Soussi

Marine and Petroleum Geology xxx (2016) 1e35
Contents lists available at ScienceDirect
Marine and Petroleum Geology

journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/marpetgeo
Review article
Middle Triassic (Anisian-Ladinian) Tejra red beds and Late Triassic

(Carnian) carbonate sedimentary records of southern Tunisia, Saharan
Platform: Biostratigraphy, sedimentology and implication on regional
stratigraphic correlations
Mohamed Soussi a, *, Grzegorz Nied zd
zwiedzki b, Mateusz Tałanda c, Dawid Dro _ z_ c, d,
d a, e c
Tomasz Sulej , Kamel Boukhalfa , Janusz Mermer , Błazej _ Błazejowski
_ d
a
University of Tunis El Manar, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Geology, 2092 Tunis, Tunisia
b
Uppsala University, Department of Organismal Biology, Evolutionary Biology Center, Norbyva €gen 18A, 752 36 Uppsala, Sweden
c _
University of Warsaw, Faculty of Biology, Department of Paleobiology and Evolution, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, Zwirki i Wigury 101, 02-089
Warszawa, Poland
d
Polish Academy of Sciences, Institute of Paleobiology, Twarda 51/55, 00-818 Warsaw, Poland
e
University of Gabes, Faculty of Sciences of Gabes, City Riadh, Zerig 6029, Gabes, Tunisia
a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t
Article history: The “red beds” of the Triassic succession outcropping at Tejra-Medenine (southern Tunisia, Saharan
Received 10 July 2016 Platform) have yielded rich fossil assemblages of both freshwater and brackish-marine invertebrates and
Received in revised form vertebrates. The new discovered fauna indicates an Anisian-Lower Ladinian age for the Tejra section. Its
11 October 2016
lowermost part is considered as equivalent of Ouled Chebbi Formation, while the medium and upper
Accepted 20 October 2016
Available online xxx
parts are considered as equivalent of the Kirchaou Formation. Both sedimentological characteristics and
fossil assemblages indicate the increasing marine influences within the middle part of the section and
the migration of brackish and freshwater fauna into the lacustrine/playa environment at the top. The
Keywords:
Biostratigraphy
marine fauna-rich interval of the Tejra section correlates well with the well-known Myophoria-rich
Sedimentology carbonate stratigraphic marker confirming the Middle Triassic (Ladinian) major transgression well
Triassic recorded eastward in the Tunisian Jeffara basin and in Libya. The use of this Ladinian stratigraphic event
TAGI in addition to the Carnian carbonate transgressive events of the Jeffara escarpment outcrops was of great
Saharan Platform help for regional lithostratigraphic correlations between the Triassic outcropping series and those
Tunisia currently buried in Ghadames and Berkine basins. The age of the sandstones of “Trias Argilo-Gre seux
rieur” (TAGI) which forms the main oil and gas reservoir in the Saharan domain is attributed to the
Infe
Anisian-Carnian and considered as coeval of Ouled Chebbi and Kirchaou Formations of the Dahar
escarpment. An updated synthetic stratigraphic chart is proposed for the Triassic of Saharan Platform
domain on the basis of the compilation of the new obtained results and the subsurface data taken from
published literature.
© 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Contents
1. Introduction and scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 00

2. Regional geology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 00
2.1. Southern Tunisia Triassic stratigraphy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 00
2.2. Central Tunisia Triassic stratigraphy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 00
2.3. Triassic paleogeography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 00
3. Material and methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 00
* Corresponding author.
E-mail address: [email protected] (M. Soussi).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2016.10.019
0264-8172/© 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Please cite this article in press as: Soussi, M., et al., Middle Triassic (Anisian-Ladinian) Tejra red beds and Late Triassic (Carnian) carbonate
sedimentary records of southern Tunisia, Saharan Platform: Biostratigraphy, sedimentology and implication on regional stratigraphic
correlations, Marine and Petroleum Geology (2016), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2016.10.019
2 M. Soussi et al. / Marine and Petroleum Geology xxx (2016) 1e35
3.1. Field investigations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 00

