The evolution of the continental mammal fauna of southern South America and its relationship with the main geodynamic events and the climatic/environmental changes that affected the continent during the Jurassic-Neogene period

ORTIZ JAUREGUIZAR, EDGARDO

La Plata

Workshop; Workshop Paleogeografía y paleoclimatología de la Patagonia: sus efectos sobre la biodiversidad; 2009

The objective of this presentation is to analyze the compositional changes of the continental mammal fauna of the southern region of South America and their apparent interrelationship with main geodynamic events and climatic/environmental changes related to them. Choosing this part of the South American continent is due to several reasons, among which: (1) the existence of a very complete mammal record particularly during the Cenozoic; (2) the large latitudinal extension and the scarce longitudinal width of the territory, enforcing the marine influence; (3) the nearness with Antarctica, to which a connection existed, having ended only 30 Ma ago; (4) the Andean orogeny, which in successive phases modified the South American topography and ecosystems; and (5) the fluctuations of sea level, that repeatedly affected most of the southern South American territory. In this contribution, the Quaternary period will be considered only marginally, since this topic will be treated by other panelists.