Quercy Phosphorites Formation

Quercy Phosphorites Formation
Stratigraphic range: latest Bartonian-Late Oligocene
~
TypeFormation
OverliesFissure fillings in karstified Jurassic and Triassic rocks
Lithology
PrimaryPhosphorite
Location
Coordinates44°18′N 1°36′E / 44.3°N 1.6°E / 44.3; 1.6
Approximate paleocoordinates42°48′N 2°00′W / 42.8°N 2.0°W / 42.8; -2.0
RegionOccitanie
CountryFrance
Type section
Named forQuercy
Named byThévenin
Year defined1903
Quercy Phosphorites Formation is located in France
Quercy Phosphorites Formation
Quercy Phosphorites Formation (France)

The Quercy Phosphorites Formation (French: Phosphorites du Quercy; Occitan: Fosforits de Quercy) is a geologic formation and lagerstätte in Occitanie, southern France. It preserves fossils dated to the Paleogene period (latest Bartonian to Late Oligocene),[1][2] or MP16 to MP28 zones of the European land mammal age classification, ranging from approximately 38 to 25 Ma.

It qualifies as a Lagerstätte because beside a large variety of mammals, birds, turtles, crocodiles, flora and insects, it also preserves the soft tissues of amphibians and squamates, in addition to their articulated skeleton in what has been called natural mummies.[3]

The genera Quercylurus, Quercymegapodius, Quercypsitta, Quercypodargus, Quercycerta and Quercygama, and species Mosaicomeryx quercyi, Robiacina quercyi, Palaeophyllophora quercyi, Archaeomys quercyi, Eomys quercyi, Eucricetodon quercyi and Tarnomys quercynus, as well as the lizards Paraplacosauriops quercyi and Pseudolacerta quercyini and the insect Palaeortona quercyensis were named after the formation.

Description

The first phosphate deposits in Quercy were discovered in 1869 and published by Daubré and Trutat independently in 1871.[4] The first fossils from the formation were described by Delfortie (1872) and Gervais in the same year and extensively studied by Filhol from 1877 onwards. The first geologic investigation of the formation was performed by Thévenin in 1903, and apart from a description by Gèze in 1938, the paleontological richness was not studied until a team of researchers of the Universities of Montpellier and Paris visited the site in 1965.[5]

The karstified phosphate deposits are found from the Lot and Célé river valleys in the north to the left bank of the Aveyron in the south and from the Villefranche Fault in the east to the lacustrine deposits of the Aquitaine Basin in the west. The formation is found in fissures (karst) incising Jurassic and Triassic rocks east of Cahors.[6] The age of the fossiliferous unit, in which almost 12,000 specimens were found ranges from the MP16 to MP28 zones of the European land mammal age classification.[5] These ages correspond to the latest Bartonian to Chattian, from about 38 to 25 Ma.[7]

Paleontological significance

Paleogeography of the Late Eocene to Oligocene with biodiversity of the Quercy Phosphorites

The Quercy Phosphorites Formation is a highly fossiliferous unit designated as a Lagerstätte due to the excellent preservation of fossils. The phosphorite conserves up to the nerves, digestive tract and stomach content,[8] insect larvae and other elements of the paleobiology in the formation. Nearly all Quercy fly pupae were preserved as isolated endocasts, of which many were still covered by the puparium, the hardened skin of the last larval instar.[9] The formation also straddles the Grande Coupure and shows diversity changes (number of species) of frog, salamander, lizard and snake fossil records across the formation.[10] It is assumed that the Quercy arthropods fossilized by a rapid fixation by phosphate-rich water followed by encrustation and mineralization.[11]

Fossil content

The following fossils have been reported from the formation:[1][2][12][13]

