Cadi Ayyad University Leads Breakthrough in Prehistoric Marine Reptile Research
An international team of researchers has identified a previously unknown species of prehistoric marine reptile, Pluridens imelaki, based on fossils recovered from the phosphate deposits of the Oulad Abdoun Basin near Khouribga. This significant discovery sheds new light on the diversity of large marine predators that roamed the oceans during the Late Cretaceous, around 66 million years ago.
The study, published in the journal Diversity, was carried out by an international team of paleontologists, including Nicholas R. Longrich from the University of Bath and Nour Eddine Jalil, affiliated with both the National Museum of Natural History in Paris and the Natural History Museum of Marrakech, affiliated with Cadi Ayyad University.
A Remarkable Marine Predator with Distinctive Features
The research is based on an exceptionally well-preserved fossil, including an almost complete skull measuring approximately 1.25 meters, accompanied by its jaws and several intact teeth. Morphological analyses suggest that Pluridens imelaki could have reached lengths exceeding nine meters, making it one of the largest known members of its group.
A member of the mosasaur family—large marine reptiles that dominated the oceans at the end of the dinosaur era—Pluridens imelaki is characterized by its unusually long, slender jaws lined with around twenty-five fine, curved teeth. These anatomical traits indicate specialized adaptations for capturing swift prey such as fish and cephalopods.
This species belongs to the Halisaurinae subfamily, generally composed of smaller individuals. The discovery of such a large specimen provides valuable insights into the morphological and ecological diversity of these marine reptiles during the Late Cretaceous.
Morocco’s Phosphate Deposits: A Natural Laboratory for Paleontology
The fossil originates from the phosphate layers of the Oulad Abdoun Basin, one of the world’s richest paleontological sites for studying Late Cretaceous marine ecosystems. Over the years, these deposits have yielded an extraordinary array of fossils, including fish, sharks, turtles, and marine reptiles.
These Moroccan phosphate deposits constitute a scientific heritage of international significance, offering researchers unparalleled access to fossil records that help reconstruct marine ecosystems prior to the mass extinction at the end of the Cretaceous.
Advancing the National Scientific Heritage
The specimen is housed at the Natural History Museum of Marrakech, a leading institution affiliated with Cadi Ayyad University. This discovery underscores the vital role of Moroccan research institutions in studying, preserving, and promoting the country’s paleontological heritage.
Through this research, the scientific community continues to expand our understanding of marine ecosystem evolution and the biodiversity that characterized the oceans on the eve of one of the most profound biological crises in Earth’s history.
