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Taxonomy from Taverne et al. 2015. Palaeobalistum gutturosum, originally described by Arambourg in 1954 from the Cenomanian deposits of Jebel Tselfat in Morocco, was doubtfully ranged in the genus Nursallia by PoyatoAriza & Wenz in 2002. Taverne et al. 2015 established the new genus Paranursallia for "Nursallia" gutturosa. Etymology. — From the Greek para, near, close to, and the generic name Nursallia. Diagnosis for the genus Paranursallia from Taverne et al. 2015, p. 2018: "Nursalliinae with a large head, a wide orbit and a very short snout. Paired broad prefrontals present. Short mesethmoid. Parasphenoid short and straight. Mandible triangular and as deep as long. Wide dermosphenotic. A large and deep “V”-shaped notch at the ventral junction between the skull and the cleithrum. First neural arches fused in a large synarcual articulated on the rear of the skull. First 7 or 8 neural spines autogenous. 27 to 30 vertebral segments before the epichordal series. Neural and haemal arches interlocked by two pre- and two postzygapophyses. Dorsal and anal fin with about 70 pterygiophores each." Line drawing of the head from Taverne et al. 2015, p. 223: Identified by Prof. L. Capasso, Università degli Studi G. d'Annunzio Chieti e Pescara, Italy. References: Arambourg C. (1954) Les poissons crétacés du Jebel Tselfat. Notes et mémoires du Service Géologique du Maroc, 118: 1-188. Poyato-Ariza F. J. & Wenz S. (2002) A new insight into pycnodontiform fishes. Geodiversitas 24 (1): 139-248. Taverne L., Layeb M., Layeb-Tounsi Y. & Gaudant J. (2015) Paranursallia spinosa n. gen., n. sp., a new Upper Cretaceous pycnodontiform fish from the Eurafrican Mesogea. Geodiversitas 37 (2): 215-227. http://dx.doi.org/10.5252/g2015n2a3 Capasso, L. (2020) SEGNALAZIONE DEL PICNODONTIFORME PARANURSALLIA GUTTUROSA (ARAMBOURG, 1954) NEI CALCARI DOLOMITICI DEL CRETACEO SUPERIORE DI GARA SBAA, MAROCCO SUDORIENTALE. Atti Mus. Civ. St. Nat. Trieste 61, p. 153-162.

Taxonomy from Pasini et al., 2022. Diagnosis from Pasini et al., 2022: "Body elongate, slightly narrowing posteriorly; sub-pentagonal carapace wider than long and sub-triangular rostrum; eyes rounded, apparently without peduncle; antennulae base rectangular elongate; pereon longer but narrow than carapace; pereonites similar in width and size each than other; P1-P6 with wrinkled furrows dorsally; sub-rectangular P1 and P2 with convex lateral margins and dorsolateral vaults; sub-trapezoidal P3-P6 with convex lateral margins and posterior marginal lateral process; P-1-P-2 elongate meri, slightly longer than combined carpus plus propodus with short, curved fossorial dactylus; pleon narrower than pereon and 2.8 times shorter than pereon; P11-P15 narrow than pereonites, all similar in size and shape, wider than long with acute lateral margins; elongate pleotelson narrower than P11-P15." Line drawing from Pasini et al, 2022: Identified by oilshale. References: Pasini, G., Vega, F. J., Garassino,A., (2022): A new genus and species of Tanaidacea (Crustacea, Apseudomorpha) from the Upper Cretaceous (Cenomanian-Turonian) of Gara Sbaa, southeastern Morocco: Boletín de la Sociedad Geológica Mexicana, 74 (2), A290622. http://dx.doi.org/10.18268/ BSGM2022v74n2a290622.

Lit.: Joan Corbacho, Scott Morrison, Máximo Alonso. First Mention of Unusuropode castroi Duarte & Santos, 1962 (Crustacea: Isopoda) in the Upper Cretaceous of Gara es Sbâa Lagerstätte, South-Eastern Morocco. Earth Sciences. Vol. 7, No. 6, 2018, pp. 288-292. doi: 10.11648/j.earth.20180706.16

Taxonomy from Khalloufi et al. 2010. So far this fish was only known from Ein Yabrud, Ramallah. Description by Khalloufi et al. 2010, p. 47: "The diamond-shaped body of ca. 70mm in standard length is almost twice higher than long (the standard length represents 51% of the total depth). The axial skeleton comprises 33-34 vertebrae, with abdominalcentra anteroposteriorly constricted. The last abdominal vertebrae possess elongated parapophyses which support small ribs. The posterior predorsal scutes have elongated lateral wings, and the last scute is claw-shaped. The ventral scute series is formed by about 35 scutes with very elongated lateral wings. The scutes located posteriorly to the apex of the ventral profile possess a strong posteriorly oriented spine." Identified by B. Khalloufi, Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle Paris. References: B. Khalloufi, R. Zaragüeta-Bagils, and H. Lelièvre (2010) Rhombichthys intoccabilis, gen. et sp. nov. (Ellimmichthyiformes, Clupeomorpha, Teleostei), from the Cenomanian (Upper Cretaceous) of Ein Yabrud, Middle East: anatomical description and phylogenetic implications. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 30(1):57-67. Bouziane Khalloufi, Didier B. Dutheil, Paulo M. Brito, Théo Mora and René Zaragüeta Bagils (2017) Mesozoic clupeomorphs of North Africa: diversity and phylogeny. RESEARCH & KNOWLEDGE. Vol. 3 No. 2 page 46-49. DOI: 10.14456/randk.2017.25

