Fish faunas from the Late Jurassic (Tithonian) Vaca Muerta Formation of Argentina: One of the most important Jurassic marine ichthyofaunas of Gondwana. (November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gouiric-Cavalli, Soledad; Cione, Alberto Luis
• Is Part Of: Journal of South American earth sciences. Volume 63(2015:Nov.)
• Page Start: 114
• Page End: 124
• Publication Date: 2015-11
• Subjects: Jurassic -- Ichthyofauna -- Marine -- Southern Hemisphere -- Gondwana -- Biogeography; 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.2015.07.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0895-9811

Abstract

Abstract: The marine deposits of the Vaca Muerta Formation (Tithonian–Berriasian) houses one of the most diverse Late Jurassic ichthyofaunas of Gondwana. However, most of the specimens remain undescribed. Jurassic fishes have been recovered from several localities at Neuquén Province (i.e., Picún Leufú, Plaza Huincul, Cerro Lotena, Portada Las Lajas, Los Catutos, and Arroyo Covunco) but also from Mendoza Province (i.e., La Valenciana, Los Molles, and Arroyo del Cajón Grande). Presently, the fish fauna of Los Catutos, near Zapala city (Neuquén Province), has yielded the highest number of specimens, which are taxonomically and morphologically diverse. At Los Catutos locality, the Vaca Muerta Formation is represented by the Los Catutos Member, which is considered the only lithographic limestones known in the Southern Hemisphere. Here, we review the Tithonian fish faunas from the Vaca Muerta Formation. During Late Jurassic times, the actual Argentinian territory could have been a morphological diversification center, at least for some actinopterygian groups. The apparently lower species diversity recorded in marine Jurassic ichthyofaunas of Argentina (and some Gondwanan countries) in comparison with Chilean and European fish faunas could be related to the fish paleontological research history in Gondwana and the low number of detailed studies of most of specimens recorded. Graphical abstract: Highlights: The Vaca Muerta Formation have yielded one of the most diverse Late Jurassic marine fish faunas of Gondwana. Fish material has been recovered from several localities of the Vaca Muerta Formation. Los Catutos and Cerro Lotena localities stands out by the fish taxonomic diversity and by taxa preservation quality. Marine pathways may have been used for the fishes as dispersion and/or migration. Argentina would have been a morphological diversification center, at least for some actinopterygians groups.