Abstract
The Late Triassic Chinle Formation is an extensive series of fluvial and lacustrine sediments exposed mostly in the Colorado Plateau region. Fossil vertebrates occur in local concentrations throughout the vertical and horizontal extent of the formation, although the most diverse accumulations occur within the Petrified Forest Member in Arizona and New Mexico. Successive faunas are known from the Lower and Upper Units of the Petrified Forest Member and can be subdivided into terrestrial and aquatic communities. Faunal turnover occurs among herbivores, phytosaurs, and metoposaurs between the Lower and Upper Units. No major change is observed in fish faunas throughout Chinle deposition. Mass accumulations of vertebrate fossils in the Chinle occurred on floodplains, in bogs and small ponds, and in or near fluvial channels. Paleontological and sedimentological evidence supports the interpretation of Chinle paleoclimates as having significant precipitation but being strongly seasonal. Vertebrate occurrences do not clearly reflect the gradual aridification at the end of Chinle deposition suggested by sedimentological study.
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