Taxonomy from Fossilworks.org. Diagnosis from Murray and Wilson 2014, p. 39: "Aipichthyoidea differing from all other known aipichthyoid genera by the much greater number of dorsal fin spines, 11 or 12, compared with two in Aipichthyoides, two to three in Aipichthys, three in Freigichthys, four in Paraipichthys and Aspesaipichthys, and five in Errachidia pentaspinosa." Identified by A. Murray, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada. References: Alison M. MURRAY, Mark V. H. WILSON, Stacey GIBB and Brian D. E. CHATTERTON (2013): Additions to the Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian/Turonian) actinopterygian fauna from the Agoult locality, Akrabou Formation, Morocco, and comments on the palaeoenvironment. Mesozoic Fishes 5 – Global Diversity and Evolution, G. Arratia, H.-P. Schultze & M. V. H. Wilson (eds.): pp. 525-548, 17 figs. Alison M. Murray, Mark V.H. Wilson (2014): FOUR NEW BASAL ACANTHOMORPH FISHES FROM THE LATE CRETACEOUS OF MOROCCO. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 34(1):34–48, January 2014.

There are two Thorectichthys species in Gara es Sbâa: The deep-bodied T. marocensis and the more slender T. rhadinus. Etymology: Generic name from the Greek "thorectes", masculine, meaning a warrior armed with a breast plate, in reference to the abdominal scutes of the fish, and "ichthys" meaning fish. Species name from the Greek “rhadinos” meaning slender, tapering or lithe, in reference to the body depth of this species being much less than in T. marocensis. Taxonomy from Murray and Wilson 2013. Diagnosis from Murray and Wilson 2013, p. 276: "Differs from the type species Thorectichthys marocensis by having six predorsal bones (instead of five), having more total (24-26 compared to 22-25) and postpelvic (8-9 compared to 6-7) abdominal scutes and more pairs of ribs (17-18 compared to 14-15). In addition, there are 10-11 scutes in the predorsal series (8 in T. marocensis), and the body depth is 40-48 % of standard length (compared to 57-65 % in T. marocensis). Identified by oilshale using Murray and Wilson 2013. References: Murray, A. & Wilson M. (2013) Two new paraclupeid fishes (Clupeomorpha: Ellimmichthyiformes) from the Upper Cretaceous of Morocco. Mesozoic Fishes 5 – Global Diversity and Evolution, G. Arratia, H.-P. Schultze & M. V. H. Wilson (eds.): pp. 267-290, 8 figs., 2 tabs., 2 apps.

There are two Thorectichthys species in Gara es Sbâa: The deep-bodied T. marocensis and the more slender T. rhadinus. Etymology: Generic name from the Greek "thorectes", masculine, meaning a warrior armed with a breast plate, in reference to the abdominal scutes of the fish, and "ichthys" meaning fish. Taxonomy from Murray and Wilson 2013. Diagnosis for Thorectichthys marocensis from Murray and Wilson 2013, p. 269: "A deep-bodied fish with body depth being between 57 and 65 % of standard length, having a deeper body in relation to standard length than Ellimmichthys, Ellimma, ‘Diplomystus’ solignaci, Scutatuspinosus and Paraclupea, and having a less-deep body than Ezkutuberezi and Tycheroichthys. Rhombichthys as described varies in body depth with size. Eight scutes in predorsal series [compared to 7 in ‘D’. solignaci, or more than 9 in Paraclupea (18), Ellimmichthys (12-14), Ellimma branneri (12-13), Rhombichthys (12 or more), Scutatuspinosus (10-11), Tycheroichthys (16), and Triplomystus (12-13) [but 8 present in Ellimma cruzi, more than five in Ezkutuberezi]. The number of scutes and depth of body also distinguish it from the second new species in this genus." Identified by oilshale using Murray and Wilson 2013. References: Murray, A. & Wilson M. (2013) Two new paraclupeid fishes (Clupeomorpha: Ellimmichthyiformes) from the Upper Cretaceous of Morocco. Mesozoic Fishes 5 – Global Diversity and Evolution, G. Arratia, H.-P. Schultze & M. V. H. Wilson (eds.): pp. 267-290, 8 figs., 2 tabs., 2 apps.

