Manda Formation | |
---|---|
Stratigraphic range: | |
Type | Geological formation |
Unit of | Songea Group |
Sub-units | Kingori Sandstone Member, Lifua Member |
Underlies | None |
Overlies | Usili Formation |
Lithology | |
Primary | Sandstone |
Other | Mudstone, siltstone, marl |
Location | |
Coordinates | 10°18′S 35°12′E / 10.3°S 35.2°E |
Approximate paleocoordinates | 53°42′S 23°00′E / 53.7°S 23.0°E |
Region | Iringa & Ruvuma Regions |
Country | Tanzania |
Extent | Ruhuhu Basin |
The Manda Formation (also known as the Manda Beds) is a Middle Triassic (Anisian?) or possibly Late Triassic (Carnian?) geologic formation in Tanzania. It preserves fossils of many terrestrial vertebrates from the Triassic, including some of the earliest dinosauromorph archosaurs.[1] The formation is often considered to be Anisian in age according to general tetrapod biochronology hypotheses and correlations to the Cynognathus Assemblage Zone of South Africa.[2] However, some recent studies cast doubt to this age, suggesting that parts deposits may actually be younger (Carnian) in age.[3][4][5]
Nyasasaurus
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).