The Ksar Metlili Formation is a geological formation in eastern High Atlas of Morocco. It is late Tithonian to Berriasian in age. It is approximately thick and primarily consists of mudstone and sandstone, with thin calcareous beds. One of these calcareous beds near the middle of the sequence is an important microvertebrate locality. Subsequent to the original site, several other localities have been sampled. The depositional environment is thought to be near shore deltaic.
Fossil content
Fish GenusSpeciesLocationMaterialNotesImagesCypriniformesIndeterminateKsar MetliliTeethBony FishEgertonodusE. basanusKsar Metlili 16 isolated Teeth KM-A2-26, teeth KM-D1-22, teeth KM-D2-25, toothHybodontidGinglymodiIndeterminateKsar Metlili KM-A1-41, fin rays KM-A1-42, teeth; 46, scales; 47, scale; 49, scales; 50, scales KM-B'-58 and 60, 66, all ichthyoliths KM-B'-59, 61, 64-65, 72, 84, all scales KM-A2-22, mandibular fragments KM-A2-23, 27, both scales; 32. teeth KM-C-6, mandibular fragments KM-C-7, scales; 9, teeth KM-D1-21, teeth KM-D2-30, teethBony FishHybodussp.Ksar MetliliTeethHybodontidLepidotessp.Ksar MetliliTeethLepidotidaeLonchidionL. (Lissodus) marocensisKsar MetliliMCM108, isolated toothLonchidiidMawsoniidaeIndeterminateKsar MetliliKM-A2-11, left postparietal shieldCoelacanthOsteoglossiformesIndeterminateKsar MetliliKM-B'-89, teethBony FishPolyacrodussp.Ksar MetliliTeethPolyacrodontidPtychoceratodontidaeIndeterminateKsar Metlili KM-B'-56, teeth KM-A2-24, teeth KM-D1-20, teeth KM-D2-22, teeth KM-D2-22, toothLungfishPycnodontidaeIndeterminateKsar Metlili KM-A1-58, teeth KM-A2-25, tooth KM-D1-23, teethPycnodontiformSemionotidaeIndeterminateKsar MetliliTeethBony Fish?Siluriformes/?PolypteriformesIndeterminateKsar Metlili KM-A1-40, fin spine KM-B'-57, fin spine KM-D1-19, fin spinesBony Fish
Amphibians GenusSpeciesLocationMaterialNotesImagesAlytidaeIndeterminateKsar MetliliKM-B'-18, dorsal vertebraeToadAnoualerpetonA. unicusKsar Metlili Right premaxilla (Holotype) KM-B'-12-13, left dentary KM-A2-7, fused frontals KM-A2-31, dentary KM-D2-28, fragmentary dentaryAlbanerpetontidAnuraIndeterminateKsar Metlili MCM 70-72, 74-76, 88-92, 97-99 KM-B'-15, right ilium; 16, scapula; 17, dorsal vertebrae; 27, dorsal vertebrae of a hatchling or neotenic; 86, long bone fragments KM-A2-2, radioulna KM-A2-3, coracoid; 4, femur; 5, scapula; 29, long bones KM-D1-25, long bonesFrogsAygrouaA. anoualensisKsar Metlili MCM 183 - holotype (proximal part of right ilium) MCM 57, 61, 67-69, 77, 81-82, 85-86, 95-96, 208-210(ilia, premaxilla, maxillae, atlantes, sacral vertebra, presacral vertebrae, scapulae)FrogEnneabatrachusaff.sp.Ksar MetliliACMC60, left illiumDiscoglossid FrogRubricacaeciliaR. monbaroniKsar MetliliNearly complete right pseudodentary, partial left pseudodentaries, partial right pseudangular, partial palatine, atlas, postcranial vertebraeStem-caecilian
Lepidosaurs GenusSpeciesLocationMaterialNotesImagesLacertiliaIndeterminateKsar MetliliTeethLizardParamacellodusP. marocensisKsar Metlili MCM 116 (holotype), left dentary with 12 teeth MCM 117, fragment of right dentary MCM 118, fragment of left dentary with 3 teethParamacellodidae LizardParamacellodidaeIndeterminateKsar MetliliTeethLizardScincomorphaIndeterminateKsar Metlili KM-A1-7, left dentary (fragmentary) KM-B'-19, right dentaryLizardSquamataIndeterminateKsar Metlili KM-A1-5, dorsal vertebra KM-A1-6, humerus, 8, dorsal vertebra KM-B'-28, dorsal vertebrae; 29, jaw fragment; 90, 92, single teeth KM-A2-6, right dentary KM-A2-28, long bones KM-D1-5, dorsal vertebra KM-D1-26, vertebrae KM-D2-27, "diverse elements"Lizard?SphenodontiaIndeterminateKsar Metlili"Sphenodontian B", teeth; KM-B'-14, dorsal vertebraDistinct from TingitanaTarratosaurusT. anoualensisKsar MetliliMNHN MCM 140; KM-B'-20, right dentaryLizardTingitanaT. anoualae Ksar MetliliMCM 120, a mandibleSphenodontid
