The Tafraout Group (Also Tafraoute Group or Zaouiat Ahançal Group) is a geological group of formations of Toarcian-Aalenian (Lower Jurassic-Middle Jurassic) age in the Azilal, Béni-Mellal, Imilchil, Zaouiat Ahansal, Ouarzazate, Tinerhir, Tinejdad and Errachidia areas of the High Atlas (with the Tagoudite Fm reaching areas like Rich in the Middle Atlas) of Morocco.^[3][4] The Group represents the remnants of a local massive Siliciclastic-Carbonate platform ("Tafraout Platform"), best assigned to succession W-E of alluvial environment occasionally interrupted by shallow marine incursions (tidal flat setting) and inner platform to open marine settings, and marks a dramatic decrease of the carbonate productivity under increasing terrigenous sedimentation.^[5][6][7] Fossils include large reef biotas with richness in "lithiotid" bivalves and coral mounts ("Patch reef", Tafraout Formation^[8]), but also by remains of vertebrates such as the sauropod Tazoudasaurus and the basal ceratosaur Berberosaurus, along with several undescribed genera.^[9] While there have been attributions of its lowermost layers to the Latest Pliensbachian, the current oldest properly measured are part of the Earliest Toarcian regression ("MRST10"), part of the Lower-Middle Palymorphum biozone.^[3]

This group is composed of the following units, which extend from west to east: the Azilal Formation (continental to subtidal, including its synonyms the "Wazzant Formation" and the "Continental Series of Toundoute", as well includes part of the "Amezraï" & "Aguerd-nˈTazoult Formation"); the Tafraout Formation (deposited in a subtidal to inner platform environment, includes part of the "Aguerd-nˈTazoult Formation") & the Tagoudite Formation (including the "Tamadout Formation" & part of the "Amezraï Formation", shallow subtidal to open pelagic).^[8] They are connected with the offshore Ait Athmane Formation and the deeper shelf deposits of the Agoudim 1 Formation.^[10] Overall, this group represents a mixed carbonate-siliciclastic system of several hundred meters thick, dominated by deposits of shallow marine platforms linked to a nearby hinterland dominated by conglomerates.^[11] The strata of the group extend towards the central High Atlas, covering different anticlines and topographic features along the mountain range.^[12]

The after-effects of the Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event are also very present in the marginal marine strata of the Tafraout Group, with the Toksine Section recording a dramatic collapse on the scale of the Tethys of the neritic carbonate system.^[13]

The Central High Atlas of Morocco is part of a mountain belt formed by the inversion of a rift from the Triassic-Jurassic periods, due to Cenozoic tectonic activity.^[14] The region's structure comes from four main tectonic phases: the pre-rift phase tied to the formation of Pangaea, the syn-rift phase during the Late Permian to Late Triassic, influenced by the opening of the Atlantic Ocean and Tethys Ocean, and the post-rift phase, where Jurassic-Cretaceous carbonate platforms formed.^[15][16] The High Atlas has thrust and oblique-slip faults from W-E to NE-SW. It is an intracontinental mountain range resulting from the uplift of a large Mesozoic rift system. Triassic to Cretaceous layers are confined within basins, controlled by extensional rift structures. Sedimentation in these basins varied, with marine shales and limestones in the east and fluvial deposits in the west. Several tectonic events during the Triassic-Jurassic boundary reactivated normal faults, leading to the dominance of marls during the Middle Liassic to Toarcian.^[17][18][19]

This informal unit represents on reality the youngest continental-coastal layers of the Azilal Fm, and marginal to open marine ones of the Tafraout Fm.^[8] It represent the most recent marginal marine layers in the Amezraï minibasin, dating from the Upper Toarcian-Aalenian periods and mark the E expansion of the Azilal Formation. It begins with layers that have many conglomerate lenses and ends with coral patch reefs. Sandstones, oolitic, and biodetritic limestones are also found throughout. Red and green marls appear in several layers.^[20] In the Talmest-Tazoult area, is made of yellow limestones and marls, hybrid sandstones, micritic limestones, having reef ledges in the upper part and red sandstones and marls in the lower part. Here the formation is part of a large +200 m thick yellowish limestone bar, with the transgressive "S10", whose end marks the major post Middle Toarcian transgressive event, composed of bioclaetic or oncolithic limestones, poorly developed low-marine-level prisms & marly limestones with oblique stratifications, while oolitic limestones mark smaller transgressive events, and then the major one towards the Bajocian with the Aït Abdi/Bin el Ouidane Formation, flooding again all the sector.^[21]

Another Informal unit, that likely represents the continental to shallow marine sequences of the lower Azilal Fm, and the open marine ones of the Tagoudite Fm, found in the Amezraï minibasin and linked to the Tazoult Ridge, dates to the Earliest Toarcian and is identified by brachiopod fossils. It includes sandstones, marls, and biodetrital or oolitic limestones, with layers varying from centimeters to up to 6 meters thick. The lower part consists of conglomerates, sandstones, and clays, transitioning to limestones and marls at the top.^[22] Ripple structures and cross-bedding are common in sandstone layers, while reworked horizons appear in the limestone. The formation reflects a subtidal to supratidal environment, with some layers suggesting lagoonal conditions and reduced carbonate content compared to older formations.^[8] Local tectonic activity, mainly due to seismic events in the Tethyan region, influenced the formation, causing erosion of older Paleozoic layers.^[23]

Informally know as "Marnes chocolat" in the Azilal region, and represents a continental to marginal marine unit made up of red-brown marls, silts (microsandstones) and conglomerates with centimetric quartz dragees. More marine-influenced sections near Beni Mellal are composed by a succession of reddish-brown tints with terrigenous dominance: sandstone, clays with paleosols and sandstone limestones sometimes dolomitized, with marmorized levels in paleosols towards the N. Here, it evolves from lower sections with transition from sandstone to limestone and/or sandstone to clay, with a thin level of green marls locally rich in ostracods. Then is followed by subtidal term, represented by an oolitic limestone with fine lamellibranch bioclasts and variable percentages of quartz and sandstone with calcareous cement and rare oolites drawing on the surface mega-ripples of 3 to 5 m in wavelength.^[24] It ends with supratidal deposits made of coarse sandstone gradually changing to red Marls with "fluer" structures and locally to paleosols with fluvial decametric channeling lenses.^[24]

