New fossil assemblage with amber, plants and vertebrates from the lower Cenomanian near Châtellerault (Vienne, western France)

Abstract

A large number of fossil-rich beds have been located from over 30 km along the Tours-Poitiers High Speed Line (LGV) during earthworks prior to its construction, and in particular amber was collected from Scorbé-Clairvaux (locality of La Bergeonneau) to the north of Poitiers. The paper describes also amber pieces from Châtellerault (locality of La Désirée) discovered during the development of sewage treatment plant along the Vienne river. Lower Cenomanian shelly sandstones and siltstones of Scorbé-Clairvaux contain rare amber pieces associated with seed plants (Frenelopsissp.,Nehvizdyasp., and angiosperm seeds) and a diversified fauna, composed of micro-remains of 27 taxa, comprising elasmobranchs (Haimirichia amonensisCappetta and Case, 1975,Protolamasp. andSqualicoraxsp.), actinopterygians (Enchodussp. and Pycnodontidae), reptiles including vertebrae the marine snakeSimoliophis rochebruneiSauvage, 1880, some rare helochelydrid plates (cf.Plastremys), teeth of three crocodilian families (Atoposauridae, Goniopholididae and Bernissartiidae) and an undetermined dinosaurian long bone fragment.