Mammals

Apatemyidae
Genus Species Location Time Material Note Images
Chardinyus C. sp.[12] An apatotheria.
Heterohyus H. (Chardinyus) nanus[12] An apatemyid.
H. (Gervaisyus) pygmaeus[12]
Gervaisyus G. sp.[12]
Artiodactyls
Genus Species Location Time Material Notes Images
Bachitherium B. guirounetensis[13]
B. lavocati[13]
Cryptomeryx C. gaudryi[14]
Dichobune D. sigei[13]
Dichodon D. vidalenci[13]
Iberomeryx I. matsoui[13]
Mosaicomeryx M. quercyi[15]
Paroxacron P. bergeri[16]
Plesiomeryx P. cadurcensis[16]
Prodremotherium P. elongatum[15]
Pseudamphimeryx P. salesmei[13]
Robiacina R. lavergnensis[13]
R. quercyi[13]
Tapirulus T. perrierensis[13]
Carnivora
Genus Species Location Time Material Notes Images
Amphicynodon A. typicus[17] Pech Crabet locality Oligocene Two hemi-mandibles An early amphicynodontidae caniform
Cephalogale C. sp.[18] A piece of hemi-mandible
Cynodyctis C. lacustris neboulensis[13] Sainte Néboule A mandible An amphicynodontidae caniform.
Dinailurictis D. bonali[19][20] La Tuque Oligocene. Several holotype consists of a fragment of the left upper canine, lower canine, distal right humerus, distal left ulna, and a proximal piece of right femur. A nimravid felidae
Eofelis E. edwardsii[21][22] A nimravid
E. giganteus[23] Phosphorites du Quercy A mandible
cf. E. sp.[24]
Eusmilus E. bidentatus[21][22] Eocene/Oligocene A edentulous hemi-mandible and a fragment of upper canine A nimravid
Huntictis H. minima Gardiol 3 locality Early Oligocene A holotype consists of a dentition. A small musteloid
Mustelictis M. cf. major[25] A part of right hemi-mandible with alveolus of p1, p2, fragments of p3 roots, and p4-m1.
M. aff. olivieri[25] A holotype specimen consists of a skull and a hemi-mandible.
Nimravus N. intermedius[19][20] MP 22 localities, La Plante2, Mas de Got and Valbro localities Oligocene A left hemi-mandible with m1 A nimravid felidae.
Pachycynodon P. amphictina[26] Oligocene Multiple specimens consist of hemi-mandible and dentitions.
P. crassirostris[27]
P. cf. dubius[26]
P. cf. filholi[28]
Palaeogale P. sectoria[22] Valbro locality Oligocene A specimen consists of p4 dentition. An early feliformia
Peignictis P. pseudamphictis[29] Valbro locality Early Oligocene A posterior part of hemi-mandible A carnivoran with uncertain affinities
Quercylurus Q. major[19] Phosphorites du Quercy Oligocene A maxilla A nimravid
Storchictis S. miacinus Phosphorites du Quercy Late Eocene A mandible An Amphicyonidae
Wangictis W. tedfordi[30] Phosphorites du Quercy Early Oligocene A left hemi-mandible with c-m2 An Amphicynodontidae
