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Turonian Rudist Facies from Abu Roash area, North Western Desert, Egypt

Article  in  Journal of African Earth Sciences · March 2011

DOI: 10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2011.01.008

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 Journal of African Earth Sciences 59 (2011) 359–372

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Turonian Rudist Facies from Abu Roash area, North Western Desert, Egypt
G.I. Abdel-Gawad, S.G. Saber ⇑, S.H. El Shazly, Y.F. Salama
Geology Department, Beni Suef University, Beni Suef, Egypt

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: Five radiolitid rudist species are described from the Turonian sequence of Abu Roash area. They are rec-
Received 6 June 2010 ognized in three rudist biostromes that occur in two informal members of Abu Roash Formation; the
Received in revised form 28 December 2010 Rudist- and the Actaeonella-bearing limestone–marl members. The three biostromes show autochtho-
Accepted 7 January 2011
nous and parautochthonous fabrics and moderate to high packing potential. The first rudist biostrome
Available online 18 January 2011
at the base of the Rudist-bearing limestone–marl member (Middle Turonian) contains Durania gaensis,
Praeradiolites ponsianus and Bournonia fourtaui. The second biostrome in the same member consists of
Keywords:
Bournonia roashensis. The third biostrome that recognized in the Actaeonella-bearing limestone–marl
Abu Roash
Egypt
member (Late Turonian) consists of Durania arnaudi. Rudist biostromes in the Rudist-bearing lime-
Rudist stone–marl member were deposited on subtidal rudist shoals with moderate to high energy versus that
Systematic paleontology of the Actaeonella-bearing limestone–marl member that deposited in low to moderate energy on deeper
Facies part of subtidal rudist shoals. The exposed Turonian succession at Abu Roash area could be divided into
Turonian three depositional sequences bounded by three sequence boundaries (paleosols and angular unconfor-
mity).
The first rudist biostrome in the Rudist-bearing limestone–marl member represents the lower part of
the transgressive systems tract of the first depositional sequence. The deepening upward trend of the
transgressive systems tract is due to increase of accommodation space in transgressive context during
relative sea-level rise episode. On the other hand, the second rudist biostrome in the Rudist-bearing lime-
stone–marl member and the third rudist biostrome in the Actaeonella-bearing limestone–marl member
are in shallowing-upward set sequence forming the highstand systems tract of the first and third depo-
sitional sequences. This indicates that, the accommodation space was being filled more rapidly than was
being created during the highstand stage.
Ó 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction (Turonian–Coniacian) and the Khoman Chalk (Campanian–Maas-

Abu Roash area ‘‘8 km northwest of the Giza pyramids, Giza,
Egypt’’ lies between Lat. 29°580 and 30°30 N and Long. 30°590 and
31°50 E. This area has been studied for many years from Beadnell
(1902) to El-Hedeny (2007). Some of these studies focused on
the rudists (Fourtau, 1903; Dacqué, 1903; Douvillé, 1910, 1913;
Hamza, 1993; De Castro and Sirna, 1996; El-Sabbagh and El-Hede-
ny, 2003; Mansour, 2004; El-Hedeny, 2007). However many
authors studied the stratigraphy of the Abu Roash area, the strati-
graphic position and classification of the Upper Cretaceous succes-
sion is still a matter of debate. Some authors subdivided the
Cretaceous succession from base to top into the Sandstone Series,
Rudist Series, Limestone Series, Actaeonella Series, Flint Series, Pli-
catula Series and Chalk (Beadnell, 1902; Faris, 1948; Jux, 1954; Os-
man, 1954; Said, 1962; Hataba and Ammar, 1990; Hamza, 1993).
Others have formally divided the Upper Cretaceous succession of
Abu Roash area into two rock units: the Abu Roash Formation
⇑ Corresponding author. Tel.: +20 126096643.
E-mail address: shabansaber@yahoo.com (S.G. Saber).
trichtian) (Barakat et al., 1987; Abdel Khalek et al., 1989; Abu
Khadrah et al., 2005). Abu Khadrah et al. (2005) subdivided the
Abu Roash Formation into six informal members from base to
top: the Basal clastic member, the Rudist-bearing limestone–marl
member, the Limestone member, the Actaeonella-bearing lime-
stone–marl member, and the Flint-bearing chalky limestone mem-
ber of Turonian age, and the Plicatula-bearing marl–limestone
member of Coniacian age (Figs. 1 and 2).
The ages of the members of the Abu Roash Formation are dis-
puted. The basal clastic member of Abu Roash Formation or the
Sandstone ‘‘Series’’ is assigned to the Albian by Hassan and Abdel
Gawad (1995) or the Aptian by Hewaidy et al. (1998) or to the
Cenomanian by Faris (1948), Jux (1954) and Osman (1954), or to
the Turonian (Hataba and Ammar, 1990; Abu Khadrah et al.,
2005). The age of the overlying Rudist-bearing limestone–marl
member (the Rudist ‘‘Series’’) is considered to be Cenomanian in
age (Beadnell, 1902; Faris, 1948; Jux, 1954; Osman, 1954;
El-Hedeny, 2007) or Turonian in age (Said and Kenawy, 1957; Said,
1962; Hataba and Ammar, 1990; Abu Khadrah et al., 2005). On the
other hand, many authors agree with the Turonian age for the