On the south-southwest edge of the basin towards west of Azilal (Jbel Til-Jbel Amersiaz basin and part of the M'Goun syncline), Guettioua, Demnate, Telouet, Toundoute & Marrakesh, under the Bajocian limestones or directly under the Bajocian?-Bathonian Guettioua Formation, develops a thick a red detrital section in which pelites, sandstones and conglomerates with centimeter-sized quartz balls alternate and breccias (locally called " Wazzant Formation") with non dissolved Liassic limestone elements.^[7] This sector reaches 800 m thickness in the Wazzant subasin, being very reduced to the south of it in Aït-Toutline or Aït-Iouaridène, recovering a variation of the sedimentary process formed by a complex sedimentary unit, terrigenously dominated, composed by the abundance of conglomeratic channels with quartz dragees and Paleozoic basement elements, sandstones organized in bars channeled lenticulars and red clays, the whole part of the facies is organized in metric sequences of filling and alluvial channels.^[7]

In the Dadés area the formation is present asynchronously, seen in the W in the Earliest Toarcian, yet in some areas like Boumardoul n’Imazighn doesn´t reach until the Middle Toarcian onwards, here recovered under the "Tidrite section", made of fine terrigenous deposits interbedded with dolomitized limestone.^[13][25] In the In the Ait Hani area at Tinejdad the "Aït Hani formation" has been suggested to be the upper part of the Azilal formation, but may be part of the Bajocian units instead.^[26]

The Tafraout Formation consists of oolitic and bioclastic limestones, wackestones, silt marls, and quartz-rich sandstones with minor feldspar and carbonate debris with cross-stratifications, found in channels and bars, alongside greenish marls and micro-conglomerates.^[8] The lower sequences include carbonate and siliciclastic deposits, indicating a shallow marine setting with periodic exposure. Hypersalinity, emersion phases, and desiccation cracks suggest fluctuating conditions, while sandstone-marl alternations point to proximal turbidite deposition. The biota includes bivalves, brachiopods, gastropods, echinoderms, rare corals, and plant remains, with widespread bioturbation.^[8]

The upper sequences mark a transition to a carbonate platform dominated by coral patch reefs, some reaching up to 40 m in height. It features framestones, boundstones, biosparites, and oosparites interspersed with marls, sandstones, and conglomerates. Patch reefs developed in a subtidal lagoonal setting, with inclined beds and resedimented material indicating channelized transport. The biota is dominated by corals, bivalves, echinoderms, and bryozoans, with occasional gastropods, brachiopods, and foraminifera. Plant remains, including coalified fragments, are abundant in siliciclastic intervals.^[8]

The rocks formed in environments ranging from supratidal to subtidal, characterized by tropical conditions akin to those observed on Andros, Bahamas.^[24] The upper part of the formation shows sediments filling an old Pliensbachian basin, moving from deeper marine conditions to a supratidal coastal plain. Fossils and sediment features suggest a challenging environment, with alternating sandstone and marl layers indicating changes in water depth and sedimentation patterns.^[8]

The Tagoudite Formation marks a major shift in Liassic sedimentation, replacing the carbonate turbidites of the Ouchbis Formation with mostly siliciclastic layers. These layers alternate between gray and green sandstone, sandy marls, and siltstones, forming sequences up to 20 meters thick.^[8] They show a decrease in grain size and an increase in marl content from bottom to top, with features like ripple marks and laminations. Microscopically, the turbidites are mainly fine silt, with varying amounts of quartz, feldspar, and carbonate detritus, and occasional pyrite. This formation suggests an open marine environment with sediment interruptions and materials coming from distant areas. It is widespread in the Central High Atlas, with thicknesses reaching up to 320 meters, and varies across different regions like Tounfite and Beni Mellal. In the Central Middle Atlas, sedimentation was interrupted by emersion before the formation's deposition.^[8] The deposits of the Tagoudite Formation are mostly restricted to the central High Atlas, with a thickness of approx. 200 m in the northwest vs at 30-70 m in the southeast, but retaining around 200 m at center areas like Foum Tillicht.^[27] More at the E it starts to disappear like at the Cirque de Jaafar, SW of Midelt or more at the E at Bou Redine Gorges, were the Agoudim 1 Formation directly overlies the Pliensbachian.^[4]

The Azilal Formation constitutes a depressed zone, often intensely cultivated, rich in springs and wells. This is explained by the alternation of permeable and impermeable levels. Springs spring up at the top of this unit, under limestones (Tanant or Bin-el-Ouidane Formations), as in Bernat. The numerous wells dug on the northern edge of Guettioua testify to this unit aquifer qualities, with water accumulated in the sandstone-conglomeratic levels interstratified in the pelites.^[7]

Early Jurassic Paleogeography of the Sahara Craton, including source Highlands, Jurassic basins and CAMP outcrops and Paleogeography of N Gondwana & the European Arquipelago

The Tafraout Group was formed on the Moroccan Carbonate Platform during a sea-level rise in the Early Toarcian, linked to the Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event, at a palaeolatitude between 19°-20°N, around the same latitude as modern Mauritania or Cuba, situated between ancient geological regions like the West Moroccan Arch, the Anti-Atlas and the Sahara craton, developed after a major sea regression, with red clays and conglomerates filling small basins in the Atlas region.^[28][29]

Two main stages mark the area's evolution: during the Lower Toarcian, deposition patterns from the earlier Pliensbachian continued, followed by terrigenous materials filling the basins and stopping temporally the carbonate production.^[3] It evolved along several depocenters and associated accidents, the southern edge of the Tilougguit Syncline in the north to the axis of the Aït Bouguemmez Basin in the south, showed that the depocenter zone corresponded to the disposal area located between the Talmest-Tazolt Ridge to the North and the North-Atlasic accident to the South. This terrestrial lithology is mostly found in the small basins in tearing in the Atlas of Telouet, Toundoute, Afourer and Azilal, having the Demnat Accident as the major structural element in this last sector. While at this W areas it became fully terrestrial/intertidal, at other areas like Beni Mellal, Dadès Gorges or Zaouiat Ahansal marine influences are seen in a carbonate-siliclastic regime.^[24] By the Middle Toarcian-Aalenian, the Azilal Formation expanded eastward, with isolated carbonates forming in the Amezraï basin, surrounded by terrigenous sediments.^[3][24] This period is marked by the individualization of thein the center of the basin and by a relative tectonic calm in the other coeval sectors.^[24]

