Regresar

Small mammal Possits from the Arroyo Seco 2 (Buenos Aires Province, Argentina), taphonomy and paleoenvironmental implications

Abstract:

The late Pleistocene-early Holocene sequence at the Arroyo Seco 2 is one of the most complete record in Pampean Region. Four stratigraphic units are distinguished, three of which contain abundant small mammals fossil. Fossil bones from these units are analyzed in order to determine the taphonomic processes and habitat present during the accumulation of their faunal remains. Most of the fossil bones are broken after burial. Bones from the deeper units are recovered of manganese (Mn) produced by the water level oscillations consequence of the successives swamping. Three species of armadillo (Chaetophractus villosus, Dasypus hybridus and Zaedyus pichiy) and four rodents (Akodon azarae, Rheitrodon auritus, Ctenomys talarum and Lagostomus maximus) are present. Record of micromammal plus megafauna evidence show a transition from temperate and semiarid to more humid conditions between 12,000 and 8,500 yrs BP.