Abstract
A total of 54 coprolites with different morphologies from the Konservat-Lagerstätte of Las Hoyas (upper Barremian, Cuenca, Spain) were analysed for stable isotopes (δ15N and δ13Corg) to examine the food-web structure of this ancient wetland. The Las Hoyas wetland exhibited wetter and drier periods that indicated water table oscillations. Differences in the δ15N values of coprolites collected from wetter and drier facies were probably due to different baseline δ15N values during the dry periods (higher) compared to those of the wetter periods. The δ13Corg values indicated that aquatic food resources were the most commonly used by the animals from Las Hoyas. Assuming a Trophic Enrichment Factor (TEF) of + 2.5 ‰, three trophic levels were established for the coprolite association. All the specimens of circular, ellipsoidal, elongated, and rosary morphotypes fell into the same trophic level, whereas other morphotypes (cylinder, irregular, and thin lace) exhibited a wide range of δ15N values and the highest % N concentrations. The covariation between δ15N and δ13Corg values describe a wide spectrum of values across the middle and upper part of the ecosystem's food web structure, suggesting that the Las Hoyas ecosystem hosted specialist feeders and omnivorous and/or opportunistic feeders, the latter being the majority. The variation of δ15N values within the specimens of some morphotypes showed that the larger coprolites do not exhibit any correspondence between the faecal size and δ15N values.
Accepted Version (
Free)
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call