3.2. Subsurface investigations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 00
4. New data on Tejra triassic stratigraphy and sedimentology (Northern Province) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 00
4.1. Stratigraphy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 00
4.1.1. Lithological subdivision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 00
4.1.2. Fossil contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 00
4.1.3. New biostratigraphic interpretation for Tejra section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 00
4.1.4. Palaeoecology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 00
4.2. Sedimentolgy: facies associations and depositional environments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 00
4.2.1. Facies associations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 00
4.2.2. Depositional environments of Tejra succession . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 00
4.3. Stratigraphy and sedimentology of Hmaïma el Kbira section (Northern Province) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 00
5. Additional data on the stratigraphy and sedimentology of jebel Rehach and Kef Touareg sections (Central Province) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 00
6. Outcrops to subsurface correlation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 00
6.1. Subsurface stratigraphy of the Triassic Ghadames basin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 00
6.1.1. EB 135 well . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 00
6.1.2. EB 63 well . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 00
6.1.3. SN-1 Well . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 00
6.2. Correlation of the Jeffara outcrops to El Borma field wells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 00
7. Correlation of El Borma and Berkine petroleum wells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 00
7.1. Correlation of the Triassic series of southern Tunisia with those of Zarzaitine outcrops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 00
7.1.1. Why this correlation? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 00
8. Middle-Upper Triassic stratigraphic framework of the Saharan platform and the TAGI reservoir age attribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 00
9. Tectonic control on the triassic sedimentation of the Saharan platform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 00
10. Conclusions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 00
Acknowledgements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 00
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 00
1. Introduction and scope southeast, in Sidi Toui area (Fig. 1C), numerous dispersed small
outcrops of Ladinian-Carnian age are also present (Kamoun et al.,
The Triassic series of Tunisia, both in outcrops and subsurface, 2001).
are known particularly in Saharan Platform of southern Tunisia and To the south and southeast in the Jeffara plain, covered of Mio-
to a lesser extent in the Atlas along the so-called North-South Axis Plio-Quaternary deposits unconformably overlying older series, the
(NOSA, Jebel Rhe ouis) (Fig. 1A). In northern Tunisia, they are mainly Triassic series have been crossed by several wells. They are very
evaporitic and are involved within diapiric structures (Salt Dome thick (more than 2000 m) and are represented by fluvio-deltaic
Zone: SDZ) and/or to thrust sheets structural units (Perthuisot and sandstones and red clays including numerous rich benthic fauna
Rouvier, 1992). carbonate horizons (Trigui, 1989; Kamoun et al., 1998, 1999; Kilani-
In southern Tunisia, the Triassic series outcrop along the Dahar Mazraoui et al., 1990; Dridi and Maazaoui, 2003).
escarpment and are encountered in subsurface within the Jeffara In Ghadames and Berkin basins, as it is well documented both in
and Ghadames basins and further to the north in the Chotts Basin Tunisia and Algeria, the Triassic series are unconformably lying on
(Fig. 1A). Along the Dahar escarpment, the Triassic series outcrop in different terms of deformed Paleozoic rocks and are dominantly
Tebaga-Medenine area (Northern Province) and in Jebels Kirchaou, represented by fluvio-deltaic to lacustrine siliciclastic deposits
Rehach and Charchara which belong to the “Central Province” (Trias Argilo-Greseux Inferieur or TAGI). They grade upwards to a
(Fig. 1C and D). sequence dominantly made up of carbonates, shales and evaporites
Within the Northern Province, the Triassic series ranged in (Trias Argilo-Carbonate or TAC) (Busson, 1967; Boudjema, 1987;
Ouled Chebbi Formation and assigned to the Anisian (Middle Ben Tahar, 1990; Turner et al., 2001; Bourquin et al., 2010.
Triassic), are well exposed along the northern segment of the Dahar The siliciclastic Triassic strata of the Jeffara Plain and Dahar
escarpment at several accessible localities (Ouled Chouamekh, J. escarpment, as part of the northern margin of the Saharan Platform,
Mogor-Ksar Jdidi village and Jebel Semoumnia). In Jebel Tebaga encompasses several units composed of red beds which have not
area which corresponds to an E-W monoclinal structure formed by been deeply investigated by paleontologists and their biostratig-
Upper Permian barrier reefs complex constituting the unique raphy remained inaccurate and subject of conjectures. As a conse-
Permian marine outcrops in Africa (Toomey, 1991; Angiolini et al., quence their stratigraphic relationships and correlation with their
2008; Verna et al., 2010), the Permian-Triassic transition can be equivalents, encountered through boreholes in the Jeffara, Gha-
seen at Halk Jmel section. In this locality, the Upper Permian (Jul- dames and Berkine basins, are not yet well established and
fian) Cheguimi shallow marine sandstones are overlain by a distinct continue to be the subject of debate.
red shaly unit. Nevertheless, the stratigraphic relationships be- These red beds which are well exposed in numerous clay pits in
tween the Permian (Julfian) Cheguimi of Halk Jmel section and the Medenine area (Burollet, 1963; Biely and Rakus, 1991) are generally
Ouled Chebbi sandstones of Ouled Chouamekh locality are still not unconformably overlain by Middle Jurassic to Cretaceous sedi-
well established. ments (Busson, 1967; Bouaziz, 1986; Raulin et al., 2011). Those of
In the central Province, the Triassic series outcrop mainly in the Tejra quarries yielded abundant fossils of good preservation.
Jebels Rehach and Charchara where they comprised the Ladinian Our field works carried out in 2013 and 2014 led to the finding
Kirchaou and the Carnian Azizia formations (Busson, 1967; Kamoun within the red beds of Tejra section of numerous species of bivalves,
et al., 1999; Ben Ismail, 1991 and Bouaziz et al., 2002). Towards the gastropods, brachiopods, conchostracans, horseshoe crabs,
M. Soussi et al. / Marine and Petroleum Geology xxx (2016) 1e35 3
Fig. 1. A. General geological setting of Ghadames basin and location of the Triassic outcrops of the Dahar (Southern Tunisia), the North South Axis (NOSA of Central Tunisia), the salt
dome zone (SDZ) of Northern Tunisia and Zarzaitine (Southern Alge ria), B. Global paleogeographic reconstruction (Middle Triassic time), showing the northern gondwana Triassic
basin and the Hoggar Shield (http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/rcb7/globaltext2.html), C. Geological map showing the studied area (box), the Triassic outcrops of southeastern Tunisia (central
and northern provinces) and location of the studied and/or visited outcrops (1: Tejra, 2:J. Rehach, 3: J. Touareg, 4: Hmaïma Kbira, D. Google earth image showing the Triassic red
beds along Gabe s-Medenine road; the square indicates the investigated quarry.
microconchids, and also vertebrate remains. Additional field in- In the second part, it will be attempted to:
vestigations carried in 2015 on the Jeffara escarpment conducted to
the discovery within the Mekraneb and the Rehach carbonates of (1) review our current understanding of the regional stratig-
tetrapod tracks (Niedzwiedzki et al., in review) and to better raphy of the Triassic in southern Tunisia (outcrops and
defining the vertical stacking pattern of Middle eLate Triassic facies subsurface);
succession. (2) extend the correlation with eastern Algeria on the basis of
The primary aims of the first part of this paper are to: the compilation of our new results and also available ancient
and more recent published studies on the Berkine basin and
(1) define the fossil assemblages from the red beds of the Tejra Zarzaitine outcrops.
section and provide new biostratigraphic dating and strati-
graphic markers; Comparison and discussion of all the available data will lead to
(2) determine the depositional environments and the evolu- the establishment of relatively coherent synthetic lithostrati-
tionary factors that might have controlled or influenced graphic chart, where the major sedimentary cycles, sequences and
changes in fossils diversity and ecology; nomenclatures used both in East Algeria and southern Tunisia can
(3) present the Middle-Late Triassic succession of the Djeffara be easily correlated.
escarpment especially its carbonate intervals. seux Infe
The age of the “Trias Argilo Gre rieur” (TAGI) as regional
petroleum reservoir in North Africa and the structural basin
configuration that controlled the Triassic sedimentation will be also for subsurface and Busson, 1967; Peybernes et al., 1993; Kamoun
discussed in a regional scale. et al., 1998, 1999; Dridi and Maazaoui, 2003 for outcrops). As
shown in Fig. 2, the Triassic series of southern Tunisia are essen-
tially represented by fluvio-lacustrine siliciclastic cycles with few
2. Regional geology marine influences at the base (Earl-Middle Triassic), progressively
grading up, during the Late Triassic, into new cycle of sedimenta-
2.1. Southern Tunisia Triassic stratigraphy tion comprising carbonates and shales, deposited in coastal to
shallow marine conditions. The presence of thick evaporitic se-
Published literature on the Triassic deposits of southern Tunisia quences within the Late Triassic (Norian) series testifies of the
is relatively modest because these rocks are dominantly composed installation of an arid climate over southern Tunisia and Algeria
of continental to shallow marine deposits with poor fossil assem- during that period (Busson, 1967; Courel et al., 2003).
blages making direct biostratigraphic dating of the sedimentary The Early Triassic deposits comprise Bir Mastoura and Bir El Jaja
series very difficult to achieve. The synthetic representative section Formations. The Bir Mastoura Formation is defined on the basis of
presented in this paper for the Triassic of southern Tunisia (Fig. 2) is the BMT-1 petroleum well, drilled 15 km southwest of Ben Gardane.
based on abundant information gathered from the previous studies It is dominantly composed of brownish to reddish claystones
conducted both on subsurface and outcrops (Trigui, 1987; Kilani- alternating with fine grained red sandstones and siltstones.
Mazraoui et al., 1990; Chandoul et al., 1993; Mzoughi et al., 1994
Fig. 2. Generalized stratigraphic column of the Triassic of southern Tunisia synthetized from outcrops and petroleum wells (Trigui, 1987; Chandoul et al., 1993); 1: Sandstones, 2:
Claystones, 3: Carbonates, 4: Evaporites.
Limestone beds are present in the middle part of the Formation. Carnian-Norian age (Soussi et al., 2001). The palynomorph associ-
This formation was assigned to Early Scythian based on the pres- ations (F1, F2 and F3) found within 4, 5 and basal 6 units are
ence of diagnostic palynomorphs (Boulouard in Trigui, 1989). indicative of the Early Carnian (Cordevolian-Julian): Patinasporites
The Bir Jaja Formation was firstly defined in Tripolitania (Mennig densus, P. maljawkinae, P. novimundanus, Pseudoenzona lasporites
et al., 1963 and Adolff et al., 1985). In BMT-1 well, the lower part of summus and Lagenella martini in association with Camerosprites
this formation is composed of glauconitic sandstones overlain by secatus.
lagoonal to coastal marine oolithic dolomites containing rich Those identified within U6 and U7 (F4 to F6) correspond to the
benthic foraminifera (Meandrospira pussila zone) suggesting the Tuvalian based on the presence of Samaropollenites speciosus and
Olenekian ¼ ex Late Scythien (Gaetani, 1992 in Kamoun et al., Camerosprites secatus.
2001). The upper part of the formation is dominantly formed of The first appearance of Glyacoppolis meyeriana within the upper
red claystones and siltstones of fluvio-deltaic environments part of section (F7 and F8 in U8) with Granuloperpuculatipollis rudis
(Peybernes et al., 1993). It is worth noting that common paly- is indicative of the early Norian. For more details about this
nomorphs, characterizing the Late Scychtien, have been also iden- exhaustive paleontological study the reader is invited to consult
tified within some clayey intervals of this formation (Kilani- Soussi et al. (2001).
Mazraoui et al., 1990). Comparison and correlations between the Triassic series of
The Ouled Chebbi Formation is exclusively formed by medium central and southern Tunisia, as well as with those of Libya, are
to coarse grained fluvial sandstones alternating with thick red presented in Fig. 3 taken from Soussi et al., 1998. The basal car-
claystone intervals of flood plain setting. This formation is assigned bonate unit (¼ Calcaires noirs of Burollet, 1956) corresponds to the
to the Anisian based on the presence of palynomorphs (Chandoul equivalent of the Mekraneb dolomites of southern Tunisia and base
et al., 1993). Azizia Formation in Libya while, the overlying thick evaporite series
Indeed, in BMT-1 well, the Ouled Chebbi Formation is well dated (200 m) and carbonates including the black or brown shales are
as Anisian by palynomorphs (Podocarpaepollenites thiergartii, Cor- correlated with the Rehach formation. The unit 5 made of fine
daitina gunyalensts Aratrtsporites saturni, A. fimbriatus and Stria- grained sandstones and siltstones can be the lateral equivalent of
toabtepites aytugiz, zone PT-D, Boulouard in Trigui, 1989; Kilani- the Touareg sandstones of southern Tunisia and the siltites and the
Mazraoui et al., 1990). red evaporites of the upper part of the Rhe ouis Formation, dated
The Kirchaou Formation starts with the Ladinian Myophoria-rich Norian are correlated with the Mhira Gypsum Formation of
limestones and continues with thick fluvio-deltaïc sandstone southern Tunisia and Bu Scheba Formation in Libya.
considered as the surface analogue of the main petroleum reservoir
producing oil in the El Borma field of Tunisia and the adjacent fields 2.3. Triassic paleogeography
in Algeria (Chandoul et al., 1993; Acheche et al., 2001; M'Rabet
et al., 1994). This issue will be further discussed later on. It is well documented that the evolution of Tunisia during the
Along the Jeffara escarpment, the deposits of Kirchaou Forma- Triassic period is related to the disassembly of Pangaea during the
tion are mainly composed by fluvial sandstones with minor in- Early Mesozoic (Fig. 1B) when the African Plate was rifted and then
tervals recording estuarine influences (Serrhini, 1997). The Late evolved as broad Tethyan facing a passive continental margin
Triassic rocks are up to 900 m thick and consist of mixed carbon- (Stampfli et al., 1991; Soussi et al., 1998; Bouaziz et al., 2001;
ates, siliciclastics and evaporates that are ranged within the Azizia Kamoun et al., 2001; Soussi et al., 2001; Courel et al., 2003). Rifting
Formation (Burollet, 1963; Bouaziz, 1986; Chandoul et al., 1993; and crustal stretching propagated west-wards in Libya, Tunisia and
Peybernes et al., 1993; Carpentier et al., 2016). They comprise Algeria during the Triassic with diffuse crustal extension (Guiraud,
from base to top the Carnian Mekraneb dolomites, the Touareg 1998). It is considered that the thick succession (up to 1.5 km) of
sandstones, the Rehach carbonates, the Mhira Formation made up Triassic to early Cretaceous sediments was deposited in a vast
of shales and evaporites (150 m) and the Messaoudi dolomites. composite sag basin, comprising the ‘Triassic Basin’ of eastern
Algeria, southern Tunisia and western Libya (Boote et al., 1998;
2.2. Central Tunisia Triassic stratigraphy Courel et al., 2003). During the Early-Middle Triassic, sediments
were initially deposited in topographic lows (infill from the eroded
In central Tunisia, the Triassic series (Rhe ouis Formation, Gondwana land) and progressively overlapped the Hercynian un-
Burollet, 1956) are relatively well defined In Jebel Re houis (North- conformity as the sea level rose (Busson and Burollet, 1972; Carr,
South Axis ¼ NOSA) and their age is well constrained on the basis of 2003).
palynomorph assemblages (Soussi et al., 2001) and benthic fora- The most recent sedimentological and stratigraphic studies
