The Birket Qarun Formation is an Eocene aged formation in Egypt. It is part of the famous Wadi al Hitan. Notable fossils include the ancient whales Basilosaurus and Dorudon as well as sirenians Eotheroides and Eosiren. It also contains the teeth of various sharks and reptiles. The area was likely a mix of both marine and freshwater area with many freshwater deposits being found alongside a marine influence from the Tethys Sea. Fossils here also preserve a shallow marine nursery for the whale Dorudon and it seems that this area would have also been the site of active predation from Basilosaurus as it attacked the newly born Dorudon calves.
Paleobiota
Molluscs Several supposed rizholiths and rizhomes have been re-interpreted as burrows made by burrowing bivalves. GenusSpeciesMemberLocalityMaterialNotesImagesAmaea (Acrila) niloaticaTemple MemberGebel Gehannam ShellsA WentletrapAcanthocardia (Schedocardia)gehannamensisTemple MemberGebel Gehannam ShellsA CarditidCaroliaplacunoidesTemple MemberGebel Gehannam ShellsA ScallopClaibornicardiapharaonumTemple MemberGaret GehannamShellsA CarditidCubitostreamulticostataTemple MemberGebel Gehannam ShellsAn OysterOstreareili, fraasi, roncana Temple MemberGebel Gehannam ShellsAn OysterTurritella (Torquesia)pharaonicaTemple MemberGebel Gehannam ShellsA Turritellidae
Actinopterygians GenusSpeciesMemberLocalityMaterialNotesImagesGymnarchussp.Umm Rigl MemberBirket QarunIsolated remainsA Mormyridae elephantfishHydrocynussp.Umm Rigl MemberBirket QarunIsolated remainsAn AlestidQarmoutushitanensisUmm Rigl MemberBirket QarunIsolated remainsA sea catfishMochokidaeindeterminateUmm Rigl MemberBirket QarunIsolated remainsCatfishPerciformesindeterminateUmm Rigl MemberBirket QarunIsolated remainsPerchPolypterussp.Umm Rigl MemberBirket QarunIsolated remainsA Bichir
Dipnomorphs GenusSpeciesMemberLocalityMaterialNotesImagesProtopteruselongusUmm Rigl MemberBirket QarunIsolated tooth platesA Protopterid
Chondrichthyes GenusSpeciesMemberLocalityMaterialNotesImagesAbdouniasp.Temple MemberWadi HitanTeethA Requiem sharkAetobatussp.Temple MemberWadi HitanTeethA StingrayAlopiassp.Temple MemberWadi HitanTeethA Thresher sharkAnoxypristismucrodens, sp.Temple MemberWadi HitanTeethA SawfishBrachycarchariascf. twiggsensisTemple MemberWadi HitanTeethA Sand tiger sharkBurnhamiasp.Temple MemberWadi HitanTeethA MobulidCarchariasaff. twiggsensis, sp.Temple MemberWadi HitanTeethA Sand sharkCarcharhinussp.Temple MemberWadi HitanTeethA Requiem sharkChiloscylliumsp.Temple MemberWadi HitanTeethA Carpet sharkCoupateziawousteri, attiai, sp.Temple MemberWadi HitanTeethA StingrayCrassescyliorhinussp.Temple MemberWadi HitanTeethA ScyliorhinidDasyatidaeIndeterminateTemple MemberWadi HitanTeethA Whiptail stingrayEoplinthicussp.Temple MemberWadi HitanTeethAn Eagle rayGaleocerdosp.Temple MemberWadi HitanTeethA Tiger sharkGymnurasp.Temple MemberWadi HitanTeethA StingrayHemipristissp.Temple MemberWadi HitanTeethA HemigaleidHexanchussp.Temple MemberWadi HitanTeethA Sixgill sharkHimanturasp.Temple MemberWadi HitanTeethA StingrayLeptochariassp.Temple MemberWadi HitanTeethA HemigaleidLophobatissp.Temple MemberWadi HitanTeethAn Eagle rayMacrorhizoduspraecursorTemple MemberWadi HitanTeethA LamnidMegascyliorhinussp.Temple MemberWadi HitanTeethA ScyliorhinidMoerigaleusvitreodonTemple MemberWadi HitanTeethA HemigaleidMyliobatissp.Temple MemberWadi HitanTeethAn Eagle rayNarcinesp.Temple MemberWadi HitanTeethA NumbfishNebriussp.Temple MemberWadi HitanTeethA Nurse sharkNeotrygonsp.Temple MemberWadi HitanTeethA Whiptail stingrayNegaprionfrequens, amekiensis, sp.Temple MemberWadi HitanTeethA Lemon sharkOdontorhytisaff. pappenheimi Temple MemberWadi HitanTeethIndet. elasmobranchOtodussokolovi Temple MemberWadi HitanTeethAn OtodontidOulediasp.Temple MemberWadi HitanTeethA StingrayPastinachussp.Temple MemberWadi HitanTeethA Whiptail stingrayPhysogaleussp.Temple MemberWadi HitanTeethA Requiem sharkPlatyrhinasp.Temple MemberWadi HitanTeethA