The “mid”-Cretaceous (Lower Cenomanian) Continental Vertebrates of Gara Samani, Algeria. Sedimentological Framework and Palaeodiversity

Excellent outcrops of the upper part “Continental Intercalaire” deposits occur in Gara Samani area, southern Algeria. These strata are recognised herein as belonging to Formation, which is composed Vertebrate-rich Sand Member, Sandstone Member and Méguidène Stratified Member. The first two members from a fluvial system last member corresponds an aeolian (dune interdune) system. They have preserved one most diverse continental vertebrate faunas latest Albian–early Cenomanian age yet known northern Africa. Most taxa identified there, cited for time “mid”-Cretaceous Algeria, not been analysed detail so far; many them never figured. faunal list vertebrates this locality was supplemented thanks detailed analysis new relatively abundant finds. As consequence, assemblage elasmobranchs (two Hybodontiformes, i.e., Tribodus sp. Distobatidae indet.; Batoidea, Onchopristis numida ), actinopterygians ( Bawitius sp., Adrianaichthys Obaichthys africanus , Calamopleurus sarcopterygians (Mawsoniidae indet. Dipnoi, cf. Lavocatodus humei Neoceratodus testudines (at least Pelomedusoides, being representative Araripemydidae), crocodyliforms (all remains compatible with Neosuchia, represented at by Elosuchus broinae ornithocheirid pterosaurs, non-avian dinosaurs (titanosauriform sauropods theropods, Spinosaurus aegyptiacus Carcharodontosaurus saharicus ). This fauna association displays close similarities contemporaneous ones North Africa, especially that Kem beds.