Serpukhovian coral assemblages from Idmarrach and Tirhela Formations (Adarouch, Morocco)

1. IntroductionThe Carboniferous stratigraphic successions in Adarouch (central Morocco) range in age from the middle Visean up to the Bashkirian (Fig. 1). They are composed of both siliciclastic and carbonate rocks that occur in several faulted blocks (Berkhli, 1999; Vachard et al., 2006) and show excellent exposures that are prolific in diverse fossil groups such as foraminiferans, algae, brachiopods, conodonts, bryozoans, crinoids and corals. The description of the Serpukhovian coral assemblages from that area and their biostratigraphic, palaeogeographic and palaeoecologic implications is the main aim of this paper, which is presented as an homage to Eddy Poty, who studied the Mississippian corals during the last 40 years, providing much valuable data to our knowledge of both rugose corals and Carboniferous rocks. The first reference to the presence of rugose corals in the Adarouch area was provided by Termier & Termier (1950), who mentioned the Tizra outcrops at Adarouch and described Dibunophyllum vaughani from that locality. Termier et al. (1975) regarded the Adarouch outcrops to range in age from the Visean to Serpukhovian. Later, Berkhli (1999) provided detailed stratigraphical and palaeontological data and defined three depositional sequences in the Carboniferous of Adarouch. He studied the Carboniferous stratigraphy of the Tizra Hills and defined the Oued Amhares Formation at the base, the Tizra and Mouarhaz formations in the middle and the Akerchi Formation at the