Earth:Melovatka Formation

Short description: Geologic formation in Russia

Melovatka Formation Stratigraphic range: Middle Cenomanian ~99–95 Ma PreЄ Є O S D C P T J K Pg N ↓
Type	Geological formation
Lithology
Primary	Phosphorite
Other	Sandstone
Location
Coordinates
Paleocoordinates	[ ⚑ ] 43.1°N 38.8°E / 43.1; 38.8
Region	Volgograd Oblast
Country	Russia
Type section
Named for	Melovatka
Melovatka Formation (Russia) Melovatka Formation (Volgograd Oblast)

The Melovatka or Melovatsskaya Formation is a Cenomanian geologic formation in Russia . Pterosaur fossils have been recovered from the formation.

Description

The two phosphorite horizons are separated in places by a yellowish sand interbed up to 1 m thick; however, they sometimes merge into a single horizon. The lower interbed or part of the integrated phosphorite horizon shows in places straight diagonal bedding, which is manifested in the orientation of almost flat pellets, pebbles, and pseudomorphs on bivalve shells. The phosphate concretions are irregular aggregates and rounded pebbles, ranging in size from several millimeters to 5–10 cm. They are dark brown or nearly black.

Fossil content

The following vertebrate fossils were reported from the formation:

• Cerebavis cenomanica
• Cretolamna appendiculata
• Edaphodon sedgwicki
• Elasmodectes kiprijanoffi
• Elasmodus sinzovi
• Eostriatolamia subulata
• Ischyodus latus
• Paraorthacodus recurvus
• Pseudoisurus denticulatus
• Synechodus dispar
• Lonchodectes sp.
• Odontaspis sp.
• Polyacrodus sp.
• Squatina sp.
• ?Platypterygius sp.
• Chelonioidea indet.
• Chimaeridae indet.
• Elasmosauridae indet.
• Enchodontidae indet.
• Ornithocheiroidea indet.
• Osteichthyes indet.
• Pliosauridae indet.

See also

• List of pterosaur-bearing stratigraphic units
• List of fossiliferous stratigraphic units in Russia
  • Sekmenevsk Formation