Abstract
Abstract: Nesting behaviors of extant vertebrates can serve as taphonomic models for interpreting extinct archosaurian reproduction. Past studies have examined birds with open nests and nest-bound young and tortoises with buried nests and precocial young. Here we taphonomically describe nesting sites of two crocodylians, American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) at Turkey Point, Florida and broad-snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris) from Santa Fe and Chaco provinces, Argentina. Surveys focused on eggshell abundance, orientation, and distribution and nest modification of successfully hatched nests. American crocodiles excavate triangular or semi-circular depressions into their nest during hatching. Maximum depths of these parent-assisted hatching traces ranged from 20–45 cm, with a breadth of 50–80 cm. Eggshell orientations outside these excavated pits favored concave down (53.1–80.0%). Broad-snouted caiman constructed mound nests of predominantly plant debris in forested areas with organic rich soil or on veg...
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