minifera (Kamoun et al., 2001). based on relatively reliable biostratigraphic dating (Peybernes
These series are made of nine distinct lithological units labeled et al., 1993; Soussi et al., 1998, 2001; Kamoun et al., 2001) clearly
from base to top U1 to U9 (Fig. 3). The section starts with a thick demonstrated that the Triassic sedimentation was controlled
evaporitic sequence (U1 ¼ Gypses infe rieurs) and continues with simultaneously by eustasy (sea level fluctuations) and extensional
bioclastic or laminated black carbonates (U2 ¼ “calcaires noirs”). tectonics impacted by alkaline volcanism resulting from the Triassic
The latter are followed by evaporites, siltstones, shales and fine rifting phases (Bedir, 1995; Bouaziz et al., 2002).
grained carbonates rich in organic matter that are ranged within U3 The transgressive phases that occurred during the Ladinian, the
and U4 units. The latter grade upward to a distinct siliciclastic unit Carnian and the Rhetian were recorded by the development of
(U5) overlain by a thick evaporitic series admitting thin intervals of widespread shallow marine carbonate sedimentation with
fine grained limestones and shales (U6 ¼ “Gypses moyens”). The restricted to open marine fauna, while the regressive phases were
unit 7 (¼ “Calcaires jaunes”) is composed of fossiliferous limestones marked by dominantly siliciclastic and evaporatic deposits devel-
alternating with greenish and reddish shale and silty intervals. The oped within fluvio-lacustrine and sebkha settings.
upper most part of the section (U8 and 9) is essentially represented In addition, the major Carnian sea level rise led to the devel-
rieurs” et “Gypses
by red siltstones and thick evaporates (“Silts supe opment of organic-rich facies well recorded in several sub-basins of
supe rieurs”). the southern Tehyan margin (Soussi et al., 1998). The transgressive
The units U4, U6 yielded palynomorph assemblages of Carnian carbonate events will be better defined further and will be used as a
age, while those found in the U7 and base of U8 indicate the Late time lines for regional lithostratigraphic correlations.
Fig. 3. Lithostratigraphy of the Triassic series of the North South Axis (Central Tunisia) and stratigraphic correlation with the Triassic of southern Tunisia and Libya; After Soussi et al.
(1998) slightly modified.
3. Material and methods section to the south to the Tejra area to the North, especially those
encompassing red claystone beds, have been investigated (Fig. 1C
The dataset used in this study comprises surface and subsurface and D). Additional sections (Hmaïma El Kbira and Kef Touareg) have
data collected: (i) from the Jeffara basin, the Dahar escarpment and been revisited for the recognition of major remarkable surfaces and
El Borma field in southern Tunisia and: (ii) from Berkin basin and also better defining the major transgressive-regressive sedimen-
Zarzaitine outcrops in southern Algeria. tary cycles of the Late Triassic. The described paleontological ma-
terial and observations come from active or abandoned clay pits or
3.1. Field investigations quarries in Tejra area near Medenine (Fig. 1C). The most fossilif-
erous rocks, greenish and red to-brownish, poorly lithified clay-
The majority of the outcrops of Medenine area, from Halk Jmal stones and siltstones, are studied. Thin beds of sandstones with
mass accumulation of fossils situated in the clayish parts of the the lower grayish/greenish bed (F1, Fig. 6A, B and C). The fauna is
section are also investigated. represented by conchostracans, horseshoe crabs, freshwater bi-
A total of 339 samples with fossils were collected. The fossils are valves, rare microconchids and lingulids (Fig. 7). Desiccation cracks
preserved mostly as external molds. Original calcite and aragonite (Fig. 6D), small burrows and casts after plant roots were also pre-
have not survived diagenesis. The assemblages consist of 19 species sent in this horizon.
and 4 kinds of trace fossils. However due to poor to moderate The second unit (Unit 2) is about 40 m thick (Figs. 4 and 5B). It is
preservation for some specimens, taxonomical affiliation was clayey dominated but contains numerous sandstone interbeds of
impossible. different thickness containing well sorted and rounded quartz
The samples from the lower and middle part of the section were grains. It starts with two thick layers of medium size grained red-
taken bed by bed, whereas the samples of the upper strata were dish sandstone interbedded by 2 m thick reddish claystone
collected only from accessible layers. Material used for this study is particularly rich with marine bivalves, microconchids, gastropods
hosted in the Institute of Paleobiology of Polish Academic of Sci- and lingulids. All collected vertebrate remains (fish and temno-
ences (coll. ZPAL V.46). spondyl amphibian) came from this part of the section (F2, Figs. 4
and 7).
3.2. Subsurface investigations The third unit (Unit 3) is about 30 thick. It is composed mainly of
reddish-brownish siltstones and claystones (Fig. 5C). Fossils of this
The subsurface data (wire line logs) are taken from Ben Tahar unit are mainly represented by conchostracans, lingulids, and a
(1990), Ben Ismaïl (1991) and ETAP Tunisian Exploration Review horseshoe crab (F3; Figs. 4 and 7). It is worth noting the presence of
(1991) for southern Tunisia Ghadames basin and Turner et al. a sandstone marker bed in the middle part of this unit showing
(2001) for the Illizi, Berkine basins. The interpretations of the E- bears numerous invertebrate trace fossils at its base (Fig. 6D).
logs selected from the El Borma field are based on the previous The fourth unit is about 10 m thick (Fig. 5E). It is made of mainly
studies. They are updated tacking into account our knowledge of brownish claystone with thin greenish medium grained sandstone
outcrops and the regional geology of the Ghadames-Berkin basin beds. Conchostracans, lingulids, and fresh water bivalves are pre-
which have been the subject of recent valuable regional synthesis sent within claystones (F4, Figs. 4 and 7).
publications (Turner et al., 2001; Galeazzia et al., 2010; Bourquin
et al., 2010; Carpentier et al., 2016). 4.1.2. Fossil contents
Because the correlation between Triassic series and the estab- 4.1.2.1. Body fossils. Poor preservation of shelly fossils from the
lishment of lithostratigraphic chart require reliable biostratigraphic Triassic red beds makes sometimes their taxonomic identification
dataset, all the available information derived of the latest de- problematic. As in-depth review of the systematic relationship is
velopments in the Middle to Late Triassic rocks of Algeria, Tunisia hardly possible with the material at hand, we aimed for identifi-
and Libya were synthetized and integrated in this work. cation at possibly low taxonomic rank but rarely species level has
been achieved.
4. New data on Tejra triassic stratigraphy and sedimentology Among the mollusks of U1 (Ouled Chebbi Formation), bivalves
(Northern Province) are the most diverse, comprising 12 species identified in sample of
about 500 specimens (c. 50% of the assemblage). Gastropods are
4.1. Stratigraphy extremely rare, only one specimen was collected and three others,
poorly preserved, were observed. Most of the bivalve shells have
The Tejra area is referred as Tajera Skhira (e.g., Biely and Rakus, been disarticulated during transport and are found as single valves.
1991). The Triassic succession is part of a monoclinal structure with Only few specimens are preserved with both valves articulated.
red beds dipping southwest and unconformably overlain by the Among the non-mollusks, the most abundant are conchostracans
Middle Jurassic (Callovian) shallow marine carbonates of the (Euestheria, cf. Dyctionatella) and brachiopods (Lingularia).
northern equivalent of Kchem El Miit and Ghomrassen Members Numerous but poorly preserved bone fragments are present, all of
(Figs. 4 and 5). Bed by bed logging in the sites, around Tejra, allows them are too fragmentary to be identified. Part of the section
compilation of a section (nearly 100 m thick) which was studied in yielded a few temnospondyl remains (two vertebra and clavicle)
terms of paleontological determination and sedimentological and also small fish scales.
characterization.
4.1.2.2. Bivalves. At least 12 species of bivalves were recognized in
4.1.1. Lithological subdivision Tejra section. Among them are mytiolids (Promysidiella), trigonioids
The Tejra section is subdivided into four distinct units (U1, U2, (Nesochizodus and cf. Myophoria), probable anthracosiids (Unionites
U3 and U4). Each unit is characterized by distinctive paleontolog- sp.) and pectinoids (Leptochondria and Eumorphothis). Due to poor
ical and sedimentological criteria (Figs. 4 and 6). The first unit (Unit preservation of specimens taxonomical affiliations were difficult to
1) is about 25 m thick. It is made up of the alternations of red and make. Further studies on bivalves biodiversity in Tejra are needed.
grey to greenish thin claystone beds with numerous thin sandstone Numerous specimens of the mytiloids Promysidiella sp. Were
beds showing at their bases thin conglomeratic horizons. The collected (Fig. 8 and Fig. 8AeF) They were recognized based on
sandstones are composed of medium to coarse, well sorted quartz shape of shells which are equivalved or slightly inequivalved, ret-
grains. Desiccation features are observed as well as numerous rocrescent, notably higher than long (longest up to 29.8 mm,
ripple marks on upper surfaces of thin sandstone layers (Fig. 6D). highest up to 19.8 mm (ZPAL V.46/141), well inflated with anterior
The brownish and greenish claystone intervals encountered at the margin straight or slightly concave and posterior dorsal margin
base of the section are rich in conchostracans. A set of beds made up rounded. Beak is narrow and terminal to slightly projecting. Surface
of grayish-yellowish and brownish claystones, situated about 5 m is in general smooth except for irregular growth lines. Stratigraphic
above the first conglomerate level and marking the base of the range of this genus is not as wide as other bivalves described in this
section, yielded abundant and the most diverse freshwater fauna. paper and extends from lower Anisian to lower Norian (Waller and
Most of the fossils come from yellowish layer situated at the top of Stanley, 2005). Newton (1987) suggested that the Promysidiella was
Fig. 4. Lithological column of the Tejra section with the lithostratigraphic units; the occurrences of the invertebrate species (faunal assemblages), Facies associations and depo-
sitional environments.
Fig. 5. Landscape photographs from the Tejra section. A. Panoramic view of Tejra quarry showing the Triassic different lithological units unconformably overlyain by Middle Jurassic
strata (Callovian). The contact corresponds to a major angular discordance, B. Red claystones and siltstones intercalated with thin greenish or yellowish claystone beds (U1 and 2), C.
Thin continuous greenish claystone beds alternating with thick red shales (U3 and U4), D. Meter scale fluvial sandstone horizon intercalated within thick red shaly unit (upper part
of the section). E. Close view showing the angular unconformity separating the Middle Triassic red beds from Middle Jurassic (Callovian) shallow marine carbonates. (For inter-
pretation of the references to colour in this figure legend, the reader is referred to the web version of this article.)
Fig. 6. Field photographs of the fossiliferous beds in Tejra. A. Greenish claystones with freshwater fauna from lower part of the section. Hammer for scale represents 32 cm, B. Very
thin sandstone layer with vertebrate remains. C. Two greenish claystones beds intercalated between thin sandstone. Hammer for scale represents 32 cm, D. Desiccation cracks and
microbial induced sedimentary structures. Hammer for scale represents 32 cm. (For interpretation of the references to colour in this figure legend, the reader is referred to the web
version of this article.)
an epibyssate species with a life style similar to extant mytilids. high (ZPAL V.46/144) subtrigonal in outline, posteriorly truncated
Single specimen of the early trigonioid Neoschizodus sp. with sharp posterior ridge. Beak is located at the middle of shell
(Fig. 9GeH). was found. Its shell is small, 13.1 mm long and 8.9 mm length. The genus widely reported from the Guadalupian to
Fig. 7. Detailed Log of the Tejra section with the successive lithological units and associated fauna assemblages.
Rhaetian (Newell and Boyd, 1995; Ma rquez-Aliaga et al., 2005). known from the Late Ladinian of southern Germany (Erfurt For-
They were infaunal bivalves, probably shallow-burrowing near the mation) (Geyer et al., 2005).
surface of the sediment (Ros-Franch et al., 2014). In another species Unionites cf. longus; shells are small to me-
The more advanced trigonioid cf. Myophoria sp. (Fig. 10HeJ) is dium in size, longest up to 21.5 mm (ZPAL V.46/151), highest up to
relatively common but state of preservation of all collected speci- 12.9 mm (ZPAL V.46/136), elongate and moderately inflated.
mens makes it impossible to identify species. Its small shell is Unionites longus differs from other species of the genus by its more
moderately convex, with distinct radial ribs. Ratio of height to pronounced umbonal ridge and umbones projecting above the
length is about 0.8. The genus was reported from the Anisian to dorsal margin. It is a widely reported from the Middle-Upper
Rhaetian (Newell and Boyd, 1995). Triassic strata (Hagdorn and Mutter, 2011).
Most common bivalves in Tejra locality are probable anthraco- Unionites was apparently a shallow infaunal suspension feeder
siids Unionites. Two species were recognized in Tejra: Unionites cf. (Hautmann et al., 2013). U. brevis is typical for hyposaline envi-
brevis (von Schloteim, 1820) (Fig. 8 IeL, 9A-C) and Unionites cf. ronment. It is often found in monospecific mass-occurrence which
longus (Schauroth, 1857) (Fig. 9DeJ). Specimens are poorly pre- characterizes layers interpreted as short-term, typical brackish
served, mainly as an external or internal mold. Usually only one intervals.
shell is preserved, only a few specimens include both shells artic- Only a few specimens with pectinoids Leptochondria were
ulated. In general morphology their shells are oval in shape with collected. Surprisingly, they were assigned to three different spe-
smooth surface similar to today living Unio (Philipsson, 1788 in cies: Leptochondria cf. occidanea Meek, 1877 (Fig. 10A), Leptochon-
Retzius, 1788). dria cf. curtocardinalis Hall and Whitfield 1877 (Fig. 8E) and
In Unionites cf. brevis shells are small with length ranging be- Leptochondria cf. virgalensis Wittenburg 1908 (Fig. 10F). The strati-
tween 0.5 and 1.5 cm and height/length ratio 0.55e0.65. U. brevis is graphic range of the genus is wide extending from the Guadalupian
Fig. 8. Bivalves from the Middle Triassic of Tejra section. A-F. Promysidiella sp. A: ZPAL V.46/141, Tejra 2, unit 2. B. ZPAL V.46/141, Tejra 2, unit 2. C. ZPAL V.46/141, Tejra 2, unit 2. D:
ZPAL V.46/142, Tejra 2, unit 2. E. ZPAL V.46/141, Tejra 2, unit 2. F. ZPAL V.46/141, Tejra 2, unit 2. G. Neoschizodus sp. ZPAL V.46/246, Tejra 2, unit 2. H. Neoschizodus sp. ZPAL V.46/246,
Tejra 2, unit 2. I-L. Unionites cf. brevis. I: ZPAL V.46/220, Tejra 2, unit 2. J: ZPAL V.46/246, Tejra 2, unit 2. K. ZPAL V.46/61, Tejra 7. L. ZPAL V.46/297, Tejra 2, unit 4. Scale bar: 1 cm.
to Norian (Cox, 1949; Nakazawa and Newell, 1968; Newell and and 15 mm high. Umbo is orthogyrate. Anterior auricle is not clearly
Boyd, 1995; Waller and Stanley, 2005; Ros-Franch et al., 2014). delimited. Its anterior margin is forming an obtuse angle with
Their representatives have shells with ornamentation consisting dorsal margin. Posterior auricle is preserved partially; but from the
of multiple radial ribs. Another characteristic is also the presence of shape of its disc, it can be deduced that it was longer than the
flat right valve with a byssal notch (not present in our material), anterior one, which is characteristic for this species (Newell and
which suggests that Leptochondria was a byssally attached Boyd, 1995; Wasmer et al., 2012). Radial ornamentation consists
epifaunal filter feeder resting on the right valve (Newell and Boyd, of very fine and close-set radial ribs of similar strength.
1995). However, Sha and Grant-Mackie (1996) suggested its pseudo Few specimens of very poor state of preservation were recog-
planktonic mode of life. nized as Leptochondria cf. virgalensis (Fig. 10F). They were found in
One left valve of species Leptochondria cf. occidanea (Fig. 10A) accumulation and only left valves are preserved. They are relatively
was found. It is subcircular and infra crescent, slightly higher than small and vary in size from about 4 mm to 10 mm in height. In
long. The specimen is about 23 mm high. Umbo is orthogyrate and matter of shape they are subcircular, infracrescent, inflated. The