1464-343X/$ - see front matter Ó 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2011.01.008
360 G.I. Abdel-Gawad et al. / Journal of African Earth Sciences 59 (2011) 359–372
Fig. 1. Geological map of Abu Roash area (after, Abu Khadrah et al., 2005).
Actaeonella-bearing limestone–marl member (the Actaeonella
‘‘Series’’), although Hataba and Ammar (1990) and De Castro and
Sirna (1996) considered this unit to be of Coniacian age.
In this paper we follow Abu Khadrah et al. (2005) in assigning
the Abu Roash succession from the Basal clastic member (Sand-
stone ‘‘Series’’) to the Flinty-bearing chalky limestone member
(Flint ‘‘Series’’) in the Abu Roash area to the Turonian age (Fig. 1).
The studied succession is correlated with the Turonian Wata For-
mation in Sinai and the western side of the Gulf of Suez (Saber
et al., 2009).
The high abundance of rudist-rich carbonate during Turonian
age at Abu Roash area could be attributed to the global changes
of environmental conditions with oceanic realm. This is consistent
with the global fluctuation in physical and chemical characters of
the oceanic water during Middle–Late Cretaceous time as de-
scribed by (Carannante et al., 2008).
The main target of this work is the study of the rudist taxonomy
and associated facies of the Rudist-bearing limestone–marl and the
Actaeonella-bearing limestone–marl members.
2. Geologic setting of Abu Roash area
Abu Roash area is a part of the Syrian Arc Fold Belt that extends
from northern Egypt to Syria passing through the Negev. It is con-
sidered to be an intraplate orogen formed by inversion of an older
half graben system due to the collision of the African, Arabian and
Eurasian plates in the time from Late Cretaceous (Late Turonian/
Coniacian) to Early Paleogene (Moustafa and Khalil, 1990; Ayyad
and Darwish, 1996; Lüning et al., 1998a,b).
The age of the exposed sedimentary record in Abu Roash area
ranges from Upper Cretaceous (Turonian to Maastrichtian) to Oli-
gocene. Lower Miocene and Pliocene sediments are also recorded
with limited occurrences. Eight unconformities are detected and
described in the view of sequence stratigraphy within the Upper
Cretaceous to Pliocene succession exposed in Abu Roash area (Ab-
del-Gawad and Saber, 2001). The Intra-Cretaceous unconformities
are related to the uplifting and the tectonic inversion of the Abu
Roash Basin (Syrian Arc folding) during Early Senonian. This inver-
sion continued mildly during Late Senonian and Early Tertiary
(Velascoensis Event of Strougo, 1986). During this time interval
the global eustatic signals overprinted by Syrian Arc tectonics par-
ticularly in northern Egypt.
3. Stratigraphic setting of Abu Roash rudists
The Abu Roash rudist assemblages are present in three biostro-
mes in the Abu Roash Formation (Fig. 2). These assemblages repre-
sent the platform paleocommunity recovery following the
environmental stress on shelf communities resulting from global
Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 (OAE 2) (Scott, 1995, 2003). The first and
second biostromes are present in the Rudist-bearing limestone–
marl member. The first rudist biostrome is about 50 cm thick and
has three rudist species; Durania gaensis (Dacqué, 1903), Praeradi-
olites ponsianus (ďArchiac, 1835), and Bournonia fourtaui Douvillé,
1910 (Fig. 2). The majority of the rudist right (lower) valves are
preserved in life position, but some individuals and clusters are
disoriented and were deposited not far from the original biotope.
They are bounded by oolitic chalky limestone and underlain by
sandy oolitic limestone with cross-bedding stratifications and
 G.I. Abdel-Gawad et al. / Journal of African Earth Sciences 59 (2011) 359–372 361

Fig. 2. Composite section of the Abu Roash Formation at Abu Roash area.

erosive surfaces. The first biostrome is overlain by chalky lime-
stone bearing Cyphosoma abbatei Gauthier, 1853 of Middle Turo-
nian age.
The second biostrome contains two rudist beds in a matrix of
oolitic limestone and intercalated with bioturbated limestone beds
(wackestone and mudstone). The total thickness of this succession
is 2 m. This horizon contains right valves of Bournonia roashensis
(d’Orbigny, 1842) in an upright growth position (Fig. 2). This bios-
trome is overlain by limestone bed that is punctuated by a paleosol
horizon of mottled, ferruginous sandstone with rootlets and
rhyzocretions.
The third rudist biostrome (Fig. 2) varies in thickness from 5 to
12 m and exists in the middle part of the Actaeonella-bearing lime-
stone–marl member at El-Hassana Dome. This biostrome yields
well preserved, complete and long cylindrical right valves of
Durania arnaudi (Choffat, 1891). Rudists are developed in one or
two levels with sharp and locally erosive basal surfaces. These
levels alternated with bioturbated limestones and underlain by
362 G.I. Abdel-Gawad et al. / Journal of African Earth Sciences 59 (2011) 359–372

bioturbated chalky limestones with abundance of Trochactaeon sal-
amonis Fraas and subordinate occurrences of Nerinea requieniana
d’Orbigny, 1842 and Millestroma nicholsoni Gregory, 1889. The
biostrome is capped by cross-bedded calcarenites. Rudists in the
lower level of this biostrome are associated with the coralline
sponge Millestroma nicholsoni Gregory, 1889. Southeast of El-Has-
sana Dome the rudists are completely replaced by coralline
sponges. The Durania arnaudi (Choffat, 1891) shells are in erect life
position, or are toppled and locally oriented, but rarely reworked.
The Actaeonella-bearing limestone–marl member and the overly-
ing Flint-bearing chalky limestone member are of Late Turonian
age. They are correlated with the Late Turonian succession in Sinai
based on the faunal content (Nerinea requieniana, Trochactaeon
salamonis, Durania arnaudi and Millestroma nicholsoni) which are
associated with the Late Turonian Coilopoceras requienianum that
is reported in northern Sinai (Saber et al., 2009).
4. Systematic paleontology
Five rudist species belonging to three genera have been identi-
fied from the Turonian Rudist-bearing limestone–marl and Actae-
onella-bearing limestone–marl members at Abu Roash area.
Class Bivalvia Linné, 1758
Subclass Heterodonta Neumayr, 1884
Order Hippuritoida Newell, 1965