Turtles GenusSpeciesLocationMaterialNotesImagesAraripemydidaeIndeterminateKsar MetliliIsolated PlastronsPelomedusoide TurtleCryptodiraIndeterminateKsar MetliliIsolated PlastronsTurtlePleurodiraIndeterminateKsar MetliliIsolated PlastronsTurtleTaquetochelyssp.Ksar MetliliIsolated PlastronsAn Araripemydid turtleTestudinataIndeterminateKsar Metlili KM-A1-18, osteoderms KM-A1-20 to 24, osteoderms KM-B'-39, 41, osteoderms KM-A2-14 osteoderms KM-D1-10, osteoderms KM-D2-13, osteoderms Mo-GR.23-002, bone fragmentTurtle
Choristoderes GenusSpeciesLocationMaterialNotesImagesChoristoderaIndeterminateKsar Metlili KM-A1-19, dorsal vertebra KM-D1-18, vertebrae KM-D2-23 and -26 KM-B'-49, dorsal vertebraeSimilar to Cteniogenys
Crocodylomorpha GenusSpeciesLocationMaterialNotesImagesAtoposauridaeIndeterminateKsar Metlili KM-B'-47, 48, A1-28, 29, 34, all teeth KM-A2-18, teeth KM-C-2, tooth KM-D1-17, teeth KM-D2-14, -15 and -18, teeth; -19, toothCrocodrylomorphGoniopholididae/PholidosauridaeIndeterminateKsar Metlili Mo-GR.23-001, Postcranial elements & osteoderms Mo-GR.23-001, complete skullCrocodrylomorphCrocodylomorphaIndeterminateKsar Metlili KM-B'-40, KM-A1-25, KM-A2-13, osteoderms KM-B'-45, mandibular fragment; 46, 52, 91, A1-26, 27, 30 to 33, 35 KM-A2-15 to 17, 20 all teeth KM-D1-7 and 8, both single teeth KM-D1-11, osteoderms; 12, dorsal vertebra; 13, scapula/coracoid; 14-16, all teeth KM-D2-12, osteoderms KM-D2-16, teeth; -20, toothCrocodrylomorphTeleosauridaeIndeterminateKsar Metlili KM-B'-51, teeth KM-B'-53, tooth KM-A1-53, tooth KM-A2-30, tooth KM-C-5, teeth KM-C-8, tooth KM-D2-29, teethMarine CrocodrylomorphTheriosuchusCf.T. sp.Ksar MetliliKM-B'-42, premaxillaryAn Atoposaurid
Pterosaurs GenusSpeciesLocationMaterialNotesImagesCtenochasmatidaeIndeterminateKsar MetliliTeethPterosaurPterosauriaIndeterminateKsar Metlili KM-A1-38 to 39 KM-B'-54-55 KM-A2-21, teeth KM-D2-17 and -21, teeth Numerous robust teeth Abundant small teethPterosaurRhamphorhynchidaeIndeterminateKsar MetliliTeethPterosaur
Dinosaurs GenusSpeciesLocationMaterialNotesImagesDromeosauridaeIndeterminateKsar Metlili KM-A1-10, tooth KM-B'-26, teeth KM-D1-6, tooth KM-D2-11, teethCoelurosaurManiraptoriformesIndeterminateKsar Metlili "morphotype II" MNHN SA 2004/5A "morphotype III"; MNHN SA 2004/4E KM-B'-22, tooth KM-A2-9, teeth KM-D2-8, teethCoelurosaurOrnithischiaIndeterminateKsar Metlili 3 teeth varieties of unknown taxonomic meaning KM-A2-8, toothOrnithischianTheropodaIndeterminateKsar Metlili KM-A1-9, claw (pedal?) KM-A1-11, claws; 12 to 13, both teeth; 55, claw (pedal?), 56, claw (ungual?) KM-B'-21, claw; KM-B'-23-25, teeth; 94, claw (ungual?) MNHN SA mcm 167, 2004/2A, 2004/2D, 2004/2C, 2004/2E, 2004/2F, 2004/2G, 2004/3B, 2004/4A, 2004/5C, 2004/5D KM-A2-10, teeth KM-C-1, claw KM-D1-9, teeth KM-D2-9, claw KM-D2-10, teethTheropodVelociraptorinaeIndeterminateKsar Metlili "morphotype II"; MNHN SA 2004/5B "morphotype III"; MNHN SA mcm 158Coelurosaur
