Abstract
Located in the North-West of the African continent, the Moroccan Middle Atlas constitutes an intra-continental chain within the Atlas domain. It is known by several global geological events such as the Paleocene-Eocene crisis during the Paleogene, which corresponds to one of the hottest periods on earth with Paleocene-Eocene thermal maximum (PETM). A taxonomic study carried out on the carbonate deposits of the Bekrit-Timahdite Formation from three sections of the Bekrit syncline allowed the identification of 5 species of the Cheilostome and Cyclostome Bryozoans (Cellaria rigida, Cellaria sinuosa, Aimulosia lamellosa, Heteropora and Osthimosia) in bioclastic limestones, nodular limestones, marly and sandy limestones. The interest of Bryozoans as indicators of paleoenvironments and paleoclimates was assessed by examining current communities, in terms of depth evolution as richness and abundance, distribution of taxonomic categories zoarium types, and zooidal morphology. The depositional environment analysis of Bryozoans showed a shallow marine carbonate platform with low sedimentation energy where is registered a relatively warm paleoclimate.
Highlights
The shallow marine carbonate deposits of the Bekrit-Timahdite Formation are largely developed in the Bekrit syncline
A taxonomic study carried out on the carbonate deposits of the Bekrit-Timahdite Formation from three sections of the Bekrit syncline allowed the identification of 5 species of the Cheilostome and Cyclostome Bryozoans (Cellaria rigida, Cellaria sinuosa, Aimulosia lamellosa, Heteropora and Osthimosia) in bioclastic limestones, nodular limestones, marly and sandy limestones
The Bekrit-Timahdite formation is represented by yellow to beige carbonate deposits, with sandstone limestones, were unregistered oblique stratification with Wackestone to Packestone texture
Summary
The shallow marine carbonate deposits of the Bekrit-Timahdite Formation are largely developed in the Bekrit syncline. It contains faunal assemblages, dominated by Bryozoans which are aquatic invertebrates that live in colonies. They represent a biological diversity in the carbonate deposits of the Middle Atlas during the Paleogene period. Cheilostome and Cyclostome bryozoans are the most responsive in the Bekrit syncline. They have been previously listed by Herbig (1991). In this study a particular interest is given to the well-preserved species in bioclastic limestones
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