Chiroptera
Genus Species Location Time Material Notes Images
Hipposideros H. pseudorhinolophus sehlosseri[12] An early roundleaf bat.
H. pseudorhinolophus trassounius[12]
H. pseudorhinolophus zbrjdi[12]
Leuconoe L. lavocati[12] An early vespertilionid bat.
Palaeophyllophora P. oltina[12] An early hipposiderid bat.
P. quercyi[12]
Stehlinia S. bonisi[12] An early natalidae bat
S. minor[12]
Vaylatsia V. garouillasensis[12]
Vespertiliavus V. gerscheli[12] An early Emballonurid bat
V. gracilis[12]
V. lapradensis[12]
Creodonta
Genus Species Location Time Material Images
Paracynohyaenodon P. magnus[12]
Parapterodon P. lostangensis[12]
Euarchonta
Genus Species Location Time Material Images
Darbonetus D. aubrelongensis[31]
Hyaenodonta
Genus Species Location Time Material Notes Images
Paroxyaena P. pavlovi[32] Phosphorites du Quercy Late Eocene A partial skull A hyaenodont
Lipotyphla
Genus Species Location Time Material Notes Images
Amphidozotherium A. cayluxi[12]
Darbonetus D. aubrelongensis[12]
D. tuberi[12]
Myxomygale M. antiqua[33]
Saturninia S. beata[12]
S. pelissiei[12]
Marsupials
Genus Species Location Time Material Notes Images
Amphiperatherium A. bourdellense[12] Le Bretou Locality Oligocene
A. lamandini[12]
A. minutum
Peratherium P. bretouense[12]
P. cayluxi[12]
P. lavergnense[12]
P. perrierense[12]
Perissodactyls
Genus Species Location Time Material Images
Pachynolophus P. bretovense[13]
Primates
Genus Species Location Time Material Images
Cryptadapis C. tertius[12] An adapiform primate.
Proeutheria
Genus Species Location Time Material Notes Images
Pseudorhyncocyon P. cayluxi[12]
Rodents
Genus Species Location Time Material Notes Images
Archaeomys A. intermedius[13] Pech du Fraysse Oligocene A theridomyidae rodent
A. quercyi[13] Oligocene
Bernardia B. marandati[13]
Blainvillimys B. gemellus[13]
B. gousnatensis[13]
B. langei[13][34]
B. rotundidens[35]
Elfomys E. medius[13]
Eomys E. gigas[13] Pech du Fraysse Locality Late Oligocene A specimen An eomyidae rodent
E. minus[13] Pech du Fraysse Locality A specimen
E. quercyi[13] Pech du Fraysse Locality A specimen
E. quercyi
Eucricetodon E. atavus[34]
E. quercyi[13]
Gliravus G. garouillensis[13]
G. itardiensis[13]
Issiodoromys I. limognensis[13]
I. pauffiensis[13][34]
Palaeosciurus P. goti[13][34]
Paradelomys Paradelomys spelaeus[13]
Patriotheridcmys P. altus[13]
P. altus neboulensis[13]
P. sudrei[13]
Pseudoltinomys P. gaillardi[34]
P. major[13]
P. phosphoricus[13]
Sciuromys S. cayluxi[36]
S. rigali[13]
Tarnomys T. quercynus[13]
Theridomys T. ludensis[13]

