Remains Of Vertebrates Research Articles

Sedimentological evolution of the Quibas site: High-resolution glacial/interglacial dynamics in a terrestrial pre-Jaramillo to post-Jaramillo sequence from southern Iberian Peninsula

The sedimentary infill of the Quibas karstic site (Early Pleistocene, southern Spain) represents the only continuous succession with remains of continental vertebrates in Europe from pre-Jaramillo to post-Jaramillo age. The Quibas site, with a significant paleontological record, is dated between 1.1 and 0.9 Ma and offers a unique opportunity to carry out a paleoclimatic reconstruction of the time period immediately after the arrival of the first humans to western Europe. For this reason, defining the dominant sedimentary processes in the different stratigraphic units and the associated paleoenvironment is essential. The Quibas site is made up of two karstic features with two stratigraphic sequences: Quibas-Cueva, containing six lithostratigraphic units, and Quibas-Sima, which contains seven lithostratigraphic units. The detailed description and analyses of the stratigraphic sections have allowed the characterization of various autochthonous and allochthonous facies of cave deposits. Paleoclimatic proxies, inferred from sedimentological analyses, reveal a record of several alternating humid and arid phases resulting from the Early Pleistocene glacial-interglacial cycles, allowing correlation to the marine oxygen isotope record. The lowermost units (pre-Jaramillo) were deposited during a long-lasting interglacial, correlated to MIS 33–31. It was followed by an increase in aridity in the intermediate units of Quibas-Sima and uppermost unit of Quibas-Cueva (Jaramillo), revealing the beginning of a glacial period at the start of the Jaramillo subchron (1 Ma), which can be correlated to MIS 30. The upper Jaramillo and post-Jaramillo units suggest these were deposited in alternating periods of aridity and humid conditions, although less humid than the pre-Jaramillo period, probably representing the MIS 29 interglacial, the MIS 28 glacial and the MIS 27 interglacial.

Sacred offerings and secular foods on Reao Atoll, Tuamotu Archipelago, East Polynesia

ABSTRACTIn 1976, Yosihiko H. Sinoto conducted extensive archaeological survey and excavations on Reao Atoll, Tuamotu Archipelago as part of a Japanese, multi‐disciplinary expedition led by Prof. Sachiko Hatanaka. Primarily excavating three marae and four habitation sites totalling ∼180 m2, more than 25000 vertebrate remains were recovered. We report the jidentification and analysis of the fauna and contrast the inventories from secular and sacred contexts inferring the ritual use of pig, dog, turtle and tuna (Scombridae), as well as identifying relatively larger parrotfish (Scaridae), groupers (Serranidae), snappers (Lutjanidae), the Humphead wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus) and sharks/rays (Elasmobranchii) on marae. With a suite of 11 new AMS age determinations, we report the first directly dated precontact records for pig and dog and anchor the marae chronology possibly beginning in the thirteenth century. The 800 calBP dates imply that at least one of the Tuamotu atolls may have emerged nearly two centuries prior to the hypothesised ‘cross‐over’ date of 600 BP. Consequently, the earliest chronology of atoll emergence along the 1000 km length of the Tuamotus might vary, thus providing landscapes for human colonisation at slightly different times which has implications for the speed and tempo of colonisation.

Excavating the ‘Rutland Sea Dragon’: The largest ichthyosaur skeleton ever found in the UK (Whitby Mudstone Formation, Toarcian, Lower Jurassic)

An almost complete ichthyosaur skeleton 10 m long was discovered in January 2021 at the Rutland Water Nature Reserve in the county of Rutland, UK. This was excavated by a small team of palaeontologists in the summer of the same year. Nicknamed ‘The Rutland Sea Dragon’, this almost fully articulated skeleton is an example of the large-bodied Early Jurassic ichthyosaur Temnodontosaurus. The specimen was analysed in situ, recorded (including a 3D scan using photogrammetry), excavated and removed from the site in a series of large plaster field jackets to preserve taphonomic information. Significantly, the specimen is the largest ichthyosaur skeleton to have been found in the UK and it may be the first recorded example of Temnodontosaurus trigonodon to be found in the country, extending its known geographic range significantly. It also represents the most complete skeleton of a large prehistoric reptile to have been found in the UK. We provide an account of the discovery and describe the methods used for excavating, recording and lifting the large skeleton which will aid palaeontologists facing similar challenges when collecting extensive remains of large and fragile fossil vertebrates. We also discuss the preliminary research findings and the global impact this discovery has had through public engagement.

