Paleocene Vertebrates from Jabal Umm Himar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia US GEOLOGICAL ...

104 Pages·2012·46.44 MB·English

Paleocene Vertebrates from Jabal Umm Himar,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BULLETIN 2093
Prepared in cooperation with the Ministry of
Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Jiddah,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
"~-·
I I
I ~
' .. I • .......
=
..
·' ~
·-
AVAILABILITY OF BOOKS AND MAPS OF THE U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
Instructions on ordering publications of the U.S. Geological Survey, along with prices of the last offerings, are given in the current-
/ year issues of the monthly catalog "New Publications of the U.S. Geological Survey.'' Prices of available U.S. Geological Survey publica
tions released prior to the current year are listed in the most recent annual "Price and Availability List." Publications that may be listed in
various U.S. Geological Survey catalogs (see back inside cover) but not listed in the most recent annual "Price and Availability List" may
be no longer available.
Order U.S. Geological Survey publications by mail or over the counter from the offices given below.
BY MAIL- OVER THE COUNTER
! -
........
Books Books and Maps
• !
Professional Papers, Bulletins, Water-Supply Papers, Tech Books and maps of the U.S. Geological Survey are available
niques of Water-Resources Investigations, Circulars, publicatjoos over the counter at the following U.S. Geological Survey Earth
of general interest (such as leaflets, pamphlets, booklets), single Science Information Centers (ESIC), all of which are authorized
copies of Earthquakes & Volcanoes, Preliminary Determination of agents of the Superintendent of Documents:
Epicenters, and some miscellaneous reports, including some of the
foregoing series that have gone out of print at the Superintendent
• ANCHORAGE, Alaska-Rm. 101,4230 University Dr.
of Documents, are obtainable by mail from
• LAKEWOOD, Colorado-Federal Center, Bldg. 810
U.S. Geological Survey, Information Services
• MENLO PARK, California-Bldg. 3, Rm. 3128, 345
Box 25286, Federal Center, Denver, CO 80225
Middlefield Rd.
Subscdp6ons to periodicals (Earthquakes & Volcanoes and • RESTON, Virginia-USGS National Center, Rm. 1C402,
Preliminary Determination of Epicenters) can be obtained ONLY 12201 Sunrise Valley Dr.
from the • SALT LAKE CITY, Utah-Federal Bldg., Rm. 8105, 125
Superintendent of Documents South State St.
Government Printing Office SPOKANE, Washington-U.S. Post Office Bldg., Rm. 135,
Washington, DC 20402 West 904 Riverside Ave.
• WASHINGTON, D.C.-Main Interior Bldg., Rm. 2650, 18th
(Check or money order must be payable to Superintendent of
and C Sts., NW
Documents.) .·
• 1!'1
Maps Only
Maps
·;I. Maps may be purchased over the counter at the following
For maps, address mail orders to
~. U.S. Geological Survey offices:
U.S. Geological Survey, Information Services
Box 25286, Federal Center, Denver, CO 80225
Residents of Alaska may order maps from
• FAIRBANKS, Alaska-New Federal Bldg., 101 Twelfth
U.S. Geological Survey, Earth Science Information Center Ave.
- 101 Twelfth Ave.-Box 12 • ROLLA, Missouri-1400 Independence Rd.
•' Fairbanks, AK 99701. . STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Mississippi-Bldg. 3101
...
.. • .J
... .• '
. ..
..........
.
..
.
·~ .
...
Paleocene Vertebrates from Jabal Umm Himar,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Edited by Frank C. Whitmore, Jr., and Cary T. Madden
U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BULLETIN 2093
Prepared in cooperation with the Ministry of
Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Jiddah,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON: 1995
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BRUCE BABBITT, Secretary
U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
GORDON P. EATON, Director
For sale by U.S. Geological Survey, Information Services
Box 25286, Federal Center, Denver, CO 80225
Any use of trade, product, or firm names in this publication is for descriptive purposes only and
does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
Published in the Eastern Region, Reston, Va.
Manuscript approved for publication Aprill4, 1994.
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Paleocene vertebrates from Jabal Umm Himar, kingdom of Saudi Arabia I edited by
Frank C. Whitmore, Jr., and Cary T. Madden.
p. em.-(U.S. Geological Survey bulletin; 2093A-F)
"Prepared in cooperation with the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Kingdom
of Saudi Arabia."
Includes bibliographical references.
Supt. ofDocs. no.: Ul9.3:2093A-F
1. Vertebrates, Fossil-Saudi Arabia. 2. Paleontology-Paleocene. I. Whitmore,
Frank C., Jr. II. Madden, Cary T. III. Geological Survey (U.S.). IV. Saudi Arabia.