Taxonomy from Murray & Wilson 2008. Diagnosis for the species from Murray & Wilson 2008, p. 431: "A macrosemiid fish differing from all others by the high number of scales laterally along the body (68, compared to 50 or less in the other genera) and the greater number of dorsal fin rays (about 47 total) than in any other macrosemiid genus (dorsal rays numbering fewer than 40). Dorsal fin separated into two lobes, as in Notagogus, Histionotus, Propterus and Macrosemiocotzus, but unlike the continuous dorsal fin of Enchelyolepis, Macrosemius, and Legnonotus. Squamation consisting of rhomboid scales with a smooth posterior border, unlike the rhomboid scales of Macrosemius, Propterus, Histionotus, Notagogus, Legnonotus, and Macrosemiocotzus, all of which have a pectinate posterior edge on the rhombic scales (Bartram 1977a; Tintori and Renesto 1983), and unlike the cycloid scales of Enchelyolepis (Bartram, 1977a); squamation complete on the body, unlike that of Macrosemius, Legnonotus, and Macrosemiocotzus, in which a strip beneath the dorsal fin is bare of scales (Gonzalez-Rodrıguez et al. 2004)." Line drawing by Murray & Wilson 2008, p. 431: Identified by oilshale using Murray & Wilson 2008. References: Bartram, A. W. H. 1977a. The Macrosemiidae, a Mesozoic family of holostean fishes. Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History), Geology series, 29, 137–234. Tintori A. & Renesto S. (1983) The Macrosemiidae (Pisces, Actinopterygii) from the Upper Triassic of Lombardy (N. Italy). Rivista Italiana di Paleontologia e Stratigrafia, 89, 209–222. Gonzalez-Rodriguez, K. & Reynoso, V. H. (2004) A new Notagogus (Macrosemiidae, Halecostomi) species from the Albian Tlayua Quarry, Central Mexico. 265–278. In Arratia, G. and Tintori, A. (eds.). Mesozoic fishes 3 – systematics, paleoenvironments and biodiversity. Verlag Dr Friedrich Pfeil, München, Germany, 649 pp. MURRAY, A. and WILSON, M. (2008) A NEW LATE CRETACEOUS MACROSEMIID FISH (NEOPTERYGII, HALECOSTOMI) FROM MOROCCO, WITH TEMPORAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE EXTENSIONS FOR THE FAMILY. Palaeontology, Vol. 52, Part 2, 2009, pp. 429–440. Martill, D., Ibrahim, N. Brito, P., Baider, L., Zhouri, S.. Loveridge, R., Naish, D. and Hing, R. (2011) A new Plattenkalk Konservat Lagerstätte in the Upper Cretaceous of Gara Sbaa, south-eastern Morocco. Cretaceous Research 32 (2011) 433-446. MURRAY, A., WILSON, M., GIBB, S. and CHATTERTON, B. (2013) Additions to the Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian/Turonian) actinopterygian fauna from the Agoult locality, Akrabou Formation, Morocco, and comments on the palaeoenvironment. Mesozoic Fishes 5 – Global Diversity and Evolution, G. Arratia, H.-P. Schultze & M. V. H. Wilson (eds.): pp. 525-548, 17 figs.

Line drawing from Taverne and Capasso, 2023, p. 490. References: Taverne, L. and Capasso, L. (2023). Osteology and phylogenetic relationships of Agoultpycnodus aldrovandii gen. and sp. nov., a new pycnodont fish genus (Pycnodontidae) from the marine Upper Cretaceous of Morocco. Geo-Eco-Trop., 2021, 45, 3: 487-495. Taverne, L. and Capasso, L. (2023). Erratum: Osteology and phylogenetic relationships of Agoultpycnodus aldrovandii gen. and sp. nov., a new pycnodont fish genus (Pycnodontidae) from the marine Upper Cretaceous of Morocco. Geo-Eco-Trop., 2021, 45, 4 : 709-71

Lit.: Martill, D., Ibrahim, N. Brito, P., Baider, L., Zhouri, S.. Loveridge, R., Naish, D. and Hing, R. (2011): A new Plattenkalk Konservat Lagerstätte in the Upper Cretaceous of Gara Sbaa, south-eastern Morocco. Cretaceous Research 32 (2011) 433-446 Cavin, L. & Dutheil, D. (1999) A new Cenomanian ichthyofauna from southeastern Morocco and its relationships with other early Late Cretaceous Moroccan faunas. Geologie en Mijnbouw 78: 261–266, 1999. Cavin, L., H. Tong, L. Boudad, C. Meister, A. Piuz, J. Tabouell, M. Aarab, R. Amiot, E. Buffetaut, G. dyke, S. Hua, and J. Le Loeuff (2010): Vertebrate assemblages from the early Late Cretaceous of southeastern Morocco: an overview. Journal of African Earth Sciences 57:391–412