GuitarfishPlatyrhinoidissp.Temple MemberWadi HitanTeethA GuitarfishPropristisschweinfurthi, lathami, sp. Temple MemberWadi HitanTeethA SawfishRhinopterasp.Temple MemberWadi HitanTeethA Cownose rayRhizoprionodonsp.Temple MemberWadi HitanTeethA Sharpnose sharkRhynchobatussp.Temple MemberWadi HitanTeethA WedgefishSquatinasp.Temple MemberWadi HitanTeethAn AngelsharkStegostomasp.Temple MemberWadi HitanTeethA Zebra sharkScyliorhinidaeIndeterminateTemple MemberWadi HitanTeethA ScyliorhinidTorpedosp.Temple MemberWadi HitanTeethA TorpedinidTriakidaeIndeterminateTemple MemberWadi HitanTeethA HoundsharkTriakissp.Temple MemberWadi HitanTeethA Houndshark
Crocodylomorphs GenusSpeciesMemberLocalityMaterialNotesImagesCrocodyliformesindeterminateUmm Rigl MemberBirket QarunDPC 24618 and 21120Indeterminate Crocodrile materialGavialoideaindeterminateUmm Rigl MemberBirket QarunDPC 24708 and 24343Indeterminate Crocodrile materialSebecosuchiaindeterminateUmm Rigl MemberBirket QarunDPC 20814Indeterminate Ziphosuchian materialEogavialisafricanumTemple MemberBirket-el-QurunCGM 9350 - type (skull)A Tomistomine
Testudines GenusSpeciesMemberLocalityMaterialNotesImagesCordichelysantiqua, sp.Temple MemberWadi HitanA partial skull, mostly complete shell, and partial pelves; UMMP 97531, a mostly complete, well-preserved lower jawA Podocnemididae sideneck turtleDacquemyspaleomorphaTemple MemberDimehSMNS 12645A Podocnemididae sideneck turtle
Squamates GenusSpeciesMemberLocalityMaterialNotesImagesAmphisbaenia indeterminateUmm Rigl MemberBirket QarunMUVP 453, an isolated presacral vertebraIndeterminate legless squamateBooid "taxon A", "taxon B"Umm Rigl MemberBirket Qarun1 left maxilla (DPC 21241), 3 anterior trunk vertebrae (DPC 25605, 25643, and 25655), 17 mid-trunk vertebrae (DPC 25603, 25606, 25613, 25618, 25619, 25628, 25635, 25642, 25644 to 25646, 25649, 25660, 25670, 25671, 25684, and 25690), 4 posterior trunk vertebrae (DPC 25623, 25673, 25685, and 25686); 7 mid-trunk vertebrae (DPC 25610, 25614, 25615, 25629, 25639, 25651, and 25652), 5 posterior trunk vertebrae (DPC 25621, 25622, 25638, 25662, and 25672)Indeterminate boa materialCaenophidiaindeterminateUmm Rigl MemberBirket Qarun1 "badly eroded partial vertebra" (DPC 25679)Indeterminate snake materialGigantophisgarstiniUmm Rigl MemberBirket Qarun1 "giant" mid-trunk vertebra (DPC 25616), 1 "large" juvenile mid-trunk vertebra (DPC 25641)A giant madtsoiid snakeProcerophissp.Umm Rigl MemberBirket QarunMUVP 454, an isolated mid- trunk vertebraIndeterminate legless squamatePterosphenusschweinfurthiUmm Rigl MemberBirket Qarun5 anterior trunk vertebrae (DPC 21270, 21287, 24291, 25666, and 25667), 4 mid-trunk vertebrae (DPC 25607, 25630, 25668, and 25680)A Palaeophiidae sea snakeRenenutetenmerwer, sp.Umm Rigl MemberBirket Qarunholotype: GCM 83731, a mid-trunk vertebra; paratypes: DPC 25657, a mid-trunk vertebra, and DPC 25627, a posterior trunk vertebra; referred specimens: 7 mid-trunk vertebrae (DPC 25609, 25611, 25633, 25640, 25656, 25657, and 25687), 2 posterior trunk vertebrae (DPC 25602 and 25608); MUVP 455, mid-trunk vertebra (4.1 mm centrum length); MUVP 457, MUVP 458, MUVP 459, anterior caudal vertebrae (5.1 mm centrum length and 4.9 mm height of the neural arch and spine); MUVP 460, posterior caudal vertebra (2 mm centrum length).A Colubroidea snakeRussellophiid indeterminateUmm Rigl MemberBirket Qarun1 single mid-trunk vertebra (DPC 25663)Indeterminate snake materialTropidophiid indeterminateUmm Rigl MemberBirket Qarun1 anterior trunk vertebra (DPC 25650), 3 mid-trunk vertebrae (DPC 25634, 25654, and 25664), 2 caudal vertebrae (DPC 25674 and 25692)Indeterminate dwarf boa materialSerpentesindeterminateUmm Rigl MemberBirket QarunDPC 25620, 25661, 25665 (Pterosphenus or Gigantophis?), 25677, 25678, 25689, 25691, 25693, and 2694, incomplete and/or strongly eroded vertebraeIndeterminate snake materialVaranus sp.Umm Rigl MemberBirket QarunVertebrae: DPC 21355, one cervical, two trunk and two caudal; 21442, one caudal; 23257, two trunk and two caudal; 23258, four caudals; 23778, caudalA Monitor lizard
