New light on the endemic South American pachyrukhine Paedotherium Burmeister, 1888 (Notoungulata, Hegetotheriidae): Taphonomic and paleohistological analysis. (January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tomassini, Rodrigo L.; Garrone, Mariana C.; Montalvo, Claudia I.
• Is Part Of: Journal of South American earth sciences. Volume 73(2017:Jan.)
• Page Start: 33
• Page End: 41
• Publication Date: 2017-01
• Subjects: Taphonomy -- Paleohistology -- Notoungulata -- Paedotherium -- Argentina; Geology -- Latin America -- Periodicals; Earth sciences -- Latin America -- Periodicals; Geology -- Antarctica -- Periodicals; Earth sciences -- Antarctica -- Periodicals; Geology -- Caribbean Area -- Periodicals; Earth sciences -- Caribbean Area -- Periodicals; Géologie -- Amérique latine -- Périodiques; Sciences de la terre -- Amérique latine -- Périodiques; Géologie -- Antarctique -- Périodiques; Sciences de la terre -- Antarctique -- Périodiques; Géologie -- Caraïbes (Région) -- Périodiques; Sciences de la terre -- Caraïbes (Région) -- Périodiques; Earth sciences; Geology; Antarctica; Caribbean Area; Latin America; Periodicals; 550.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsames.2016.11.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0895-9811

Abstract

Abstract: Paedotherium is a small notoungulate endemic of South America, very abundant in the Neogene assemblages of the Argentine Pampas. Numerous specimens of this taxon were recovered in the Arroyo Chasicó Formation (Late Miocene), following a strict control of their stratigraphic provenance. In this context, a detail taphonomic and paleohistological study were performed, and the results obtained were compared with the information of other Neogene assemblages of Argentina previously studied, in order to interpret the relevance of this taxon in the biocoenosis and taphocoenosis corresponding to this lapse. Before burial, specimens were affected by diverse biostratinomic processes, according to the particular characteristics of each preservational context. After burial, the specimens were modified by the same fossil-diagenetic processes. Similar patterns of preservation were identified in specimens of Paedotherium recovered in other Neogene fluvial deposits of the Argentine Pampas. Based on the bone microstructure, it was possible to differentiate juvenile and adult individuals belonging to different Neogene species of Paedotherium . The mandibles of this taxon maintained the same ontogenetic growth strategy throughout the Late Cenozoic. This work provides novel data on paleoecological and paleobiological features of this taxon. Highlights: Paedotherium is a notoungulate very abundant in the Neogene of Argentina. A detail taphonomic and paleohistological study were performed. Before burial, specimens were affected by diverse biostratinomic processes. After burial, the specimens were modified by the same diagenetic processes. Based on the histology, it was possible to differentiate ontogenetic stages.