Paléoécologie et vicariance: Les faunes de vertébrés terrestres du sommet du Trias inférieur (zone à Cynognathus) en Afrique Australe et en Amérique du Sud

Abstract

The composition of the Late Lower Triassic vertebrate faunas from South Africa and South America is briefly analysed. The South American fauna from the Puesto Viejo Formation and the South African fauna from the Burgersdorp Formation are interpreted as vicarious. The smaller size of the South American forms, as compared with the South African ones, can be explained only by ecological differences between the two territories. The nature of these differences is discussed; an important rôle is attributed to volcanic activity, known only on the South American side.