Mohamed Bendella

University of Oran 2 · Sciences de la Terre et de l'Univers

Mixed siliciclastic-carbonate deposits of Lower Devonian (Lochkovian-Emsian) age are exposed in the northeastern part of the Reggane Basin (Touat region). Based on lithological, sedimentological and palaeontological data, these deposits are subdivided into four distinct lithological units: Unit A characterises the Silurian-Devonian transitional zon...

The present work aims to study the Lower Devonian successions of the El Ahmer outcrop in the eastern part of the Reggane basin. This study is based on the lithological description, sedimentological analysis, and significations of dynamic and biogenic structures. The lithological and sedimentological characteristics of the study successions identifi...

Three ichnospecies of Lophoctenium (L. comosum, L. richteri and L. cf. haudimmineri) are reported from the Upper Devonian Argiles de Marhouma Formation (southwestern Algeria) for the first time. This formation contains a diverse assemblage of trace fossils belonging to the Nereites ichnofacies. We describe three ichnospecies of Lophoctenium that co...

The Miocene succession (Allala River Sandstones and Tenes Blue Marls Formation) that crops out in the Tenes area, situated in the northeast of the Lower Chelif Basin in NW-Algeria, contains a low-diversity assemblage of trace fossils. Fifteen (15) ichnogenera were identified: Arenicolites, Beaconites, Cylindrichnus, Diplocraterion, Macaronichnus, O...

For the first time, a complete study of sauropod trackways has been carried out in the lower part of the Djoua series in the In Amenas region (southeastern Algeria). Several locomotion tracks have been discovered in this area. In the present work, we report the discovery of sauropod tracks exposed on a bedding surface of the Lower Formation attribu...

Schizobrissus mauritanicus POMEL, 1885, is an extinct species of echinoids from the Lower Miocene of Algeria, , indicated by Pomel (1885) as the type species of the genus Schizobrissus Pomel, 1869 , but subsequent authors established Brissus cruciatus (AGASSIZ in AGASSIZ & Desor, 1847a) as type species. New collections within the type (locality of...

Abstract—The present work is based on the multidisciplinary geo-structural analysis of the hydrothermal zone of Aïn Ouarka. Located in the Western Saharan Atlas of Algeria, this region presents a very good example where geothermal sources are largely controlled by tectonics events. Employing 114 fracture segments (faults, open fractures, joints) we...

Nine morphotypes of coprolites, including Heteropolacopros texaniensis, Liassocopros isp., Hyronocopros amphipola, Eucoprus isp. 1, Eucoprus isp. 2, Morphotype 1, Morphotype 2, Morphotype 3, and Morphotype 4, are distinguished from the basal Late Cretaceous (Lower Cenomanian) of the ‘Continental Intercalaire’ deposits at Gara Samani (Sahara, southe...

Nine morphotypes of coprolites, including Heteropolacopros texaniensis, Liassocopros isp., Hyronocopros amphipola, Eucoprus isp. 1, Eucoprus isp. 2, Morphotype 1, Morphotype 2, Morphotype 3, and Morphotype 4, are distinguished from the basal Late Cretaceous (Lower Cenomanian) of the ‘Continental Intercalaire’ deposits at Gara Samani (Sahara, southe...

A review of fossil tusk-shells (Mollusca, Scaphopoda) collected in the northern Algerian Pliocene sediments is reported. Seven scaphopod species are identified, including a new species, Antalis algeriensis sp. nov. The identified species are: Paradentalium inaequale (Bronn, 1831), P. sexangulum (Gmelin, 1790), P. michelottii (Hörnes, 1856), Antalis...

Abstract: The northern region of Tindouf is characterized by geological complexity on a narrow scale with the scarcity of field work due to the extension of the area and its very harsh geographical conditions. Its difficulties forced us to make digital cartography using the Landsat 8 satellite image and the geological maps of Morocco (1/200,000) pa...

The mixed siliciclastic-carbonate Teferguenite Formation (Pragian-Emsian) occurring in the Ougarta Range (SW Algeria) is subdivided into two members: the Lower Member consists of three thick limestone beds (namely bars) intercalated with clay and sandstone deposits; the Upper Member is composed of intercalated sandstone, silty limestone and clay. S...

The mixed siliciclastic-carbonate Teferguenite Formation (Pragian-Emsian) occurring in the Ougarta Range (SW Algeria) is subdivided into two members: the Lower Member consists of three thick limestone beds (namely bars) intercalated with clay and sandstone deposits; the Upper Member is composed of intercalated sandstone, silty limestone and clay. S...

Excellent outcrops of the upper part of the “Continental Intercalaire” deposits occur in the Gara Samani area, southern Algeria. These strata are recognised herein as belonging to the Gara Samani Formation, which is composed of the Samani Vertebrate-rich Sand Member, the Samani Sandstone Member and the Méguidène Stratified Sand Member. The first tw...

