# Bahariya Formation

The Bahariya Formation (also transcribed as Baharija Formation) is a fossiliferous geologic formation dating back to the early Cenomanian, which outcrops within the Bahariya depression in Egypt, and is known from oil exploration drilling across much of the Western Desert where it forms an important oil reservoir.

## Extent

The Bahariya Formation forms the base of the depression, the lower part of the enclosing escarpment and all of the small hills within. The type section for the formation is found at Gebel El-Dist, a hill at the northern end of the Bahariya depression.

## Stratigraphy and sedimentology

Four depositional sequences have been recognised in the Bahariya Formation in the Bahariya depression, separated by three sub-aerial unconformities. The formation was deposited during a period of relative rise in sea level, with each unconformity representing a relative fall in sea level. Each of the individual sequences contains sediments deposited under fluvial, shoreline and shallow marine conditions.

## Microfauna and Meiofauna
### Foraminifera

Foraminifera of the Bahariya Formation :
| Genus | Species |
| Charentia | C. cuvillieri |
| Favusella | F. washitensis |
| Mayncina | M. orbignyi |
| Rotalipora | R. cushmani R. reicheli |
| Thomasinella | T. aegyptia T. fragmentaria T. punica |
| Whiteinella | W. archaeocretacea |

### Other microorganisms

Other microorganisms of the Bahariya Formation :
| Genus | Species | Images |
| Botryococcus | | BotryococcusPediastrum Scenedesmus |
| Coronifera | C. oceanica | BotryococcusPediastrum Scenedesmus |
| Cyclonephelium | C. edwardsii C. vannophorum | BotryococcusPediastrum Scenedesmus |
| Dynopterigium | D. cladoides | BotryococcusPediastrum Scenedesmus |
| Exochosphaeridium | | BotryococcusPediastrum Scenedesmus |
| Florentinia | F. cooksoniae F. mantlii | BotryococcusPediastrum Scenedesmus |
| Kallosphaeridium | | BotryococcusPediastrum Scenedesmus |
| Mudrongia | M. simplex | BotryococcusPediastrum Scenedesmus |
| Palaeoperidinium | P. cretaceum | BotryococcusPediastrum Scenedesmus |
| Pediastrum | | BotryococcusPediastrum Scenedesmus |
| Pseudoceratium | P. anaphrisum P. securigerum | BotryococcusPediastrum Scenedesmus |
| Scenedesmus | | BotryococcusPediastrum Scenedesmus |
| Spiniferites | | BotryococcusPediastrum Scenedesmus |
| Subtilisphaera | S. perlucida S. senegalensis | BotryococcusPediastrum Scenedesmus |
| Xiphophoridium | X. alatum | BotryococcusPediastrum Scenedesmus |

## Invertebrates
### Molluscs

Molluscs of the Bahariya Formation :
| Genus | Species | Notes | Images |
| Baculites | | A heteromorph ammonite with a nearly straight shell. | Baculites. |
| Cardium | | A cockle. | Baculites. |
| Exogyra | | A reef-forming true oyster associated with solid substrates and warm temperatures. | Baculites. |
| Gastrochaena | | A saltwater clam. | Baculites. |
| Neolobites | N. vibrayeanus | A typical rolled ammonite. | Baculites. |
| Nucula | | A small saltwater clam. | Baculites. |
| Ostrea | O. flabeata | An edible oyster. | Baculites. |

### Crustaceans (Ostracoda)

Crustaceans of the Bahariya Formation :
| Genus | Species |
| Amphicytherura | A. sexta |
| Anticythereis | A. gaensis |
| Bairdia | B. bassiounii B. elongata |
| Brachycythere | B. ledaforma porosa |
| Bythoceratina | B. avnonensis B. tamarae |
| Bythocypris | B. eskeri |
| Cythereis | C. algeriana C. bicornis levis C. canteriolata |
| Cytherella | C. ovata C. paenovata C. parallela C. sulcata |
| Fabanella | |
| Looneyella | L. sohni |
| Loxoconcha | L. clinocosta L. fletcheri |
| Metacytheropteron | M. berbericum |
| Ovocytheridea | O. caudata O. producta O. reniformis |
| Paracypris | P. acutocaudata P. angusta P. mdaouerensis P. triangularis |
| Pterygocythere | P. raabi |
| Veeniacythereis | V. jezzineensis |
| Xestoleberis | X. obesa |

### Insects

Direct fossils are sparse, though plant leaves with extensive damage from folivorous insects have been documented.

