A reconstruction of the palaeoecology and environmental dynamics of the Bahariya Formation of Egypt

Abstract

The Bahariya formation is one of the most productive in Africa in terms of fossil material. This paper conducts a comprehensive review of the flora & fauna and creates ecological reconstruction of this assemblage based on modern analogues. There is no evidence that most of the major vertebrate components of this biome were mangrove adapted taxa & most were commuters from the surrounding mainland. The high number of theropod species is overstated as niche partitioning between them lowers the predator/prey ratios; and is a result of this habitat developing from the broader North African ecosystems with its limited vegetation. The populations of most were also limited; further offsetting the predator/prey imbalance. The rarity of ornithopods can now be seen as a result of aridity and simplified forest structure. Crustaceans can be confirmed as forming a major trophic base, but new emphasis needs to be placed on gastropods as potential ecosystem engineers. Although some questions still remain concerning missing faunal elements and the difficulty in differentiate local population patterns from general population trends in this ecosystem as a whole; Bahariya’s reportedly substantial productivity, and later over-productivity, can now be confirmed.