Farid Saleh: 'Everything is new about this locality, its sedimentology, paleontology, and even the preservation of fossils'

Farid Saleh, lead author from the University of Lausanne and Yunnan University, along with an international research team, recently discovered evidence of giant arthropods dominating the seas 470 million years ago at the Taichoute fossil site in Morocco. These remarkable findings shed light on the ancient ecosystems of the now-deserted Taichoute region, challenging previously described Fezouata Shale sites located 80km away.

"Everything is new about this locality – its sedimentology, paleontology, and even the preservation of fossils – further highlighting the importance of the Fezouata Biota in completing our understanding of past life on Earth," Saleh said, according to a University of Exeter release.

In an extraordinary archaeological breakthrough, Dr. Farid Saleh, a lead author from the University of Lausanne and Yunnan University, alongside an international research team, has uncovered evidence of an ancient marine ecosystem dominated by giant arthropods that flourished approximately 470 million years ago. The newly unearthed Taichoute fossil site in Morocco has provided a unique window into the past, revolutionizing understanding of the Fezouata Shale and paving the way for groundbreaking paleontological and ecological research. The Taichoute fossil site, which was once submerged but is now a desert, has yielded numerous fossilized remains of large "free-swimming" arthropods. These creatures, akin to modern-day shrimps, insects, and spiders, potentially reached astonishing lengths of up to 2 meters. The researchers are eager to conduct further analysis on these fragments to fully identify the species. 

The international research team emphasized that the Taichoute fossil site and its rich fossil record distinguish it from previously studied Fezouata Shale sites located 80 kilometers away, according to the release. Considered a part of the wider "Fezouata Biota," the Taichoute site opens up new avenues for paleontological and ecological investigations, offering a fresh perspective on the evolution of life on Earth.

"While the giant arthropods we discovered have not yet been fully identified, some may belong to previously described species of the Fezouata Biota, and some will certainly be new species," Xiaoya Ma from the University of Exeter and Yunnan University said, according to the release. 

The immense size and free-swimming lifestyle of these arthropods suggest that they played a unique role in the ancient ecosystems. However, the Taichoute fossil site unveils more than just the dominance of these colossal creatures, the release reported.

"Carcasses were transported to a relatively deep marine environment by underwater landslides, which contrasts with previous discoveries of carcass preservation in shallower settings, which were buried in place by storm deposits. The exceptional preservation of the fossilized remains has revealed intriguing associations between arthropods and other organisms," Romain Vaucher from the University of Lausanne said, according to the release.

Professor Allison Daley, also from the University of Lausanne, highlighted these discoveries, saying, "Animals such as brachiopods are found attached to some arthropod fragments, indicating that these large carapaces acted as nutrient stores for the seafloor dwelling community once they were dead and lying on the seafloor," according to the release.

The Taichoute fossil site has yielded not only unprecedented evidence of giant nektonic arthropods but also the presence of previously unknown trilobite species within the Fezouata Biota, according to the release. Lukáš Laibl from the Czech Academy of Sciences, who participated in the initial fieldwork, expressed the significance of these findings, saying, "Taichoute is not only important due to the dominance of large nektonic arthropods. Even when it comes to trilobites, new species so far unknown from the Fezouata Biota are found in Taichoute."

The scientific community has recognized the remarkable value of the Fezouata Shale and its contribution to understanding the early evolution of life during the Early Ordovician period. This recognition recently led to the selection of the Fezouata Shale as one of the 100 most important geological sites worldwide, according to the release. The fossils found within these rocks, including mineralized elements and well-preserved soft tissue remains, have allowed scientists to delve into the anatomy and intricacies of early animal life on Earth. As researchers continue to explore the Taichoute fossil site, the revelations and unexpected discoveries emphasize the necessity of reevaluating our knowledge of ancient ecosystems. Bertrand Lefebvre from the University of Lyon, who has been studying the Fezouata Biota for two decades, said, "The Fezouata Biota keeps surprising us with new unexpected discoveries," according to the release.

The study, titled "New fossil assemblages from the Early Ordovician Fezouata Biota," has been published in the journal Scientific Reports, providing a pivotal contribution to the field of paleontology and shedding light on the fascinating world of ancient marine life in Morocco's Taichoute region, the release reported.