Fatma Eldesouky

Numerous non-avian theropod dinosaur fossils have been reported from the Upper Cretaceous (Cenomanian) Bahariya Formation, Bahariya Oasis, Western Desert of Egypt, but unambiguous materials of Abelisauridae have yet to be documented. Here we report Mansoura University Vertebrate Paleontology Center (MUVP) specimen 477, an isolated, well-preserved tenth cervical vertebra of a medium-sized abelisaurid from the Bahariya Formation. The new vertebra shows affinities with those of other Upper Cretaceous abelisaurids from Madagascar and South America, such as Majungasaurus crenatissimus , Carnotaurus sastrei , Viavenator exxoni and a generically indeterminate Patagonian specimen (Museo Padre Molina specimen 99). Phylogenetic analysis recovers the Bahariya form within Abelisauridae, either in a polytomy of all included abelisaurids (strict consensus tree) or as an early branching member of the otherwise South American clade Brachyrostra (50% majority rule consensus tree). MUVP 477, therefor...

Detailed lithostratigraphic and calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphic studies were carried out across the Paleocene–Eocene (P-E) that outcrops at Gebel Nezzazat (G. Nezzazat) in West Central Sinai (Egypt). The study interval spans from the upper part of the Tarawan Formation to the lowermost Thebes Formation covering the whole Esna Formation in between them. The Esna Formation had been subdivided into four members: the Hanadi, Dababiya Quarry, Mahmiya, and Abu Had Members. Five calcareous nannofossil biozones (NP7/8, NP9 to NP12) and four subzones (NP9a and NP9b and NP10a and NP10b) were recognized. The lowest occurrences (LOs) of Fasciculithus alanii group, Neochiastozygus junctus, Sphenolithus radians, and Blackites herculesii as well as the highest occurrence of F. alanii group and the increased frequency of N. junctus are biostratigraphically significant. On contrast, the LOs of Discoaster binodosus, Discoaster mahmoudii, Discoaster diastypus, Zygrhablithus bijugatus, and Camp...

The Miocene-Pliocene sequence at the Monaga-1 Well, eastern of the Nile Delta, has been examined using sixty-six ditch cutting subsurface samples, to subdivide this interval litho- and biostratigraphically based on calcareous nannofossils. Four lithostratigraphic formations and their age assignment have been recognized, organized from the highest to the lowest as follows: Kafr El-Sheikh, Abu Madi, Sidi Salem, and Qantara formations. Eight calcareous nannofossil biozones have been documented, arranged from the top to the base as follows: NN15, NN14, NN13, NN11, NN9, NN5, NN4, and NN3. The recognized biozones were compared with their respective biozones in and outside Egypt, and used to shed some light on the boundaries of the Neogene stage. Three hiatuses have been noted in the Abu Madi Formation owing to structure control as that of the depositional conditions of this formation which were tectonically unstable. Pliocene lies unconformably above the Miocene, and a small hiatus was determined where NN12 zone is missing. The Tortonian/Messinian boundary cannot be exactly determined because there is a small hiatus that is suggested by the absence of the upper NN9 zone in addition to the whole of NN10 biozones. Late Miocene overlies unconformably the Middle Miocene. This unconformity was detected by the misplaced NN6, NN7, and NN8 zones and probably the basal part of NN9 zone. At the lower boundary of the zone (NN5), the Burdigalian/Langhian boundary was drawn.