Mammals GenusSpeciesLocationMaterialNotesImagesAfriquiamusA. nessovi Ksar MetliliSA 84 (holotype upper left molar)PeramuridAtlasodonA. monbaroniKsar MetliliMNHN SA 27 (holotype right upper molar)TheriiformAmazighodonA. orbisKsar Metlili MCM 618, left lower molar KM-B’-2, right lower molarDonodontidAmphilestidaeIndeterminateKsar MetliliTeethAmphilestidAnoualestesA. incidensKsar Metlili KM-B’-97, left lower molar MCM 620, left lower molar MCM 623, right lower molar KM-B’-1, right lower molar KM-A1-1, left lower molarDonodontidCynodontia?IndeterminateKsar Metlili KM-B’-44, KM-B’-43, KM-B’-98, teeth crowns KM-?-1, almost complete ?lower toothTwo morphotypes, non tritylodontidDenisodonD. moroccensisKsar MetliliIsolated m2 MNHN SA 97Hahnodontidae HaramiyidanDonodonD. prescriptoris, D. minor, sp.Ksar Metlili MNHN SA 31 (holotype right upper molar) SA 1, SA 44; MCM 595, right upper molar KM-A1-2, left upper molar KM-B'-2, left lower molar; 11, right upper molar; 95, right upper molar KM-D2-5, left upper molarDonodontidDryolestidaeIndeterminateKsar MetliliKM-D2-4, left lower molarDryolestidDryolestoideaIndeterminateKsar Metlili KM-A1-1, left lower molar KM-B'-1, left lower molar; 37, teeth; 96-97, single left lower molarsDryolestoidDyskritodonD. amazighiKsar MetliliMNHN SA 92 (holotype right lower molar)EutriconodontanEutriconodontaIndeterminateKsar Metlili KM-A1-3, tooth KM-B'-3, 6, single lower molars; 8, 30, single teeth KM-A2-1, tooth KM-D2-1, toothEutriconodontanGobiconodonG. palaiosKsar Metlili SA 107, a right upper molar SA Ill, a right ?upper molar (M2?) SA 119, a right upper molar SA 130, a left upper molar (M2?) SA 138, a right upper molar SA 141, a left upper molar SA 146, anterior third of a left upper molar SA 153, anterior two-thirds of a left upper molar SA 80, a worn right upper molariform SA 93, a partial left ?upper premolar SA 129, a partial right ?upper premolarEutriconodontanHahnodonH. taquetiKsar Metlilileft m2Hahnodontidae HaramiyidanHahnodontidaeIndeterminateKsar MetliliPosterior upper premolar; Lower incisor Hahnodontidae HaramiyidanHypomylosH. phelizoni, H. micros; sp.Ksar Metlili SA 82 (right lower molar), 83 (right lower tooth), 45 (right incomplete trigonid) SA 76 (small lower right molar; holotype) MNHN SA 54, lower right molar KM-B'-4, left lower molar; 9-10, single right lower molarsTribosphenidanIchthyoconodonI. jaworowskorumKsar Metlili MNHN SA 46 (holotype) SA 78 (right lower molars)VolaticothereKryptotheriumK. polysphenosKsar Metlili SA 22, a right lower molar Sa 69, a right lower molar SA 70, a right lower molar SA 101, a left lower molar SA 34, anterior part of a left lower ?premolarEutriconodontaMammaliaIndeterminateKsar Metlili KM-A1-16, incisor tooth KM-A1-17, left dentary KM-A1-36, mandibular fragments, -37, phalanx KM-B'-31-32, both single incisor teeth; 33-34, left dentary; 35, dentary; 38, right dentary; 50, mandibular fragment KM-A2-19, mandible KM-A2-12, left dentary KM-D1-1, tooth KM-D1-2, canine; 3, incisor teeth KM-D2-2, right dentary KM-D2-3, left dentary KM-D2-7, dentaries (fragments)MammalMicrodersonM. laaroussiiKsar MetliliMNHN SA 40 (holotype upper right molar)MammalMinimusM. richardfoxiKsar MetliliSA 122 (holotype left lower molar), 10 (right lower molar), 64 (left lower molar) ZatherianPeramuridaeIndeterminateKsar MetliliTeethPeramuridPeramussp.Ksar MetliliSA 37 (small tooth)PeramuridStylodensS. amerrukensis Ksar MetliliMCM 578, right upper molarDonodontidSymmetrodontaIndeterminateKsar MetliliKM-B'-36, teeth; MammalThereuodonT. dahmaniKsar MetliliTeethThereuodontid SymmetrodontTribotheriaIndeterminateKsar MetliliSA 55 (left trigonid), 4 (upper left labial tooth fragment)TribosphenidanTribotheriumT. africanumKsar Metlili MNHN SA 39 (holotype partial right upper molar) SA 72, 56 (teeth), 71, 56 (tooth fragments) KM-B'-5, right upper molarTribosphenidanTriconodontidaeIndeterminateKsar MetliliTeethTriconodontid ZatheriaIndeterminateKsar MetliliTeethCladotherian
Plants GenusSpeciesLocationMaterialNotesImagesConiferophytaIndeterminateKsar MetliliBranched ShootsConiferPhlebopteris/PiazopterisIndeterminateKsar MetliliFrondsA Matoniaceae fernRuffordia? R?. sp.Ksar MetliliFrondsA Schizaeaceae fern
References