Marine fossils like brachiopods and ammonites help date the sediment layers and confirm the transition from marine to expansive E terrestrial environments during the Middle Toarcian. The deposition starts with a marked break of the Carbonate production and a major regression in the Lowermost Toarcian, then oscilated Transgresive/Regresive cycles in the Laevisoni-Bifrons substages, followed finally by a post Bifrons major regression and full return to the Carbonate production.^[3][29] The Tafraout Platform deepened over time, signaling a shift to transgressive conditions even with the expansion of W continental facies.^[24] On the Amezraï Formation basin the fauna is composed by brachiopods such as Soaresirhynchia bouchardi, S. babtisrensis and Pseudogibbirhynchia jurensis that corroborate the Earliest Toarcian age for it and adjacent layers.^[24] Meanwhile, the presence of Aalenian (Bradfordernsis-Murchinsonae) Branchiopods in the "Aguerd-nˈTazoult Formation" coeval with Ammonites of the same age at the Ikerzi Area confirms the marine delimitation in the last stages of deposition.^[8] The "Tafraout Platform" saw then a deepening towards the uppermost layers, teasing the transition to the Bin El Ouidane transgressive Bajocian Carbonate Platform facies.^[8]

Modern analogues of the Toarcian-Aalenian High Atlas Paleoenvironments: Anti-Atlas highlands with Moist forests and midland topophilous forests (Ex. Araucaria moist forests); lowland Maquis shrubland (ex. Sonoma Coast State Park); Sabkhas (ex. at Dakhla); mangrove-like lagoons (ex. with modern flora from San Salvador Island); Shallow Carbonate Sea with bivalve or coral reefs (ex. modern extant fauna reef in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary)

The Tafraout Group covers most of the W High Atlas, surrounded by highlands that probably hosted dry cool (10.6 °C) to humid climate (12.30 °C), with a succession rain tundra to wet forest environments, as proven by samples from coeval layers in the External Rif Chain.^[31] The Continental section was deposited in environments influenced by rivers, tidal flats, and paralic settings, rwith reworked material and in Toundoute unique interbedded Explosive eruption-type volcanic material, with carbonate recrystallization suggesting were still at high temperature during deposition and, therefore, contemporaneous with the sedimentation, probably derived from early activity in the local South-Atlasic Fault.^[32] The direction of the fluvial sediments take place in a E-NE direction, as well are found on fluviatile channels inside the own rocks of this unit.^[3][24][29] This layers also saw high plant activity, with remains such as wood, charcoal, and rhizoliths, indicating nearby vegetated soils.^[33] Other features include raindrop impacts and ripple marks indicating floodplains, with lateral sand channels abundant in plant roots, along with evidence of ephemeral palustrine (Sabkhas, Chotts) episodes in the form of carbonate bodies (Caliche or Calcrete levels), intercalated with conglomerates under an arid environment, as marks the development of gypsum, particularly in areas like Azilal, Toundoute and Telouet.^[32][33]

The fluvial displaced material was sourced from nearby highlands, indicated by abundant pebbles of metamorphic and igneous rocks from Paleozoic or Proterozoic beds emerged and subject to erosion and the effects of diagenesis, locally either to the south in the Anti-Atlas, to the west in the Massif Ancien and Jebilet, and to the north in the Central Meseta, all places exposed during the Jurassic.^[34] Specifically, the Anti-Atlas shows processes of tectonic uplift, overburden erosion, which, combined with the concentration of coarse siliciclastic material in the western part of the central High Atlas (absent in the east), suggest that this area was the source of the altered Lower Toarcian sediments.^[29]

Intertidal sequences at sites like Aït Bouguemez record active sea-level fluctuations affected by tectonic activity, leading to the deposition of alternating terrigenous-carbonate sequences, specially in the Lower Toarcian.^[3][35] Is initially marked by high-energy conditions, sandstones, conglomerates & red marls in the W, while green marly-sandstone with coal streaks, abundant plant fragments and oolitic carbonates dominated in E.^[36] Transgressive phases are marked E by bioclastic limestones with marine biota, while W profiles have dolomitized limestone benches, suggesting intermittent marine incursions.^[35] Highstand phases are made of red marly-sandstone deposits, reflecting a return to shallower environments. The Upper sequence lowstand phase was characterized by conglomeratic channels & fluvial channels W and carbonate-rich marly successions and oolitic limestones E suggesting more stable shallow marine settings. The transgressive phase is seen in the E with green marls and nodular limestones teeming with marine fossils, while in the W is seen with dolomitic limestone benchs with bioturbations. The highstand phase indicate a progressive infilling and a shift toward fluvial conditions.^[35]

