Manifesto of the South American School of (Actualistic) Taphonomy

RITTER, MATIAS DO NASCIMENTO; DE FRANCESCO, CLAUDIO GERMÁN; ERTHAL, FERNANDO; HASSAN, G.S.; TIETZE, ELEONOR; MARTÍNEZ, SERGIO

PALAIOS

SEPM-SOC SEDIMENTARY GEOLOGY

Lugar: Lawrence; Año: 2016 vol. 31 p. 20 - 24

0883-1351

The number of scientific publications on actualistic taphonomy authored bySouth American scientists has risen sharply during the last decade, reflectingan increased interest in this subject by local researchers. This is also evidencedby the rise in the number of master?s and doctoral theses. The broad and geographically diverse areas covered in the studies of South American taphonomists give us the opportunity to address some key topics in actualistic taphonomy, such as the role of climatically and geographically driven environmental gradients on preservation and the role of spatial scales. The physiognomy and environmental diversity of South America allow us to explore (1) the effect of using different spatial scales (fine and broad) on preservationand fidelity bias in both continental and marine environments; (2) patterns of preservation of organic remains under continental gradients of alkalinity and conductivity; and (3) patterns of preservation of groups other than mollusks, such as diatoms and ostracods. Although this ?southern taphonomy? explosion is rooted in the opportunities afforded by South American landscapes, a second (but no less important) trigger is the human dimension fostered by social and scientific interactions. As a collaborative research effort, we are pursuing the ambitious objective of proposing and developing critical questions and ideas in the field of taphonomy from a South American point of view.