Konservat-Lagerstätten from the Upper Jurassic lithographic limestone of the Causse Méjean (Lozère, southern France): palaeontological and palaeoenvironmental synthesis

Abstract Since the 1980s, Upper Jurassic lithographic limestone of Causse Méjean (southern France) has been known by local naturalists to yield fossils. However, until beginning 21st century, this plattenkalk remained largely undersampled and scientifically underestimated. Here, we present results two decades prospection sampling in Drigas Nivoliers quarries. We provide first palaeontological inventory fossil flora, fauna ichnofauna for these localities. The assemblages show co-occurrence marine terrestrial organisms. Marine organisms include algae, bivalves, brachiopods, cephalopods (ammonites, belemnites coleoids such as Trachyteuthis ), echinoderms, decapod crustaceans (ghost shrimps, penaeoid shrimps glypheoid lobsters) fishes (including several actinopterygians a coelacanth). Terrestrial consist plant remains (conifers, bennettitaleans, pteridosperms) single rhynchocephalian ( Kallimodon cerinensis ). Ichnofossils comprise traces invertebrates (e.g. limulid trackways, ammonite touch mark) well coprolites regurgitalites. Given exquisite preservation fossils, quarries can be considered Konservat-Lagerstätten. Both lithological features content suggest calm, protected shallow-marine environment lagoon partially or occasionally open sea. Most fossils are allochthonous parautochthonous document diverse ecological habitats. Similarly other famous plattenkalks western Europe Solnhofen, Cerin Canjuers, is key landmark our understanding coastal/lagoonal palaeoecosystems during Kimmeridgian–Tithonian interval.