Incidental observation of bone modification by Crematogaster cf. liengmei (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Cape Town, South Africa

Different taxa of insects have been reported to modify the skeletal remains of vertebrates during feeding or the creation of their larval and pupal chambers. Anecdotal reports on the modification of skeletal remains by ants exist but are rare. In this paper, a case of modification of bone due to the feeding activity of the ant, Crematogaster cf. liengmei (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), is reported. In November 2022, a bone was encountered incidentally in the vicinity of the Table Mountain National Park. The bone had been colonized by several individuals of Crematogaster cf. liengmei. Several ants were observed feeding on and removing bone particles and soft tissue remnants. A closer observation revealed striae/furrows on the epiphyseal ends of the bone. A 60-kg pig cadaver used in a winter decomposition trial in the same area was similarly colonized by this ant species, resulting in soft-tissue modification. Due to the similarity in the striae/furrows observed on the bone and the bitemarks inflicted by the ants on the right ear of the pig cadaver in the vicinity, it was concluded that the striae/furrows seen on the bone were created by the ants. Our observations show that Crematogaster cf. liengmei is an important taphonomic bio-agent that can contribute to the modification of skeletal remains in terrestrial environments.

Testing the Usefulness of the Surface Collecting Method in a Vertebrate Microfossil Site from the Barremian of Spain (Los Menires, Mirambel Formation)

Surface collecting is the first and sometimes the only type of sampling carried out in many fossiliferous localities, including vertebrate microfossil assemblages. Nevertheless, it is rare to test how representative these surface-collected samples are of the palaeobiocoenosis. A first approach to the palaeontological analysis of Los Menires, a Barremian vertebrate microfossil assemblage, is here performed while testing the usefulness of the surface collection method. New fossil material obtained by surface collection is described, and the resulting data are compared with those obtained by screen-washing. The fossil assemblage of Los Menires is dominated by parautochthonous remains of freshwater aquatic and semiaquatic organisms—i.e., charophytes, ostracods, bivalves, gastropods, testudinatans, crocodylomorphs, lissamphibians, and osteichthyans—although parautochthonous remains of terrestrial vertebrates—i.e., dinosaurs, lacertilians, and mammaliforms—are also present. The accumulation of vertebrate hard parts in Los Menires took place in a low-energy, shallow-water, depositional environment within the alluvial-lacustrine system represented by the Mirambel Formation. Sampling test results indicate that surface collection is effective in recognizing the main fossil groups present in an assemblage. Yet, it is not suitable for capturing delicate and tiny fossils nor for recognizing the abundance of eggshells. In contrast, it can generate an overrepresentation of other hard components such as coprolites or ornithopod teeth.

The first record of mosasaurs (Squamata: Mosasauridae) from the West Indies and its paleobiogeographical implications

Remains of Cretaceous vertebrates have been scarce in the fossil record of Cuba, but recent exploration of Upper Cretaceous outcrops in the central part of the island has led to the discovery of new fossil-bearing deposits from nearshore depositional environments. Here, we report upon two isolated marginal teeth, which we identified as belonging to the genus Mosasaurus. The specimens described here, recovered from two upper Campanian – lower Maastrichtian outcrops in central Cuba, represent the first record of mosasaurs from the West Indies, and along with other marine fossils suggest that the Caribbean played an important role in the faunal interconnection across seaways and oceans in the region.

