Berivotra Formation

Berivotra Formation
Stratigraphic range: Maastrichtian
Type	Geological formation
Overlies	Maevarano Formation
Lithology
Primary	Claystone
Location
Coordinates	15.9°S 46.6°E / -15.9; 46.6
Approximate paleocoordinates	30.1°S 38.4°E / -30.1; 38.4
Region	Boeny, Mahajanga Province
Country	Madagascar
Extent	Mahajanga Basin
Type section
Named for	Berivotra, Marovoay
class=notpageimage| Location of the formation in Madagascar

The Berivotra Formation is a Maastrichtian sedimentary formation of the Mahajanga Basin in Boeny, Madagascar. The claystones of the formation were deposited in a shallow marine environment. The Berivotra Formation overlies the fossil-rich Maevarano Formation, in which more fossils of Beelzebufo, also recovered from the Berivotra Formation, have been found. Many shark and ray teeth were collected by surface prospecting on outcrops of the Berivotra Formation, which is readily distinguished by its yellowish grey to pale olive colour, as opposed to the white and green fluvial sandstones that form the upper 15 to 20 metres (49 to 66 ft) of the underlying Maevarano Formation.

Fossil content

The following fossils have been reported from the formation:

• Beelzebufo ampinga
• Cretolamna appendiculata, C. maroccana
• Serratolamna serrata
• Squalicorax kaupi, S. pristodontus
• Carcharias sp.
• Parapalaeobates sp.
• Pristiophorus sp.
• cf. Brachyrhizodus sp.

See also

• List of fossiliferous stratigraphic units in Madagascar
• Geology of Madagascar

Further reading

• M. D. Gottfried, J. A. Rabarison, and L. L. Randriamiarimanana. 2001. Late Cretaceous elasmobranchs from the Mahajanga Basin of Madagascar. Cretaceous Research 22:491-496