Invertebrate ichnofossils and dinosaur undertracks from the Middle Jurassic of Tizi N’Talghemt area, Central High Atlas, Morocco

Trace fossils, or ichnofossils, serve as records of biological activity and provide critical insights into past sedimentary environments. This study aims to fill the gap in ichnological research on carbonate environments in the Moroccan Central High Atlas by describing and analyzing invertebrate trace fossils and dinosaur undertracks from the Middle Jurassic of the Tizi N’Talghemt area in Morocco. The Moroccan Central High Atlas is characterized by syncline basins with Jurassic carbonate deposits. Fieldwork conducted in 2023 documented a 470 m stratigraphic section, focusing on the Tillouguit and Guettioua formations. The ichnological analysis identified several trace fossils, including those attributed to Eubrontes and Dinehichnus, offering insights into the presence and behavior of theropods and ornithopods in the region during the Bathonian–Callovian period. The Thalassinoides burrows suggest well-oxygenated, nutrient-rich conditions, while the Rhizocorallium burrows are not useful indicators of paleoenvironment. Paleoenvironmental analysis suggests that late Bajocian sedimentation likely occurred in shallow marine conditions, transitioning to deltaic environments by the Bathonian–Callovian. The presence of dinosaur tracks on tidal flats during low tide points to significant ecological interactions, potentially including predator-prey relationships between theropods and ornithopods though not established via direct evidence. This study not only contributes to the understanding of the ichnology of Moroccan Jurassic sediments but also provides valuable proxy for reconstructing the paleoenvironment for paleoecological and sedimentological conditions. The findings underscore the significance of integrating ichnological data with stratigraphic and sedimentological studies to enhance our understanding of ancient ecosystems.