Birds

Genus Species Location Time Material Note Images
Ameghinornis A. sp.[12]
Euronyctibius E. kurochkini[37] Phosphorites du Quercy Eocene A right humerus An early nightjar
Horusornis H. vianeyliaudae[12] La Bouffie Locality Eocene A specimen An early accipitriformes
Dynamopterus D. velox[12] Near Caylus Oligocene Almost complete right humerus An extinct cuckoo bird, synonymous with Dynamopterus velox
Itardiornis I. hessae[12]
Leptoganga L. sp.[12]
Necrobyas N. minimus[12]
Nocturnavis N. sp.[12]
Palaeoglaux P. perrierensis[12] An early owl
Palaeotodus P. escampsiensis[12]
P. itardiensis[12]
Paleseyvus P. escampensis[12]
Primocolius P. sigei[12]
P. minor[12]
Quercymegapodius Q. brodkorbi[12]
Quercypodargus Q. olsoni[37]
Quercypsitta Q. ivani[12]
Q. sudrei[12]
Recurvirostra R. sanctaeneboulae[12]
Sylphornis S. bretouensis[12]
Ventivorus V. ragei[12] Le Bertou Locality An early nightjar

Reptiles

Crocodiles
Genus Species Location Time Material Notes Images
Alligator A. gaudryi[38]
Lizards
Genus Species Location Time Material Notes Images
Ayalasaurus A. tenuis[39]
Bauersaurus B. cosensis[40] Cos Locality Uppermost Early Eocene The upper maxilla) and lower jaw fragments. A pan-gekkotan lizard.
Brevisaurus B. smithi[39]
Cadurciguana C. hoffstetteri[12]
Cadurcogekko C. piveteaui[39]
Cadurcopanoplos C. vaylatsensis[41] La Bouffie locality Late Eocene Two holotypes consist of a single incomplete frontal bone and a partial right mandible. A Glyptosaurinae anguid.
Dracaenosaurus D. croizeti[39]
Eurheloderma E. gallicum[39]
Geiseltaliellus G. lamandini[39]
Mediolacerta M. roceki[39]
Necrosaurus N. cayluxi[39]
N. eucarinatus[39]
Omoiotyphlops O. priscus[39]
Paraplacosauriops P. quercyi[39]
Phosphoriguana P. peritechne[41] La Bouffie Locality Late Eocene A single partial lower jaw A probable member of pleurodonta
Placosaurus P. rugosus[39]
P. sp.[39]
Plesiolacerta P. lydekkeri[39]
Pseudeumeces P. cadurcensis[39]
Pseudolacerta P. mucronata[39]
P. quercyini[39]
Quercycerta Q. maxima[39]
Quercygama Q. galliae[39]
Uromastyx U. europaeus[39]
Snakes
Genus Species Location Time Material Notes Images
Cadurcoboa C. insolita[12]
Coluber C. cadurci[12]
Dunnophis D. cadurcensis[12]
Eoanilius E. europae[12]
Natrix N. mlynarskii[12][42]
Palaeopython P. cadurcensis[38]
P. filholi[38]
P. neglectus[38]
Paleryx P. cayluxi[38]
Platyspondylia P. lepta[12]
Plesiotortrix P. edwardsi[38]
Turtles
Genus Species Location Time Material Notes Images
Ptychogaster P. cayluxensis[43]
Testudinidae indeterminate [43]
Testudo T. phosphoritarum[38]

Amphibians

Frogs
Genus Species Location Time Material Notes Images
Bufo B. serratus[38] Phosphorites du Quercy Eocene A specimen An early true toad.
Thaumastosaurus T. bottii[38] Phosphorites du Quercy Eocene A specimen An early Pyxicephalinae frog
T. gezei[3] Phosphorites du Quercy Eocene A mummified preserved skeleton
Salamanders
Genus Species Location Time Material Notes Images
Heteroclitotriton H. zitteli[38] Phosphorites du Quercy locality Late Eocene A specimen An early salamander
Megalotriton M. filholi[38] Phosphorites du Quercy locality Late Eocene A specimen An extinct salamander
M. portisi[38] A specimen
Phosphotriton P. sigei[44] Phosphorites du Quercy locality Late Eocene A mummified skeleton. A frog-eating salamander.
Exceptional preservation of nerves, digestive tract and stomachal content in the frog-eating salamander Phosphotriton sigei

Insects

Blattodea
Family Genus Species Location Age Notes Images

Various cockroaches[45]

Diptera
Family Genus Species Location Age Notes Images

Various flies[45]

Coleoptera
Family Genus Species Location Age Notes Images

Histeridae

†Onthophilus

†O. intermedius[45]

A clown beetle

Various beetles[45]

Hymenoptera
Family Genus Species Location Age Notes Images
Diapriidae

†Coptera

†C. anka[46]

Near Bach

Paleogene

An early Diapriinae wasp

†Palaeortona

†P. quercyensis[46]

Near Bach

Paleogene

An early Diapriinae wasp

†Xenomorphia

†X. handschini[46]

Near Bach

Paleogene

An early Diapriinae wasp

†X. resurrecta[9]

Near Bach

Paleogene

An early Diapriinae wasp

Various wasps/ants/bees[45]

Lepidoptera
Family Genus Species Location Age Notes Images

Various butterflies/moths[45]

Orthoptera
Family Genus Species Location Age Notes Images

Various ensiferan grasshoppers/katydids[45]

Myriapoda

Family Genus Species Location Age Notes Images

Various centipedes and millipedes[45]

Flora

Family Genus Species Location Age Notes Images

Anacardiaceae

Indeterminate[47]

Indeterminate[47]

Indeterinate anacardiaceous fossils

Arecaceae

Palmocaulon[48]

Palmocaulon sp.[48]

A palm tree relative

Malvaceae

Indeterminate[49]

Indeterminate[49]

indeterminate malvaceous fossils

Menispermaceae

Indeterminate[49]

Indeterminate[49]