projecting a little above dorsal margin. Anterior auricle is not pre- beak is in the middle of short and straight dorsal margin and is only
served; posterior auricle is partially preserved. The radial orna- slightly projecting above. Auricles are obtuse, indistinctly delim-
mentation consists of intercalating, moderately spaced radial ribs itate from the disc, but anterior auricle create smaller angle with
(around 40) of two or more orders. They are weakening in strength the dorsal margin than the posterior auricule. Radial ornamenta-
towards the umbo and with decreasing order. Relatively large size tion consists of very fine closely set radial ribs of similar strength. In
of specimen gives additional support to species identification some specimens, it is possible to see densely spaced commarginal
(Hofmann et al., 2014; Newell and Boyd, 1995). L. occidanea is very growth lines. According to Wasmer et al. (2012) L. virgalensis differs
common within the Early Triassic of the western USA (Newell and from L. curtocardinalis in bearing 7e15 more prominent radial ribs,
Boyd, 1995). being smaller in size and more inflated. Those specimens assigned
Another species Leptochondria cf. curtocardinalis (Fig. 10E) is also to L. cf. virgalensis are smaller than those identified as L. cf. cur-
represented only by one left valve. It is subcircular, weakly infra- ocardinalis, but prominent ribs in their ornamentation were not
crescent to slightly procrescent, weakly inflated. It is 15 mm long observed. This could be due to their poor preservation. For the same
Fig. 9. Bivalves Unionites from the Middle Triassic of Tejra. A-C. Unionites cf. brevis. A. ZPAL V.46/143, Tejra 2, unit 2. B. ZPAL V.46/141, Tejra 2, unit 2. C. ZPAL V.46/138, Tejra 2, unit 2.
D-J. Unionites cf. longus. D: ZPAL V.46/136, Tejra 2, unit 1. E. ZPAL V.46/133, Tejra 2, unit 1. F. ZPAL V.46/137, Tejra 2, unit 1. G: ZPAL V.46/131, Tejra 2, unit 1. H. ZPAL V.46/139, Tejra 2,
unit 1. I. ZPAL V.46/132, Tejra 2, unit 1. J. ZPAL V.46/151, Tejra 2, unit 1. Scale bars: 1 cm.
reason their flatness was also impossible to compare. Specimens assigned to Eumorphotis multiformis (Fig. 10C and D)
Several specimens of another pectinoids collected from Tejra are noticeably higher then wide, tear shaped in outline. Their radial
were recognized as genus Eumorphotis Bittner, 1901 (Fig. 10BeD). ornamentation consists of multiple orders (about 5) of irregularly
Material is restricted to left valves. They are large to medium in size intercalated ribs with weakening strength. Ribs of first orders (up to
(from 15 to 30 mm height), moderately inflated and presumably three) are nodular. Ribs of further orders are smooth.
retrocrescent. Umbo is orthogyrate and it is projecting above hinge Eumorphotis has been reported from several localities in Asia,
line. Auricles are well developed and covered by ornamentation Europe, North and South America (e.g., Damborenea and
consisting of high dense riblets. Anterior auricule is clearly Mancen ~ ido, 2012; Hoffman et al., 2013). Majority of described
demarcated from the disc, triangular in shape. Its anterior margin is forms are known from the Triassic (e.g., Bittner, 1901; Newell and
forming deep arch with outline of the disc. Posterior auricule is Boyd, 1995; Fang et al., 2009; Damborenea and Mancen ~ ido, 2012;
wide, wing like, with shallow auricular sinus. Radial ornamentation Hofmann et al., 2014), but stratigraphical range of the genus
consists of several well marked nodular ribs. At least two species starts from the Late Permian (e.g., Posenato, 2009) and extends to
are present in Tejra: Eumorphotis cf. benkei Bittner, 1901 and the Lower Jurassic (Damborenea, 2002).
Eumorphotis multiformis Bittner, 1899. Flat right valve (not present in collected material) and the byssal
Specimens determined as Eumrophotis cf. benkei (Fig. 10B) are sinus in the left anterior auricle suggest that Eumorphotis was
slightly higher than wide, subcircular in outline with dorsal margin epibyssally attached and resting on its flat right valve (Bittner, 1901;
almost equal in length to diameter of the disc. Radial ornamenta- Newell and Boyd, 1995; Fang et al., 2009).
tion consists of about 7e10 strong nodular first-order ribs and set of
nodular second-order ribs inserted by intercalation which are
4.1.2.3. Gastropods. Single specimen of gastropods was found in
slightly lighter but also well marked. In some specimens, also light
Unit1 (Ouled Chebbi Formation). It is probably Polygyrina sp.
third order ribs are visible.
(Fig. 11A). Its shell is 12 mm high and 6 mm in diameter. It is high-
Fig. 10. Bivalves from the Middle Triassic of Tejra section. Leptochondria sp. A. Leptochondria cf. occidanea (ZPAL V.46/288, Tejra 2, unit 4). B. Eumorphotis cf. benkei (ZPAL V.46/220,
Tejra 2, unit 2). C. Eumorphotis multiformis (ZPAL V.46/227, Tejra 2, unit 2). D. Eumorphotis sp. (ZPAL V.46/125, Tejra 3). E. Leptochondria cf. curtocardinalis (ZPAL V.46/311, Tejra 2, unit
3). F. Leptochondria cf. virgalensis (ZPAL V.46/290, Tejra 2, unit 4). G. Bivalvia indet. (ZPAL V.46/21, Tejra 5). H-J. ? cf. Myophoria sp. H. ZPAL V.46/58, Tejra 5. I. ZPAL V.46/124, Tejra 3. J:
ZPAL V.46/124, Tejra 3) Scale bars: 1 cm.
spired with at least 4 whorls. They are smooth, convex, evenly section it is difficult to determine their species. They are similar to
inflated. Their suture is well-incised and straight. Protoconch and Microconchus valvatus from the Middle Triassic of Germany (Zaton
aperture are not preserved. et al., 2013).
The specimen seems to be similar to Polygyrina reported by
Hofmann et al. (2014) and Brayard et al. (2010) from the Lower
Triassic of western USA is associated with marine bivalves.
4.1.2.5. Brachiopods. Numerous specimens of the lingulids Lingu-
laria sp (Fig. 11CeG). show all the main characteristics of the genus,
4.1.2.4. Microconchids. Several specimens of Microconchus sp. which ranges from the Carboniferous to the Cretaceous (Biernat
(Fig. 11A) are attached to the surface of bivalves and horseshoe and Emig, 1993; Ma rquez-Aliaga et al., 1999). The shell is elongate
crabs. Its tubes are planispirally coiled and dextral. They are small in and oval in outline, anterior margin is broadly rounded, lateral
size (up to 5 mm in diameter). No exterior ornamentation is pre- margins sub parallel. Shells are about 10e15 mm high and 4e9 mm
served. Umbilicus is open. The most terminal parts of the tubes are wide. The valves are rather weakly convex. On ventral valve, pair of
mostly not preserved. narrow, V-shaped grooves extends internally. Dorsal valve contains
Microconchids were small tube-bearing organisms with a good a central narrow ridge. The complete muscle arrangement has not
fossil record from the Late Ordovician until the Middle Jurassic (e.g., been observed.
Zaton and Vinn, 2011; Zaton et al., 2013). They are common The abundance of lingulids fossils in Tejra profile is exceptional
members of different Triassic environments (e.g., Wanner, 1921; for the Middle Triassic of Africa. Several levels with mass accu-
Kietzke, 1989; Nützel and Schulbert, 2005; Fraiser, 2011; Zaton mulation of valves were found, but crushed valves were also found
et al., 2013). In spite of their common occurrence only few in horizons with conchostracans and marine bivalves.
Triassic microconchids were examined in details (Vinn, 2010; Zaton Lingularia was a shallow-water infaunal suspension feeder
et al., 2013). Due to poor preservation of the specimens from Tejra (Ma rquez-Aliaga et al., 1999).
Fig. 11. Invertebrates from the Middle Triassic of Tejra section. A. Gastropod, Polygyrina sp. (ZPAL V.46/16, Tejra 4). B. Microconchus sp. (ZPAL V.46/142, Tejra 2, unit 2). C-G. Bra-
chiopods, Lingularia sp. C. ZPAL V.46/325, Tejra 2, unit 2. D. ZPAL V.46/259, Tejra 2, unit 2. E. ZPAL V.46/321, Tejra 2, unit 3. F. ZPAL V.46/256, Tejra 2, unit 2. G. ZPAL V.46/319, Tejra 2,
unit 3). Scale bars: 1 cm.
4.1.2.6. Horseshoe crabs. Several specimens of probably single France (Gall and Grauvogel-Stamm, 1999; Ro € hling and Heunisch,
species Limulitella sp (Fig. 12). are represented by flattened pro- 2010).
somes and opisthosomes. The prosoma is semicircular, with All known Triassic limulids were inhabitants of shallow waters.
depressed occipital bands. Opisthosoma is small and triangular in The recent and the Late Jurassic representatives tolerate large
shape. Triassic horseshoe crabs are very rare, but several genera fluctuations of salinity, temperature and suspended load but
were described from different parts of the Pangea. The Tejra section preferred clean sandy shallow water habitats (Storch and Welsch,
specimens strongly resemble representatives of Limulitella 2004; Lecointre and Le Guyader, 2006). During their mating sea-
described from France (Schimper, 1853; Hauschke and Wilde, son, extant limulids temporarily occupy brackish and even terres-
1999), Germany (Fritsch, 1906; Hauschke and Wilde, 2008) and trial habitats (Fisher, 1984; Storch and Welsch, 2004). Hauschke
Madagascar (Hauschke et al., 2004). The morphological features of and Wilde (1991) proposed that smaller specimens of the Meso-
the Tunisian Limulitella are similar to L. bronni (Schimper, 1853) zoic limulids occupied freshwater environments.
from the Early Middle Triassic ‘Gres a
Voltzia’ Formation of eastern
Fig. 12. Limulitella sp. from the Middle Triassic of Tejra. A: Articulated exoskeleton (ZPAL V.46/101p); B: Complete opisthosoma (ZPAL V.46/102). Scale bars: 1 cm.
Fig. 13. Conchostracans from the Middle Triassic of Tejra section. A-D. Large form (species B) described as cf. Dictyonatella (ZPAL V.46/184, Tejra 2, unit 1; ZPAL V.46/175, Tejra 2, unit
1; ZPAL V.46/186, Tejra 2, unit 1; ZPAL V.46/185, Tejra 2, unit 1). E-G. Small form (species A), (ZPAL V.46/164, Tejra 2, unit 1; ZPAL V.46/171, Tejra 2, unit 1, ZPAL V.46/165, Tejra 2, unit
1). Scale bar: A-D ¼ 1 cm, E-G ¼ 0.5 cm.
4.1.2.7. Conchostracans. Conchostracans are very common in Tejra, The “large” form conchostracans described here as Dictyonatella
being abundant on some bedding surfaces. Their carapaces are are the most similar to D. dictyonata (Reible) from the Anisian
laterally compressed. The ornament between margins of exuvia is Upper Ro €t Claystones (upper part of Upper Variegated Member)
represented only in some specimens and poorly visible and Myophoria Beds Member of Ro €t Formation of Germany. This
(Fig. 13AeD). They could be divided in two morphotypes which suggests close faunal relationship between the European (Laura-
differs mostly in size: “large” and “small” ones. The “large” speci- sian) and African (Gondwanian) conchostracans. In Germany, Dic-
mens (up to 16 mm in length) with characteristic “spine” in the tyonatella co-occurs with the bivalves Costatoria costata and
posterior margin of the dorsal side may represent a species of the Myophoria vulgaris (Kozur and Weems, 2010), both genera may also
genus Dictyonatella Kozur, 1982 (Fig. 13AeD). In the small ones be present at Tejra in part of the section with marine influences
(about 3e6 mm in length) with sub-oval carapace, the anterior (Fig. 7).
margin is nearly as high as the posterior one, but much less
rounded to nearly straight and oblique in the lower part which is
similar to Euestheria Deperet and Mazeran, (1912) (Fig. 13EeG). The 4.1.2.8. Vertebrates. Single specimen of an Actinopterygian fish
large species is represented by two carapace types and thus prob- (Fig. 14A) (small, rhomboid scale about 5 mm long with smooth
ably indicates sexual dimorphism. In large species, two carapace posterior border) was found. Scale surfaces are ornamented with
types are present. This can be explained by sexual dimorphism. Few low diagonal and occasionally branching ridges. This was appar-
intermediate specimens were also found. ently a nektonic form.
Another vertebrate fossil collected in Tejra is left clavicle of a
Fig. 14. Vertebrate remains from the Middle Triassic of Tejra section. A-C: Trematosauridae indet., left clavicle (ZPAL V.46/130, Tejra 2, unit 2). A. Lateral view. B. Medial view. C.
Ventral view. Scale bars: 1 cm.
temnospondyl amphibian (Fig. 14AeC). It is almost complete. Pre- different from the surrounding host sediment and very distinct
served part of ornamented plate is 37 mm long and 14 mm wide. Its boundary between them (Fig. 15C) are traditionally classified as
anterior, medial and posterior edges are broken. Ornamentation of Planolites. They are believed to be formed by a worm-like organism
ventral surface is dominated by grooves. Pits are very rare. The eating its way through the sediment. The burrow fill represents
dorsal process is very delicate and low, its ventral edge and pos- material that passed through the organism's alimentary canal.
terior tip are broken. Its preserved part is 8 mm long. The ascending Planolites Nicholson, 1873 is an extremely facies-crossing trace
crest is very thin and low, and deeply notched medially. fossil referred to deposit-feeders.
Clavicles of temnospondyls are poorly known rending difficult
the determination of isolated specimen from Tejra. The most spe- 4.1.2.11. Probable bivalve burrows. Few burrows preserved as
cific character of this specimen is that elongated shape of plate and hypichnial mounds with a distinct median crest, were observed in
surface sculpture is consisting of grooves. In temnospondyls dermal the field (Fig. 15B). They were elongated, bilaterally symmetrical,
bones of juveniles have mainly pitted sculpture (Sulej, 2007). mostly almond-shaped, rarely triangular or heart-shaped in outline
Ornamentation consisting mostly of grooves shows that despite its with smooth margin. Some specimens show spreite-like infills.
small size it belong to an adult individual. Very low ascending crest Such burrows, referred to as Lockeia, James, 1879, are inter-
and dorsal process suggest that it may belong to the Trem- preted most commonly as a bivalve resting trace (e.g., Seilacher and
atosauridae (Mazin and Janvier, 1983; Steyer, 2002). Additionally Seilacher, 1994; Uchman et al., 2004) occurring in marine and non-
pattern of sculpture with domination of grooves is similar to that marine environments since the Cambrian (e.g., Fillion and Pickerill,
reported for Trematosauridae (Nilsson, 1943). Trematosaurid tem- 1990). A vertical spreite may be present (Rindsberg, 1994; Schlirf
nospondyls appeared in the Olenekian, became widespread et al., 2001). It is also possible that these structures were made
throughout Pangea during the Middle Triassic and got extinct at the by arthropods.
beginning of the Late Triassic. Trematosaurid were small to
medium-sized and semi-terrestrial freshwater predators.
4.1.2.12. Arthropod traces. Short, bilobate, rarely multilobate
convex hypichnia with a distinct median furrow of ovate outline to
4.1.2.9. Trace fossils. Part of the Unit 1 (Ouled Chebbi Formation) at coffee-bean shaped; rarely sculptured with oblique to transverse
Tejra is relatively rich in invertebrate body fossils. Trace fossils striae in various arrangements or almost smooth. Lobes are sym-
provide information of their activity and diversity. However, none metrical or cleft. Generally, width equals 50e70% of length
of the recorded ichnotaxa are exclusive of marine environments. (Fig. 15DeE). Such traces, frequently described under the name of
The trace fossils assemblages suggest freshwater conditions. trilobite resting traces Rusophycus, Hall, (1852) in the Mesozoic
were obviously made by other arthropods (e.g., Bromley and
4.1.2.10. Worm burrows. A few hypichnial, horizontal, straight or Asgaard, 1979).
slightly curved, sporadically branching burrows observed in the
field are 4e8 mm in diameter. They are generally oval in cross 4.1.3. New biostratigraphic interpretation for Tejra section
section and show infilling usually identical to the host sediment Our investigations of the invertebrate fossil-rich red beds of
(Fig. 15A). Such burrows with fill identical as the surrounding ma- Tejra section in southern Tunisia led to new biostratigraphic
trix are usually referred to Palaeophycus Hall, 1847. This is a facies- interpretation and to date the type section as Middle Triassic in age
crossing trace fossil and is generally thought that it is product of (Anisian-Early Ladinian) rather than Ladinian (Biely and Rakus,
worm-like organism activity. 1991) and Early Triassic as recently considered by Raulin et al.
Tubular, endichnial, unbranched, horizontal burrows, 5e10 mm (2011). Indeed, most of the species have relatively wide range but
in diameter, circular to elliptical in cross-section, with filler conchostracans seem promising in this respect (Fig. 16). The genus
Fig. 15. Invertebrate trace fossils from the Middle Triassic of Tejra section (field observations). A: Planolites sp. B: Lockeiasp. C: Palaeophycussp. D, E: Rusophycussp. Scale bar: A-
C ¼ 1 cm; D, E ¼ 2 cm.
bivalve in some beds with rare occurrences of marine bivalves