The marine sectors were mostly part of the "Tafraout Platform". Initially, a shift to siliciclastic deposits occurred, marked by storm events and increased plant debris, indicating a warm, humid climate.^[3][29] Sandstones, red marls, and oolitic carbonate sand bars, interpreted as deposits in a transitional subtidal to supratidal environment. High-energy shallow water conditions are indicated by oolitic and biodetrital limestones, while monospecific organism enrichments hint at restrictive lagoonal settings. Despite similarities with the Jbel Choucht and Aganane Formations, the carbonate content decreases, and sedimentation interruptions are marked by hardgrounds, with carbonate detritus linked to erosion of nearby platforms.^[8] At the same time, the Tagoudite Fm siliciclastic turbidites were deposited in an open marine depositional environment, with sourced carbonates from the Platform and older formations. The second member reflects a significant environmental shift from shallow to deeper water conditions. Its basal part contains oolitic and biodetrital limestones and biostromes of large bivalves (Plicatostylidae), indicating high-energy shallow water deposition.^[37] However, alternating grey and green marls with hemipelagic and ammonite-bearing sequences on the hanging wall suggest open marine conditions and distal turbidites, similar to the lowermost Agoudim 1 Formation.^[8] The third member was deposited within the Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event and is characterized by a monotonous organism spectrum, pointing to restrictive living conditions, and its little thickness in Assif Tafraout indicates a high subsidence rate, estimated at 0.4 mm/year. Carbonate production stopped, causing local extinctions.^[13][29] Sandstone/marl and limestone/marl alternations are interpreted as proximal turbidites with proximal source, with shallow water organisms, oolitic limestones, and plant remains suggesting sediment relocation via channels on submarine slopes and mudcracks further suggest periodic emersion. The Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event locally intensified Tropical storms, destroying older carbonate platforms and increasing siliciclastic deposits.^[30][38] Finally, the fourth member records the return of the carbonate factory in the Middle Toarcian-Aalenian with a thickness of 680 meters in the Assif Tafraout profile, dominated by corals, bivalves, and echinoderms, reflecting deposition on a continuously deepening platform where subsidence outpaced sedimentation. A major fall of the sea level happened in the Middle Toarcian-Aalenian, re-activating the carbonate factory and the recovery of coral reefs.^[3][13] The eastern and northeastern High Atlas saw the re-development of carbonate sedimentation along tectonic activity during the Late Toarcian.^[3][25] Inclined layers, fine conglomerates, and plant remains in the lower part indicate a nearby supply area, while the depositional environment ranges from supratidal to subtidal, recording microlagoons between coral patch reefs marked by the presence of micrite.^[8] There is also evidence of more smaller extinctions, like a Middle Toarcian (Variabilis/Gradata ammonite zone) cold snap, followed by a return to warmer conditions.^[25] The last sequence is made up of the Azilal Formation were corals, benthic fauna, ooids and the observed structural features indicate deposition in shallow water, along with slanted layers, conglomeratic channel fillings and plant remains suggesting periodic emersions.^[8]

The Plicatostylidae-Scleractinia bioherms are found in multiple locations during the Lower Toarcian, recording a series of dynamic shallow marine environments, with fluctuating energy levels and diverse marine life, indicating periods of stable reef-like conditions and intercalated sedimentary layers recording environmental stress, as well tidal and storm influences. Terrestrial plant debris points to occasional land input. Bivalve and coral species thrived in different settings, contributing to a complex benthic community.^[37] After the TOAE, horizons of enormous coral patch reefs, reef-like occurrences of bivalves (tought barely few Plicatostylidae), and echinoderm enrichments as well as algal mounds can be distinguished, with bivalve enrichments, gastropods, isolated echinoderms, decapodan coprolites, solitary corals and bryozoans in the area between bioherms.^[8]

The central High Atlas region features long diapir and minibasins formed during early Jurassic rifting, with the Talmest-Tazoult Ridge being a key example.^[39] Diapir movement shaped the surrounding rock layers, while local sedimentation reflects changes in climate, including wetter periods linked to increased erosion. The SE-verging Talmest allochthonous salt sheet formed due to regional slope and thinner Pliensbachian carbonates. The period also saw the development of a megaflap structure. Comparable diapirs exist in the Dead Sea, Red Sea (specially on Gubal Straits and Farasan Banks), and Gulf of Suez.^[40] Charcoal remnants suggest coastal forests or mangroves existed nearby during wetter times.^[41] The Talmest-Tazoult ridge and Amezraï minibasin locally evolved through varying subsidence phases, more rapid in Early Pliensbachian and Aalenian, separated by a quiescent Toarcian period. The Earliest Toarcian saw rapid "Amezraï Formation" deposition, triggering allochthonous salt sheets. Increased Toarcian sedimentation led to burial of Pliensbachian carbonates and calcite precipitation. Karstic sediments were replaced by dolomites from high-temperature Magnesium-rich fluids, while limited exchange occurred between the diapir flanks and core.^[42] The Tazoult salt wall rise drove continued burial diagenesis. This structural evolution shaped the final depositional and diagenetic framework of the region.^[43] The diapirs remained as emerged islands within shallow sea to lagoons during the deposition of the Tafraout Group, evidenced by decreasing deep water deposits towards them.^[20]

In the Dadés area and in the Tafraout type locality large Coral patch reefs rarely occur in the middle of the unit with associated echinodems (Sea urchin spines, Crinoid fragments) bivalves, gastropods, Bryozoa, Serpulidae annelids, branchiopods, solitary corals and algae.^[8] Gastropods have been discovered in several places, but none of the specimens have been studied nor identified.^[51] Beds with large accumulations of unidentified Ostracod valves on an endemic thin level of green marl are found at the Beni-Mellal area (Adoumaz & Col de Ghnim outcrops).^[52][53] The tubes of serpulid worms are known from Jbel Toksine, in relation to the bivalve pavements.^[37]

Genus	Species	Location	Formation	Age	Made by	Images
Arenicolites[29][54]	A. ispp.	Bou-Oumardoul Ilourhmane Jbel Taguendouft Jebel Toksine Ouguerd Zegzaoune Tamadoute Taquat N'Agrd Tougza	"Amezraï" Tagoudite Tafraout	Lower Toarcian	Amphipoda Arenicolidae Capitellidae Sipuncula Spionida
Chondrites[54]	C. ispp.	Agrd N´Igli Bou-Oumardoul Ilourhmane Jebel Toksine Ouguerd Zegzaoune	"Amezraï" Tagoudite Tafraout	Lower Toarcian	Polychaeta Sipuncula
Rhizocorallium[25][54]	R. parallelum R. ispp.	Agrd N´Igli Aït Allal Jbel Akenzoud Jbel Taguendouft Jebel Toksine NW Dades Valley Todrha-Dades Wahmane	"Amezraï" Azilal Tagoudite Tafraout	Lower-Late Toarcian	Actinopterygii Decapoda Polychaeta	.
Scolicia[29]	S. ispp.	Bou-Oumardoul Ilourhmane Ouguerd Zegzaoune	Tagoudite	Lower Toarcian	Echinoids Gastropoda
Skolithos[54]	S. ispp.	Jbel Taguendouft Jebel Toksine	"Amezraï" Tafraout	Lower Toarcian	Decapoda Phoronidans Polychaeta	.
Thalassinoides[29][54]	T. ispp.	Bou-Oumardoul Ilourhmane Jebel Toksine Ouguerd Zegzaoune	"Amezraï" Tagoudite Tafraout	Lower Toarcian	Actinopteri Anomura Decapoda Dipnoi Polychaeta Sipuncula	.
Zoophycos[29][54]	Z. ispp.	Agrd N´Igli Aït Allal Bou-Oumardoul Ilourhmane Jebel Toksine Ouguerd Zegzaoune Wahmane	"Amezraï" Tagoudite Tafraout	Lower Toarcian	Arenicolidae Capitellidae Sipuncula Spionida