## Vertebrates
### Cartilaginous fish

| Color key Taxon Reclassified taxon Taxon falsely reported as present Dubious taxon or junior synonym Ichnotaxon Ootaxon Morphotaxon | Notes Uncertain or tentative taxa are in small text; crossed out taxa are discredited. |
Chondrichthyes of the Bahariya Formation :
| Genus | Species | Abundance | Notes | Images |
| Aegyptobatus | A. kuehnei | | A sclerorhynchiform. | Modern Gymnura. Onchopristis tooth. Modern Rhinoptera. Scapanorhynchus Squalicorax Modern Squatina. |
| Asteracanthus | A. aegyptiacus | | A hybodont shark. | Modern Gymnura. Onchopristis tooth. Modern Rhinoptera. Scapanorhynchus Squalicorax Modern Squatina. |
| Baharipristis | B. bastetiae | | A sclerorhynchiform. | Modern Gymnura. Onchopristis tooth. Modern Rhinoptera. Scapanorhynchus Squalicorax Modern Squatina. |
| Cretodus | C. longiplicatus | | A shark. | Modern Gymnura. Onchopristis tooth. Modern Rhinoptera. Scapanorhynchus Squalicorax Modern Squatina. |
| Cretolamna | C. appendiculata | | A mackerel shark. | Modern Gymnura. Onchopristis tooth. Modern Rhinoptera. Scapanorhynchus Squalicorax Modern Squatina. |
| Distobatus | D. nutiae | | A sclerorhynchiform. | Modern Gymnura. Onchopristis tooth. Modern Rhinoptera. Scapanorhynchus Squalicorax Modern Squatina. |
| Gymnura | G. laterialata | | A butterfly ray. | Modern Gymnura. Onchopristis tooth. Modern Rhinoptera. Scapanorhynchus Squalicorax Modern Squatina. |
| Haimirichia | H. amonensis | | A shark previously classified in the genera Odontaspis, Serratolamna, and Carcharias. | Modern Gymnura. Onchopristis tooth. Modern Rhinoptera. Scapanorhynchus Squalicorax Modern Squatina. |
| Isidobatus | I. tricarinatus | | A sclerorhynchiform. | Modern Gymnura. Onchopristis tooth. Modern Rhinoptera. Scapanorhynchus Squalicorax Modern Squatina. |
| Marckgrafia | M. lybica | | A sclerorhynchiform. | Modern Gymnura. Onchopristis tooth. Modern Rhinoptera. Scapanorhynchus Squalicorax Modern Squatina. |
| Onchopristis | O. numida | One complete cranium and associated vertebrae. | A sclerorhynchid rajoid. | Modern Gymnura. Onchopristis tooth. Modern Rhinoptera. Scapanorhynchus Squalicorax Modern Squatina. |
| Peyeria | P. libyca | | A sclerorhynchiform. | Modern Gymnura. Onchopristis tooth. Modern Rhinoptera. Scapanorhynchus Squalicorax Modern Squatina. |
| Ptychotrygon | P. henkeli | | A sclerorhynchiform. | Modern Gymnura. Onchopristis tooth. Modern Rhinoptera. Scapanorhynchus Squalicorax Modern Squatina. |
| Renpetia | R. labiicarinata | | A sclerorhynchiform. | Modern Gymnura. Onchopristis tooth. Modern Rhinoptera. Scapanorhynchus Squalicorax Modern Squatina. |
| Rhinoptera | | | A batoid ray. | Modern Gymnura. Onchopristis tooth. Modern Rhinoptera. Scapanorhynchus Squalicorax Modern Squatina. |
| Schizorhiza | S. stromeri | | An unusual sclerorhynchid sawfish that retained its rostral teeth after they were replaced. | Modern Gymnura. Onchopristis tooth. Modern Rhinoptera. Scapanorhynchus Squalicorax Modern Squatina. |
| Squalicorax | S. baharijensis | | A large shark. | Modern Gymnura. Onchopristis tooth. Modern Rhinoptera. Scapanorhynchus Squalicorax Modern Squatina. |
| Scapanorhynchus | S. subulatus | | A mitsukurinid similar to the modern goblin shark. | Modern Gymnura. Onchopristis tooth. Modern Rhinoptera. Scapanorhynchus Squalicorax Modern Squatina. |
| Squatina | | | An angelshark. | Modern Gymnura. Onchopristis tooth. Modern Rhinoptera. Scapanorhynchus Squalicorax Modern Squatina. |
| Tribodus | T. aschersoni | | A hybodont. | Modern Gymnura. Onchopristis tooth. Modern Rhinoptera. Scapanorhynchus Squalicorax Modern Squatina. |

