Dukamaje Formation

Dukamaje Formation
Stratigraphic range: Maastrichtian[1]
TypeGeological formation
Sub-unitsGypsiferous shale Member
Lithology
PrimaryMudstone, shale
OtherSiltstone, marl, gypsum
Location
Coordinates15°24′N 5°48′E / 15.4°N 5.8°E / 15.4; 5.8
Approximate paleocoordinates5°06′N 0°36′E / 5.1°N 0.6°E / 5.1; 0.6
RegionTahoua
Sokoto
Country Niger
 Nigeria
ExtentIullemmeden Basin
Type section
Named forDukamaje, Sokoto, Nigeria
Dukamaje Formation is located in Niger
Dukamaje Formation
Dukamaje Formation (Niger)

The Dukamaje Formation is a geological formation in Niger and Nigeria whose strata date back to the Late Cretaceous. Dinosaur remains are among the fossils that have been recovered from the formation.[1] A wealth of Mosasaur fossils have also been recovered from this formation, particularly from the area around Mt. Igdaman.[2]

Fossil content

Dinosaurs of the Dukamaje Formation
Taxa Presence Description Images

Genus:

  1. ?B. ingens.[1]
  1. Geographically present in Département De Tahoua, Niger.[1]
Mosasaurs of the Dukamaje Formation
Taxa Presence Description Images
Genus:
  1. I. aegyptiacus[2]
  1. Geographically present on Mt. Igdaman, near the village of Igdaman (or In Daman).[2]
 Mid-sized globidensine mosasaur.[3] Originally described as a plioplatecarpine. Durophagous.[2]
Goronyosaurus and juvenile elasmosaurs
Genus:
  1. G. nigeriensis
  2. G. sp.[2]
  1. Type locality unknown. From the portion of the Dukamaje Formation located in Nigeria.
  2. Geographically present on Mt. Igdaman. From the portion of the Dukamaje Formation located in Niger.[2]
 Large mosasaur of uncertain affiliations. High number of foramina on the snout and small eyes indicate a murky-water hunter.[4]
Genus:
  1. ?A. sp.[2]
  1. Geographically present on Mt. Igdaman.[2]
 Represented here by four vertebrae, one from a juvenile. Fragmentary state makes identification difficult.[2]
Genus:
  1. H. sp.[2]
  1. Geographically present on Mt. Igdaman.[2]
 Mid-sized mosasaur. Represented here by four vertebrae.[2]
Genus:
  1. P. sp.[2]
  1. Geographically present on Mt. Igdaman.[2]
 Mid-sized plioplatecarpine mosasaur. Represented here by several vertebrae.[2]
Genus:
  1. P. sp.[2]
  1. Geographically present on Mt. Igdaman.[2]
 Mid-sized plioplatecarpine mosasaur. Represented here by a single fragmentary vertebrae.[2]
Genus:
  1. cf. M. hoffmannii[2]
  1. Geographically present on Mt. Igdaman.[2]
 Massive mosasaurine mosasaur. Represented here by a fragmentary tooth crown. The first example of Mosasaurus from Niger and Nigeria.[2]
Other reptiles
Fishes

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Weishampel, David B; et al. (2004). "Dinosaur distribution (Late Cretaceous, Africa)." In: Weishampel, David B.; Dodson, Peter; and Osmólska, Halszka (eds.): The Dinosauria, 2nd, Berkeley: University of California Press. Pp. 604-605. ISBN 0-520-24209-2.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab Lingham-Soliar, Theagarten (1991). "Mosasaurs from the upper Cretaceous of Niger". Palaeontology. 34: 653–670.
  3. ^ Lindgren, Johan (2005). "Dental and vertebral morphology of the enigmatic mosasaur Dollosaurus (Reptilia, Mosasauridae) from the lower Campanian (Upper Cretaceous) of southern Sweden". Bulletin of the Geological Society of Denmark. 52: 17–25. doi:10.37570/bgsd-2005-52-03.
  4. ^ "Tongues, venom glands, and the changing face of Goronyosaurus". Tetrapod Zoology. Retrieved 2017-01-11.
  5. ^ Gilbedi Hills, Rima River at Fossilworks.org
  6. ^ Mont Igdaman (bed 25) at Fossilworks.org
  7. ^ In Touhout (bed 4) at Fossilworks.org

Further reading

  • R. T. J. Moody and P. J. C. Suttcliffe. 1991. The Cretaceous deposits of the Iullemmeden Basin of Niger, central West Africa. Cretaceous Research 12:137-157