A review of fossil tusk-shells (Mollusca, Scaphopoda) collected in the northern Algerian Pliocene sediments is reported. Seven scaphopod species are identified, including a new species, Antalis algeriensis sp. nov. The identified species are: Paradentalium inaequale (Bronn, 1831), P. sexangulum (Gmelin, 1790), P. michelottii (Hörnes, 1856), Antalis...

Abstract: The Slama Formation (Upper Pliocene, Lower Chelif Basin, Algeria) displays siliciclastic deposits distributed in five determined stratigraphic members: Lower Sandstone Member, Lower Marls Member, Middle Sandstone Member, Upper Marls Member, and Upper Sandstone Member. It is characterised by low to moderate ichnofossil diversity consisting...

The Slama Formation (Upper Pliocene, Lower Chelif Basin, Algeria) displays siliciclastic deposits distributed in five determined stratigraphic members: Lower Sandstone Member, Lower Marls Member, Middle Sandstone Member, Upper Marls Member, and Upper Sandstone Member. It is characterised by low to moderate ichnofossil diversity consisting of 16 ich...

The studied areas belong to two different but closely geographical domains from northwestern Algeria, so-called the Saharan Atlas and the High Plateaus. Zoophycos is characterizing the well-exposed Jurassic outcrops from these domains, more precisely in the Ksour Mountains from the western Saharan Atlas and the Nador Mountains from the Eastern part...

The Lower Cretaceous strata are exposed over a large surface in the northern part of the Ahnet basin. They consist of transgressive, horizontal formations overlying the folded Palaeozoic formations by angular unconformity across the Tidikelt region. The present study addresses the respective lithostratigraphical units of the “Continental Intercalai...

The new Lower Cretaceous ichnofaunes recovered in Tidikelt region include many forms of trace fossils that are typical for shallow-marine and terrestrial ichnofacies. They are organized in five ichnoassociations. The fluvial-lacustrine Ichnoassociation-A-represent continental ichnofacies of Mermia, Scoyenia and SKolithos. Fluvial Ichnoassociation-B...

Sedimentologic and palaeontological investigation of the Upper Pliocene Slama Formation in the Lower Chelif Basin (NW Algeria) led us to collecting important bivalve assemblages for taxonomic and taphonomic purposes. A rather comprehensive inventory list of Upper Pliocene bivalves from northwestern Algeria is now available and consists of 30 specie...

Palaeontological investigation of four lithostratigraphic sections documenting the upper Cenomanian shallow marine carbonates of three palaeogeographic domains of southern Algeria (western Saharan Atlas, Guir Basin and Tinrhert Hamada) has produced a comprehensive collection of large bivalve assemblages for taxonomic purposes. A first inventory lis...

This contribution reports an ichnological study of the well-exposed strata belonging to the Chefar El Ahmar Formation, located in the Saoura Valley (Ougarta Range, Northwestern Algerian Sahara). This unit consists mainly of irregularly alternating shale and limestone with some intercalated sandstone. The data reflect hemipelagic to pelagic carbonat...

The Upper Emsian to Frasnian Ia-Ib strata of the Marhouma area (or "km 30" outcrop), exposed in the Ougarta Range (SW Algeria) belong to the Chefar El Ahmar Formation. On the basis of distinct lithological and palaeontological features, this formation is subdivided into three members (Lower Marly Limestones Member, Middle Marly Limestones Member, a...

The Messinian diatomaceous deposits are widely exposed in the Lower Chelif Basin (NW-Algeria). The upper part of the Diatomaceous Formation is intercalated by four diatomaceous beds rich in Zoophycos and Chondrites. Both these traces were produced by the members of endo-benthonic fauna adapted to nutrient exploitation within sediments. In the Diato...

The Faïdja Formation displays mixed siliciclastic-carbonate deposits distributed in three members, which are organised from bottom to top as follows: the Clayey Sandstone Faïdja Member; the Clayey Limestone Bel Aoura Member and the Sandy Claystone Douaouda Member. Sedimentological data indicate the evolution of a subsiding marine environment from t...

Djebel Brame is located at the North-Western Takhmaret village (Tiaret, Algeria), which represents the oriental extreme part of the Saida Mounts, intermediate between the Tellian Atlas. in North and the Oranian High plateaus, in the South. This area shows fairly raised monticules series with a general orientation WSW-ENE. They are characterized by...

Les études ichnologiques récentes menées dans la Saoura ont permis de mettre à jours de nouvelles traces fossiles signalées pour la première fois en Algérie. Ces ichnofossiles sont : Lophoctenium, Multina et Urohelmeinthoida, l’intérêt paléobathymétrique profond de ces trois ichnogenres est irréfutable. La série ïni-dévonienne et plus précisément l...

The ichnogenera Zoophycos and Chondrites are described for the first time from the Middle Jurassic of Algeria. The trace fossil assemblage recovered from the Mélah Formation contains seven ichnospecies (Chondrites targionii, C. ?intricatus, Zoophycos brianteus, Z. cauda-galli, Zoophycos isp. A, Zoophycos isp. B and Zoophycos isp. C), which all repr...

