A new vertebrate-, ostracod-, and charophyte-bearing locality in the Middle Jurassic of the Grands Causses (southern France)

A new fossiliferous locality from the Middle Jurassic (Bathonian) of the Grands Causses (Gard, France) is described. The layer is rich in gyrogonites of Porochara douzensis. The only ostracod carapace found is identified as Darwinula magna. As for vertebrates, teeth of Hybodontiformes, teeth and scales of Semionotiformes, and one fragmentary tooth of Crocodyliformes have been collected and are determined as Hybodus sp., Lepidotes sp., and Atoposauridae indet., respectively. The assemblage is representative of a Jurassic coastal environment with freshwater ponds and lagoons. (C) 2012 The Geologists' Association. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.