Palaeodemecological analysis of infaunal bivalve "Lebensspuren" from the Mulichinco Formation, Lower Cretaceous, Neuquén Basin, Argentina

ECHEVARRÍA, J.; DAMBORENEA, S.E.; MANCEÑIDO, M.O.

AMEGHINIANA

ASOCIACION PALEONTOLOGICA ARGENTINA

Lugar: Buenos Aires; Año: 2012 vol. 49 p. 47 - 59

0002-7014

The study of palaeodemecological features requires some particular taphonomic conditions. These conditions were met in the Mulichinco Formation (Valanginian), where burrowing bivalve trace fossils are widespread and often appear in cross section on bedding surfaces. Two groups of such beds were analyzed, measuring population density, spatial distribution, size distribution and horizontal orientation of the burrows. The palaeoenvironment was established by means of a detailed sedimentological analysis, and the bivalve fauna present was checked, in order to attempt identifying their potential producers. High population densities were found for both groups, indicating favourable physical conditions and good food supply, while differences in both spatial and size distributions were noticed between them; on most surfaces there was no preferred orientation. The first group (group A) showed a uniform pattern of spatial distribution and larger traces, with a remarkable absence of small sizes. In the second group (group B), the spatial distribution pattern is indistinguishable from a random distribution (except one case in which the pattern appears to be aggregated). Group A is interpreted as a set of escape traces made by deep burrowers in response to storm deposition, while group B is considered as resting/escape traces made by shallow burrowers in tide-dominated environments. Palaeodemecological studies of this kind are potentially useful tools for sedimentary and basin analyses.