### Bony fish

| Color key Taxon Reclassified taxon Taxon falsely reported as present Dubious taxon or junior synonym Ichnotaxon Ootaxon Morphotaxon | Notes Uncertain or tentative taxa are in small text; crossed out taxa are discredited. |
Osteichthyes of the Bahariya Formation :
| Genus | Species | Abundance | Notes | Images |
| Bawitius | B. bartheli | | A giant bichir. | Ceratodus Enchodus Lepidotes Mawsonia Neoceratodus Saurodon |
| Concavotectum | C. moroccensis | | Possibly synonymous with Paranogmius doederleini. | Ceratodus Enchodus Lepidotes Mawsonia Neoceratodus Saurodon |
| Ceratodus | | | A lungfish. | Ceratodus Enchodus Lepidotes Mawsonia Neoceratodus Saurodon |
| Coelodus | | | A pycnodontid. | Ceratodus Enchodus Lepidotes Mawsonia Neoceratodus Saurodon |
| Enchodus | | One tooth. | A predatory fish. | Ceratodus Enchodus Lepidotes Mawsonia Neoceratodus Saurodon |
| Lepidotes | | Isolated scales. | Possibly misidentified from Bawitius bartheli. | Ceratodus Enchodus Lepidotes Mawsonia Neoceratodus Saurodon |
| Mawsonia | M. lybica | Considered a "signature taxon" of the formation. | A giant freshwater coelacanth. Species assignation deemed provisional due to the lack of neotype. | Ceratodus Enchodus Lepidotes Mawsonia Neoceratodus Saurodon |
| Neoceratodus | N. africanus | | A lungfish related to the living Australian species. | Ceratodus Enchodus Lepidotes Mawsonia Neoceratodus Saurodon |
| Obaichthys | O. africanus | | An obaichthyid lepisosteiform. Remains formerly attributed to "Stromerichthys". | Ceratodus Enchodus Lepidotes Mawsonia Neoceratodus Saurodon |
| Palaeonotopterus | P. greenwoodi | | Nomen conservandum of the two Plethodus species previously described. | Ceratodus Enchodus Lepidotes Mawsonia Neoceratodus Saurodon |
| Paranogmius | Paranogmius doederleini | One vertebra. | Holotype lost in World War II. Could be synonymous with Concavotectum moroccensis. | Ceratodus Enchodus Lepidotes Mawsonia Neoceratodus Saurodon |
| Plethodus | P. libycus P. tibniensis | | Holotypes destroyed in World War II, but now believed to have been misidentified Palaeonotopterus greenwoodi. | Ceratodus Enchodus Lepidotes Mawsonia Neoceratodus Saurodon |
| Retodus | R. tuberculatus | | A lungfish species identified from remains previously assigned to Neoceratodus. | Ceratodus Enchodus Lepidotes Mawsonia Neoceratodus Saurodon |
| Saurodon | | | Identified by Stromer in 1936, but now rejected due to this genus appearing only in post-Cenomanian Europe and North America. Now listed as Ichthyodectidae incertae sedis. | Ceratodus Enchodus Lepidotes Mawsonia Neoceratodus Saurodon |
| Stromerichthys | S. aethiopicus | | A fish initially identified as a bowfin relative, but now thought to be a chimera consisting of remains assignable to Bawitius, Obaichthys, and others. | Ceratodus Enchodus Lepidotes Mawsonia Neoceratodus Saurodon |

### Testudines

Testudines of the Bahariya Formation :
| Genus | Species | Abundance | Notes | Images |
| Apertotemporalis | A. baharijensis | | A small pleurodiran turtle, likely belonging to Bothremydidae. Other unnamed species are also present. | |

### Squamates

Squamates of the Bahariya Formation :
| Genus | Species | Abundance | Notes | Images |
| Simoliophis | | Abundant | First known sea snake, with functional hind legs. Now believed to include elements from different species and at least one of a different, unnamed genus. | |

### Plesiosaurs

| Color key Taxon Reclassified taxon Taxon falsely reported as present Dubious taxon or junior synonym Ichnotaxon Ootaxon Morphotaxon | Notes Uncertain or tentative taxa are in small text; crossed out taxa are discredited. |
Plesiosaurs of the Bahariya Formation :
| Genus | Species | Abundance | Notes | Images |
| Leptocleidus | L. capensis | | A small plesiosaur that visited brackish or fresh water systems. Though known from both South Africa and England, the Egyptian material lacks diagnostic traits of the genus and is now referred as Polycotylidae incertae sedis. | Leptocleidus |

