The late Pliocene locality of Ahl al Oughlam, Morocco: vertebrate fauna and interpretation

Abstract

The late Pliocene site of Ahl al Oughlam near Casablanca, Morocco, dated to ca. 2.5 Ma, yielded the richest vertebrate fauna of the North African late Cainozoic. It includes more than 55 species of mammals, and a variety of birds and reptiles, probably accumulated by carnivores. The faunal assemblage, and its poor diversity, point to a quite open and not very favourable environment, perhaps markedly seasonal. Overall similarity of the ungulate fauna with the rest of Africa definitely shows that the Sahara did not yet act as a major geographical barrier for large mammals, but there is no evidence of human presence.