Análisis tafonómico de micromamíferos del Pleistoceno Superior del Quequén Salado, provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina

MONTALVO, CLAUDIA; TOMASSINI, RODRIGO; VISCONTI, GRACIELA; TIRANTI, SERGIO

REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE PALEONTOLOGIA

SOC BRASILEIRA PALEONTOLOGIA

Lugar: Porto Alegre; Año: 2012 vol. 15 p. 345 - 358

1519-7530

A taphonomic analysis was made on small mammal remains recovered from fossil bone accumulations, interpreted as whole and fragmented pellets from Upper Pleistocene levels of the Quequén Salado River cliffs (Buenos Aires, Argentina). Additionally, the probable source of the accumulation and some features associated with post-burial preservation processes are discussed. From the available information it is possible, through analyzing the anatomical representation of the remains and the degree of digestion, to show affinities with extant accumulations produced by nocturnal birds of prey. Nevertheless, breakage patterns are biased in this association as it shows much higher values than in recent analysis based on pellets of extant nocturnal raptors. Diagenetic bone fractures found in skeletal elements probably hidden the fractures produced at the moment of predation. Micro structural characteristics of remains conserved in pellets are indicative of good preservation indicating a rapid burial. Associated remains, interpreted as originating from disassembled pellets, also may have been buried rapidly as they do not show any weathering. From a biostratigraphic point of view and based on the associated mega mammals, this accumulation can be assigned to the Lujanian Stage/Age, Late Pleistocene.