Early Dalejan (Emsian) brachiopods from Hamar Laghdad (eastern Anti-Atlas, Morocco)

Late Emsian (early Dalejan, Polygnathus inversus Zone) brachiopods from Hamar Laghdad (eastern Anti-Atlas, Morocco) are examined on the basis of a collection of over 540 specimens coming from the Kess-Kess Formation. Two entirely different assemblages (no shared species) corresponding to mud mound and inter-mound carbonates are recorded. The assemblage A (inter-mound carbonates) includes 15 species and is dominated by Kyrtatrypa cf.balda, Brachyspirifer ? sp., and Sieberella ? sp. Other brachiopods include Stenorhynchia ulrici Halamski & Baliński n. sp., Eoglossinotoechia marocanensis and Reticulariopsis ? sp. The assemblage A is a mixture of quieter water species and of brachiopods adapted to high energy environments. The assemblage D from cavities and small caves occurring within the Kess-Kess mud mounds is nearly monospecific, dominated (98%) by Septatrypa tumulorum Baliński & Halamski n. sp. This species was probably adapted to live around the outlets of active or inactive venting chimneys. Precise biogeographic analysis of the fauna is hampered by inadequate preservation and the necessity of using the open nomenclature resulting therefrom, but Bohemian affinities of the described brachiopods are clear.