(Eumorphotis, Bittner, 1899).
More diverse fossil assemblages are restricted to seven beds of
the section. Layers with not only conchostracans but also limuloids,
freshwater bivalves and microconchids are only in the lower part of
the section. Assemblages containing a few species of marine bi-
valves are in its middle part (Figs. 4 and 7). Rare invertebrate trace
fossils include mainly resting traces of arthropods and horizontal
burrows of worm-like animals. They are of rather low diversity but
mostly represent animals not represented by body fossils (except
for the bivalve burrows). Similar traces are widely known from
freshwater and marginal-marine successions (e.g., Buatois and
Mangano, 1998; Barth et al., 2014). Vertebrate remains are
extremely rare in the Tejra exposure and are restricted to the
middle part of the profile. They are disarticulated which indicates
that they were transported.
4.2. Sedimentolgy: facies associations and depositional

environments
4.2.1. Facies associations

Mennig et al. (1963) and Chandoul et al. (1993) presented a
general description and interpreted the depositional environments
Fig. 16. Triassic stratigraphy and indication of ranges of collected macrofossils. Grey of the Ouled Chebbi and Kirchaou formations of the Jeffara basin as
bar indicates supposed biostratigraphic position of the Tejra section (based on Kozur
fluvio-deltaic with detrital input of Gondwanian origin. Broadly,
and Weems, 2010).
four facies associations have been distinguished within the Tejra
section and the fossils from which they were gathered are indicated
Dictyonatella, Kozur (1982) found in the lower and middle parts of in Figs. 9e17.
the Tejra section is known exclusively from the Anisian and also
probably the Lower Ladinian (Kozur and Weems, 2010; H. Kozur,
4.2.1.1. Facies association 1 (FA1: Fluvial channel to crevasse splay
oral communication, 2013). The bivalves from the same strata
settings). This facies is composed of coarse sandstone with thin
(Promysidiella, Myophoria) confirm such age determination. The
conglomerate layers containing small clasts at the base. The sand-
strata exposed in Tejra are apparently not older than Middle
stones are 10e120 cm thick in U1 and covers beds of facies asso-
Triassic. The Unit 2 which is particularly rich in marine fauna may
ciations 2 and 3 mostly in the upper part of the Tejra section (U4).
be considered as the equivalent record of the transgressive Ladinian
Within the main Tejra outcrop the thickness of the sandstone layers
Myophoria interval described in the wells of Jeffara basin as the
vary from 10 cm to 100 cm and true channels have not been
base of Kirchaou Formation or the base of Ras El Hamia Formation
recognized. The conglomerate layers are siltstone and sandstone
in Libya (Adolff et al., 1985; Busson, 1967; Burollet, 1963; Trigui,
clast-supported and poorly sorted. The lack of distinct channels
1989; Peybernes et al., 1993; Chandoul et al., 1993). This palpable
indicates deposition along alluvial plain with channels character-
transgressive pulse recorded in the Saharan domain of the northern
ized by high lateral migration rate (Schumm, 1963; Picard and High,
Gondwana can be correlated with similar transgressive events in
1973; Miall, 1996). Some sandstone beds show cross-stratifications
both Tethys (Alpine) and the semi-enclosed Peri-Tethys Basin
suggesting south-directed palaeo-currents. This facies association
(Germanic Basin; Aigner and Bachmann, 1992). Finally, and as a
contains only vertebrate fossils (fish scales and tetrapod bones: F1).
consequence, the units 3 and 4 of the Tejra section which are
relatively sandier with fresh fauna reflecting a regressive tendency
could represent the lateral equivalent of the sandy-rich part of 4.2.1.2. Facies association 2 (FA2: Ephemeral stream channel de-
Kirchaou formation described both in the Jeffara basin and along posits). This facies (FA2) consists of medium to fine grained sand-
the Dahar escarpment in Jebel Rehach (Fig. 4). stones locally with minor admixture of muddy carbonates forming
lithified layers. It characterizes the middle part of the profile in
4.1.4. Palaeoecology Tejra section (U2) and contains rare small mud clasts (0.5e1.0 cm in
The Tejra section has yielded one of the best preserved Anisian diameter). Some of the lower or upper surfaces of these lithified
to Early Ladinian fossil benthic assemblages from Africa. It provides layers are covered by microbial induced sedimentary structures or
unique evidence about the community of organisms living in casts after desiccation cracks (Fig. 6D). Such structures indicate
shallow water environments in the northern margin of the Gond- subaerial exposure and point to an ephemeral character of the
wana, which was established relatively soon after the Late Permian stream or the river. The sand-size particles are well-rounded quartz
mass extinction and Early Triassic recovery (Fig. 1B). grains and usually exhibit normal grading. The sandstone beds with
In spite of abundance through almost the whole section (Fig. 4 carbonates admixture (2e15 cm thick) commonly have a sheet-like
and 7), the species richness is relatively low in Tejra, compared to geometry and erosive basal boundary outlined by clasts. This in-
some classic freshwater or shallow-marine (marginal marine) dicates sedimentation linked to rapid currents entering a sub-
Triassic assemblages (i.e., Gall and Grauvogel-Stamm, 2005; Voigt aqueous environment (Schumm, 1963; Picard and High, 1973;
and Hoppe, 2010; Barth et al., 2014; Haig et al., 2015). Most fossil- Miall, 1996). The top parts of some sandy bodies exhibit parallel
iferous beds contain monospecific assemblages of small con- lamination. The facies association FA2 is poor in fossils and is
chostracans or lingulids. There are also monospecific usually capped by thick and massive claystone of facies association
accumulations of Unionites, Wissman (1841) in Münster (1841) FA4.
4.2.1.3. Facies association 3 (FA3: Sand-sheet deposits of a playa-lake typical for such low-salinity environment (MacNaughton and
environment). In the middle and upper part of the section, the Pickerill, 1995; Buatois and Ma ngano, 1998; Voigt and Hoppe,
dominant sandstones are fine to medium (Units 2 and 3) but 2010). These characteristics suggest temporal fluvial conditions
sometimes coarse-grained with an erosive basal boundary and developed in the Tejra area (Fig. 18).
laminated with oscillatory current ripples at the top. This indicates The part of the section located above (Unit 3) shows the re-
strong flood events of a high flow-regime depositional process, appearance of the conchostracans and limuloids probably con-
interpreted as sand-sheet deposits in shallow water conditions nected with a decrease of salinity (Fig. 3). This part is lithologically
within a playa-lake system (Miall, 1996; Zhang et al., 1998; quite uniform - built mainly composed of reddish-brownish clays.
Bourquin et al., 2009). The erosive basal boundary of some layers The highest unit (Unit 4) is also uniform and composed by thin
observed in this facies association indicates also sedimentation sandstone interval alternating with brownish clays with some
linked to flood currents while the upper most facies highly bio- greenish intercalations. The salinity probably rose again as sug-
turbated by invertebrates were deposited in a rather calmer envi- gested by the presence of marine bivalves in some strata. The
ronment with subaqueous life. The surfaces with tetrapod tracks, shallowing upward tendency observed with the lithofacies of Units
the microbially induced sedimentary structures and desiccation 3 and 4 in Tejra sections resulted into an important regressive
structures indicate subaerial exposure and point to an ephemeral event. This was materialized elsewhere, in the Saharan platform, by
lake or pond. Body fossils (mainly bivalves, but also lingulids and the development of important fluvio-lacustrine deposits in Tunisia
conchostracans) are rare. and Libya. The lack of trace fossils in most of the section was pre-
sumably an expression of rarity and poor sediment penetrating
4.2.1.4. Facies association 4 (FA4: Lacustrine or floodplains and pond- abilities of the Triassic lacustrine animals compared to those from
like deposits). These are either massive claystone beds (more than modern lakes (Buatois and Ma ngano, 1998; Voigt and Hoppe, 2010).
20 cm and up to 6 m) or thin alternations of claystone and siltstone To conclude, the Triassic sedimentation as recorded at the Tejra
to very fine-grained sandstones (up to 2 cm thick). They are present section occurred mainly in brackish conditions. Fauna is dominated
through the entire section especially in U2 and U3. Some intervals by euryhaline animals: conchostracans, lingulids, limuloids,
are interbedded with fine to coarse grained sandstone of facies microconchids, and bivalves. Their taxonomic diversity is low in
associations FA1 and FA2 or with the siltstone and sandstone facies most of the profile and the composition of assemblages often
association FA3. This facies is attributed to suspension deposition changes presumably as a result of fluctuations in salinity level.
process within a temporary water level. Some massive claystone Episodes with more diverse fauna represent periods of stable
layers are highly bioturbated or include distinct mud-cracks at their salinity levels and favorable taphonomic conditions in connection
top. Those forming continuous layers correspond to the floodplain with more marine communication of the Jeffara basin with the
or lacustrine deposits whereas the heterolithic facies (intervals newly born Tethyan Sea.
interbedded with facies association FA1 and FA2 correspond to The presence of brackish-marine faunal assemblages and rela-
overbank or flood deposits (Gretener and Stromquist, 1986; Miall, tively high diversity of bivalves within the Unit 2 and at less degree
1996; Brown, 1996). This facies association FA4 is rich in fossils in the Unit 3 suggest short term transgression presumably
and contains bivalves, gastropods, lingulids, conchostracans, approaching from the east and north-east (Fig. 18).
horseshoe crab and microconchids.
4.3. Stratigraphy and sedimentology of Hmaïma el Kbira section
4.2.2. Depositional environments of Tejra succession (Northern Province)
The lower part of the section (Unit 1) represents a marginal
lacustrine environment where numerous thin sandstone layers This outcrop is situated 25 km to the West of Tejra section
with ripple marks and erosional surfaces suggest temporal silici- (Fig. 1C). It corresponds to an isolated hill located in the plain sit-
clastic influx and reworking by waves. Also desiccation cracks and uated between the Upper Permian of Halk Jmel section and the
root traces suggest occasionally aerial exposures. Most layers Chouamekh village (Fig. 17 A and B). The Triassic series of the
contain only conchostracans but few layers yielded more diverse Hmaïma El Kbira have been revisited because they are assigned to
fauna (limuloids, microconchids, and bivalves). Those animals can the Anisian Ouled Chebbi formation and therefore can be consid-
be found both in marine and freshwater habitats, except for the ered as equivalent, at least in part, of the lower part of the Tejra
conchostracans (Barth et al., 2014). The latter live usually in section where has found Anisian fauna. In Jebel Tebaga region the
freshwater settings although numerous occurrences in brackish uppermost part Permian red beds with minor carbonate in-
conditions are known (Barth et al., 2014 and references therein). tercalations grade upward into possibly non-marine red beds of
This together with the lack of typical marine or brackish organisms Early to Middle Triassic age (Kamoun et al., 2001). The red clay-
suggests rather freshwater or close to freshwater conditions during stones capping the Permian sandstones and also those outcropping
the deposition of the lower part of the section (Figs. 4 and 18). at the base of the Hmaïma Kbira have been deeply investigated in
In the middle part of the Tejra section (Unit 2), first occurrence order to find new paleontological elements. However, despite the
of marine bivalves was recorded. The lack of stenohaline organisms time spent in these two sections no fossils were found (Fig. 17).
like crinoids and brachiopods suggest restricted marine influence The Hmaïma El Kbira section is represented by 60 m made up of
(Hofmann et al., 2014). The increase of salinity probably was not the amalgamation of fining-upward metric sequences separated by
stable because layers with conchostracans or lingulids also occur in thin green to red claystones intervals locally showing ripple marks.
this part of the section. This clear marine incursion recorded in The sandstones facies are dominantly represented by coarse
Medenine area, considered as part of a paleohigh domain since the grained sandstones displaying trough cross-beddings at the base
Late carboniferous (see discussion after), is a good evidence of the passing upward to medium to fine grained sands with plan parallel
widespread Ladinian transgressive event materialized by the laminations and low angle cross-beddings. The base of these se-
development of the Myophoria carbonate intervals to the East in the quences can be marked by important erosional surfaces, cutting
Jeffara basin and Tripolitania (Adolff et al., 1985; Trigui, 1989). down in the sandstones, and overlain by conglomerates with
In the middle of the unit (Unit 3) a thick relatively coarse grained diversified components. These conglomerates, containing shale,
sandstone layer (marker bed) showing erosive base and normal sandy and dolomitic clasts, wood fragments correspond to channel
grading from base to top occurs. It shows diverse trace fossils lag deposits. Soft-sediment deformation structures such as slumps
Fig. 17. Hmaïm el Kbira outcrop A. Google Earth image showing the Hmaïma Kbira outcrop close to the Chouamekh village at the foot of the hill, B. Anisian Ouled Chebbi sandstone
Formation, C. Simplified lithological column showing vertically stacked braided channel sandstone deposits.
attesting of fast sedimentation rate can be also observed. Hmaïma el Kbira section, and assigned also to the Anisian by
The stacked graded and cross-stratified sandstones, separated Busson (1967) and Dridi and Maazaoui (2003) might represent the
by erosional surfaces showing trough cross-bedding, are inter- equivalent of the lower part of Tejra section. If this is the case, the
preted as fluvial channel-fills while the overlying thin green to Hmaïma el Kbira sandstone facies, deposited in fluvial system,
reddish shaly intervals are interpreted as the product of deposition would represent the proximal part (Head of the system) of the
by decantation in calm depositional setting such as food plains continental sedimentary system, while the facies of Tejra which are
(Farrell, 1987; Miall, 2006). marginal to lacustrine, represent a relatively distal setting influ-
The new dating (Anisian) for the lower part of the Tejra section enced intermittently by continental and marine physical and
suggest, at least in part, that Ouled Chebbi Formation of the chemical processes (Fig. 18).
Fig. 18. Schematic diagram showing the position of the studied sections and wells within a sedimentary system, comprising braided fluvial depositional environments close to the
Dahar mountain range and the Tebaga-Medenine highs, a transitional domain with flood plain, lake, estuary and marine to lagoon settings eastward and southeastward. It is
supposed that sedimentation and depositional environments repartition resulted of tilted blocks bounded by E-W and N-S faults.
5. Additional data on the stratigraphy and sedimentology of In the Kef Touareg section, the upper part of Kirchaou formation,
jebel Rehach and Kef Touareg sections (Central Province) outcropping along the road (Fig. 19A), consist of a reddish shaly unit
overlain by fine to medium sandstones containing sedimentary
Numerous ancient and more recent detailed stratigraphic and structures dominated by planar cross stratifications and local
sedimentological works have been undertaken on the Triassic se- bimodal distribution of cross-beds reflecting tidal influences.
ries outcropping along the Jeffara escarpment. In this study, were However, the uppermost part is dominated by sandstones con-
visited only the uppermost part of the Ladinian Kirchaou Formation taining conglomerates grading upward to fine-medium sandstones
and the overlying Carnian-Azizia Formation of Jebal Rehach and Kef with trough cross-bedding and planar laminations suggesting
Touareg sections essentially in order to better define the remark- meandering fluvial system.
able surfaces and the major transgressive-regressive sedimento- These sandstones are overlain by a dominantly ripple laminated
logical events that can be used for regional stratigraphic silty and shaly unit displaying flaser beddings and hummokey cross
correlations. stratification (HCS) indicating a progressive evolution of the
Along the Jeffara escarpment, it is well documented that the depositional environment from fluvial into coastal marine settings.
Kirchaou Formation is composed of amalgamated meter thick The sedimentation continues with fossiliferous dolomites and
graded sandstone bodies showing sedimentary structures sug- shales ranged in the Mekraneb member (Fig. 19 B and D). These
