Échinodermes de l'Ordovicien supérieur (Ashgill) de Sardaigne et d'Algérie Echinoderms of the Upper Ordovician (Ashgill) from Sardinia and Algeria

Research on the influence of sea level variations on the benthic faunas have been carried out in the Upper Ordovician of Sardinia. Study of the depositional facies and sequence analysis of the upper part (Lower Ashgill) of the Portixeddu Formation led to the identification of the sedimentary environments. Cystoids and crinoids are associated to bryozoans and brachiopods in most levels. The numerical analysis of associations and megaguilds shows that crinoids and cystoids have a higher frequency in the proximal and median facies of the upper offshore. The columnal association characterized by Conspectocrinus celticus and the coronoid Mespilocystites tregarvanicus has been discovered in the upper part of the formation. This material and complementary samples from Upper Ordovician of Sardinia and Kabylia (Algeria) bring additional data on the systematic and show the wide distribution of this fauna outside of the Ibero-armorican domain. The distribution of this echinoderm association supports a palaeogeographical position of the Ibero-armorican domain and Sardinia within the north gondwanan margin during the Lower Palaeozoic. © 2005 Elsevier SAS. Tous droits reserves. Mots cles : Echinodermes ; Stratigraphie sequentielle ; Systematique ; Paleogeographie ; Ordovicien superieur ; Sardaigne ; Algerie ; Gondwana