Dental variation in Hypnomys mahonensis Bate, 1918 (Gliridae, Rodentia, Mammalia) from the newly rediscovered type-locality of Punta Esquitxador 17 (Menorca, Balearic Islands, Western Mediterranean)

ABSTRACT Punta Esquitxador 17 is a small coastal site of karstic origin, formed by very hard red silt, rich in remains of small vertebrates. This is the same site from which Dorothea M. A. Bate recovered and described, in 1918, Hypnomys mahonensis. The limited number of specimens of the type series (a left maxilla, a right mandible and an M1) has, historically, limited the adequate knowledge of this species. The recovery of new remains has allowed us to describe the different dental morphotypes and their comparison with other species of the genus. Overall, H. mahonensis has simpler tooth patterns than Hypnomys morpheus, with isolated ridges in upper M1. Moreover, H. mahonensis displays a small transverse ridge connecting the anteroloph and protoloph. This is a derived feature absent in H. morpheus. Two different hypotheses have been put forward to explain the origin of H. mahonensis: 1) is considered the final representative of a phyletic lineage originating in Menorca; 2) H. mahonensis evolved from the arrival to Menorca of a late representative of the existing phylogenetic line in Mallorca (H. morpheus). ThIsstudyalso made possible to confirm the taxonomic validity of this species and its geographical and temporal distribution. .

Chemical Diversity of Teeth and Bone Fragments from a Newly Discovered Upper Muschelkalk Bone Bed from Silesia, Poland

The new exposure of the Upper Muschelkalk clays and dolomites located south of Kalety (Tarnogórski District, Silesia, Poland) provided numerous remains of vertebrates represented by teeth, scales, long bones, and coprolites. Despite the influence of hydrothermal processes leading to dolomitization and Zn-Pb deposit formation, the preservation of fossil remains is good. The taxonomic diversity and accumulation of vertebrate debris in the dolomite are similar to other “bone beds” from the Muschelkalk and the Lower Keuper units. The SEM-EDS, EMP-WDS, and XRD analyses confirm that the examined remains consist of hydroxylapatite containing carbonate ions. Most vertebrate teeth as well as some bone fragments show zoning in the BSE imaging. In tooth cross-sections, three or two zones are preserved: (I) the outermost zone, associated with diagenetic mineralization of enameloid apatite, (II) a intermediate zone (orthodentine), and (III) the most porous internal zone (osteodentine). Decreasing P, Ca, Sr in the composition of the apatite which forms successive zones, is visible from the most external to the central part. Selective diagenetic substitution and adsorption of some elements by apatite crystals can allow recognition of the genetic origin of highly damaged or transported fragments scattered in the sedimentary layers. The chemical behavior of bioapatite, from deposition to digenesis, shows its useful role for identification of the formation process and potential, younger changes (e.g., hydrothermal overprint). The X-ray diffraction data, particularly cell parameters “a” and “c”, can determine the degree of crystallinity and/or diagenesis. Moreover, correlation between some elements/ions (e.g., Sr, Ba, Ca, Mg, F, OH) can be helpful for the identification of the fossil type, especially if the bones are small and incomplete.

Voronin Grotto (Middle Urals, Russia): Analysis of vertebrate assemblage with taphonomic remarks and reconstruction of the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age human environment in the east end of Europe based on small mammals

We present the Voronin Grotto as a new site where numerous remains of vertebrates (total NISP = 12574) and artefacts (N = 46) were found. The grotto is located in Serga River valley at the foot of the western slope of the Middle Urals, i.e., in the east end of continental Europe. The deposits have been accumulating during the last 3310 years. The AMS dates and artefacts indicate that the grotto was periodically visited by human population in the period between 3310 cal BP (the Late Bronze Age) and 1899 cal BP (the Early Iron Age). Recovered vertebrate assemblage included 49 species belonging to 5 classes (Actinopterygii, Amphibia, Reptilia, Aves, and Mammalia). The bones of fish and amphibians were collected by either otters or minks. Prevailing fish sizes between 10 and 15 cm reconstructed by means of bones confirm this. The bones of small mammals accumulated due to the predation of the owls and mustelids. Most identified vertebrate species currently inhabit the vicinity of the grotto, except for the steppe pika. Steppe pika is now disjointed from the Voronin Grotto by approximately 200–300 km to the south. Perhaps between 3310 and 1899 cal BP, steppe pika inhabited the vicinity of the grotto as the Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene relic. Palaeoenvironmental analysis of small mammal assemblage showed the predominance of woodlands with a significant proportion of open mesophytic meadows around the grotto during the last 3310 years. The landscape did not change significantly during this time. This is consistent with high values of the Simpson evenness index (1–D). Between 3310 and 1899 cal BP, the ratio of forests decreased, while the ratio of open meadows increased. Perhaps this was due to anthropic activity. After 1899 cal BP, the relative abundances of taiga small mammal species increased among forest dwellers, which is consistent with palynological data for the Middle Urals. At approximately 3310 cal BP, the climate of area around the grotto was slightly milder, and the winters were warmer than in the present day. At approximately 1899 cal BP, the climate was similar to the modern climate of the region and was cold, without a dry season, and with warm summers (Dfb type according to the Köppen–Geiger classification) as well as that of the previous period. Towards the recent time, the climate became colder and was possibly cold, without a dry season, but with a cold summer (type Dfc).