The ichnogenera Zoophycos and Chondrites are described for the first time from the Middle Jurassic of Algeria. The trace fossil assemblage recovered from the Mélah Formation contains seven ichnospecies (Chondrites targionii, C. ?intricatus, Zoophycos brianteus, Z. cauda-galli, Zoophycos isp. A, Zoophycos isp. B and Zoophycos isp. C), which all repr...

Le présent travail vise à donner une étude ichnotaxonomique et ichnofaciologique de la Formation des Grès de Sidi Amar dans sa localité type (Monts de Saïda). Cette formation d’âge Oxfordien supérieur-Kimméridgien inférieur, est faite d’une alternance gréso-argileuse (rapport grès/argiles très élevé) interrompue de rares intercalations dolomitiques...

Le présent travail vise à donner une étude ichnotaxonomique et ichnofaciologique de la Formation des Grès de Sidi Amar dans sa localité type (Monts de Saïda). Cette formation d’âge Oxfordien supérieur-Kimméridgien inférieur, est faite d’une alternance gréso-argileuse (rapport grès/argiles très élevé) interrompue de rares intercalations dolomitiques...

The ichnogenera Zoophycos and Chondrites are described for the first time from the Middle Jurassic of Algeria. The trace fossil assemblage recovered from the Mélah Formation contains seven ichnospecies (Chondrites targionii, C. ?intricatus, Zoophycos brianteus, Z. cauda-galli, Zoophycos isp. A, Zoophycos isp. B and Zoophycos isp. C), which all repr...

Le Malm, dans les Monts du Nador est caractérisé par le développement de la formation des "Argiles de Faïdja ". Ils correspondent à un domaine mixte appelé communément, le domaine pré-atlasique (Guiraud, 1973 ; Elmi, 1978, 1984) ou atlasico-tlemcenien (Ouared, 1987). Cette formation d'âge Oxfordien supérieur-Kimméridgien moyen est représentée par u...

Cette étude, a été menée sur les Zoophycos caractérisant les carbonates dévoniens de la chaine d'Ougarta (Sud-Ouest algérien). Deux formations ont été choisies de la coupe de référence du KM 30, la formation de Teferguenite (Dévonien inférieur) et Chefar El Ahmer (Dévonien moyen). Les résultats préliminaires de cette étude sont d'une grande importa...

Cette étude, a été menée sur les Zoophycos caractérisant les carbonates dévoniens de la chaine d'Ougarta (Sud-Ouest algérien). Deux formations ont été choisies de la coupe de référence du KM 30, la formation de Teferguenite (Dévonien inférieur) et Chefar El Ahmer (Dévonien moyen). Les résultats préliminaires de cette étude sont d'une grande importa...

The Nador mounts is part of the preatlasic or atlasico-tlemcenian realm. It corresponds to a NE-SW directional relief alignment spread over about forty kilometers. Aïn Bezzez study area is located in the extreme eastern part of this chain. The lithostratigraphy of silicoclastic sedimentation in Aïn Bezzez area shows the establishment of "Argiles de...

This contribution reports an ichnological study of the Chefar El Ahmar formation dated Late Emsian-Frasnian Ib, located in the north Saoura valley (Ougarta Range, north-western Algerian Sahara) about 20 km SE from Béni Abbès village (Fig. 1). This unit is mainly formed by varied sedimentation between hemipelagic to pelagic carbonate dominated by sh...

Abstract The late Famennian strata of the Marhouma outcrop, located in the Saoura (Algerian Sahara), consist of two formations: the Argiles de Marhouma Formation and the overlying Grès de Marhouma Formation. The former is characterized primarily by fine-grained turbidite successions, intersperse with griotte limestones bearing a pelagic fauna. Ther...

L’histoire géologique de l’Algérie s’inscrit dans une longue évolution géodynamique qui corresponde à une zone ayant subi plusieurs phases de déformation et de sédimentation depuis le Précambrien jusqu’à l’actuel. La géologie de la partie septentrionale est marquée par l’empreinte de l’orogenèse alpine (domaines tellien et atlasique). Les formation...

Un travail de détail consacré à l'évaluation de l'épaisseur réelle de la Formation des « Argiles de Marhouma » montre qu'elle ne dépasse pas 1/3 à 1/4 des épaisseurs admises dans les travaux antérieurs. En fait, nous avons évalué son épaisseur à 260 m et celle des Grès de Marhouma à 110 m. Du Frasnien Ib jusqu'au Famennien zone I I , un milieu bass...

The focus of this note is an ichnological study of the “Argiles de Saïda” formation (Callovo-Oxfordian) in the Djebel Brame, a region representing the eastern extremity of the Tlemcenian domain and marked by rhythmic clay-sandstone sedimentation. From a lithostratigraphic viewpoint, the formation is composed of two units with a distinct sequential...

The Iouariddne site has been known and studied since 1937 (Plateau et al , 1937 ; Dutuit, Ouazzou, 1980), but no complete report of its ichnoassociation has ever been carried out so far. The trampled layers belong to the lower Iouariddne formation, that recent works have dated as both Mid-dleJurassic(Boutakiout etat.,2O06)andUpperJurassic(Charridre...