Continental intercalaire


The Continental intercalaire, sometimes referred to as the Continental intercalaire Formation, is a term applied to Cretaceous strata in Northern Africa. It is the largest single stratum found in Africa to date, being between thick in some places. Fossils, including dinosaurs, have been recovered from this formation. The Continental intercalaire stretches from Algeria, Tunisia and Niger in the west to Egypt and Sudan in the east.

History

was the first to excavate fossils from the Continental intercalaire in Djoua, Algeria in 1893, and Léon Pervinquière studied the Continental intercalaire in Tataouine, Tunisia in 1912.
The Continental intercalaire was later identified during the course of several expeditions to the Sahara from 1946 to 1959 which were led by the French paleontologist Albert-Félix de Lapparent.

Description

The Continental intercalaire is most often likened to the Kem Kem Group in Morocco. It likely represents fluviatile facies, suggesting an environment with many rivers and streams.

Fossil content

Archosaurs

Dinosaurs

Reptiles

Crocodylomorphs

Fish

Trace fossils