Taphonomy of modern communal burrow systems of the Plains vizcacha (Lagostomus maximus, Chinchillidae) in the Pampas region of Argentina: implications for the fossil record

RAFUSE, DANIEL; KAUFMANN, C. A.; GUTIERREZ, M. A.; GONZÁLEZ MARIELA E.; SCHEIFLER, N. A.; ÁLVAREZ, MARÍA C.; MASSIGOGE, AGUSTINA

Historical Biology

Taylor & Francis

Año: 2019

The Plains vizcacha (Lagostomus maximus) is one of the largest rodents in South America. They live incommunal burrow systems (vizcacheras) shaped by complex subterranean galleries which produce astrong impact on the local landscape. This paper presents the results of an actualistic study conducted withabandoned vizcacheras from the Pampas region of Argentina. The main objective is to evaluate the roleof this rodent in the formation of the fossil record. Results indicate that the Plains vizcacha is responsiblefor the mixing, accumulation, and transport of materials; such as sticks, caliche, dung, feces, and abundantbone remains. Their burrowing activity and the accumulating habits, modifies the landscape, creatingenvironments conducive to the buildup of objects and the reuse by different animals. These characteristicsresult in very complex associations of materials of different origins; making this rodent an importanttaphonomic agent with the potential to significantly impact the fossil record.