Fig. 3. (A–C) Praeradiolites ponsianus, from the first biostrome of Rudist-bearing limestone–marl member; (A) right valve, posteroventral aspect showing folds of the lamellae
in the radial bands; (B–C) right valves, dorsal aspect with concentric lamellae ornamented by fine ribs; (D–F) Bournonia fourtaui, from the first biostrome of Rudist-bearing
limestone–marl member; (D) right valve, dorsal aspect showing the concentric lamellae; (E) adapical view of the right valve showing the prominent radial bands; (F) adapical
view, cross-section of the right valve showing the rectangular cellular structure of the outer layer and the radial bands at right; (G–J) Bournonia roashensis, from the second
biostrome of Rudist-bearing limestone–marl member; (G) right valve, adapical view; (H) ventral aspect of the same valve showing the two prominent radial bands; (I) dorsal
view of the right valve ornamented with radial ribs; (J) transverse cross-section of the right valve showing the characteristic two prominent radial bands and rectangular
cellular structures.
 G.I. Abdel-Gawad et al. / Journal of African Earth Sciences 59 (2011) 359–372
Family Radiolitidae de Orbigny, 1847
Genus Praeradiolites Douvillé, 1902
Type species Radiolites fleuriaui d’Orbigny, 1842
Praeradiolites ponsianus (ďArchiac, 1835)
(Fig. 3A–C)
1835 Sphaerulites ponsiana ďArchiac, p. 182, pl. 11, Figs. 6a–g.
1848 Radiolites ponsiana ďArchiac; d’Orbigny, p. 210, pl. 552.
1910 Praeradiolites ponsianus ďArchiac, var. egyptiaca; Douvillé,
p. 48, pl. 3, Figs. 6a–b and 7.
1912 Praeradiolites ponsianus (ďArchiac); Pervinquière, p. 308.
1913 Praeradiolites ponsianus ďArchiac. race aegyptiaca; Douv-
illé, p. 248, pl. 2, Figs. 1–2.
1917 Praeradiolites ponsianus ďArchiac; Fourtau, p. 99.
1995 Praeradiolites ponsianus (ďArchiac); Cestari and Sartorio, p.
127.
1999 Praeradiolites ponsianus (ďArchiac); Steuber, p. 91–92, pl.
12, Fig. 2 (with synonymy).
2004a Praeradiolites ponsianus (ďArchiac) egyptiacus Douvillé;
Abdel-Gawad et al., pl. 9, Figs. 7 and 10.
2005 Praeradiolites ponsianus (ďArchiac); Aly et al., p. 259, pl. 3,
Figs. 4–6; pl. 4, Figs. 1–5.
2006 Praeradiolites ponsianus egyptiacus Douvillé; El Qot, p. 69,
pl. 13, Figs. 11 and 12.
2007 Praeradiolites ponsianus (ďArchiac); El-Hedeny, p. 90,
Figs. 7e–f and 8j.
Material: 20 right valves from the first biostrome of the Turo-
nian Rudist-bearing limestone–marl member at Abu Roash area.
Description: The right valves are conical or sub-cylindrical, 40–
50 mm long and commissural diameter is 25–40 mm. External
lamellae are erect and not folded except for the area around the ra-
dial bands. Posterior radial band (Pb) is formed of a higher fold
than ventral radial band (Vb), while the interband (Ib) is formed
of down placations.
Remarks: The described specimens agree well with Praeradio-
lites ponsianus that was described by Douvillé (1910) and El-Hede-
ny (2007) from the Turonian of Abu Roash area. Also, the same
species was recorded from the Turonian of north Sinai (Aly et al.,
2005). Outside Egypt, Praeradiolites ponsianus has been reported
in Greece by Steuber (1999) and France by Macé-Bordy (2007)
and is reported from France to Iran.
Age and distribution: P. ponsianus was recorded from the Turo-
nian at Abu Roash, Egypt (Douvillé, 1910, 1913). Recently, it is
recorded from the Turonian Wata Formation at Gabal Yelleg,
north Sinai (Abdel-Gawad et al., 2004a; Aly et al., 2005). Also,
it is recorded from the Upper Turonian of the external Dinarids
(Polsak et al., 1982), and from the Turonian of Pyrenees, south-
ern France, Italy, Hungary, Algeria, Greece, and Tunisia (Steuber,
1999).
Subfamily Biradiolitinae Douvillé, 1902
Genus Bournonia Fischer, 1887
Type species. Sphaerulites bournoni Des Moulins, 1826
Bournonia fourtaui Douvillé, 1910
(Fig. 3D–F)
1910 Bournonia Fourtaui Douvillé, p. 24, 49, pl. 3, Fig. 8; text-
Figs. 22 and 54.
1913 Bournonia fourtaui Douvillé; Douvillé, p. 249, pl. 17, Fig. 6;
text-Fig. 8.
1915 Bournonia Fourtaui Douvillé; Douvillé, p. 166, pl. 8, Fig. 5,
text-Fig. 1.
1999 Bournonia fourtaui Douvillé; Steuber, p. 55 (with
synonymy).
2004b Bournonia fourtaui Douvillé; Abdel-Gawad et al., pl. 4,
Fig. 4a–b.
363
2005 Bournonia fourtaui Douvillé; Aly et al., p. 268, pl. 6, Figs. 8–
9; pl. 7, Figs. 2a–c.
2007 Bournonia fourtaui Douvillé; El-Hedeny, p. 86, Fig. 6a–f.
Material: 25 Right valves from the first rudist horizon of the
Turonian Rudist-bearing limestone–marl member at Abu Roash
area.
Description: Right valves cylindrical, up to 60 mm long, maxi-
mum width 30 mm and with faint and prominent longitudinal ribs.
The Pb is one of the prominent ribs. Vb is broad, rounded and less
prominent than Pb. In transverse section, the outer layer increases
in thickness to attain a maximum thickness in the posterodorsal
side. The microstructure is composed of rectangular cells.
Remarks: The described specimens clearly belong to Bournonia
fourtaui as described by Douvillé (1910, 1913). Also, the same spe-
cies was described from the Cenomanian of north Sinai by Aly et al.
(2005).
Age and distribution: The present species was recorded from the
Turonian of Abu Roash, Egypt (Douvillé, 1910, 1913). Recently, it
was recorded from the Cenomanian of north Sinai by Aly et al.
(2005), from the Turonian Wata Formation at Gabal Fallig in north
Sinai by Abdel-Gawad et al. (2004b) and from the Coniacian–Maas-
trichtian of Greece (Steuber, 1999).
Bournonia roashensis Douvillé, 1913
(Fig. 3G–J)
1913 Bournonia excavata d’Orbigny, race roachensis Douvillé, p.
250, pl. 17, Fig. 7; text-Figs. 9–10.
Material: 40 right valves from the second horizon of the Turo-
nian Rudist-bearing limestone–marl member at Abu -Roash.
Description: The right valve is cylindrical, up to 50 mm long,
slightly arched, with a commissural diameter of up to 20 mm.
The right valves are ornamented with 8–10 longitudinal ribs. The
cross-section is oval; the maximum thickness of the inner layer
is 0.3 mm and the outer layer reaching 10 mm thick that decreases
in the anteroventral side to 5 mm. It is composed of rectangular
cells that tend to be compact outward. The compact structures
are dominated in the radial bands area. The outer layer is thin in
the interband area up to 1 mm and it is entirely made up of com-
pact structure. The siphonal bands are represented by two promi-
nent longitudinal ribs separated by a furrow (Ib) of 7 mm width. Pb
is more prominent than Vb.
Remarks: Bournonia excavata d’Orbigny, race roashensis de-
scribed by Douvillé (1913) from the Turonian of Abu Roash greatly
resembles the present specimens. The present species differs from
B. africana as described by Douvillé (1910) in the radial bands; Pb
and Vb in the present species are more prominent. It is also distin-
guished from B. fourtaui in the absence of the three prominent ribs.
Although the present species closely-resembles B. excavata as de-
scribed from the Campanian–Maastrichtian of Guatemala (Scott,
1996) and at NE Slovenia (Caffau, 2002), however, the right valves
of their specimens are quadrate to subpolygonal in cross-section.
Moreover, the ventral radial bands are more prominent than that
of the current specimens and the Vb̂Pb angle is larger than that
measured in the described cross-sections. B. excavata as revised
from the Santonian of France by Macé-Bordy (2007) resembles
the described species in their external features, nevertheless the
specimens described by Macé-Bordy (2007) tend to be higher
and their ventral bands are longer. Finally, the present species dis-
plays the external features and the cross-section shape of B. roash-
ensis described by Douvillé (1913) from the Turonian of the Abu
Roash area. However, B. roashensis differs from B. excavata that is
described from higher levels than the Turonian.
Age and distribution: Turonian of Abu Roash area, north Western
Desert (Douvillé, 1913).
364 G.I. Abdel-Gawad et al. / Journal of African Earth Sciences 59 (2011) 359–372

