Late Ordovician solutan echinoderms from the Western Tafilalt, Morocco

Abstract In the western Tafilalt area, eastern Anti-Atlas (Morocco), solutan echinoderms are a major faunal element of most echinoderm Lagerstätten occurring within Lower Ktaoua Formation (late Sandbian–early Katian). For first time, members class Soluta formally described from Morocco and Africa. All solutans identified as Dendrocystites aff. sedgwicki . Three size-related morphotypes, probably corresponding to successive growth stages (‘juvenile’, ‘adult’ ‘gerontic’), could be distinguished abundant well-preserved material Morocco. The occurrence genus in confirms strong affinities between other regions Mediterranean Province (Czech Republic Spain) Late Ordovician times. high palaeolatitude (peri-)Gondwanan areas, was gregarious living shallow, siliciclastic settings at or above storm-wave base.