The platform patch reefs in the Tafraout area are notable for their biodiversity, with some reaching heights of up to 40 m and lengths of up to 80 m, representing massive biostromes with a varied associated fossil assemblage, including bivalves, gastropods, echinoderm fragments, solitary corals, and bryozoans, found among the coral patchs.^[8][55] Massive reef pinnacles are recovered at Anergui and northern flank of Tassent, while rarer ones are know from Bou Zemou.^[46][55]

Genus	Species	Location	Formation	Age	Material	Notes	Images
Actinaraea?[37]	A.? sp.	Jebel Toksine	Tafraout	Lower Toarcian	Calcified Skeletal Pieces	A coral of the family Actinacididae.
Ampakabastraea[37]	A. sp.	Jebel Toksine	Tafraout	Lower Toarcian	Calcified Skeletal Pieces	A coral of the family Stylinidae.
Archaeosmilia[37]	A. beata A.sp.	Jebel Toksine	Tafraout	Lower Toarcian	Calcified Skeletal Pieces	A coral of the family Zardinophyllidae.
Archaeosmiliopsis[37][56]	A. densus A. sp.	Jebel Toksine	Tafraout	Lower Toarcian	Calcified Skeletal Pieces	A coral of the family Archaeosmiliidae.
Enallhelia?[37]	E.? sp.	Jebel Toksine	Tafraout	Lower Toarcian	Calcified Skeletal Pieces	A coral of the family Stylinidae.
Haimeicyclus[37]	H. haimei	Jebel Toksine	Tafraout	Lower Toarcian	Calcified Skeletal Pieces	A coral of the family Oppelismiliidae.
Hispaniastraea[37]	H. murciana H. sp.	Jebel Toksine	Tafraout	Lower Toarcian	Calcified Skeletal Pieces	A coral of the family Hispaniastraeidae.
Lophelia?[37]	L.? sp.	Jebel Toksine	Tafraout	Lower Toarcian	Calcified Skeletal Pieces	A coral of the family Carophylliidae.
Myriophyllum[37]	M. fasciatum	Jebel Toksine	Tafraout	Lower Toarcian	Calcified Skeletal Pieces	A coral of the family Oppelismiliidae.
Phacelostylophyllum[37]	P. cf. subdichotomum	Jebel Toksine	Tafraout	Lower Toarcian	Calcified Skeletal Pieces	A coral of the family Stylophyllidae.
Phacelophyllia[37]	P. sp.	Jebel Toksine	Tafraout	Lower Toarcian	Calcified Skeletal Pieces	A coral of the family Dermosmiliidae.
Periseris[37][56]	P. elegantula P. sp.	Jebel Toksine	Tafraout	Lower Toarcian	Calcified Skeletal Pieces	A coral of the family Latomeandridae.
Spongiocoenia[37]	S. liasica	Jebel Toksine	Tafraout	Lower Toarcian	Calcified Skeletal Pieces	A coral of the family Stylophyllidae.
Stylosmilia[56]	S. "sp. 1"	Ouguerd Zegzaoune	Tafraout	Middle Toarcian	Calcified Skeletal Pieces	A coral of the family Stylinidae.
Thecactinastraea[37]	T. fasciculata	Jebel Toksine	Tafraout	Lower Toarcian	Calcified Skeletal Pieces	A coral of the family Oppelismiliidae.
Thecosmilia[56]	T. "sp. 3"	Ouguerd Zegzaoune	Tafraout	Middle Toarcian	Calcified Skeletal Pieces	A coral of the family Thecosmiliidae

Genre	Species	Location	Formation	Age	Material	Notes	Images
Curtirhynchia[21]	C. benacensis	Talmest-Tazoult	"Aguerd-nˈTazoult"	Aalenian	Isolated shells	A brachiopod of the family Tetrarhynchiidae
Globirhynchia[21]	G. subobsoleta	Talmest-Tazoult	"Aguerd-nˈTazoult"	Aalenian	Isolated shells	A brachiopod of the family Rhynchonellidae
Quadratirhynchia[57]	Q. vasconcellosi	Jebel Bou Ifliyou Jebel Ich Taskouine	Tagoudite	Lower Toarcian	Isolated shells	A brachiopod of the family Tetrarhynchiidae
Homoeorhynchia[23][57]	H. meridionalis H. batalleri	Akka n’Igoulzane Jebel Bou Ifliyou Jebel Ich Taskouine Oued Mijdider Ouguerd Zegzaoune	Tagoudite Tafraout	Lower Toarcian	Isolated shells	A brachiopod of the family Rhynchonellinae.
Liospiriferina[13][29][30]	L. falloti L. undulata L. sp.	Aghbalou N'Kerdous Jbel Toksine	Tafraout	Lower Toarcian	Isolated shells	A brachiopod of the family Spiriferinidae
Lobothyris[21][30]	L. sp.	Jbel Toksine Talmest-Tazoult	"Amezraï" Tafraout	Lower Toarcian	Isolated Shells	A brachiopod of the family Lobothyrididae
Pseudogibbirhynchia[21][57][58]	P. jurensis	Jebel Ich Taskouine Ouguerd Zegzaoune Talmest-Tazoult	Tagoudite Tafraout	Lower-Middle Toarcian	Isolated shells	A brachiopod of the family Pamirorhynchiinae
Soaresirhynchia[21][57][58]	S. tamazirta S. bouchardi S. babtisrensis S. aff.rustica	Jbel Toksine[30] Jebel Ich Taskouine Ouguerd Zegzaoune Talmest-Tazoult	Tagoudite Tafraout	Lower-Middle Toarcian	Isolated shells	A brachiopod of the family Basiliolinae
Stroudithyris[21][23][25]	S. infraoolithica S. stephanoides S. pisolithica	Boumardoul n’Imazighn Jbel Akenzoud Jebel Toksine Talmest-Tazoult	"Aguerd-nˈTazoult" Azilal Tafraout	Toarcian-Aalenian	Isolated shells	A brachiopod of the family Lissajousithyrididae.
Telothyris[23][57]	T. jauberti T. arnaudi	Agrd N´Igli Akka n’Igoulzane Jebel Bou Ifliyou Jebel Ich Taskouine Ouguerd Zegzaoune	Tagoudite Tafraout	Lower Toarcian	Isolated shells	A brachiopod of the family Lobothyrididae.
Zeilleria[21][29][30]	Z. (Zeilleria) sarthacensis Z. culeiformis	Aghbalou N'Kerdous Jbel Toksine Talmest-Tazoult	"Amezraï" Tafraout	Lower Toarcian	Isolated Shells	A brachiopod of the family Zeilleriidae