Subfamily Sauvagesiinae Douvillé, 1908
Genus Durania Douvillé, 1908
Type species Hippurites cornupastoris Des Moulins, 1826
Durania gaensis (Dacqué, 1903)
(Fig. 4A–F)
1903 Radiolites gaensis Dacqué, p. 374, pl. 35, Figs. 7–9.
1910 Durania gaensis Dacqué; Douvillé, p. 50, pl. 3, Figs. 2–5.
1912 Durania gaensis Dacqué; Pervinquière, p. 322, pl. 22,
Figs. 6–7.
1913 Durania gaensis Dacqué; Douvillé, p. 253, pl. 15, Figs. 4–7.
2000 Durania gaensis; Steuber and Löser, p. 96.
non2003 Durania gaensis (Dacqué); El-Sabbagh and El-Hedeny,
p. 248, pl. 1, Figs. 5–6.
2004a Durania gaensis (Dacqué); Abdel-Gawad et al., pl. 9, Fig. 6.
2006 Durania gaensis (Dacqué); El Qot, p. 70, pl. 14, Fig. 6.
2007 Durania gaensis (Dacqué); El-Hedeny, p. 88, Figs. 6g–m
and 8i.
Material: 60 right valves are collected from the first horizon
of the Rudist-bearing limestone–marl member of Abu Roash
area.