Wizarat al-Batriil wa-al-Tharwah al-Ma' diniyah. V. Series.
QE75.B9 no. 2093A-F
[QE841]
557.3 s-dc20 94-32990
[566'.09538] CIP
CONTENTS
[Letters indicate the chapter.]
A. The Umm Himar Formation (Paleocene) of Saudi Arabia and Associated Strata:
Stratigraphy, Vertebrate Fauna, and Paleoenvironment
By Cary T. Madden, Frank C. Whitmore, Jr., Dwight L. Schmidt, and Ibne
Mohammed Naqvi
B. A Paleocene Percoid Fish, Tentatively Referred to the Family Serranidae, from Jabal
Umm Himar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
By P.H. Greenwood
C. Paleocene Amiid Fish from Jabal Umm Himar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
By Mark VH. Wilson
D. A Paleocene Lungfish, Ceratodus humei Priem 1914, from Jabal Umm Himar,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
By Frank C. Whitmore, Jr.
E. Paleocene Pelomedusid Turtles from Jabal Umm Himar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
By Roger C. Wood
F. Dyrosaurs (Crocodilia, Mesosuchia) from the Paleocene Umm Himar Formation,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
By Wann Langston, Jr.
III

The Umm Himar Formation (Paleocene) of Saudi
Arabia and Associated Strata: Stratigraphy,
Vertebrate Fauna, and Paleoenvironment
By Cary T. Madden, Frank C. Whitmore, Jr., Dwight L. Schmidt, and
Ibne Mohammed Naqvi
PALEOCENE VERTEBRATES FROM JABAL UMM HIMAR, KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA
U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BULLETIN 2093-A
Prepared in cooperation with the Ministry of
Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Jiddah,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON: 1995
CONTENTS
Abstract.......................................................................................................................... A 1
Introduction . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . . .. . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . .. . .. . . . . . . .. . . . . 1
Previous Investigations.......................................................................................... 4
Acknowledgments................................................................................................. 4
Stratigraphy . . .. .. . .. . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . .. . . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . .. . . . . 4
Khurma Formation .. . . . . .. . . . . . .......... ... .. ... .. . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . ... . .. . . . . . 4
U mm Himar Formation......................................................................................... 4
Chert...................................................................................................................... 5
Laterite................................................................................................................... 7
Harrat Hadan Basalt.............................................................................................. 7
Fauna............................................................................................................................. 9
Age................................................................................................................................ 13
Environment . .. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. .. . . . . .. .. .... . . . . . . . . .. .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . . .. . .. . .. .. . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . 14
Other Vertebrate Fossils from the Arabian Peninsula ............ ........... ... .. ..... .... .. .. .. .. ...... 15
Geologic History........................................................................................................... 16
References . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. .. .. . .. . . . . .. .. . . .. . . . . .. . .. .. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. .. . . 17
FIGURES
AI. Map of western Saudi Arabia, showing location of Jabal Umm Himar area.............................................................. A2
A2. Geologic map of Jabal Umm Himar area, showing fossil localities........................................................................... 3
A3. Stratigraphic sections measured at vertebrate fossil localities in the Jabal Umm Himar area.................................... 6
A4. Composite stratigraphic columnar section of Umm Himar Formation and overlying and underlying rocks in
Jabal U mm Hi mar area................................................................................................................................................ 8
A5. Tertiary diagram showing composition of dolomitic limestone from the upper member of the Umm Himar
Formation . . .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . .. . . . . . . . . .. .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . .. .. . . . . . . . . . . .. .. ... . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. 11
A6. Diagram showing isotopic age plotted against K 0 content for basaltic rocks from Harrat Hadan and other
2
areas............................................................................................................................................................................. 11
TABLES
AI. Chemical analyses for Fe 0 and FeO and semiquantitative spectrographic analyses for other elements in
2 3
iron-oxide materials from the Jabal Umm Himar area ................................................................................................ A9
A2. Partial chemical analyses, in percent, for major elements of samples from the dolomitic limestone member of
the Umm Himar Formation, Jabal Umm Himar area. The average of five samples of pisolitic laterite from nearby
Jabal Saq is also given................................................................................................................................................. 10
A3. List of vertebrate fossils from the localiJies at Jabal Umm Himar. ............................................................................. 12
All
The Umm Himar Formation (Paleocene) of Saudi Arabia
and Associated Strata: Stratigraphy, Vertebrate Fauna,
and Paleoenvironment
By Cary T. Madden,1 Frank C. Whitmore, Jr.,2 Dwight L. Schmidt,3 and Ibne Mohammed Naqvi4
ABSTRACT The paleoenvironment of Jabal Umm Himar was estu
arine. The presence of a coastal environment indicates that
The first Paleocene vertebrate fauna known from the at least a shallow sea must have existed in the At Taif region
Arabian Peninsula is represented by fossils collected from during the earliest Tertiary.