Genre	Species	Location	Formation	Age	Material	Notes	Images
Alectryonia[59]	A. (Lopha) amellagensis	Agoudim Amellago	Tagoudite	Lower Toarcian	Isolated Shells	A marine member of the family Ostreidae
Chlamys[59][60]	C. semiarticulatus C. aff.uhligi	Agoudim Amellago Bou Dahar	Tagoudite	Lower Toarcian	Isolated Shells	A marine member of the family Pectinidae
Cochlearites[37][61]	C. loppianus C. spp.	Agoundal-n-Ilamchane Aït-Haceïne Aït Hsayn Jbel Akenzoud Jebel Toksine S de l'oued Ahansal Tagoajimt-n-Tcouyant Tagounit Tizi-n-Taghbolila Tizi-n-Tahramt Zaouiat Ahançal	"Amezraï" Tafraout	Lower Toarcian	Isolated shells	A brackish/marine member of Plicatostylidae.
Gervillioperna[37]	G. atlanta G. spp.	Jebel Toksine	Tafraout	Lower Toarcian	Isolated shells	A brackish/marine member of Plicatostylidae.
Gryphaea[59][62]	G. sportella G. cristata G. (Bilobissa) sp.	Agoudim Ait Athmane Amellago	Tagoudite	Lower Toarcian	Isolated Shells	A saltwater/brackish bivalve of the family Gryphaeidae
Harpax[59]	H. spp.	Agoudim Aït-Haceïne Amellago	"Amezraï" Tagoudite	Lower Toarcian	Isolated Shells	A marine member of the family Plicatulidae
Lithioperna[37][61]	L. scutata L. spp.	Agoundal-n-Ilamchane Aït-Haceïne Aït Hsayn Jbel Akenzoud Jebel Toksine S de l'oued Ahansal Tagoajimt-n-Tcouyant Tagounit Tizi-n-Taghbolila Tizi-n-Tahramt Zaouiat Ahançal	"Amezraï" Tafraout	Lower Toarcian	Isolated shells	A brackish/marine member of Plicatostylidae.
Neithea[59]	N. ayarii	Agoudim Amellago	Tagoudite	Lower Toarcian	Isolated Shells	A marine member of Neitheidae
Pachygervillia[37][63]	P. anguillaensis	Jebel Toksine	Tafraout	Lower Toarcian	Isolated shells	A brackish/marine member of Plicatostylidae.
Pachyrisma[59]	P. (Durga) crassa P. spp.	Aït-Haceïne S de l'oued Ahansal Tagounit	Tafraout	Lower Toarcian	Isolated Shells	A saltwater bivalve of the family Pachyrismatidae
Opisoma[37][61]	O. menchikoffi O. excavatum O. spp.	Agoundal-n-Ilamchane Aït-Haceïne Aït Hsayn Jbel Akenzoud Jebel Toksine S de l'oued Ahansal Tagoajimt-n-Tcouyant Tagounit Tizi-n-Taghbolila Tizi-n-Tahramt Zaouiat Ahançal	"Amezraï" Tafraout	Lower Toarcian	Isolated shells	A brackish/marine member of Astartidae.
Trichites[41]	T. spp.	Agrd N´Igli Amellago	Tagoudite	Lower Toarcian	Isolated shells	A marine member of the family Pinnidae
Pholadomya[41]	P. bucardium P. fidicula P. spp.	Agrd N´Igli Amellago	Tagoudite	Lower Toarcian	Isolated shells	A marine member of the family Pholadomyidae
Spondylus[60]	S. numidus	Aghbalou N'Kerdous	Tagoudite Tafraout	Lower Toarcian	Isolated Shells	A marine member of the family Spondylidae

Multiple Gasteropodan faunas are know, specially associated with coral patch reefs, but lack proper studies.^[8]

Genus	Species	Location	Formation	Age	Material	Notes	Images
Nerinea[37]	N. spp.	Jebel Toksine	Tafraout	Lower Toarcian	Isolated shells	A Nerineoidean, member of the family Nerineidae
Neritodomus[64]	N. cf.tethys	Bou Dahar	Tagoudite	Lower Toarcian	Isolated Shells	A Cycloneritidan, member of the family Neridomidae
Platyacra[64]	P. (Asperilla) russoi	Amellago	Tagoudite	Lower Toarcian	Isolated Shells	A Trochoidean, member of the family Angariidae
Purpurina[64]	P. rudis	Amellago	Tagoudite	Lower Toarcian	Isolated Shells	A Caenogastropodan, member of the family Purpurinidae
Scurriopsis[37]	S. spp.	Jebel Toksine	Tafraout	Lower Toarcian	Isolated shells	A Lottioidean, member of the family Acmaeidae