Fig. 4. (A–F) Durania gaensis, from the first horizon of Rudist-bearing limestone–marl member; (A) right valve with wide radial ribs and concentric lamellae, anterodorsal
aspect; (B) right valve, posteroventral aspect showing ventral band (Vb); (C) right valve, adapical view shows the Radial bands (Vb, Pb); (D) right valve, posteroventral aspect
shows Vb and Pb radial bands; (E) right valve, posteroventral aspect show Posterior band Pb with fine radial ribs; (F) transverse cross-section in the right valve shows the
polygonal cellular structure; (G–H) Durania arnaudi, from the Actaeonella-bearing limestone–marl member; (G) transverse cross-section in the right valve shows thick outer
layer with polygonal cellular structure; (H) two attached right valves ornamented with fine longitudinal ribs, the right one shows the radial bands Pb and Vb.
 G.I. Abdel-Gawad et al. / Journal of African Earth Sciences 59 (2011) 359–372
Description: Right valves reach 12 cm in length and a commis-
sural diameter of 4 cm. The right valves are conical or sub-cylindri-
cal. They are ornamented with 10–12 longitudinal ribs and slightly
folded laminae. Spacing of costellae is commonly irregular about
4–9 mm. The Vb is wide, depressed and of about 15 mm in width,
while the Pb is narrower, 9 mm wide and ornamented with slightly
faint ribs. The structure of the outer shell layer is polygonal cells.
The outer layer decreases in thickness at the Vb. The Pb position
is about 5 mm, while in the rest of the shell is about 10 mm.
Remarks: The described specimens are wholly similar to the
specimens that described and figured by Douvillé (1910, 1913)
and El-Hedeny (2007). Also, the Durania gaensis described from
the Turonian of north Sinai by Aly et al. (2005) are similar; how-
ever the latter specimens tend to be shorter. Moreover, the speci-
mens described by El-Sabbagh and El-Hedeny (2003) from El-
Hassana Dome at Abu Roash area as Durania gaensis are unlike
the D. gaensis but they show the characteristics of D. arnaudi. El-
Sabbagh and El-Hedeny (2003) identified Durania gaensis based
on the microstructure and the external features; however, the
microstructure is nearly the same in the most of genera of Durania
(Steuber, 1999). Also, the depressed Vb characterized the D. gaensis
as described by Douvillé (1910, 1913) is not clear in their described
specimens.
Age and distribution: The present species is distributed in the
Turonian of Abu Roash in Egypt (Douvillé, 1910, 1913). Also, it is
Fig. 5. Block diagram showing the distribution of the different sedimentary facies and their microfacies types of the rudist biostromes and associated sediments at Abu Rash
area.
365
recorded from the Turonian of Libya (Parona, 1921), Tunisia (Pervi-
nquière, 1912), Italy (Paris and Sirna, 1996), and Croatia (Polsak
et al., 1982).
Durania arnaudi (Choffat, 1891)
(Fig. 4G–H)
1891 Biradiolites arnaudi Choffat, pp. 203, 210 and 211.
1901 Biradiolites cornupastoris; Parona, p. 202, pl. 1, Fig. 6.
1903 Radiolites cornu-pastoris Desm.; Dacquè, p. 373
1910 Durania arnaudi Choffat; Douvillé, p. 50, pl. 3, Fig. 1.
1912 Durania arnaudi Choffat; Pervinquière, p. 321, pl. 22,
Fig. 9.
1913 Durania arnaudi Choffat; Douvillé, p. 252, pl. 16, Fig. 1.
1995 Durania arnaudi (Choffat); Cestari and Sartorio, p. 50.
1996 Durania arnaudi (Choffat); De Castro and Sirna, p. 78,
Figs. 6–9.
2000 Durania arnaudi (Choffat); Steuber and Löser, p. 96.
2003 Durania cornupastoris (Des Moulins); El-Sabbagh and El-
Hedeny, pp. 247 and 255, pl. 1, Figs. 1–4; pl. 4, Figs. 1–4; pl.
5, Fig. 1.
2004a Durania arnaudi (Choffat); Abdel-Gawad et al., pl. 9,
Figs. 4–5.
2005 Durania arnaudi (Choffat); Aly et al., p. 273, pl. 10, Figs. 3–
9; pl. 11, Figs. 2–3.
2006 Durania arnaudi (Choffat); El Qot, p. 70, pl. 14, Figs. 4–5.
366 G.I. Abdel-Gawad et al. / Journal of African Earth Sciences 59 (2011) 359–372
Material: 10 right valves are collected from the Actaeonella-
bearing limestone–marl member at Abu Roash area.
Description: Conical to sub-cylindrical right valves with shell
length up to 200 mm and commissural diameter up to 120 mm.
The radial bands are ribbed by faint longitudinal ribs. The outer
shell layer is up to 20 mm thick. The structure of the outer layer
is polygonal with subordinate rectangular cells.
Remarks: The same species was described from the Actaeonella-
bearing limestone–marl member at Abu Roash area by Douvillé
(1910, 1913) and De Castro and Sirna (1996). Although the rudist
biostrome in the Actaeonella-bearing limestone–marl member
comprises one species, D. arnaudi. El-Sabbagh and El-Hedeny
(2003) assumed that this biostrome yieldes seven species belong-
ing to Durania, Lapeirousella and Sauvagesia.
Age and distribution: D. arnaudi was recorded from the Upper
Turonian of Abu Roash, Egypt (Douvillé, 1910, 1913; De Castro
and Sirna, 1996), the Turonian of Croatia (Polšak, 1967), and Tuni-
sia (Pervinquière, 1912) as well as Algeria, Italy, France, Portugal,
Croatia, Bosnia, and Slovenia.
5. Sedimentary facies
Six sedimentary facies are distinguished in the three rudist
horizons from the Turonian Abu Roash Formation (Fig. 5). Lime-
stone microfacies types are discriminated in this succession based
on the depositional texture’s classification of Dunham (1962) and
its modification given by Embry and Klovan (1972). These sedi-
mentary facies are described as follows.
Fig. 6. Horizontal and vertical distribution of different microfacies of the rudist horizons and the associated sediments at El-Hassana Dome (not to horizontal scale).
5.1. Facies 1
This sedimentary facies forms the substrate for rudists coloniza-
tion and underlies the third biostrome (in the Actaeonella-bearing
limestone–marl member) at north west of El-Hassana Dome
(Fig. 6). It is consists of chalky white, bioturbated limestone. Micro-
scopically, this facies consists mainly of echinoid bioclastic wacke-
stone/mudstone.
Facies 1 is composed of rudist fragments and echinoid plates
and spines (Fig. 7A and B) with rare planktonic foraminifers. Echi-
noid and rudist bioclasts are partially replaced by spherulitic silica
and locally surrounded by irregular micrite envelopes. The matrix
material is neomorphosed micrite with rare syntaxial cement
around echinoid plates and spines. The matrix-supported fabrics
(wackestone/mudstone), bioturbation and poor sorting of this fa-
cies indicate that the deposition was in a relatively quiet water be-
low fair-weather wave base (Wilson, 1975; Flügel, 1982;
Reeckmann and Friedman, 1982). The abundance of echinoids
reflecting open marine conditions. Rudist fragments in this facies
were reworked from the rudist biostrome and redeposited in quiet,
deep subtidal conditions.
5.2. Facies II
This facies represents the lateral facies changes of facies I where
it underlies the rudist and coralline sponge biostromes at the south
east of El-Hassana Dome (Fig. 6). Microscopically, it is represented
by foraminiferal bioclastic wackestone/packstone microfacies. It is
 G.I. Abdel-Gawad et al. / Journal of African Earth Sciences 59 (2011) 359–372 367

Fig. 7. (A) Rudist fragments and echinoid plates in neomorphosed micrite; echinoid bioclastic wackestone/mudstone, C.N., El-Hassana Dome. (B) Echinoid spine in
neomorphosed micrite; echinoid bioclastic wackestone/mudstone, C.N., El-Hassana Dome. (C) Benthic foraminifers (miliolids and biserial forams) and algae in neomorphosed
micrite; foraminaferal bioclastic wackestone/packstone, P.L., El-Hassana Dome. (D) Cuneolina sp., in neomorphosed micrite; foraminiferal bioclastic wackestone/packstone,
P.L., El-Hassana Dome.

