably overlying Goldwyer Formation, has been independently dated as early Arenig to Llanvirn by conodont faunas (Oepikodus communis through Phragmodus-Plectodina zonal interval). Nine morphologically distinctive acritarch species have relatively narrow vertical ranges within the study interval and likely constitute serviceable palynostratigraphic indices for the Ordovician in and possibly beyond the Western Australian study area. Three new species, Comasphaeridium setaricum, Polyancistrodorus kunzeanensis, and Stelomorpha calix, are established; and one new combination, Baltisphaeridium variocavatum (Playford and Martin, 1984), is proposed. Other stratigraphically significant species include Petaloferidium comptum Playford and Martin, 1984 and Peteinosphaeridium sp. cf. P. exornatum Tongiorgi et al., 1995; together with Dorsennidium symmetricum (Lu, 1987) Sarjeant and Stancliffe, 1994, Peteinosphaeridium coronula Yin et al., 1998, and Striatotheca rarirrugulata (Cramer et al., 1974) Eisenack et al., 1976, which are found for the first time in Australia. The vertical distribution, and hence the stratigraphic utility, of each of the above species is documented through the studied sections.     

Ammonites du Toarcien du Haut Atlas central (Maroc)

In the central High Atlas, the Toarcian Stage is represented by a marl and marly limestone series of variable thickness. Two sections have been studied: Amellago (500 m) and Aït Athmane (100 m). Ammonites from the two sections allowed to characterize the Polymorphum, Levisoni, Bifrons, Gradata, and Speciosum zones. The Polymorphum Zone provided, among others: Dactylioceras (Eodactylites) mirabile, D. (E.) pseudocommune, Dactylioceras (Orthodactylites) aff. crosbeyi and Neolioceratoides aff. hoffmanni; the Levisoni Zone provided a rich ammonite fauna composed of, Calliphylloceras nilssoni, Dactylioceras (Orthodactylites) cf. semiannulatum, Eleganticeras exaratum, Harpoceras falciferum, H. pseudoserpentinum, H. serpentinum, H. subplanatum, Hildaites cf. forte, H. levisoni, H. cf. serpentiniformis, H. cf. subserpentinus, H. striatus, H. wrighti, Lytoceras siemensi, Lytoceras sp., Maconiceras soloniacense, Phylloceras sp., Polyplectus pluricostatum et Polyplectus sp.; the Bifrons Zone provided Eleganticeras sp., Harpoceras subplanatum?, Hildoceras bifrons, H. lusitanicum, H. semipolitum, H. sublevisoni, Hildoceras sp., Porpoceras gr. vortex – verticosum; the Gradata Zone was characterized by Pseudocrassiceras bayani, P. frantzi, Pseudocrassiceras sp., Pseudocrassiceras sp. indet.; and the Speciosum Zone provided an Hammatoceras aff. insigne. These species have been described and illustrated for the first time for the central High Atlas. Most of them are common to several basins of the north Tethyan margin and the Subboreal Domain of NW Europe.