FAUNAL AGGREGATION IN THE EARLY TRIASSIC KAROO BASIN: EARLIEST EVIDENCE OF SHELTER-SHARING BEHAVIOR AMONG TETRAPODS?

ABDALA, F.; CISNEROS, J. C.; SMITH, R.M.H.

PALAIOS

SEPM-SOC SEDIMENTARY GEOLOGY

Lugar: Lawrence; Año: 2006 vol. 21 p. 507 - 512

0883-1351

The first report of a multitaxon aggregation from the Early Triassic Lystrosaurus Assemblage Zone is presented here. The aggregation includes two vertebrates?the suricate-sized cynodont Galesaurus planiceps and a gecko-like procolophonoid Owenetta kitchingorum?and a diplopod millipede. The high degree of articulation of the skeletalremains and the preservation of delicate bones in situ suggest that the animals were either rapidly buried or died in a place protected from weathering and agents of dispersal. Two hypotheses are possible to explain this multitaxon aggregation: trapping in a floodplain gully followed by immediate burial or shelter-sharing. The latter hypothesis is favored after the analysis of the fossil evidence recorded in the South African Karoo Basin.