rich in miliolids and biserial forams (Fig. 7C), along with Dicyclina
sp. and Cuneolina sp. (Fig. 7D). Planispiral and uniserial forams are
also subordinately recorded in this microfacies. The shell walls of
these benthic forams are micritized and their chambers filled by
microspar. Algae and rudist fragments are frequently encountered.
The matrix material of this microfacies is neomorphosed micrite.
The high quantity of Dicyclina sp. and Cuneolina sp. with other ben-
thic foraminifers is correlated with assemblage (c) of Carannante
et al. (2000) that indicates deposition was in subtidal environment
with open circulation and medium to high hydrodynamic energy.
Facies with assemblage (c) was deposited on the subtidal rudist-
inhabited sand plains (Carannante et al., 2000; Ruberti et al., 2007).
In summary, the abundance of Dicyclina sp. and Cuneolina sp. in
this sedimentary facies indicate that, this facies was deposited in
shallow subtidal rudist-inhabited sand plains with open circula-
tion and medium–high energy.
5.3. Facies III
This facies has been recognized in the third rudist biostrome (in
the Actaeonella-bearing limestone–marl member). This biostrome
yields a well preserved, complete and long cylindrical right valves
of Durania arnaudi. Shells are in erect life position, or toppled and
locally oriented, but rarely reworked. This facies has been de-
scribed as rudist mounds by Hamza (1993) and as a rudist bios-
trome by De Castro and Sirna (1996). Facies III is a rudist
rudstone/bafflestone facies. Rudist shells are partially altered by
silicification with spherulitic silica (Fig. 8A). The matrix of this fa-
cies is echinoid bioclastic wackestone/mudstone. The rudist bios-
trome is characterized by levels with sharp and rarely basal
erosive surfaces that suggest reworking. Right valves are toppled,
tilted and rarely reworked similar to that described by Carannante
et al. (1998) in the Sorrento Peninsula (Southern Italy). Also, rudist
rudstone/bafflestone facies can be compared with rudist rudstone/
bafflestone (facies C00 ) of Simone et al. (2003) and facies association
III of Carannante et al. (2000), which are associated with subtidal
environments where rudist-inhabited, sand plains with storm/cur-
rent-related hydrodynamics. Wilson (1975) mentioned that Dura-
nia and Sauvagesia inhabited quiet water. The presence of fine-
grained matrix, well preserved rudists and little fragmentation re-
flect shallow warm waters and soft bottom protected from win-
nowing and destructive action of strong waves or currents
(Fürsich and Oschmann, 1993). Kidwell and Holland (1991) and
Carannante et al. (2000) concluded that toppling and subsequent
dense stacking of the rudist shells are due to the removal of the
sediment by moderate current. Wanas (2008) mentioned that the
rudists at Gabal Fallig (north Sinai) form patch reef in a high energy
intertidal shoal environment.
In summary, rudist biostrome in the Actaeonella-bearing lime-
stone–marl member (rudist biostrome 3), at El-Hassana Dome, is
well preserved and scarce fragmented shells embedded in fine-
grained matrix suggest that facies III was deposited on subtidal ru-
dist shoal with open circulation and low to moderate energy.
5.4. Facies IV
This facies has been recognized in the first two rudist biostro-
mes (in the Rudist-bearing limestone–marl member). The majority
of the rudist right (lower) valves are preserved in life position, but
some individuals and clusters are disoriented and were deposited
proximal to the original biotope. The rudists are surrounded by
dolomitic oolitic bioclastic packstone/grainstone with abundant
368 G.I. Abdel-Gawad et al. / Journal of African Earth Sciences 59 (2011) 359–372

Fig. 8. (A) Silicification of rudist by spherulitic silica; rudist rudstone/bafflestone, C.N., El-Hassana Dome, (B) Calcareous algae and intraclasts bounded together by dolomitic
micrite, and form the matrix of rudist rudstone/bafflestone; C.N., second rudist horizon, Rudist-bearing limestone–marl member. (C) Cuneolina sp., intraclasts and peloids in
dolomitic micrite matrix forming the matrix of rudist rudstone/bafflestone; C.N., first rudist horizon, Rudist-bearing limestone–marl member. (D) Benthic foraminifers,
calcareous algae, intraclasts and peloids in neomorphosed micrite forming matrix of coralline sponge; C.N., El-Hassana Dome.

benthic foraminifers (e.g. Dicyclina sp. and Cuneolina sp.) with
other uniserial and biserial forams. Also, red algae and non-skeletal
components (e.g. ooids, intraclasts and peloids) are present in the
matrix of this facies (Fig. 8B and C). The abundance of Dicyclina
sp. and Cuneolina sp. as well as oolite, intraclasts and grain-sup-
ported textures of this facies suggest that facies IV was deposited
on subtidal rudist shoals with open circulation and moderate to
high-energy.
Ordovician) and Mesozoic (Middle Jurassic to Maastrichtian).
Meanwhile, Abdel-Gawad (2001) described the coralline sponges
at El-Hassana Dome as forming mounds. The matrix of the coral-
line sponge facies V is packstone/grainstone fabric reflecting
high-energy hydrodynamics. The presence of Dicyclina sp. and
Cuneolina sp. in the matrix of this facies rather than echinoid spines
and plates, as the matrix of rudist biostrome (Facis III), indicates
that the coralline sponges inhabited a shallower subtidal environ-
ment than rudists.