### Crocodyliformes

| Color key Taxon Reclassified taxon Taxon falsely reported as present Dubious taxon or junior synonym Ichnotaxon Ootaxon Morphotaxon | Notes Uncertain or tentative taxa are in small text; crossed out taxa are discredited. |
Crocodyliformes of the Bahariya Formation :
| Genus | Species | Abundance | Notes | Images |
| Aegyptosuchus | A. peyeri | | A poorly known, possibly stomatosuchid crocodile. | Hamadasuchus Stomatosuchus |
| Hamadasuchus | H. rebouli | | A terrestrial, dog-like peirosaurid. It is possible that some material previously attributed to Libycosuchus actually belongs to this species. | Hamadasuchus Stomatosuchus |
| Libycosuchus | L. brevirostris | | A terrestrial crocodile of uncertain affinities, possibly related to Notosuchus. | Hamadasuchus Stomatosuchus |
| Stomatosuchus | S. inermis | A complete cranium | A large, flat-headed stomatosuchid with multiple small conical teeth, and possibly a pelican-like throat pouch. The only remains were destroyed in World War II. | Hamadasuchus Stomatosuchus |
| Stromerosuchus | S. aegyptiacus | Fragmentary remains | Nomen dubium assigned to material found in 1911, that were badly damaged in 1922 while being shipped to Germany for study. Some material may belong to Aegyptosuchus and other to Stomatosuchus. | Hamadasuchus Stomatosuchus |

### Pterosaurs

| Color key Taxon Reclassified taxon Taxon falsely reported as present Dubious taxon or junior synonym Ichnotaxon Ootaxon Morphotaxon | Notes Uncertain or tentative taxa are in small text; crossed out taxa are discredited. |
Pterosaurs of the Bahariya Formation :
| Genus | Species | Material | Notes | Images |
| Pterosauria indet. | Indeterminate | Left first wing phalanx | A medium-sized pterosaur. The first record of a pterosaur from Egypt. |

### Dinosaurs
#### Sauropods

| Color key Taxon Reclassified taxon Taxon falsely reported as present Dubious taxon or junior synonym Ichnotaxon Ootaxon Morphotaxon | Notes Uncertain or tentative taxa are in small text; crossed out taxa are discredited. |
Sauropods of the Bahariya Formation :
| Genus | Species | Material | Notes | Images |
| Aegyptosaurus | A. baharijensis | Partial postcranial skeleton | A titanosaur of about 15 meters. All remains were destroyed in World War II. | Aegyptosaurus Dicraeosaurus Paralititan |
| Dicraeosaurus | D. hansemanni | Isolated scapula and vertebra | Identified by Stromer in 1932. Subsequently considered a rebbachisaurid, or a third, unnamed titanosaur. | Aegyptosaurus Dicraeosaurus Paralititan |
| Paralititan | P. stromeri | Partial postcranial skeleton | One of the largest titanosaurs of the Cretaceous, with a 1.69 meters long humerus and an estimated total length of 26 meters. | Aegyptosaurus Dicraeosaurus Paralititan |

#### Theropods

| Color key Taxon Reclassified taxon Taxon falsely reported as present Dubious taxon or junior synonym Ichnotaxon Ootaxon Morphotaxon | Notes Uncertain or tentative taxa are in small text; crossed out taxa are discredited. |
Theropods of the Bahariya Formation :
| Genus | Species | Abundance | Notes | Images |
| Abelisauridae indet. | Indeterminate | "MUVP 477, an isolated caudal (tenth) cervical vertebra" | A medium-sized abelisaurid, estimated around 5.77 meters (~18.9 feet) long. The first unambiguous abelisaurid known from the Bahariya Formation. | Abelisauridae indet. Bahariasaurus Tameryraptor Spinosaurus |
| Bahariasaurus | B. ingens | | A medium-sized theropod of uncertain affinities. Possibly a megaraptoran, a relative of Deltadromeus, or both. | Abelisauridae indet. Bahariasaurus Tameryraptor Spinosaurus |
| Deltadromeus? | Deltadromeus agilis? | | | Abelisauridae indet. Bahariasaurus Tameryraptor Spinosaurus |
| Ceratosauria? | | | | Abelisauridae indet. Bahariasaurus Tameryraptor Spinosaurus |
| Elaphrosaurus | E. bambergi or aff | | Material now considered to be indeterminate theropod remains. | Abelisauridae indet. Bahariasaurus Tameryraptor Spinosaurus |
| Erectopus? | Erectopus sauvagei? | | | Abelisauridae indet. Bahariasaurus Tameryraptor Spinosaurus |
| Sigilmassasaurus | S. brevicollis | | Previously considered a species of Spinosaurus, or a synonym of S. aegyptiacus. | Abelisauridae indet. Bahariasaurus Tameryraptor Spinosaurus |
| Spinosaurus | S. aegyptiacus | Most common dinosaur of the formation. | A large spinosaurid. | Abelisauridae indet. Bahariasaurus Tameryraptor Spinosaurus |
| Tameryraptor | T. markgrafi | | A large carcharodontosaurid theropod, originally assigned to Carcharodontosaurus | Abelisauridae indet. Bahariasaurus Tameryraptor Spinosaurus |
In addition, there are isolated theropod teeth disputedly assigned to dromaeosaurids, or to abelisaurids.