Record of Additional Middle Eocene Vertebrate Remains from the Mikir Hills, NE India: Implications on Paleoenvironment and Paleobiogeography

The fossiliferous middle Eocene deposits of Sylhet Limestone of Mikir Hills have yielded vertebrate and invertebrate faunas. The fossil assemblages recorded in this contribution consist of shark, ray, crocodile, conical tooth, broken fragments and echinoderm spines. Ray and crocodile tooth are reporting for the first time from the Mikir Hills. Paleoenvironmental analysis based on the fossil fish assemblage in association with invertebrate (foraminifera) remains and sedimentogical observations suggest a shallow marine environment ranging from open marine, inner neritic to more proximal coastal settings. Also, the presence of common marine elements (similar faunas) from Kutch, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Assam (India), New Hampshire, Libya, Iraq, Iran, North Western Sahara (Algeria), Tanzania (East Africa), Italy, Germany, Southern North Sea basin (Europe) based on previous published works and the present finding testifies to the connection of the Tethys Sea during Lutetian-Bartonian of middle Eocene.

Temperature dynamics in different body regions of decomposing vertebrate remains

The decomposition of vertebrates is controlled largely by external temperature, yet internal temperatures can also play an important role but are generally poorly documented. In this study, we compared continuous hourly temperature recordings from the mouth, under the head, right chest and right abdomen, and in the rectum of one refrigerated human and one fresh pig cadaver during 29 days of decomposition. Each cadaver differed in its internal starting temperature, thus providing two contrasting case studies for examining temperature dynamics among body regions. We used time-series analysis methods common to hydrology to reveal key differences in internal temperature dynamics. Within both cadavers, the chest region experienced the highest average temperatures, and the mouth experienced the highest maximum hourly temperature. Temperatures exceeded 30 °C inside the pig for between 40% (rectum) and 75% (chest) of the duration of the study, but for only 20% (rectum) and 35% (chest) of the time in the human. Our study provides evidence of the different thermal trajectories occurring in different body regions, and some similarities between two cadavers despite their different starting thermal conditions. These results improve our understanding of why decomposition occurs at different rates within the same cadaver, and that the location of blowfly larvae collections should be noted to improve estimates of the post-mortem interval.

BRITISH MILITARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE GEOLOGY OF MALTA, PART 1: NINETEENTH CENTURY FOUNDATIONS