5.5. Facies V
This sedimentary facies has been recognized from the south
eastern part of El-Hassana Dome. It is represented by a Coralline
sponge (Millestroma nicholsoni) biostrome. The colonies are large,
partially silicified, globular, massive, and locally branched and en-
crusted gastropod shells of Trochacteon salomonis and Nerinea req-
uieniana. The matrix of this facies is peloidal foraminiferal
bioclastic packstone/grainstone (Fig. 8D). The main non-skeletal
components are peloids with rare intraclasts. On the other hand,
the skeletal components are mainly of benthic foraminifers (Dicy-
clina sp. and Cuneolina sp.) with rare miliolids, rare calcareous al-
gae, echinoid plates and spines. The cementing material is
granular sparite. Neomorphosed micrite matrix is also described
in this facies. The modern coralline sponge communities are re-
stricted to distinct ecological niches in tropical reefs and subtrop-
ical environments such as Caribbean, Mediterranean and Pacific
communities (Hartman and Goreau, 1970; Vacelet, 1985; Basile
et al., 1984; Reitner and Engester, 1987; Reitner, 1989). They live
in dark or dimly light habitats such as in caves or underneath large
boulders along rocky shores of the Mediterranean. Reitner (1989)
described coralline sponge reefs from Paleozoic (Silurian and
5.6. Facies VI
This facies overlies Facies III in the Actaeonella-bearing lime-
stone–marl member (El-Hassana Dome) or underlies the rudists
in the Rudist-bearing limestone–marl member. Facies VI is cross-
bedded, fossiliferous limestone. Petrographically, this facies is
intraclastic bioclastic packstone/grainstone and locally overlain
by oolitic grainstone. In the Rudist-bearing limestone–marl mem-
ber the facies is mainly sandy oolitic grainstone.
The oolitic grainstone microfacies consists of well sorted super-
ficial ooids (Fig. 9A). The ooids are elongated, taking the shape of
bioclasts that form their nuclei. Bioclasts are less common and in-
clude echinoid plates and spines, rudist shell fragments and ben-
thic foraminifers. The cement of this facies is syntaxial cement
around echinoid plates and spines in addition to blocky cement.
Two generations of cement, isopachous followed by blocky cement,
are also recorded.
Non-skeletal components of the intraclastic bioclastic pack-
stone/grainstone microfacies are mainly micritized intraclasts with
rare pellets (Figs 9B–C). The skeletal components are represented
by echinoid plates and spines, rudist shell fragments, calcareous
 G.I. Abdel-Gawad et al. / Journal of African Earth Sciences 59 (2011) 359–372
Fig. 9. (A) Superficial ooids; oolitic grainstone, C.N., El-Hassana Dome. (B–C) Algal fragments, echinoid with syntaxial cement, benthic foraminifers and intraclasts;
intraclastic bioclastic packstone/grainstone, C.N., El-Hassana Dome. (D) Normal and superficial ooids, glauconite and quartz grains cemented by sparite, sandy oolitic
grainstone; C.N., Rudist-bearing limestone–marl member.
algae, serpulids and bivalve shell fragments. Benthic foraminifers
are also recorded in this facies, represented by Dicyclina sp., Cune-
olina sp. with planispiral, uniserial forams and rare miliolids. The
binding materials are sparite cement and/or neomorphosed mi-
crite matrix.
Terrigenous grains of the sandy oolitic grainstone microfacies
are quartz and glauconite (Fig. 9D). Ooids are mainly of simple,
normal type with radial and concentric structures. The cores of
ooids are mainly of micrite, quartz grains, glauconite, or skeletal
fragments. The skeletal components are mainly recrystallized bi-
valve shell fragments and gastropods. The cement is mainly gran-
ular sparite cement with rare gypsum. Iron oxides are irregularly
distributed in the cement material of this facies and locally affect
their components.
The grain-supported fabric (grainstone and packstone), high de-
gree of sorting, cross-bedding and diverse faunal content of this fa-
cies indicate open marine under a high-energy hydraulic regime.
Superficial ooids suggest lower energy than normal ooids (Schulze
et al., 2005). Rudist fragments indicate deposition in high energy
environment at or close to rudist assemblage. This facies could
be compared to lithofacies (a) of Simone et al. (2003) that suggests
significant storm and wave influence, and they are capping the
rudistid facies (c00 ) in the shallowing upward cycle.
In summary, this facies was deposited as oolitic/intraclastic
subtidal shoals under moderate to high-energy and open water
circulation.
6. Depositional history and development of Rudist Facies
The Turonian succession at Abu Roash area is divided into three
depositional sequences bounded by three sequence boundaries
369
(Fig. 2). The first boundary (SB1) is detected within the Rudist-
bearing limestone–marl member (Fig. 2). Meanwhile, the second
boundary (SB2) is traced within the Limestone member. These
boundaries are represented by the paleosol horizons described by
Badawy (2003) and consist of mottled, ferruginous sandstone with
rootlets and rhyzocretions. The third sequence boundary (SB3) is
the Turonian/Coniacian angular unconformity (Moustafa, 1988).
This boundary can be traced in southern Sinai where the carbonate
facies of the Wata Formation (Turonian) is overlain by the silici-
clastic facies of the Coniacian/Santonian Matulla Formation.
The rudist biostromes at Abu Roash area are members of three
shallowing upward parasequences. The first rudist biostrome is
within the first depositional sequence in the Rudist-bearing lime-
stone–marl member. The vertical succession of this parasequence
is composed of echinoid bioclastic wackestone/mudstone microfa-
cies (deep subtidal), overlain by prograding bioclastic sand shoal
facies in the form of intraclastic bioclastic grainstone/packstone
microfacies, and topped by Rudist biostrome 1. The rudists are
mainly Durania gaensis, Praeradiolites ponsianus and Bournonia
fourtaui. Based on the rudist content, this parasequence correlates
well with the transgressive systems tract (TST) of the Turonian se-
quence 4 (Saber et al., 2009) and post-TuSin 1 sequence (Bauer
et al., 2002, 2003, 2004) in Sinai.
The second rudist biostrome consists mainly of one species,
Bournonia roashensis (Fig. 2). It is developed in the highstand
deposits of the first Turonian sequence and is very similar to the
highstand systems tract (HST) of post-TuSin 1 sequence of Bauer
et al. (2002, 2003). The rudists are in the second shallowing up-
ward parasequence. The basal part of the parasequence is low-en-
ergy subtidal facies (echinoid bioclastic wackestone/mudstone
microfacies), overlain by oolitic subtidal shoals (sandy oolitic
grainstone microfacies) and rudist biostrome, topped by paleosol
370 G.I. Abdel-Gawad et al. / Journal of African Earth Sciences 59 (2011) 359–372