Birds GenusSpeciesMemberLocalityMaterialNotesImagesEopelecanusaegyptiacusTemple MemberGaret GehannamMUVP 505, a limb element (right tibiotarsus)An early species of pelican
Afrotheres GenusSpeciesMemberLocalityMaterialNotesImagesBarytheriumgraveTemple MemberBirket QarunPartial mandible and isolated teethA member of BarytheriidaeDilambdogalegheerbrantiUmm Rigl Member Birket QarunCGM 66005 - holotype; referred material: DPC 23306E, 23307A, 23007H, 23736A, 23780C, 23784D, 23983C, 24001A, 24081B, 24103A and DPC 24108AA TenrecomorphDimaitheriumpatnaikiUmm Rigl Member Birket QarunHolotype: CGM 42206, partial left mandibleA HyracoideanEosirenlibyca, stromeriTemple MemberBirket Qarun; Wadi al HitanMultiple articulated & isolated remainsA member of DugongidaeEotheroidesclavigerum, sandersiTemple MemberBirket Qarun; Wadi al HitanMultiple articulated & isolated remainsA member of DugongidaeMoeritheriumlyonsiTemple MemberBirket QarunPartial mandible and isolated teethA member of Moeritheriidae
Marsupials GenusSpeciesMemberLocalityMaterialNotesImagesGhamidtheriumdimaiensisUmm Rigl Member Birket QarunGM 83699, a right dentary fragment including 2-3, and alveoli for M4 and one tooth anterior to M2A possible Didelphimorphian
Rodents GenusSpeciesMemberLocalityMaterialNotesImagesKabirmysqarunensis Umm Rigl Member Birket QarunIsolated teeth, partial mandibles, and an edentulous partial maxillaA Nementchamyidae rodentProtophiomys aegyptensis, attiaiUmm Rigl Member Birket QarunCGM 83695 - holotype; CGM 83690; referred material: DPC specimensA Hystricognathi rodentShazurusminutusUmm Rigl Member Birket QarunCGM 83701, a left Molar; referred 15 teethA member of Anomalure
Bats GenusSpeciesMemberLocalityMaterialNotesImagesAegyptonycterisknightaeUmm Rigl Member Birket QarunCGM 83740, fragment of right maxilla with M2 and M3; only known specimenA member of AegyptonycteridaeQarunycterismoerisaeUmm Rigl Member Birket QarunCGM 83671, a tooth (right [upper] M2)A member of RhinopomatidaeWitwatiaschlosseri, eremicusUmm Rigl Member Birket QarunGM 83668, left dentary with c1–m3; CGM 83669, left M1 or M2A member of Philisidae
Primates GenusSpeciesMemberLocalityMaterialNotesImagesAfradapislongicristatusUmm Rigl Member Birket QarunCGM 83690, partial left mandible preserving P4–M3 and masseteric fossaA member of CaenopithecinaeBiretiafayumensis, megalopsisUmm Rigl Member Birket QarunCGM 83658, mandible with m2 and m3; CGM 83661, partial mandible with m2 and m3A Parapithecidae monkeyKaranisiaclarkiUmm Rigl Member Birket QarunCGM 40265, left mandible preserving M1 to M3A possible member of LorisidaeMasradapistahaiUmm Rigl Member Birket QarunMandibular, maxillary fragments and isolated teethA member of CaenopithecinaeNosmipsaenigmaticusUmm Rigl Member Birket QarunCGM 66002 - holotypeA primate of uncertain affinitesSaharagalagomisrensisUmm Rigl Member Birket QarunCGM 40266, a left M1A member of Galagidae
Cetaceans GenusSpeciesMemberLocalityMaterialNotesImagesAncalecetussimonsiTemple MemberWadi HitanCGM 42290, a partial skeletonA Basilosauridae cetaceanBasilosaurusisis, cetoidesAll MembersDimeh SW; Birket Qarun; Garet el Naqb; Birket-el-Qurun; Garet Gehannam; Wadi HitanMultiple articulated & isolated remainsA Basilosauridae cetaceanDorudonatroxAll MembersEl Kenissa; Geziret el-Qarn; Qasr Qarun; Birket-el-Qurun; Wadi HitanMultiple articulated & isolated remainsA Basilosauridae cetaceanMasracetusmarkgrafiTemple MemberDimehSMNS 11414, a set of vertebrae (lumbar vertebrae); the associated skull is cataloged as SMNS 11413A Basilosauridae cetacean
Plants Isolated Dicotyledon woods are known. Unidentified large woody roots are known. GenusSpeciesMemberLocalityMaterialNotesImagesAvicennia?marina?Middle Member Minqar El-Hut Sandouk El-Borneta Wadi HitanType-1 rhizolithsMangrove plant (Avicenniaceae)Cymodoceasp.Temple MemberQasr Qarun Foliar remains