## Flora

Thirty different genera are known from Bahariya, including megaflora. Much of the material is yet to be described. Other taxa include Sapindales, Piperaceae, Lauraceae, Platanaceae, Magnoliopsida, Nymphaeaceae, Cornaceae, Proteaceae and Vitaceae not identified at genus level; and miospore and pollen species.
Vascular Plants :
| Genus | Species | Abundance | Notes | Images |
| Agathis | A/W spp. | Few Specimens | An Araucarian conifer, now restricted to Australasia. | Cladophlebis Sapindopsis Weichselia |
| Araliaephyllum? | Indeterminate ("Morphotype-14") | Few Specimens | Suggested to be related with Lauraceae | Cladophlebis Sapindopsis Weichselia |
| Cladophlebis | C. spp. | Few Specimens | Fern Laflets | Cladophlebis Sapindopsis Weichselia |
| Cornophyllum | C. distense | Few Specimens | Suggested to be related with Cornaceae | Cladophlebis Sapindopsis Weichselia |
| Cinnamophyllum? | Indeterminate ("Morphotype-12") | Few Specimens | Suggested to be related with Lauraceae | Cladophlebis Sapindopsis Weichselia |
| Eucalyptolaurus/"Myrtophyllum”(?) | Indeterminate ("Morphotype-08") | Few Specimens | Specimens of the family Lauraceae | Cladophlebis Sapindopsis Weichselia |
| Laurophyllum | L. africanum | Few Specimens | Specimens of the family Lauraceae | Cladophlebis Sapindopsis Weichselia |
| Liriophyllum | L. farafraense | Few Specimens | Specimens of the family Magnoliaceae | Cladophlebis Sapindopsis Weichselia |
| Marsilea | aff. Marsilea spp. | Few Specimens | Water fern. | Cladophlebis Sapindopsis Weichselia |
| Magnoliid | "Morphotype-01" "Morphotype-04" "Morphotype-09" "Morphotype-11" "Morphotype 21"? | Few Specimens | Shows festooned brochidodromous venation | Cladophlebis Sapindopsis Weichselia |
| Magnoliaephyllum | M. auriculatum M. bahariyense M. isbergiana | Few Specimens | Possible affinities with Lauraceae | Cladophlebis Sapindopsis Weichselia |
| Nelumbites | N. schweinfurthi N. giganteum | Common occurrence in the lower shale bed | Typical leaves of the faimily Nelumbonaceae | Cladophlebis Sapindopsis Weichselia |
| Paradoxopteris | P. stromeri | Co-Dominant plant | Xerophytic tree fern suggestive of a dry tropical climate. | Cladophlebis Sapindopsis Weichselia |
| Plumafolium? | Indeterminate ("Morphotype-18") | Few Specimens | A Monocot, probably related with Liliopsida | Cladophlebis Sapindopsis Weichselia |
| Rogersia | R. longifolia | Few Specimens | Likely lobes of a much bigger leaf of Sapindopsis type | Cladophlebis Sapindopsis Weichselia |
| Typhaephyllum | cf. T. sp. | Few Specimens | Interpreted as a monocot, probably related to Typhaceae | Cladophlebis Sapindopsis Weichselia |
| Vitiphyllum | V. aff. multifidum | Few Specimens | Some similarities with Pabiania of the family Lauraceae | Cladophlebis Sapindopsis Weichselia |
| Weichselia | W. reticulata | Dominant plant | Xerophytic tree fern suggestive of a dry tropical climate. | Cladophlebis Sapindopsis Weichselia |