gesting fluvial channel deposits. In Jebel Rehach, Serrhini (1997) facies testify of a clear transgressive event dated with confidence to
documented at 6 m from the base of the section within the Early Carnian (Bouaziz, 1986) precisely Cordevolian age by con-
Kirchaou Formation a sandy dolomitic bed particularly rich in algae odonts (Rakus, 1981; Mock et al., 1997).
and marine fauna (e.g. pelecypods) which clearly indicates a This first carbonate unit forms a well distinct morphological
slightly marine incursion. The latter is overlain by thick channelized landmarker in the landscape (Fig. 19B). The basal surface of the first
conglomeratic horizon (2 m) passing upward to a thick sequence dolomitic bed of this unit is particularly rich in Thalassinoides
(60 m) composed of graded sandstone deposits containing con- burrows while its middle and upper parts are bioclastic and
glomerates at the base and fine to medium sandstones containing biolaminated.
common trunk trees, trough cross-beddings and overturned Our recent investigations of the Mekraneb carbonate unit
structures at the top. These sandstone bodies correspond to fluvial allowed the discovering, on the top of the last biolaminated and
channel deposits that can be laterally and vertically capped by red desiccated dolomitic bed, of foot prints left by medium-sized
and greenish shales of flood plain environments. It is worth noting dinosauriform or theropod dinosaur (Niedzwiedzki et al., in re-
that locally (Oued Medjene section) the base of Kirchaou Formation view). The succession continues with green, gray shales containing
includes eolian fine grained sandstones displaying large scale abundant and diversified marine fauna (bivalves, echinoids, nau-
trough cross-beds and avalanche structures (Ben Tahar, 1990). tiloids, nothosaurus and conodonts (Lapparent, 1954; Rakus, 1981;
Fig. 19. A. Google Earth image showing the Kef Touareg and J. Rehach outcrops. The road crosses the red shales underlying the uppermost sandstone body of Kirchaou Formation;
the first horizontal landmark of the landscape corresponds to the Mekraneb dolomitic unit while the upper one marks the Upper Rehach Formation. B. Panoramic view showing the
Trias Argilo-Greseux (TAGI) overlain by the Trias Argilo-Carbonate
(TAC), C. Uppermost Mekraneb dolomites and shales overlain by the Touareg and Rehach formations, D. Synthetic
lithological column of Kef Touareg Late Triassic succession showing the position of the tetrapod tracks (Niedzwiedzki et al. in review).
Mok et al., 1987) indicating that the first major Carnian maximum massive sandstones overlain in turn by fine to medium grained
flooding was recorded in this area. sandstones with cross beddings and planar laminations. The
Above these offshore shales rest unconformably a distinctive Touareg lenticular sandstones are interpreted to be the products of
sandstone unit (Touareg member) containing palynomorphs, at meandering fluvial channels by Ben Tahar (1990). However tide
most Carnian in age according to Mazraoui-Kilani et al. (1988). The influences, as already noted by Carpentiel et al. (2016), can be
lowermost part of this sandstone unit is bounded by an important envisaged for the depositional environments of these sandstones.
erosional surface cutting down in the shales and marked by Indeed, our reexamination of these sandstones which allowed
conglomeratic horizon. The latter contain shale clasts and well- identifying “flaser beddings”, bioturbations and rippled fine
rounded ferruginous dolomitic clasts indicating important grained sandstones to siltstones, in the middle and upper parts of
erosion and reworking processes related to a prograding phase this unit support this interpretation. This short-live forced regres-
accompanied by rapid basinward shift of the facies. This major sive sandstones event, probably caused by sea level fall (Carpentier
discontinuity and overlying conglomerates grade upward to et al., 2016), is overlain by the Rehach Formation dominantly
composed of fossiliferous carbonates (ostracods, gastropods and pattern is well calibrated to core facies, allowing therefore confi-
echinoderms) alternating with green, gray shales dated as middle- dent sequential interpretation and depositional environments
late Carnian on the basis of foraminifera (Kamoun et al., 2001). reconstruction. For this well, we slightly modified the interpreta-
The Rehach Formation is assigned based on palynomorphs and tion of the non-cored interval based on E-logs signatures and also
foraminifera to Carnian and correlated by Adolff et al. (1985) to the placed with great accuracy the limit between the Top of Kirchaou
dolomites and limestones of the Libyan Azizia Formation. Formation (Trias Argilo Gre seux ¼ TAGI) and the overlying Trias
The Rehach Formation can be subdivided into two relatively Argilo-carbonate (TAC).
distinct parts. The first part is composed of meters thick sequences The Triassic penetrated section in this well comprises five fining
made up of shales and carbonates while the upper part is domi- upward sequences comprising a sandstone unit each capped by
nantly represented by carbonates and accessory by shales varicoloured shales and silts (Fig. 20). They are in an ascending
(Fig. 19D). Tetrapod tracks assemblages characterize a dolomitic labeled order SE 5, SE4, SE3, SE2 and SE1. The description presented
bed situated approximately 6 m above the base of the Formation below is summarized and completed from ETAP Tunisian
(Fig. 19D) (Niedzwiedzki et al., in review). Exploration Review (1991).
The carbonates, developed juste above the Touareg sandstones, The basal sandstone unit (reservoir E layer) of the SE5 corre-
show different textures and composition. They generally constitute sponds to the lowest level of the TAGI reservoir of El Borma field. It
the upper part of metric high frequency shallowing upward cycles. overlies the Hercinynian unconformity and represents the first
The latter are made up of shales passing upward to fossiliferous, Mesozoic sedimentary record of the Ghadames basin. It is 23.5 m
bioturbated and nodular limestones covered in turn by well bedded thick and displays particular lithologic composition made of con-
bioclastic dolomites becoming biolaminated at the top. These me- glomerates and coarse grained quartzarenites devoided of feldspar
ter thick sequences, overlying the Touareg sandstones, have been grains. This unit or “lower coarser series” is also named “se rie
deposited, during a new transgressive phase, within shallow shelf grossiere infe
rieure” by Busson (1967).
comprising subtidal lagoon and tidal flats environments. However, The overlying (D, C, B, and A revoir layers and intra-shaly seals)
the dolomites of the upper part are rich in algal laminations, bird correspond to the SE4, 3, 2, 1 sequences. The sandstone bodies of
eyes and vuggs resulting of gypsum dissolution. They are formed these sequences present approximately the same petrographic
within intertidal to sebkha environments periodically submitted to characteristics and are ranged by Busson (1967) with the “se rie fine
exposures with soil development (Carpentier et al., 2016). supe rieure” or “upper fine series”. They are composed of sand-
In the Jeffara basin, as well as in the outcrops of the Jeffara stones (quartz with feldspar grains content averaging 25%) showing
escarpment, the Carnian Rehach carbonates are covered by the fining upward trends with trough cross-beddings at the base
Norian Mhira red shales and Evaporites attesting restricted depo- grading upward to fine to medium sandstone with plan parallel
sitional environment resulting of a major sea level fall and the laminations that can be overlain by siltstones and shales at the top.
installation arid climate (Courel et al., 2003). Shale clasts and carbonized plant debris, interpreted as channel lag
As it will be shown hereafter the sedimentary events charac- deposits, mark the base of these sequences while the overlying
terizing the passage from the Ladinian-Kirchaou sandstones to the grain texture and sedimentary structures (cross-beddings) are
early Carnian Mekraneb dolomites as well as the passage from the characteristic of fluvial system. The fine sedimentation of the top
Touareg sandstones to the middle-late Carnian Rehach carbonates sequences is indicative of decantation processes during waning
can be easily distinguished to the west within the buried series of stages.
the Ghadames and Berkine basins. As shown by the Fig. 20, only the sandstone body of the reser-
voir B (18 m), which is part of SE 5, is characterized by a coarsening
6. Outcrops to subsurface correlation upward trend topped by variegated shales and silts. The latter
contains a sideritic and dolomitic level displaying high RHOB
The stratigraphic correlation between the Triassic series, signature (Sideritic Marker Bed: SMB). The sequences SE1 to SE5
dominantly composed of continental and shallow marine deposits, are ranged within the TAGI and are considered as the lateral
is not an easy task due to the lack of reliable biostratigraphic data. equivalent of Kirchaou sandstones (Ben Ferjani et al., 1993).
However, the compilation of all the published data with the new In this well the TAGI fluvio-deltaïc sandstones is covered by a
information obtained on the occasion of this study should reduce new sedimentary cycle which displays quite different wireline logs
these uncertainties and authorize confident correlation with the signatures (Fig. 20).
burried series in Ghadames basin. The base of this cycle starts with two peaks having very low
Gamma Ray and DT values corresponding to dolomitic lithology
6.1. Subsurface stratigraphy of the Triassic Ghadames basin rather than to sandstones as considered in ETAP 1991 interpreta-
tion. This is supported by the comparison of these E-logs response
In this part we aim to clarify and refine the stratigraphic sub- to those which are well calibrated to cores such as of EB-63 well
division of the Triassic series of the Ghadames basin using three key (Ben Tahar, 1990) or other wells presented in Serrhini thesis (1997).
petroleum wells. The latter will be then used as starting point for The two peaks interpreted as dolomitic levels follow always the last
regional stratigraphy correlation between the Triassic series fining upward sequence of Top Kirchaou SE1 showing a bell shaped
outcropping in southern Tunisia and those crossed in the El Borma electric log pattern. These dolomitic marker beds are overlain by a
field (Algerian-Tunisia confines) and in the Berkine basin in Algeria. shaly dominated unit well distinct by the bell shaped wire-line
The wireline logs of these three petroleum wells (EB-135, EB-63 signature. This shaly unit is overlain by a distinct sandstone hori-
and SN-1) have been taken from previous published works (Ben zon (¼ Alpha reservoir level of SITEP and ENI companies) occurring
Tahar, 1990; Ben Ismaïl, 1991 and ETAP Tunisian Exploration in the same stratigraphic position of the Touareg sandstones of the
Review, 1991). Jeffara outcrops. In EB-135 well, this siliciclastic horizon is overlain
by thick sequence composed of carbonates and evaporates char-
6.1.1. EB 135 well acterized by a distinct E-logs pattern with very low GR and DT
Well EB 135 was selected in this study because, in one hand, it is values. These facies are ranged, by comparison to the outcrops, in
located close to the wells described by Turner et al. (2001) in the Rehach formation.
eastern Algeria and on the other hand because its electric log
Fig. 20. Triassic stratigraphy of the EB-135 well established on the basis on the vertical E-logs pattern calibrated to core facies (C1 to C6) (ETAP Exploration Review, 1991; completed
and reinterpreted in this study). The TAGI, composed of five finining upward sequences (five pairs of reservoir and seal), is overlain by the TAC. Note the presence of the early
Carnian dolomitic horizons (two distinct peacks) at the base of the TAC, the sandstones and the overlying Rehach carbonates and evaporites of Middle-late Carnian at the top. The
sideritic marker bed is situated within the shaly unit separating the B from the A sandstone bodies.
6.1.2. EB 63 well Palynomorph assemblages found within these shales, at the depth
This well was taken from Ben Taher thesis (1990). It is situated of 2408 m, are dominated by conifer pollen of Early Keuper time (Ben
westward of SN-1 well and is considered in this study as a key well Tahar, 1990, p.39). This assemblage comprises Alisporites aequalia,
because it provides precious biostratigraphic data and stratigraphic Brachysaccus microsaccus, Jugasporites delasaucei, Klausipollenites dec-
markers useful for correlation with EB135 and the other wells of ipiens, Ovalipollis sp., Prothaploxypinus microcorpus, Platysaccus papil-
East Algeria. It will serve also for the discussion of the age of the lonis, Triadispora epigonia, Triadispora obscura, and Vesicaspora fuscus.
TAGI. Based on these findings the author stated “the Lower and
The main feature rising from the electric log pattern of EB 63 is Middle Triassic deposits as being totally missing in the El Borma
the presence, above the TAGI (ABCD sandstone reservoir layers and field”. This issue will be discussed later when reviewing the TAGI
seals), of a clear fining upward sequence displaying a bell shaped age within the Ghadames-Berkine basin framework.
GR response. The latter is followed in turn by a funnel shaped Based on E-logs interpretations and core observations, the same
sequence well characterized both by low GR and DT values (Fig. 21). author distinguished above the TAGI dominantly sand prone sec-
Petrographic XRD analyses performed on core samples allowed tion two dolomitic markers labeled as M2 and M3. The M2 marker
identifying within the shales situated below the A reservoir of a which correspond to dolomites is situated in the same stratigraphic
sideritic (FeCO3) thin horizon displaying high RHOB signature position of the two peaks interpreted as dolomitic in EB 135 well.
comparable to that of EB 135 well. It is reported that this marker This dolomitic interval is correlated with the Carnian Mekraneb
was encountered in the majority of the wells of the El Borma field dolomites of the Dahar escarpment. The M3 marker displaying very
(Ben Tahar, 1990; Ben Ismaïl, 1991 and Serrhini, 1997). low GR and DT values and corresponding also to dolomites overlies
Fig. 21. Triassic stratigraphy of the EB-63 well established on the basis on the vertical E-logs (Ben Tahar, 1990; completed and reinterpreted in this study). Note the differences
between the E-logs pattern of the TAGI and the TAC. The fining upward sequences characterized in EB-135 well can be easily recognized and the sideritic marker bed also. The stars
indicate the position of the samples which yielded the palynomorph assemblages of the Carnian.
a distinct sandstone horizon and correspond to the lateral equiva- In this well, situated eastward of the El Borma field, the Triassic
lent of the Rehach formation of the Jeffara outcrops. succession is dominantly composed of shales. Only three relatively
thin sandstone horizons, displaying low reading of GR signatures,
6.1.3. SN-1 Well can be distinguished. The latter is overlain by a shaly unit repre-
The SN-1 well was taken from Ben Ismaïl (1991). It was selected senting most likely the equivalent of the lower part of the TAC (see
because it provides at the base of the Triassic section a stratigraphic discussion below).
horizon yielding fauna that can be used in correlation. It comprises
a Triassic fining upward sequence (125 m thick) resting above the 6.2. Correlation of the Jeffara outcrops to El Borma field wells
Hercynian unconformity (Fig. 22). The lowermost part of this
sequence, considered as the lowest level of El Borma TAGI reservoir The stratigraphic correlation between the Triassic series,
(¼ E layer reservoir) (Ben Ismaïl, 1991; Ben Ferjani et al., 1993), dominantly composed of continental sandstone deposits and
corresponds to the coarser sand unit (¼“Se rie grossiere infe
rieure” accessory shallow marine deposits, is not an easy task due to the
of Busson, 1967). This E reservoir sandstones are overlain by a shaly lack of reliable biostratigraphic data. However, the compilation of
interval including thin carbonate beds where have been docu- all the published data with the new information obtained with this
mented scarce conchostracan fossils (Ladinian Euestheria minuta) study reduced the uncertainties and authorized at least comparison
assumed to be the equivalent of the Ladinian Myophoria Zone by with the series encountered in Ghadames basin.
Ben Ismaïl (1991). Such arthropod fauna have been also identified For this purpose, the lower Ladinian fossiliferous interval
within the red beds of the Tejra section by Biely and Rakus (1991) showing the marine influences detected within the Unit 2 of Tejra
and our present work (see Section 4.1.2). section (¼ Equivalent of the Myophoria-bearing limestones of the
Accordingly, the shaly interval capping the E reservoir layer and Jeffara basin) and the two Carnian dolomitic intervals (M2 and M3)
ranged with the Anisian-Ladinian (Ben Ismail, 1990) could be are used as time lines.
considered as the equivalent, at least in part of the lowermost part The regional lithostratigraphic cross section (Fig. 22) shows
of the Tejra section (Fig. 22). that:
M. Soussi et al. / Marine and Petroleum Geology xxx (2016) 1e35