Genus	Species	Location	Formation	Age	Material	Notes	Images
Alocolytoceras[46]	A. gr. ophioneum	Anergui	Tafraout	Late Toarcian	Isolated shells	An Ammonite of the family Lytoceratidae.
Calliphylloceras[65]	C. nilssoni	Amellago	Tagoudite	Lower Toarcian	Isolated shells	An Ammonite of the family Calliphylloceratinae
Canavaria[65]	C. aff. zancleana C. cf. rosenbergi	Amellago	Tagoudite	Lower Toarcian	Isolated shells	An Ammonite of the family Hildoceratidae.
Dactylioceras[8][24][65]	D. (Orthodactylites) aff. crosbeyi D. cf.helianihoides D. (Eodactylites) mirabile D. (Eodactylites) simplex D. (Eodactylites) cf.polymorphum D. (Eodactylites) pseudocommune D. pseudocrassulosum[59] D. cf. tauromenense	Agoudim Almou-n' Tarzekt Amellago Jbel Aouloum Jbel Bou Hamid Jbel Taguendouft Tagounit Talghemt Tamadoute Taquat N'Agrd Tougza	"Amezraï" Tagoudite Tafraout	Lower Toarcian	Isolated shells	An Ammonite of the family Dactylioceratidae.
Eleganticeras[13][65]	E. exaratum E. sp.	Amellago Foum Tillicht	Tagoudite	Lower Toarcian	Isolated shells	An Ammonite of the family Hildoceratidae.
Harpoceras[13][65]	H. serpentinum H. pseudoserpentinum H. falciferum H. subplanatum	Amellago	Tagoudite	Lower Toarcian	Isolated shells	An Ammonite of the family Hildoceratidae.
Hildaites[65]	H. striatus H. wrighti	Amellago	Tagoudite	Lower Toarcian	Isolated shells	An Ammonite of the family Hildoceratidae.
Hildoceras[8][24][27]	H. sublevisoni H. lusitanicum H. bifrons H. spp.	Agrd N´Igli Aït Allal Akka n’Igoulzane Foum Tillicht Ouguerd Zegzaoune Taquat N'Agrd Wahmane	Tagoudite Tafraout	Lower-Middle Toarcian	Isolated shells	An Ammonite of the family Hildoceratidae.
Lytoceras[65]	L. monpianense L. paulosiomaiicum L. ex gr. villae	Agoudim Amellago	Tagoudite	Lower Toarcian	Isolated shells	An Ammonite of the family Lytoceratidae.
Murleyiceras[59]	M. sp.	Almou-n' Tarzekt	Tagoudite	Lower Toarcian	Isolated shells	An Ammonite of the family Hildoceratidae.
Neolioceratoides[65]	N. hoffmanni	Amellago	Tagoudite	Lower Toarcian	Isolated shells	An Ammonite of the family Hildoceratidae.
Paltarpites[59]	P. cf.palius	Jbel Aouloum	"Amezraï"	Lower Toarcian	Isolated shells	An Ammonite of the family Hildoceratidae.
Planammatoceras[8]	P. cf.spinosum	SW of Anergui	"Aguerd-nˈTazoult"	Middle Aalenian	Isolated shells	An Ammonite of the family Hammatoceratidae.
Praepolyplectus[65]	P. sp.	Amellago	Tagoudite	Lower Toarcian	Isolated shells	An Ammonite of the family Hildoceratidae.

Multiple echinoderm remains, including Crinoid articulated and fragmentary specimens and indeterminate echinoid fragments, are know from several localities, usually associated with large coral bioherms or sea trangressions.^{[8][11][24][35]} In the Tagoudite Formation rare Ophiuroid impressions can be observed.^[29]

Genus	Species	Location	Formation	Age	Material	Notes	Images
Apiocrinites[59]	A. amalthei	Agoudim Amellago	Tagoudite	Lower Toarcian	Columnar Ossicles	A Crinoid of the family Apiocrinitidae
Arbacioida[37]	Indeterminate	Jebel Toksine	Tafraout	Lower Toarcian	Ambulacrum	An Echinoid of the group Arbacioida
Cotylederma[59]	C. spp.	Agoudim Amellago	Tagoudite	Lower Toarcian	Columnar Ossicles	A Crinoid of the family Cotyledermatidae
Diplechinus[59]	D. despujolsi D. spp.	Agoudim Amellago	Tagoudite	Lower Toarcian	Ambulacrum, spines	An Echinoid of the family Stomechinidae
Diplocidaris[59]	D. menchikofli	Agoudim Amellago	Tagoudite	Lower Toarcian	Ambulacrum, spines	An Echinoid of the family Diplocidaridae
Dubarechinus[59]	D. despujolsi	Agoudim Amellago	Tagoudite	Lower Toarcian	Ambulacrum, spines	An Echinoid of the family Orthopsidae
Firmacidaris[59]	F. precincta	Agoudim Amellago	Tagoudite	Lower Toarcian	Ambulacrum, spines	An Echinoid of the family Cidaridae
Hemicidaris[59]	H. (Dorycidaris) termieri	Agoudim Amellago	Tagoudite	Lower Toarcian	Ambulacrum, spines	An Echinoid of the family Hemicidaridae
Pentacrinites[58]	P. spp.	Agoudim Amellago Jebel Akenzoud	Tagoudite Tafraout	Lower-Middle Toarcian	Columnar Ossicles	A Crinoid of the family Pentacrinitidae
Polypedina[59]	P. tounatensis	Agoudim Amellago	Tagoudite	Lower Toarcian	Ambulacrum, spines	An Echinoid of the family Pedinidae

Several scales & teeth of fishes are know from several locations, coming from freshwater/lagoonal layers.^[66] Indeterminate dinosaurian & other vertebrates are know from Mizaguène Hill, Taouja Ougourane, Aït Ouaridène, Oued Rzef & Jbel Remuai in the Azilal Province. Some of them are recovered in a "Bone bed" and others are associated with abundant plant remains.^[67]

Genus	Species	Location	Formation	Age	Material	Notes	Images
Leptolepis[8][11]	L. spp.	Jbel Bou Hamid	Tagoudite	Lower Toarcian	Semiarticulated Specimens	Marine bony fish of the family Leptolepidae.

Genus	Species	Location	Material	Formation	Age	Notes	Images
Berberosaurus[68]	B. liassicus	Toundoute	Holotype: Neck vertebra, part of the sacrum, a metacarpal, a femur, and parts of a tibia and both fibulae. Part of another femur has been assigned to the genus as well.[68] The axis, a postorbital, the endocranium and teeth are currently being studied.[69]	Azilal	Toarcian	A theropod originally referred Abelisauroidea, it can represent a basal Ceratosaur instead
Coelophysidae[70][71]	Unnamed	Acforcid, Wazzant	Two adults and one recently hatched juvenile: At least the posterior half of the skeleton is present: caudal, sacral, dorsal vertebrae, pelvis and both hind legs[72]	Azilal	Toarcian	A theropod of the family Coelophysidae. Assigned based on the "apparent fusion between distal tarsal III and metatarsal III". Was proposed as a possible tetanuran or a Coelurosaur, even compared with the Australian genus Kakuru, but latter was actively dismissed.[73][74][75]
Giant Theropod[68][76]	Unnamed	Toundoute	Phalanges and several non mentioned remains	Azilal	Toarcian	Described as a "large theropod of uncertain affinities", "enigmatic theropod" or as Theropod showing "a size larger than any of the know theropods of the Triassic-Early Jurassic know, indicating that Toarcian theropods had sizes rivaling that of late Jurassic allosaurs".[68][77][76]