Malta, an island in the central Mediterranean Sea, was fortified as a base for the Knights Hospitaller 1530–1798 and to provide major harbours for the British Royal Navy after 1813. Men with British military associations (all subsequently to attain some distinction in public and/or academic life) were amongst the many pioneers of Maltese geology who established the essence of its outcrop stratigraphy and structure: a circa 300-metre-thick sequence of near-horizontal mid-Cenozoic fossiliferous limestones punctuated by a ‘blue clay/marl’, cut by a series of major faults and penetrated by several caves and fissures whose infill contained significant remains of Pleistocene vertebrates. Between 1843 and 1856, Lieutenant (later Vice-Admiral) Thomas Abel Brimage Spratt (1811–1888) defined major units in the bedrock sequence, Colonel (later Major-General) Sir William Reid (1791–1858) promoted publication of a geological memoir, and a 1:31,680-scale geological map prepared by the 3rd Earl of Ducie on a Royal Engineers topographical base map was published under Royal Engineer auspices. Mostly between 1860 and 1866, Captain (later Professor) Frederick Wollaston Hutton (1836–1905) and Surgeon (later Deputy Surgeon-General and Professor) Andrew Leith Adams (1827–1882) made field observations that refined earlier interpretations of stratigraphy and structure and generated revised but small-scale maps. They also collected specimens that facilitated specialist identifications of Malta’s fossil faunas, including foraminifera by Thomas Rupert Jones (1819–1911), Professor of Geology at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. Rock specimens were sent in 1888 by Surgeon-Captain David (later Surgeon-General Sir David) Bruce (1855–1931) and the former engineer Lieutenant (and later Professor) Osbert Chadwick (1844–1913) to the pioneer oceanographer John (later Sir John) Murray (1841–1914). They stimulated Murray’s benchmark study 1889–1890 of Malta’s sedimentary sequence and fossil foraminifera, and their palaeoenvironmental interpretation, plus his compilation of a 1:129,254-scale geological map. These prompted extensive local studies and collection of macrofossil specimens by schoolmaster (later Lieutenant-Colonel) John Henry Cooke (1862–1933). By the end of the century, representative Maltese fossils had been presented for specialist study and identification or description to major museums in England, Scotland and Italy, facilitating improved correlation of Maltese strata with Oligo-Miocene successions elsewhere.

New theropod remains from the Late Jurassic Cañadón Calcáreo formation of Chubut, Argentina

Late Jurassic South American theropod faunas are still extremely poorly known, with large-sized ceratosaurids and megalosaurids having been identified on the basis of isolated teeth, whereas the only named taxa, Chilesaurus and Pandoravenator, are probable tetanurans of uncertain affinities. Here we describe two new specimens of medium-sized to large theropods from the Oxfordian-Kimmeridgian Cañadón Calcáreo Formation of Chubut, Argentina; an isolated and rather well-preserved anterior cervical vertebra and a very fragmented, but associated assortment of bones, including cranial and vertebral remains. Both specimens show ceratosaurian and, most probably, abelisaurid affinities. A faunal analysis underlines the relative abundance of ceratosaurs and the absence of coelurosaurs as main differences of Late Jurassic Gondwanan theropod faunas from their Laurasian counterparts. The presence of abelisaurids in both the Tendaguru Formation and the Cañadón Calcáreo Formation indicates a wide distribution of this clade already in the Late Jurassic in the Southern Hemisphere.

A new cheilostome bryozoan from a dinosaur site in the Upper Cretaceous (Campanian) Judith River Formation of Montana

AbstractFew bryozoans have been described from the Cretaceous Western Interior Seaway (WIS), which is consistent with the low diversity of other typically stenohaline groups in this large expanse of relatively shallow marine water. Here we describe a new cheilostome bryozoan,Conopeum flumineumn. sp., based on well-preserved material from the Campanian Judith River Formation of the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument in north-central Montana. The new species shows strong morphological similarities withConopeum seurati, a Recent species that is often categorized as brackish, but which is euryhaline and can also be found in marine and stenohaline environments. The new Campanian bryozoan species was found in a locality also containing fragmentary remains of dinosaurs and other terrestrial vertebrates, as well freshwater mollusks and terrestrial plant debris. The sedimentology and facies associations of the fossil-bearing site suggest that the depositional setting was a swamp or tidally influenced fluvial backwater on the Judith River coastal plain. The proximity of the site to the western shoreline of the WIS presumably made it susceptible to occasional marine flooding during storms or extreme tides. Previous occurrences ofConopeumin the Cretaceous of the Western Interior have also been associated with dinosaur remains, corroborating the very nearshore and at times even ‘upstream’ distribution of this euryhaline genus.UUID:http://zoobank.org/bb1fdc8a-5017-44c5-9251-9e24ef3995e3.