Fig. 22. SW-NE regional surface-subsurface stratigraphic correlation between (1) the Triassic Zarzaitine outcrops of southern Algeria, (2) representative petroleum wells from the Triassic of Illizi-Berkine basins (Algeria), (3) repre-
sentative petroleum wells from El Borma field (Tunisia-Algeria border), (4) the outcrops of southeastern Tunisia in addition to (5) synthetic composite log representing the triassic series of the Jeffara basin (Tunisia-Libya border). The
Late-Anisian-Early Ladinian transgressive event (Myophoria marker and equivalents) is used as time line/datum. This transgressive impulse is widespread recorded across the Saharan Platform (Jeffara basin to the East, U2 of the Tejra
section and the shales and carbonates with conchostracan fauna of SN1-well). This transgressive horizon well characterized by marine affinities and its lateral equivalent to the west allowed the distinction between the basal part of the
TAGI reservoir interval (layer E ¼ “lower coarse series” of the Anisian Ouled Chebbi Formation) from the overlying D-C-B and A layers (Ladinian-Carnian) “upper fine series”). The overlying Carnian transgressive shales and carbonates
(Trias Argilo-carbonate: TAC) of the Azizia formation with subordinate sandstones (Touareg Formation) onlap the whole siliciclastic system of the TAGI system (equivalent of part of Ouled Chebbi Formation- Kirchaou/Ras Hamia
25
formations). Data are taken from Ben Tahar, 1990); Ben Ismaïl, 1991, Chandoul et al., 1991; Kammoun et al., 1991; Peybernes et al., 1993; Turner et al., 2001; Bourquin et al., 2010). They are completed and stratigraphically reinterpreted in
this study.
(1) the Middle Triassic Ouled Chebbi Formation, partly the Dahar escarpment, might be considered as the lateral strati-
outcropping in southern Tunisia (J. Hmaïma and lowermost part of graphic equivalent of the sandstone unit well known as Alpha level
Tejra section) are considered as the equivalent of the lowermost (AGIP, ENI and SITEP nomenclature).
part of the Trias Argilo-Gre seucx of El Borma field) (¼ E layer or (5)in outcrops and in subsurface, the Touareg/Alpha sandstone
SE5) here represented by the lower coarse sands. In SN-1 well, the E unit is overlain by a thick dominantly carbonate unit indicating a
reservoir layer, overlain by the shaly interval including con- new major transgressive event. In outcrops, these carbonates
chostracan fossils (with Ladinian Eustheria minuta) is assumed to be deposited in lagoon to tidal flat settings belong to the Rehach
the equivalent of the Ladinian Myophoria zone as proposed by Ben Formation. At the scale of El Borma field, the equivalent of the
Ismaïl (1991). This shaly horizon marker, Ladinian in age, separates Rehach Formation is represented by the dolomites and black shales
the “coarser sandstone”s of continental settings (braided fluvial deposited in shallow marine conditions comprising lagoonal, tidal
system) from the overlying “upper fine sands” and shales of fluvio- flat and also sebkha environments as suggested by the presence of
lacustrine environments. The latter which include from the base to evaporites. This mixed lithology is well shown by the Electric log
the top the D, C, B and A reservoir layers of El Borma field are pattern marked by the lowest GR and DT values of dolomites and
considered as equivalent of Kirchaou Formation of southern Tunisia evaporates and the highest GR of the shales.
and the Ras El Hamia/Kurruch Formation in Libya (Ben Ferjani et al.,
1990; M'Rabet et al., 1994). The Kirchaou sandstones of the Dahar 7. Correlation of El Borma and Berkine petroleum wells
Escarpment are considered in several works as the surface
analogue of the TAGI and are entirely ranged within the Ladinian by Several regional studies about the Triassic series of the Berkine
Burollet (1963), Ben Ferjani et al. (1990) and ETAP oil company basin have been undertaken the two last decades (Boudjemaa,
chart. 1987; Turner et al., 2001; Bourquin et al., 2010; Galeazzia et al.,
(2) the palynomorph assemblages found within the shaly in- 2010). These studies demonstrated that the Triassic deposits of
terval, separating the B from the A reservoirs, indicate the Carnian this basin are essentially composed of clastic continental wedge of
age and suggest therefore that the age of Kirchaou sandstones can mostly MideLate Triassic age. The sedimentation began with
be also Ladinian and Carnian p. p. It is worth noting that Peyberne s fluvial-lacustrine deposits of probable Late LadinianeEarly Carnian
et al. (1993) attributed the transgressive Myophoria carbonate age and continued by Carnian mixed carbonate-clastic continental
event and the overlying sandstones (Kirchaou Fm. in Tunisia and to shallow marine-lacustrine rocks (TAC Fm). As already shown in
Ras El Hamia in Libya) to a third order depositional sequence the Ghadames basin (EB 135, EB 63, EB 40 wells), the TAGI forma-
(T4 ¼ DS 237 or cycle UAA 2-2 of Haq et al., 1987) assigned to the tion of the Birkin basin, followed the Hercinyan unconformity and
Ladinian-Carnian age. These authors interpret to upper part of is composed of laterally extensive and vertically stacked fluvio-
Kirchaou sandstones to a Low Stand System Tract (LST) of a distinct deltaic sandstones passing laterally and/or capped by varicoulored
depositional sequence (DS 232 of UAA 3.1 of Haq et al., 1987). shales of flood plain to lacustrine settings (Turner et al., 2001;
(3)in outcrops and in subsurface, the Kirchaou sandstone For- Galeazzia et al., 2010). The shaly intervals are characterized by
mation is covered by a succession dominantly made up of mixed high GR values compared to the siliciclastic sand-prone bodies
carbonate and clastic rocks belonging to the Trias Argilo-Carbonate which display low GR values. These signatures can be easily fol-
or (TAC). The latter marks an important change from large clastic lowed from a well to another (Fig. 22).
continental wedge (TAGI fluvio-deltaic sedimentation) to shallow In the Algerian Berkine Basin, the establishment of several
marine epicontinental widespread carbonate and evaporitic plat- regional lithostratigraphic cross-sections, based on wireline logs
form over the entire Saharan domain and even throughout NW and core data, permitted to Turner et al. (2001) to subdivide the
Africa (Soussi et al., 1998; Kamoun et al., 2001; Courel et al., 2003; Triassic fluvio-lacustrine deposits into four depositional sequences.
Eschard and Hamouche, 2003). Three representative wells have been selected from Turner et al.
This change in the regime of sedimentation is well expressed in (2001) to complete our correlations from Ghadames Tunisia basin
the electric logs pattern of the Triassic succession of EB 135 and EB towards the East Algeria Berkin basin (Fig. 22).
63 wells, of all the El Borma field wells (Ben Tahar, 1990; Ben Ismaïl, The regional lithostratigraphic cross section shows that:
1991 and Serrhini, 1997) and also of the series buried in the domain (1)laterally to the west, in EB-41 and HTB-1 wells (Tunisian-
situated between the Jeffara and El Borma field (Carpentier et al., Algerian border), the gamma ray response of the principal silici-
2016). This change, related to a major transgressive event began clastic Triassic bodies and overlying shales of the TAGI displays
with the fossiliferous Mekraneb dolomites (¼ Lower Dolomites of approximately the same GR signatures (fining upward tendency
Busson, 1967) in southern Tunisia, the organic-rich limestones and giving bell shaped electric log pattern) of the EB-135 well and
shales of J. Rheouis in central Tunisia (Soussi et al., 1998) (¼ calc- authorize therefore a confident correlation with the sedimentary
aires noirs of Burollet, 1956). sequences of Berkine basin (Fig. 22). The sequences S1 to S3 of
In El Borma field, this major change is materialized by the Berkine basin are ranged within the Trias Argilo-Gre seux Infe
rieur
appearance of the dolomitic beds following the shaly interval (TAGI), while the fourth sequence, deposited under shallow marine
capping the reservoir A of Top Kirchaou (Figs. 20e22). coastal conditions (shales, sabkhas evaporites and bay infill), is
In this regard, the Mekraneb dolomites of southern Tunisia and considered as the basal part of the overlying “Trias Argilo-Carbo-
the “calcaires noirs” of central Tunisia marked the onset of the Late nate” (Turner et al., 2001).
Triassic major transgressive event and a spectacular Carnian onlap (2) E-log signatures show that the lowermost part of the TAGI of
(base of the TAC) which is well documented upon the paleohigh the Berkine basin displays a quite similar gamma ray response (bell
inherited from the Hercynian orogeny in Ghadames basin (Busson, shape) with that of the basal part of the TAGI of El Borma field. The
1963; Busson, 1972; Boudjemaa, 1987). The Carnian maximum basal first sequence (S1) of Berkine basin which is dominantly
flooding event is thought to be represented by the organic-rich composed of sandstones of fluvial system and resting above the
shales overlying the black carbonates in Central Tunisia (Soussi Hercynian unconformity could be reasonably correlated with the E
et al., 1998) and the shales showing high gamma ray values and reservoir layer of El Borma field where it is assigned to the Anisian
capping the dolomitic levels in El Borma field (Figs. 20 and 21). Ouled Chebbi Formation (¼ SE5 of EB-135). It is worth noting that in
(4)The sandstone Touareg Member, situated just below the the correlations and stratigraphic interpretations of Turner et al.
Rehach formation and constituting a short regressive event along (2001) the Sequence 1 (S1) has been considered Anisia-Ladinian
or Carnian in age. Accordingly this correlation strongly suggests that the earliest
(3) the second sequence (S2) of the Berkine basin can be deposits of both Ghadames and Berkine-Illizi basins started to take
considered as the lateral equivalent of the D, C sandstone bodies place since the Middle Triassic.
and overlying shales (¼ SE4 and SE3 of EB 135), while the third
sequence (S3) correspond more or less to the B and A reservoirs and 8. Middle-Upper Triassic stratigraphic framework of the
overlying shales (¼ SE2 and SE1 of EB-135). Saharan platform and the TAGI reservoir age attribution
(4) the electric log pattern generally shows a vertical stacked
sequences which display either clear cylindrical or bell shaped The Triassic sandstones (TAGI) age is still not well constrained
signatures (e.g. wells of Berkine basin) and bell shaped only for the and its lateral correlation to its equivalent in the Zarzaitine domain
Ghadames basin wells. Only in the well EB 135, the signature of the in Algeria and of the Dahar escarpment of southern Tunisia remains
B reservoir displays a funnel shaped record (fine grained at the base subject of conjectures and uncertainties.
becoming coarser at the top) attesting of prograding facies rather The regional correlations proposed in the previous section,
than the infill of a fluvial channel system. based on the use of the major transgressive events as time lines
(5) The sequence 4 assigned to Norian, without any direct helped in the refining the previous proposed stratigraphic frame-
paleontological constrain by Turner et al. (2001), is placed in this works and propose an updated stratigraphic chart. The latter is
study, within the Trias Argilo-Carbonate (TAC) and is considered as based on the gathering of the available surface and subsurface data
the equivalent of sedimentary record made of from base to top by and takes into account the most recent published tries (Busson,
the Mekraneb dolomites and shales, the Touareg sandstones and 1967; Ben Tahar, 1990; Ben Ismail, 1991, Turner et al., 2001; Dridi
the Rehach mixed siliciclastic, carbonate and evaporite deposits. and Maazaoui, 2003; Bourquin et al., 2010; Carpentier et al., 2016).
This re-interpretation of the stratigraphic position of the S4 of According to our regional stratigraphic correlation, it appears
Turner et al. (2001) is supported by the well to well E-logs corre- that the oldest Triassic deposits are confined to the Jeffara basin
lation and also the fact that the major change in the sedimentation only to the East. The invasion of Berkine-Ghadames basins by sili-
regime occurred, in the two basins and throughout the NW of Af- ciclastic sedimentation started to overlay the Hercynian uncon-
rica, synchronously during the Carnian major transgressive events formity since the Middle Triassic and continued to develop
(Peybernes et al., 1993; Soussi et al., 1998; Kamoun et al., 2001; westward until the Norian (Fig. 23).
Courel et al., 2003; Eschard and Hamouche, 2003). The TAGI reservoir sandstones (A, B, C, D and E) as well as their
associated flood plain to lacustrine shales have been totally
7.1. Correlation of the Triassic series of southern Tunisia with those attributed to the Late Triassic (Carnian) by Ben Tahar (1990) based
of Zarzaitine outcrops on palynomorph assemblges found within the shales topping the D
reservoir layer. The author stated therefore that “the early and
7.1.1. Why this correlation? middle Triassic deposits are missing in the El Borma and the pro-
Further to the southwest of Algeria correlations are also ducing reservoirs are late Triassic in age”.
considered with Zarzaitine outcrops of southern Algeria where This conclusion is in disagreement with the interpretation of
Triassic (Anisian-Ladinian) age is relatively well established and Ben Ismaïl (1991) who considered the shales, overlying the E
applied in the Berkine Basin (Jalil, 1999; Jalil and Taquet, 1994; reservoir where the conchostracan fossils Euestheria minuta have
Turner et al., 2001; Bourquin et al., 2010). been found (¼ equivalent of the Middle Triassic Myophoria bearing
A lithostratigraphic correlation between the Triassic series of limestones; ¼ equivalent of unit 2 of Tejra section), as Middle
the Dahar escarpment of southern Tunisia with the Triassic Zar- Triassic. This statement is also in disagreement with Busson (1967)
zaitine Formation, outcropping in the southernmost part of Algeria, hypothesis considering the E layer reservoir as equivalent of the
seems very risky at first sight because of the distance and also Anisian Ouled Chebbi Formation. The hypothesis considering the E
because it is considered that these series do not contain diagnostic reservoir layer as equivalent of Ouled Chebbi Formation is
paleontological data allowing reliable biostratigraphic interpreta- confirmed in the updated regional correlation presented in this
tion. While aware of this difficulty we were queen to do it, at least study.
as a working hypothesis. Our argument is based on the fact that Furthermore, Ben Tahar (1990) considered that the sideritic
these outcrops represent the unique surface analogues which may marker bed (SMB) identified in the El Borma field between A and B
provide valuable information to better understand the stratigraphy reservoirs (Figs. 20 and 21) is the equivalent of the last desiccated
and sedimentology of the buried Triassic series representing the bed of the Mekraneb dolomites marked in Kef Touareg section by
main important reservoir of oil and gas resources in North Africa. the presence of the tetrapod foot prints. This is difficult to assume
According to Jalil (1999), the Triassic series of Zarzaitine for- because, in outcrops as well as in subsurface, the sandstone body,
mation is composed of two sandstones units (50 and 110 m thick) overlying the shales including the siderite-rich bed, corresponds to
separated by a clayey unit (15 m) (Fig. 21). The lowermost part of reservoir A. As it is now well documented in surface and subsurface
the unit 1 unconformably rests on the Late Carboniferous-Lower the A sandstone reservoir body is stratigraphically situated below
Permian Tiguentourine series. It is dated Late Spathian-Lower the dolomitic marker bed equivalent of the Mekraneb dolomites. In
Anisian based on tetrapod remains (Capitosaurid, Trematosaurid, M'Rabet et al. (1994) and Dridi and Maazaoui (2003) it is stated that
Benthosuchid and Brachyopoid temnospondyl amphibians). More the Kirchaou Formation is inferred to be the equivalent of the TAGI
details about the biostratigraphic interpretation of the Lower Zar- in Ghadames-Berkine.
zaitine sandstones can be found in Lehman (1971), Busson (1974), For all these reasons, it seems reasonable to consider that the
Jalil and Taquet (1994). coarse grained fluvial sandstones of the lowermost part of the TAGI
Albeit these informations could be considered insufficient and (E reservoir layer ¼ serie grossie
re infe
rieure de Busson 967) are the
unreliable in term of biostratigraphic significance, they authorize at equivalent of the Anisian Ouled Chebbi Formation of the Jeffara
least to hypothesize that the lowermost part of Zarzaitine sand- basin to the east and the lateral equivalent of sequence S1 of the
stones can be considered, at least in part, equivalent of the upper Berkine basin to the West (¼ ES5 of EB 135). The rest of the silici-
Ouled Chebbi Formation. The overlying sandstone unit (110 thick) clastic sequence made up of the A, B, C, D sandstones and intra-
might be considered as lateral equivalent of the Ladinian-Carnian formational shaly seals (¼ se rie fine supe rieure de Busson, 1967)
Kirchaou Formation. of the Berkine/Ghadames basins are the lateral equivalent of
Fig. 23. Schematic lithostratigraphic chart where it is put together the previous surface and subsurface data (stratigraphy and sequences) and the present interpretation of the Middle-Late Triassic of the Saharan Platform: (1) Southern
Tunisia and South-eastern Algeria outcrops, (2) Illizi-Berkine basin of eastern Algeria and Ghadames basin of southern Tunisia. This chart complete and refine the previous studies.
Kirchaou/Ras Hamia formations to the West. Accordingly, the A, B lowermost Rehach Formation (Figs. 23 and 24).
and C-D sandstone intervals and associated shales do correspond to In the Jeffara escarpment outcrops, the two separate carbonate
the S2 and S3 sequences of Turner et al. (2001). intervals of the TAC and associated shales and sandstones (Touareg
In terms of biostratigraphy, waiting for exhaustive comparative sandstones) are Carnian in age. The overlying shales and evaporites
palynological studies on the TAGI of the two basins, it seems logical of the Mhira formation in southern Tunisia and the upper part of
to admit that the TAGI of El Borma field as well as of the Berkine Rheouis Formation of the North South Axis of Central Tunisia and
basin, extends from Anisian to Carnian. dated by palynomporphs as Carnian-Norian, can be correlated with
To sum up, when put all together the biostratigraphic in- the thick evaporitic unit labeled as Infra-D2 in Ghadames and
formations (conchostracan and playnomorphs) and well to well E- Berkine Basin (Figs. 22 and 23).
logs correlation, strongly suggest that the Trias Argilo-Gre seux In conclusion, the Triassic stratigraphic succession (Jeffara
rieur (TAGI) represents essentially the equivalent of Kirchaou/
Infe escarpment, Ghadames and Berkine basins), comprised between
Ras El Hamia formations. Only its lowermost part (E layer) could be the Hercynian unconformity at the base and the thick Norian
assigned to the Anisian Ouled Chebbi Formation (Figs. 22 and 23). evaporitic series at the top, is composed of the following major
In Eastern Algeria and in southern Tunisia, the TAGI sandstones sedimentary cycles which are more or less identifiable at the basin
are covered by the Carnian carbonates, shales and evaporites of the scale (Fig. 24).
TAC (Trias Argilo-Carbonate ). The first sedimentary cycle corresponds to the coarser sands
In the proposed new lithostratigraphic chart, the Ghadames and devoid of feldspar grains (E layer ¼ serie grossie
ere infe
rieure of
Berkine basins, the Mekraneb dolomites and the carbonates of the Busson ¼ sandstones of SE 5 ¼ S1 of the Berkine basin ¼ Ouled
Rehach Formation of the Dahar Escarpment correspond to the two Chebbi Formation of the Jeffara basin). It corresponds to the first
separated dolomitic intervals easily recognized by their E-logs Mesozoic sediments deposited in continental environments
signatures overlying, the dominantly fluvio-delatic Kirchaou For- (braided stream). The overlying shales, containing the fauna
mation. The first dolomitic marker interval overlying the shaly in- assumed as equivalent of the Ladinian Myohoria event marks a
terval resting above the A reservoir, is considered as the equivalent major change in the lithological composition of the sands and
of the Mekraneb dolomites (M2 Horizon of Ben Tahar, 1990) while related sedimentary depositional environments.
the second dolomitic interval (M3), succeeding locally to the The second sedimentary cycle is much more complex as it is
sandstone thin reservoir (Alpha reservoir), constitute the made of several fining upward stacked sequences. The latter are
Fig. 24. The Middle-Late Triassic surface and subsurface stratigraphic nomenclatures of the Sharan platform (Formations, Sequences, Sedimentary Cycles and their depositional
environments).
composed of fluvio-deltaic fine-medium grained sandstones borehole data is the presence in southern Tunisia of distinctive E-W
(feldspar content averaging 25%) grading upwards to very fine regional highs (Medenine-Tebaga high and Telemzane-Bou Nem-
grained sandstones siltstones and shales (¼ A, B, C, D reservoir cha arches) characterized by the thinning or the absence of Triassic
layers ¼ serie fine superieure of Busson ¼ sandstone bodies of SE 4, deposits (Fig. 25C). These east-west trending paleohighs limit
3, 2, 1 of EB 135 well ¼ S2 and S3 sequences of Berkine Ghadames-Berkine basin to the south from the Chotts basin to the
basin ¼ Kirchaou/Ras El Hamia formation). This sedimentary cycle North and the Jeffara basin to the Southeast. The iso-thickness
is Ladinian-Carnian in age and corresponds to fluvio-lacustrine contours of the Triassic isopach map are also sensibly N-S, E-W
environments, locally recording little marine influences. and NW-SE oriented and show thickness increasing towards the
The third sedimentary cycle attests of a major break of the Jeffara subsiding basin to the East (much more than 1000 m).
regime of sedimentation materialized by the transition from fluvial The development of these large E-W positive areas (paleohighs)
sedimentary system to shallow marine environments. This deep- is strong arguments in favor of the presence of E-W active faults
ening of the depositional environments, records the first Carnian controlling at regional scale the sedimentation during Triassic time.
major transgressive event. It is materialized by the development of These E-W trending faults are detected by geophysics (Ben Ayed,
the first fossiliferous dolomites and shales that can be followed at 1993) and are suggested to the West by important Triassic facies
regional sclae (¼ Dolomies de Mekraneb de Jeffara ¼ “calcaires and thickness variation well documented by subsurface lithos-
noirs” of J. Rheouis of Central Tunisia ¼ El Borma M2 marker of Ben tratigraphic regional transects (Carpentier et al., 2016).
Tahar, 1990). The Jeffara basin seems to correspond to a composite subsiding
The fourth sedimentary cycle corresponds to a distinctive graben with tilted blocks bounded by N-S and E-W faults in a relay
sandstone interval recording a short-lived regressive event result- arrangement, in addition to the Jeffara NW-SE trending faults of
ing of a rapid sea level fall (Touareg sandstones ¼ gre s in- Tataouine-Medenine area. The N-S trending contours of the isopach
termediaries de Busson ¼ niveau Alpha of El Borma field ¼ U5 of map strongly suggest also the presence of N-S ridge bounding the
the Rhe ouis Formation of Central Tunisia). The sandstones of this Jeffara basin to the east. This ridge would have acted as a barrier for
interval have been deposited in fluvial-tidally influenced sedimentation during early Triassic separating the Jeffara basin to
environments. the east from an area lacking sedimentation and where volcanic
The fifth sedimentary cycle marks the second Carnian major activity is recorded to the West (OS-1, PGA-1, BGL1 and HBR1 wells)
transgressive phase. It is materialized by the development of car- (Fig. 25C). In addition, as demonstrated above, the early Triassic
bonates, shales and evaporites to the west formed within a wide- deposits in El Borma field and in eastern Algeria are lacking. In this
spread shallow marine platform (Rehach Formation ¼ El Borma M3 domain the sedimentation started to develop during middle
marker of Ben Tahar, 1990). Triassic (Anisian-Ladinian) with the lower coarser sands (sedi-
The sixth sedimentary cycles comprises the Norian thick mentary cycle 1 ¼ ES5 of El Borma field ¼ S1 of Berkine basin).
evaporitic series which are equivalent of the Mhira Formation of It is important to note that the depositional pattern marked by
southern Tunisia and the “Upper Gypsum” of the Rhe ouis Forma- important thickness variations, observed between Medenine and
tion of the North-South axis in Central Tunisia. Jeffara basin during the Permian-Triassic and Jurassic, was usually
The two first sedimentary cycles are exclusively composed of interpreted as the result of NW-SE Medenine-Ben Gardane listric
sandstones and shales deposited in fluvial system (valley-fill de- fault system, called also Jeffara fault system (Khessibi and Ben Ayed,
posits) and constitute the TAGI. The overlying four other cycles, 1984; Bouaziz et al., 2002). The impact of this NW-SE trending fault
mainly composed of shales, carbonates, evaporites and accessory on the Triassic sedimentation could be indeed considered but
sandstones deposited in coastal to shallow marine system, belong cannot be generalized for the entire Triassic basin. Indeed, as
to the TAC (¼ Azizia Formation). shown by the Triassic isopach map on which is superposed the
At the basin scale, both the TAGI and TAC Fms belong to the faults detected by geophysics, this vast domain is fragmented
Triassic 2 Megasequence ranged within the late Middle Triassic during Permian and also Triassic time in several blocks delimited by
(Ladinian) to Late Triassic (Norian) by Galeazzi et al. (2010). In our E-W and N-S faults (Fig. 25C). The southern edge of the Jeffara basin
lithostratigraphic correlation and also in the updated chart this which extends eastward in Libya coincides with the emplacement
Megacycle is considered to start sine the Anisian-Ladinian (Fig. 24). of the E-W Briga-Azizia fault which is thought to be inherited faults
“in relation with deep faulting in the Paleozoic substratum” (Ben
9. Tectonic control on the triassic sedimentation of the Ayed, 1993; Ben Ismaïl and M'Rabet, 1990 and Raulin et al., 2011).
Saharan platform Towards the southeast, seismic, gravimetric and magnetic data
clearly show also the presence of several positive and negative E-W
The impact of tectonics on the Triassic sedimentation in the or N-S trending anomalies (Ben Ismaïl, 1991). In Elmzab area (EZ-1
Saharan platform was the subject of several academic and indus- and EZ-2 wells), the Triassic is represented by thin polygenic
trial studies (Bouaziz, 1986; Ben Ayed, 1993; Bouaziz et al., 2002; breccia and in the Jnaine area, the Triassic is very thin or absent. In
Raulin et al., 2011; Dridi and Maazaoui, 2003). More recently, addition, N-S regional stratigraphic correlation (Figs. 17 and 18 of
Carpentier et al. (2016) analyzed the stacking of the Upper Triassic Carpentier et al., 2016) shows important local thickening or thin-
to Lower Jurassic major depositional sequences and associated ning of the Triassic series and the development of major un-
unconformities taking into account the evolution of the tectonic conformities and onlaps particularly close to the apexes of tilted
regime within the general geodynamic framework of the northern blocks bounded by E-W trending faults (Fig. 25).
Gondwana margin. When assembled all together, these observations strongly sug-
This aspect of basin characterization is beyond the scope of this gest the presence, south of the E-W Telemzan arch, during the
paper, but the stratigraphic and sedimentological data presented Triassic time, of an area comprising pre-Triassic NE-SW to N-S
and discussed in the present work and valuable previous synthetic “gentle” paleohighs (Fig. 25B). As a consequence the Berkine-
works such as of Dridi and Maazaoui (1993) enable additional in- Ghadames seems to not be a homogenous E-W trending basin as
terpretations regarding the relationships between the general Pre- previously considered (Ben Tahar, 1990) but it is compartmental-
Triassic inherited structural framework and sedimentation. ized during Triassic time in several sub-basins with more or less
Indeed, the main feature emerging of the Triassic isopach map expressed paleo-margins. The presence of these local N-S and E-W
established by Dridi and Maazaoui (2003) on the basis of abundant high lineaments or paleohighs is supported by recent aeromagnetic
M. Soussi et al. / Marine and Petroleum Geology xxx (2016) 1e35