Genus	Species	Location	Material	Formation	Age	Notes	Images
Gravisauria[67][76]	Indeterminate	E of Azilal, at 1 km at the S of Dar Ou Hammou	Pubis and other indeterminate remains	Azilal	Toarcian	Quoted to resemble Tazoudasaurus, maybe another specimen of the genus.[69]
Eusauropoda[67][70][78]	Unnamed	Mizaguène Hill, 3 km at the SW of Azilal	5 dorsal & caudal vertebrae, fragmentary ribs, chevrons and several large badly determinable debris	Azilal	Toarcian	Was collected on a freshwater lagoonal depositional setting.[67]
Sauropoda[70]	Indeterminate	Acforcid, Wazzant	Left ilium, a humerus and three vertebrae	Azilal	Toarcian	A small-sized sauropod of uncertain affinities.
Sauropodomorpha[70]	Indeterminate	S of Aït Bouzid	One or more vertebrae and other unidentified remains	Azilal	Toarcian	It was tought to be found in Cretaceous strata.
Tazoudasaurus[79][80]	T. naimi	Toundoute	Around 10 different specimens:Partially articulated skeleton and cranial material including complete left mandible with teeth, quadrate, jugal, postorbital, parietal, frontal and exoccipital. Associated remains of a juvenile skeleton.	Azilal	Toarcian	A gravisaurian sauropod of the family Vulcanodontidae.[80]

Paleosols in regions like Beni Mellal, Azilal, Wazzant or Toundoute show many plant roots (rhizoliths) and heavily disturbed layers.^[81] In Toundoute cuticles dominated by fern & cycad leaflets were found along with wood debris resembling conifers of the families Pinaceae or Taxaceae.^[32][82] Other plant remains include coal beds, leaflets, cuticles, rhizoliths, fossil wood and other indeterminate plant debris.^[7]

At the top of the Azilal Formation at the Idemrane geosite, unidentified pieces of wood fossils of variable sizes were recovered (largest over 20 cm in length) showing traces of iron oxides, considered root fragments.^[83] At Mizaguène Hill (Azilal) lenticular marno-conglomeratic sandstone levels filled with plant remains are found, maybe derived from a lagoon.^[67] Flora remains are very abundant in places such as the north of Jbel Akenzoud and partly impregnated and/or carbonized by malachite.^[8] At Jebel Azourki and Jebel Toksine, woody plant debris, including shales with coal streaks, charcoal and cuticle fragments suggests vegetation in a humid, marginal marine environment, maybe a salt marsh.^[35][37] At M'Semrir Pass, samples dominated by Pollen have been recovered in the Tafraout & Azilal Fms.^[13]

Phytoclasts, spores, pollen and Tasmanites algae indicate that the palaeoenvironment of the lower Toarcian Amellago area was likely proximal continental shelf with a high terrestrial input, and notorious influence of brackish water in the depositional environment.^[50] This interval is numerically dominated by Classopollis, which usually accounts for more than 60.95% of the palynomorphs present.^[50]

Genus	Species	Location	Formation	Age	Material	Notes	Images
Alisporites[50]	A. spp.	Amellago	Tagoudite	Early Toarcian	Pollen	Affinities with Peltaspermaceae or Corystospermaceae
Botryococcus[50]	B. spp.	Amellago	Tagoudite	Early Toarcian	Miospores	Affinities with Botryococcaceae
Callialasporites[50]	C. trilobatus C. spp.	Amellago	Tagoudite	Early Toarcian	Pollen	Affinities with Araucariaceae.
Cayeuxia[37]	C. liasica C. spp.	Jebel Toksine	Tafraout	Early Toarcian	Imprints	Affinities with Halimedaceae or Udoteaceae family.
Classopollis[50]	C. spp.	Amellago	Tagoudite	Early Toarcian	Pollen	Affinities with Cheirolepidiaceae.
Cyathidites[50]	C. minor	Amellago	Tagoudite	Early Toarcian	Spores	Affinities with Cyatheaceae.
Kraeuselisporites[50]	K. reissingeri	Amellago	Tagoudite	Early Toarcian	Spores	Affinities with Selaginellaceae.
Ischyosporites[50]	I. variegatus	Amellago	Tagoudite	Early Toarcian	Spores	Affinities with Schizaeaceae/Anemiaceae.
Metapodocarpoxylon[84][85]	M. maurianum	Mount M’semrir	Azilal	Late Toarcian-Aalenian	Wood	Affinities with Podocarpaceae.
Quadraeculina[50]	Q. anaellaeformis	Amellago	Tagoudite	Early Toarcian	Pollen	Affinities with Podocarpaceae or Pinaceae.
Tasmanites[50]	T. mourai T. tardus T. spp.	Amellago	Tagoudite	Early Toarcian	Cysts	Affinities with Prasinophyceae.

• Toarcian turnover
• Toarcian formations
  • Aganane Formation, Morocco
  • Calcaires du Bou Dahar, Morocco
  • Marne di Monte Serrone, Italy
  • Podpeč Limestone, Slovenia
  • El Pedregal Formation, Spain
  • Mizur Formation, North Caucasus
  • Sachrang Formation, Austria
  • Posidonia Shale, Lagerstätte in Germany
  • Irlbach Sandstone, Germany
  • Ciechocinek Formation, Germany and Poland
  • Krempachy Marl Formation, Poland and Slovakia
  • Djupadal Formation, Central Skane
  • Lava Formation, Lithuania
  • Whitby Mudstone, England
  • Fernie Formation, Alberta and British Columbia
    • Poker Chip Shale
  • Whiteaves Formation, British Columbia
  • Navajo Sandstone, Utah
  • Los Molles Formation, Argentina
  • Mawson Formation, Antarctica
  • Kandreho Formation, Madagascar
  • Kota Formation, India
  • Cattamarra Coal Measures, Australia