Lamniform vertebrae from the Aptian-Albian Marne a Fucoidi of Umbria-Marche Domain (central Italy)

The elasmobranch fossil record is essentially represented by isolated teeth due to high fossilization potential of hard dental components. Conversely, the cartilaginous skeletal elements, even though mineralized, are less prone to survive to the biostratinomic and diagenetic processes with negative implications in our understanding of the evolution of the elasmobranch skeletal anatomy. Even if fossil shark taxonomy is almost based on tooth characters, fossil vertebrae can provide useful information concerning the age, ontogenetic stage, and total length of the individual, along with crucial taphonomical and paleoecological information. In the present contribution we report and describe the first occurrence of lamniform vertebrae from the Cretaceous of the Umbria-Marche Domain (Central Italy), from the Aptian–Albian Marne a Fucoidi cropping out at Mt Nerone (Umbria-Marche Ridge, Northern Apennines, Italy). Although the material is solely represented by ten vertebrae (four found semi-articulated), the presence of well-calcified, amphicoelous, and slightly dorso-ventrally compressed centra having notochordal spaces constricted and reduced to intervertebral lenses confidently support their attribution to the group of lamniform sharks. In addition to taphonomic considerations, we have tried to provide a possible age for the individual and to estimate the minimum total length for the entire body. Based on the general morphology of the centra, size and annual growth bands, the preserved material can be referred to a small-medium sized fusiform and pelagic lamniform shark, with a body length reaching not less than 1.59 m, and being characterized by an approximately sub-circular trunk area, and a moderately fast swimming and consistent maneuverability. Considering the relative scarcity of shark vertebral remains in the fossil record, the material described herein represents an important source of information for the paleobiology of the Umbria-Marche Domain of Central Italy during the Cretaceous period.

Heloderma (Helodermatidae; Squamata) from the Apache Local Fauna, Pleistocene, Southwestern Oklahoma

Paleontological occurrences of helodermatid lizards (Helodermatidae) are relatively uncommon and scattered in the North American fossil record. A recently discovered concentration of vertebrate fossils was exposed in a karstic fissure filling in an active rock quarry in southwestern Oklahoma. Underwater screening of the ancient cave fill yielded numerous isolated and fragmentary skeletal elements of a diversity of small, and a few large, vertebrates including unexpected remains of Heloderma sp. as well as extinct large mammals (horse, peccary, Dwarf Pronghorn), indicating Pleistocene age. Radiometric dating of the locality is not possible because of the leaching, but fossils of the Prairie Vole, Microtus ochrogaster, from the locality help to constrain the age of the deposit between 1.21 Ma and 0.01 Ma. The fossils are the first of Heloderma in the Pleistocene of Oklahoma and the southern Great Plains. Based on taphonomic evidence and the relative abundance of rodent teeth, we infer that the fossils accumulated at least partly as the remains of vertebrates fed upon by Ringtails (Bassariscus; Procyonidae) and other small carnivorous mammals. The Pleistocene occurrence of Heloderma in the southern Great Plains of North American has potential implications for the paleobiogeography of the genus and begs further investigation of fossil herpetofaunas in North America.

Can vertebral remains differentiate more than one species of Australian Cretaceous ichthyosaur?

All currently described Cretaceous ichthyosaur remains in Australia have been referred to the single taxon Platypterygius australis M’Coy 1867, primarily on the basis of skull morphology. This research set out to determine if specimens could be attributed to P. australis on the basis of vertebral data alone. Vertebrae were measured and subjected to morphometric analysis for specimens previously attributed to P. australis, along with several unattributed specimens that either lack skulls or where existing skulls have not been described. Centrum length (CL) plots, together with a principle components analysis and multivariate analysis of variance, suggest that different specimens can be distinguished from each other on the basis of vertebrae. Although our analyses using only basic centrum dimensions are heavily impacted by size, and thus growth stage of individuals, two specimens previously attributed to P. australis on the basis of skull morphology alone plotted separately from each other in all analyses, with one plotting consistently near the outgroup taxon, Ophthalmosaurus natans (Marsh, 1879). Hence, the data are consistent either with very large intraspecific variation within vertebral patterns, or support the possibility that more than one Australian species occurs in the dataset. CL and multivariate data showed that juvenile ichthyosaurs plot differently relative to all subadults–adults, not only in their proportionately smaller vertebrae, but also in having consistently different shapes with little difference between the length of dorsal and caudal vertebrae. One subadult individual (RGC1) also showed similarity in length between dorsal and caudal vertebrae and has abnormal rib facets. We posit that it could either be an aberrant P. australis, or an otherwise unknown taxon. Although additional material is required, questions raised by this study suggest the need to test the postcranial remains of additional specimens, especially those with well-studied skulls, so as to identify the level of intraspecific variation or any sexual dimorphism, and to determine if any as yet undetected ichthyosaur taxa occurred in the Australian Early Cretaceous. Vikram Vakil [ vikram.vakil@uqconnect.edu.au ], Gregory E. Webb [ g.webb@uq.edu.au ] and Alex G. Cook [ alex.cook@y7mail.com ] School of Earth & Environmental Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.