horizon. The facies of this parasequence are shallower than that of
the first parasequence and represents the upper most part of the
highstand systems tract (HST) of the first Turonian sequence.
The third Durania arnaudi biostrome at El-Hassana Dome
(Fig. 2) was previously studied as an example for the development
and paleoecology of the rudists in Egypt (Abdel-Gawad, 2001; De
Castro and Sirna, 1996; Hamza, 1993). The vertical succession
through the parasequence (Fig. 6) shows a wackestone/mudstone
facies with diverse open marine biota (benthic foraminifers, echi-
noids and acteonellid gastropods) in its lower part. This is followed
by a biostrome of clustered elevator rudists and coralline sponges
in rudstone/bafflestone facies in the middle part, and culminates
with high-energy packstone/grainstone with bioclasts, ooids and
intraclasts in its upper part (Fig. 6).
The biostrome 3 is part of a parasequence set that overlies a
thick shale succession, which represents the transgressive and
maximum flooding stage of the sea level during the Late
Turonian. Therefore, this rudist biostrome occurs in a shallowing
upward parasequence set in the regressive episode during the
Late Turonian and it is correlated with the HST of post-TuSin 2
sequence at Gabal El Minsherah, north Sinai of Bauer et al.
(2003).
The intra-Turonian lowering of sea level resulted in the deposi-
tion of the Basal clastic member (Sandstone Series). This is corre-
lated with the Middle Turonian regressive facies (red sandstone)
from west central Sinai (Abdel-Gawad, 1999) with gypsiferous
mudstone and gypsum beds in the Themed area (Ziko et al.,
1993; Lüning et al., 1998a) and at Gabal El Giddi (Saber, 2001). This
lowering of sea level is correlated with other localities in the Arab-
o-Nubian Massif (e.g., Harris et al., 1984; Lewy, 1990; Kuss and
Bachmann, 1996) resulted from the early pulses of Syrian Arc Fold-
ing. Moreover, Bauer et al. (2002) mentioned that the lateral facies
transitions in the post-TuSin 1 sequence are due to synsedimentary
uplift in north Sinai related to Syrian Arc tectonics. This intra-Turo-
nian lowering of sea level is also correlated with the global eustatic
sea level fall (Vail et al., 1977; Haq et al., 1987). On the other hand,
Lüning et al. (1998b) referred the lateral thickness and facies
changes of the Abu Qada and Wata formations, at Gabal Arief El
Naqa, to autodynamic sedimentary processes suggesting the ab-
sence of major tectonic uplift of Gabal Arief El Naqa during the
Turonian.
After the intra-Turonian lowering of sea level that deposited the
siliciclastic facies of the Basal clastic member, rapid transgression
accompanied with faster rates of accommodation space than filling
of sediments and lead to deposition of TST sediments of the first se-
quence and the formation of the first rudist biostrome. Then, the
sea-level rise slowed and the accommodation space was created
at slower rate, and increased sediment supply resulted in the depo-
sition of the prograding parasequence set of the HST of the same
sequence and the second rudist biostrome. Finally regression oc-
curred associated with local folding and paleosol (SB1), which
formed at the top of the first sequence. The HST facies of sequence
three of Late Turonian age reflect the increase in the production
rate of carbonates (rudists are mainly carbonate producers) owing
to the maximum flooding of the carbonate platform as described
by Handford and Loucks (1993) and Sharland et al. (2001). Darwish
(1994) mentioned that the changes in basin geometries due to syn-
depositional tectonics control to great extent the development of
sandy bodies and reefal carbonates in Western Desert during Mid-
dle Turonian.
In conclusion, the depositional environment of the rudists has
been interpreted as a shallow subtidal environment. They occur
in shallowing upward parasequences during the HST and TST. In
northern Sinai, rudist assemblages occur in both TST and HST of
Cenomanian–Turonian succession (Bauer et al., 2002, 2004; Saber
et al., 2009).
7. Summary and conclusions
1. The Rudist-bearing limestone–marl member contains two
rudist biostromes. Three radiolitid rudist species are described
from the first biostrome; Durania gaensis, Praeradiolites ponsi-
anus and Bournonia fourtaui. They bounded together by oolitic
chalky limestone. The second biostrome contains Bournonia
roashensis in a matrix of oolitic limestone.
2. Monotype rudist biostrome of the Actaeonella-bearing lime-
stone–marl member consists of Durania arnaudi that is bounded
together by echinoid bioclastic wackestone/mudstone
microfacies.
3. The first two rudist biostromes in the Rudist-bearing lime-
stone–marl member were deposited on subtidal rudist shoals
with open circulation and moderate to high energy. Meanwhile,
rudist biostrome in the Actaeonella-bearing limestone–marl
member was deposited on subtidal rudist shoals with open cir-
culation and low to moderate energy.
4. At El-Hassana Dome the depositional environments show shal-
lowing from deep subtidal facies (echinoid bioclastic wacke-
stone/mudstone) that is overlain by rudist rudstone/
bafflestone with matrix rich in echinoid plates and spines in
the northwest, to shallow subtidal facies (foraminiferal bioclas-
tic packstone/wackestone) rich with Dicyclina sp. and Cuneolina
sp. with other benthic foraminifers are overlain by coralline
sponge rudist rudstone/bafflestone or coralline sponge rud-
stone/bafflestone facies in the southeast.
5. The first rudist biostrome of the Rudist-bearing limestone–marl
member occupy the lower part of deepening upward (retrogra-
dational) parasequence set that form the TST of the first depo-
sitional sequence reflecting an increase in accommodation
space associated with relative sea-level rise.
6. The second rudist biostrome of the Rudist-bearing limestone–
marl member and the third biostrome (Actaeonella-bearing
limestone–marl member) occur in shallowing upward (pro-
grading) parasequence sets of the HST indicating accommoda-
tion space was being filled more rapidly than it was being
created.
7. Basin geometries due to syndepositional tectonics also con-
trolled the development of rudist biostromes in Abu Roash area.
Acknowledgments
We are grateful to Prof. Robert W. Scott (University of Tulsa) for
his helpful discussion and careful and constructive reviewing the
manuscript. Thanks are extended to Dr. Christopher Stohr (Illinois
State Geological Survey) and Dr. Essam Abdel Rahman (Beni Suef
University) for improving the English language. Anonymous
reviewers are kindly acknowledged for their constructive com-
ments. Special thanks extend to Prof. Pat Eriksson for his help in
clarifying the manuscript and exceptional editorial support.
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