Indeterminate menispermaceous fossils

Sapotaceae

Indeterminate[49]

Indeterminate[49]

Indeterminate sapotaceous fossils

Ulmaceae

Indeterminate[49]

Indeterminate[49]

Indeterminate ulmaceous fossils

Vitaceae

Indeterminate[47]

Indeterminate[47]

Indeterminate vitaceous fossils

Indeterminate

Indeterminate[49]

Indeterminate[49]

Indeterminate caryophyllalean fossils

References

  1. ^ a b Quercy Phosphorites Formation at Fossilworks.org
  2. ^ a b Phosphorites du Quercy Formation at Fossilworks.org
  3. ^ a b Laloy et al., 2013
  4. ^ Legendre et al., 1997, p.331
  5. ^ a b Legendre et al., 1997, p.332
  6. ^ Astruc & Pellissié, 1988, p.8
  7. ^ Legendre et al., 1997, p.333
  8. ^ Tissier et al., 2017, p.6
  9. ^ a b Van de Kamp et al., 2018, p.2
  10. ^ Vasilyan, 2018, p.19
  11. ^ Van de Kamp et al., 2018, p.12
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf Legendre et al., 1997, p.334
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak Legendre et al., 1997, p.335
  14. ^ Sudre, 1984
  15. ^ a b Mennecart & Métais, 2015
  16. ^ a b Blondel, 2005
  17. ^ Bonis et al., 2019, p.603
  18. ^ Bonis et al., 2019, p.612
  19. ^ a b c Peigné, 2003
  20. ^ a b Bonis et al., 2019, p.616
  21. ^ a b Peigné & Brunet, 2001
  22. ^ a b c Bonis et al., 2019, p.618
  23. ^ Peigné, 2000
  24. ^ Peigné, 2001
  25. ^ a b Bonis et al., 2019, p.614
  26. ^ a b Bonis et al., 2019, p.610
  27. ^ Bonis et al., 2019, p.604
  28. ^ Bonis et al., 2019, p.608
  29. ^ Bonis et al., 2019, p.615
  30. ^ Bonis et al., 2019, p.611
  31. ^ Hooker, 2018, p.236
  32. ^ Lavrov, 2007
  33. ^ Hugueney & Maridet, 2017
  34. ^ a b c d e Ginot et al., 2016, p.7
  35. ^ Hartenberger & Vianey-Liaud, 1978
  36. ^ Vianey-Liaud & Schmid, 2009
  37. ^ a b Mourer-Chauviré, 1989
  38. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Rage, 2006
  39. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Augé, 2005
  40. ^ Čerňanský, A.; Daza, J. D.; Tabuce, R.; Saxton, E.; Vidalenc, D. (2023). "An early Eocene pan-gekkotan from France could represent an extra squamate group that survived the K/Pg extinction". Acta Palaeontologica Polonica. 68 (4): 695–708. doi:10.4202/app.01083.2023.
  41. ^ a b Lemierre, Alfred; Georgalis, Georgios L. (2025). "Diversity in a greenhouse world: Herpetofauna from the late Eocene (MP 17A) of la Bouffie, Quercy Phosphorites (Lot, SW France)". Swiss Journal of Palaeontology. 144 40. doi:10.1186/s13358-025-00370-9.
  42. ^ Rage, 1988
  43. ^ a b Broin, 1977
  44. ^ Tissier et al., 2016
  45. ^ a b c d e f g h Schmied et al., 2013, p.145
  46. ^ a b c Van de Kamp et al., 2018, p.4
  47. ^ a b c d De Franceschi et al., 2006, p.100
  48. ^ a b De Franceschi et al., 2006, p.99
  49. ^ a b c d e f g h i j De Franceschi et al., 2006, p.101

Bibliography

Map reports
  • Astruc, J.G.; Pellissié, T. (1988), Notice explicative de la feuille Cahors 1:50,000 (PDF), BRGM, pp. 1–39, retrieved 2020-09-13
Paleontology

Further reading

Media related to Quercy Phosphorites Formation at Wikimedia Commons

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