Fig. 25. A: General skech map showing the major fault zones of the Gondwana (After Guiraud et al., 2000), B: Map showing the main Triassic basins of eastern Algeria and southern Tunisia delimited by N-S and E-W major structural paleohigh
lineaments. In Tunisia the Chotts Basin is limited to the South by the E-W Telemzan arch. The western margin of the Jeffara basin corresponds to the exposed Telemzan high while its northern border corresponds to the Medenine Tebaga high. Its
southern margin coincides with the Briga-Azizia E-W fault. In this general map the Thiumboka Pana-African lineament is supposed to continue northward in Tunisia by intra basin resistant blocks or relief paleohighs (JN-1, EZ-1 and EZ-2). In this
reconstruction the Berkine eGhadames basin is considered not homogeneous as it seems most likely compartmentalized in several sub-basins, C: Reinterpreted Triassic isopach map of southern Tunisia based on well data (Dridi and Maazaoui,
31
2003) showing major Triassic paleohighs and depocenter (Chotts, Jeffara and Ghadames basins) delimited by E-W and N-S trending faults deduced from: (1) seismic and surface data (Black lines, after Bouaziz,1986; Ben Ayed,1993), (2) thickness
changes and onlapping features well documented on N-S regional subsurface transect (Dashed red lines, Carpentier et al., 2016). The isopach map and well data suggest the presence of an area with paleohighs trending N-S to NE-SW between the
Berkine and Ghadames basins. See explanation and discussion in the text. (For interpretation of the references to colour in this figure legend, the reader is referred to the web version of this article.)
data (Gabtni and Jalouli, 2015). In this respect, it is important to the Middle Triassic rather than late Triassic as considered in several
outline that to the North, in Central Tunisia, the impact of the N-S works.
structural direction with active paleohighs is well documented - It is stated in this work that the “Trias Argilo-Gre seux
within the Jurassic and Cretaceous sedimentary record around the rieur” (TAGI), which constitutes the main hydrocarbon reser-
Infe
main North South Axis lineament (Rabhi, 1999; Soussi et al., 2000). voir of the Saharan Platform, is Anisian-Ladinian and Carnian in
The complex N-S trending structural lineaments comprising age. Its lowermost part (E reservoir) (¼ Sequence 1 of Birkin
paleohighs well characterized by seismic and gravity data as well as basin ¼ SE5 in El Borma field) is assigned to Ouled Chebbi Anisian-
by the Mesozoic record in central and south Tunisia seems to be ladinian Formation and represents the first Mesozoïc record in
controlled by deep seated basement faults inherited from the Ghadames-Berkine basins. The overlying D, C, B and A reservoirs (¼
Paleozoic Pan African orogeny (Fig. 25A). S2 and S3 of Berkine basin ¼ SE 4, 3, 2 and 1 of El Borma field) are
The impact of the N-S and E-W structural lineaments inherited attributed to the Ladinian-Carnian and correlated with the Kirch-
from the Panafrican and Hercynian basement on the depositional aou Formation in Tunisia (¼ Ras El Hammia Formation in Libya).
pattern during Triassic cannot be ruled out. Indeed, it well docu- - Well to well correlation clearly indicates that in the Berkine-
mented that the N-S oriented faults extends south to the Hoggar Ghadames basin, the TAGI fluvio-deltaic sandstone reservoirs are
shield (Echikh, 1998; Guiraud et al., 2000). Similarly, the N-S trend covered by the Trias Argilo-Carbonate (TAC) encompassing two
of paleohighs identified within the eastern border of Ghadames well distinct and separate dolomitic intervals easily distinguished
basin may represent the prolongation to the north of the Thium- by the E-logs responses. These carbonate sedimentary events
boka N-S lineament (Fig. 25A and B). At the basin scale this domain recorded in Libya, Tunisia and at a less degree in Algeria, resulted of
would correspond to a relatively low N-S paleo-relief trend parallel important sea level rises resulting on the development of wide-
to the Amguid-Hassi massoud ridge of eastern Algeria which sep- spread epicontinental sea over the northern margin of the Gond-
arates Oued El May and Berkine basins (Fig. 25B). wana craton.
In this regard, it is tempting to consider the current well - In this study, it is proposed, for the first time, that N-S trending
expressed N-S oriented Dahar escarpment and the E-W Nefousa faults contributed in the shaping and the evolution of the northern
uplifted domain delimited by the Azizia fault as surface expressions edge of the Tunisian part of the Ghadames basin. The latter seems
of these N-S and E-W deep seated fracture elements. to not be a homogenous E-W trending basin as previously consid-
Further detailed studies compiling geophysical and well data, ered but compartimentalized in several sub-basins with more or
would enable better understanding the relationships between the less expressed low relief paleo-margins. This hypothesis has to be
Berkine and Ghadames basins in terms of internal stratigraphic considered as new line of thinking that should be confirmed or
architecture and basin configuration. infirmed by further detailed geophysical investigations.
- Finally, the Tejra section which yielded one of the best pre-
10. Conclusions served Anisian to Early Ladinian fossil benthic assemblages from
Africa has to be considered as key outcrop for further biostrati-
The present study adds to and refines our understanding of the graphic and sedimentological investigations that can help in global
stratigraphy and sedimentary basin evolution of the Saharan Plat- comparison and paleobiogeographic reconstitutions.
form during the Middle-Late Triassic. The main outcomes that can
be sorted out of this work are as follow: Acknowledgements
- The investigations undertaken on the Middle Triassic series
outcropping along the Dahar escarpment allowed characterizing The authors express their warm thanks to the scientific in-
with the Tejra quarries of Medenine region (northern edge of the stitutions which supported this research: Polish scientific funds
Saharan Platform) of lacustrine, fluvial and marginal marine (project N307 011 31/094), Polish Ministry of Sciences and Higher
dominant siliciclastics deposits containing several fauna Education (Grant: 7986/B/P01/2011/40), the University of Warsaw
assemblages. (Funds: 51/I/2014), the Faculty of Biology of University of Warsaw,
- The marine bivalves of Tethyan affinities which are most the Department of Paleobiology and Evolution of University of
diverse in the middle part of the Tejra section coincides with the Warsaw and the Faculty of Sciences of Tunis (funds of UR 11 ES 15).
transgression of the Late Anisian-Early Ladinian age well marked in G.N. is currently funded by grant awarded to Per Erik Ahlberg
Ghadames-Berkine basins of the Saharan Platform and also in the (UppsalaUniversity). We are also very grateful to Kornel Biernacki,
Germanic Basin and Alpine sections. Joanna Tałanda, Maciej Pindakiewicz, Agnieszka Tobolska and
- This transgressive event, well recorded by the diversity of Mohamed Ouaja for their help during field work. Many thanks are
marine mollusk fauna, is thought to be the coeval of the Ladinian extended to Pr. Dr. A. M'Rabet for the stimulating exchanges and Dr.
Myophoria carbonate level well characterized in subsurface in the A. Mabrouk, N. Ben Chaabane and Rabii for their help. This paper
Jeffara basin and the Anisian-Ladinian conchostrachens shaly in- benefited for the criticisms and suggestions offered by two anon-
terval separating the lowermost TAGI formation (E reservoir layer) ymous reviewers. We highly appreciated their comments and
from the overlying D, C, B and A reservoirs. recommendations. Dr. Luis Buatois is also acknowledged for
- The use of the Ladinian transgressive key stratigraphic horizon handling the paper, constructive remarks as well as editorial works
and the two Carnian major carbonate sedimentary events, well and facilities
documented in the outcrops and well characterized by the E-logs
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Marine and Petroleum Geology xxx (2016) 1e35

Contents lists available at ScienceDirect

Marine and Petroleum Geology

Middle Triassic (Anisian-Ladinian) Tejra red beds and Late Triassic

1. Introduction and scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 00

3.1. Field investigations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 00

bivalve in some beds with rare occurrences of marine bivalves

4.2. Sedimentolgy: facies associations and depositional

4.2.1. Facies associations

M. Soussi et al. / Marine and Petroleum Geology xxx (2016) 1e35

M. Soussi et al. / Marine and Petroleum Geology xxx (2016) 1e35

Parallel, pp. 198e302. 27, 413e420.

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