21 localities at Jabal Umm Himar, near Turabah, Southern
Hijaz Province, Saudi Arabia. The fossils are from a mud INTRODUCTION
stone, 2-3 meters thick, in the Umm Himar Formation. This
formation, about 20 meters thick, consists of three mem Jabal U mm Hi mar ("hill of the mother of the donkey")
bers: (1) a basal ferruginous mudstone, (2) an interbedded is a large hill at lat 21°10'N., long 41°25'E., 100 km east of
mudstone and shale, from which the fossils were recovered, At Taif and 26 km west of Turabah, in the central western
and (3) an upper dolomitic limestone. The Umm Himar For part of Saudi Arabia (fig. A 1) . An unimproved desert road
mation is underlain by Nubian-like quartzose sandstone, connecting At Taif and Turabah crosses the Jabal Umm
which overlies Precambrian rocks. The formation is over Hi mar area (fig. A2) in the Jabal In quadrangle (Gonzalez,
lain by the Harrat Hadan Basalt of late Oligocene and early 1973). All parts of the area are readily accessible by four
Miocene age. wheel-drive vehicle over the desert plain. The plain is at an
The vertebrates include sand sharks (Odontaspis sub altitude of about 1,200 m and small hills rise 10-50 m above
striata); nurse sharks (Ginglymostoma maghrebianum and it. The conspicuous basalt plateau of Harrat Hadan rises
G. sokotoense); eagle rays (Myliobatis dixoni); torpedos nearly 200 m above the desert plain in the northern part of
(Eotorpedo hilgendorfi); pycnodont fish (Pychodus); perch the Jabal U mm Hi mar area.
(Parapercichthys arabis); bowfins (Amiidae); catfish (Sil In 1971 two fossil vertebrates were collected by
uriformes); lungfish ( Ceratodus humei); very large side Schmidt and Louis Gonzalez from a small wadi at locality 1
necked turtles (Pelomedusidae); and archaic crocodilians (fig. A2), 3.5 km northeast of Jabal Umm Himar. In 1974,
(Rhabdognathus spp., Hyposaurus nopcsai, and Phosphato the fossils were identified by Whitmore as representing a
saurus sp.). The Paleocene age determination for the fauna large member of the Mesosuchia, a widely distributed
is based upon the stratigraphic ranges of the lungfish Cera (Africa, Europe, Asia, North America, and South America)
todus humei, the dyrosaurid crocodilians Rhabdognathus suborder of archaic crocodilians that originated in the Early
compressus and Hyposaurus nopcsai, and catfish (Siluri Jurassic and became extinct in the late Eocene. Additional
formes). Although not conclusive evidence of a Paleocene surface material was collected during October 1974 by
age, the sharks are consistent with this interpretation. The Schmidt, T.H. Kiilsgaard, R.H. Blank, and N.E. Gettings.
most nearly comparable fauna is that of the Dange Forma The present report records the Paleocene vertebrates,
tion of Sokoto Province, Nigeria, whose age has been deter stratigraphy, and environment of deposition in the Jabal
mined, on the basis of Foraminifera, to be late Paleocene. Umm Himar area. This report is based upon paleontologic
and geologic field investigations undertaken during July
August 1976 and December-January 1978-79 (Madden and
1P.O. Box lin, El Prado, NM 87529. others, 1979). The fossils described in this bulletin consti
2l).S. Geological Survey, Rm. E-308, NHB 137, Smithsonian Institu tute the first Paleocene vertebrate fauna known from the
tion, Washington, D.C. 20560.
Arabian Peninsula.
3U .S. Geological Survey, MS 913, Box 25046, Denver Federal Center,
Specimens discussed in this Bulletin have been
Denver, CO 80225-0046.
4U.S. Geological Survey Saudi Arabian Mission, P.O. Box 1488, assigned numbers with the prefix SAP (for Saudi Arabian
Jiddah, Saudi Arabia. Project) that identify them as to locality, higher taxon, and
AI
A2 PALEOCENE VERTEBRATES FROM JABAL UMM HIMAR, KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA
Figure Al. Index map of western Saudi Arabia, showing location of the Jabal Umm Himar area relative to the Hail Arch, the
Sirhan-Turayf Basin, and other geologic features.