Mineralogical and geochemical characterization of fossil bones from a Miocene marine Konservat-Lagerstätte

Fossil bones, together with teeth, are the most common remains of vertebrates that could manage to get preserved over geological times, providing information on the diagenetic and fossilization processes that occurred in the depositional paleoenvironment. Fossil bones from the marine vertebrate Konservat-Lagerstätte in the East Pisco Basin and Sacaco area (Peru) show a high variety of different textural and chemical features, suggestive of different processes variably contributing to the fossilization path. At the macroscopic scale, bone samples can be grouped into six different categories on the basis of the color (red to gray to white) and hardness (which relates to the mineralization degree); a variety of case studies can be found between these categories. Microscopically, the original microstructure of the bone tissue, both compact and cancellous, is well preserved in all the studied samples, with differences in cavity fillings, distribution of microcracks, and presence of Fe oxides in the diverse bone types. The bone composition and mineralogy correspond to fluorapatite. Differences in color, mineralization degree and geochemistry can be interpreted in terms of different fossilization paths, from burial at the seafloor to exposure in the present-day desert environment. The fossilization paths are strongly conditioned by the factors controlling the interplay of the mechanisms of apatite dissolution-recrystallization and dolomite precipitation (formation of carbonate concretions) as well as the fixation of iron in finely disseminated sulfides in the very early stages of fossilization.

The first remains of vertebrates from the Paleocene Lisama formation, Middle Magdalena Valley Basin of Colombia

Vertebrates that inhabited northern South America few million years after the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) event are still poorly known. Here I present remains of turtles and crocodylomorphs from the lower to middle Paleocene, Lisama Formation of Colombia; representing the first record of Paleocene vertebrates for the Middle Magdalena Valley Basin, and one of the earliest Paleocene northern South American faunas. Although it is impossible to establish detailed systematic paleontology due to their fragmentary preservation, I demonstrate that bone cells (osteocytes) are preserved in some of these fragments.

Pequeños vertebrados del relleno kárstico del Pleistoceno Superior de Avetrana (Apulia, Sur de Italia)

El depósito (cavidad kárstica) de La Grave, localidad cercana a la pequeña ciudad de Avetrana (Tarento, Italia meridional), ha dado lugar a numerosos fósiles de vertebrados. Los restos de grandes mamíferos han sido objeto de varios estudios. En este trabajo se examinan los restos de pequeños vertebrados y se identifican cuatro taxones de anfibios (Bufo bufo, Bufotes gr. B. viridis, Hyla gr. H. Arborea and Rana (s.l.) sp.), cuatro de reptiles (Testudo hermanni, Podarcis sp., Zamenis gr. Z. longissimus, Natrix natrix), y nueve de pequeños mamíferos (Erinaceus europaeus, Crocidura suaveolens, Arvicola italicus, Microtus (Terricola) savii, Microtus (Microtus) arva­lis, Apodemus gr. A. sylvaticus - A. flavicollis, Hystrix (Acanthion) vinogradovi, Oryctolagus cuniculus and Lepus corsicanus). Desde un punto de vista biocronológico, los datos sobre los vertebrados pequeños y grandes indican una edad entre el comienzo del Pleistoceno tardío (MIS 5e) y la parte central del MIS 3. Es probable que el estrato fosilífero más reciente (nivel 8) se haya depositado durante un período más frío en comparación con las capas anteriores. Los datos de pequeños vertebrados fósiles combinados con los que proceden de los grandes mamífe­ros y aves evidencian la presencia, cerca de la cavidad kárstica, de espacios abiertos (praderas) con charcos de agua, bordeados por zonas boscosas y, no muy lejos, la presencia de una costa rocosa.