BRYOZOANS, FROM MIOCENE REEF ENVIRONMENTS IN THE SOUTH-RIFIAN CORRIDOR OF MOROCCO

Citation
P. Moissette et Jp. Saintmartin, BRYOZOANS, FROM MIOCENE REEF ENVIRONMENTS IN THE SOUTH-RIFIAN CORRIDOR OF MOROCCO, Lethaia, 28(3), 1995, pp. 271-283
Citations number
57
Categorie Soggetti
Paleontology
Journal title
ISSN journal
00241164
Volume
28
Issue
3
Year of publication
1995
Pages
271 - 283
Database
ISI
SICI code
0024-1164(1995)28:3<271:BFMREI>2.0.ZU;2-1
Abstract
In late Miocene coral reefs from the Fes area (Northern Morocco), bryo zoans are the best represented group. An inventory of the bryozoan fau na (59 species) was taken on two reefs with different organization and palaeogeographical situation in a late Miocene seaway between the Atl antic and the Mediterranean. A study of the bryozoans and their zoaria l forms allows an improved reconstruction of reefal environments and a vailable habitats. Membraniporiform (encrusting) colonies largely pred ominate, whereas celleporiforms (nodular colonies) are more rare. Rigi d erect (vinculariiform, adeoniform, and reteporiform) and rigid artic ulated zoarial types (cellariiform and catenicelliform) are fairly wel l represented. At depths of about 10 m and on the reef front encrustin g bryozoans were well developed in cryptic habitats on living coral su bstrates. Erect species lived in cavities provided by the cord framewo rk, and plants offered flexible substrates for the attachment of epiph ytal forms.