scholarly journals NOTOUNGULATA AND ASTRAPOTHERIA (MAMMALIA, MERIDIUNGULATA) OF THE SANTA CRUZ FORMATION (EARLY-MIDDLE MIOCENE) ALONG THE RÍO SANTA CRUZ, ARGENTINE PATAGONIA

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mercedes Fernández ◽  
Nahuel Muñoz
Keyword(s):  
Middle Miocene ◽  
Santa Cruz ◽  
Argentine Patagonia

scholarly journals Abderitid marsupials from the Miocene of Patagonia: An assessment of form, function, and evolution

2000 ◽  
Vol 74 (6) ◽  
pp. 1161-1172 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. R. Dumont ◽  
S. G. Strait ◽  
A. R. Friscia
Keyword(s):  
Middle Miocene ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Santa Cruz ◽  
Evolutionary Patterns ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Dietary Adaptation ◽  
Argentine Patagonia ◽  
Form Function ◽  
Relative Species Richness ◽  
Mixed Feeder

Abderitid marsupials are common in vertebrate-bearing deposits from the middle Miocene of Argentine Patagonia. Recent collections from the inland Pinturas Formation and slightly younger coastal Santa Cruz Formation have dramatically increased the number of abderitid specimens. These new collections permit a re-assessment of abderitid taxonomy as well as an investigation of the dietary habits of these unique small mammals. The vast majority of new specimens represent Abderites meridionalis; Pithiculites minimus is rare. Patterns of macrowear on the double-bladed, plagiaulacoid shearing complex suggest that abderitids used these teeth to prepare a variety of resistant food items as do modern marsupials with double-bladed shearing systems. Data summarizing molar-shearing morphology and body size further suggest that A. meridionalis was a frugivore. The diet of the small P. minimus is equivocal, although it may represent a mixed feeder (frugivore/faunivore). A comparison of relative species richness and dietary adaptation between abderitids and palaeothentids (a closely related caenolestoid family that lacks the highly specialized shearing complex of abderitids) reveals distinct evolutionary patterns within the two lineages. Abderitids exhibit low species diversity. In contrast, palaeothentids are represented by 17 species, lack highly specialized shearing mechanisms, and typically exhibit molar morphologies that range from frugivory to faunivory and include mixed feeders. Both temporal and geographic variation are introduced as possible factors affecting differences in the relative abundance of abderitids and palaeothentids in the Pinturas and Santa Cruz Formations.

scholarly journals The exploitation of obsidian in the Central Plateau of Santa Cruz, Argentina: Results from La María and Cerro Tres Tetas and a regional perspective

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel Enrique Cueto ◽  
Ariel David Frank ◽  
Fabiana Skarbun
Keyword(s):  
Late Holocene ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Santa Cruz ◽  
Central Plateau ◽  
Argentine Patagonia ◽  
Relevant Role ◽  
Historical Times ◽  
Obsidian Source

La María and Cerro Tres Tetas archaeological localities are located in the Central Plateau, in the province of Santa Cruz, Argentine Patagonia. This area presents abundant lithic raw materials of very good quality for knapping including flint, chalcedony and silicified wood. These raw materials were used by the inhabitants of the region since the end of the Pleistocene until recent historical times. Besides, we have recorded the exploitation of exotic stones in low proportions at the archaeological sites. Among these, the most abundant is obsidian which probably comes from sources located more than125 kmaway. In this context, the use of this type of raw material should be evaluated in terms of social and symbolic issues.In this paper, we examine the strategies of acquisition and reduction of the obsidian found at the archaeological sites Cerro Tres Tetas 1, Casa del Minero 1, Cueva de La Ventana, La Mesada and Cueva Túnel. We carry out a technomorphological analysis of the obsidian remains from these sites.Results from this work strengthen the idea that the groups which lived in the Central Plateau knew about and exploited an obsidian source known as Pampa del Asador. A raise in the use of this raw material throughout time is recorded, reaching its peak in the late Holocene. We identified two different moments in the exploitation of obsidian at the regional level. During the final Pleistocene and early Holocene, obsidian would not have played a relevant role in the organization of technology. Production sequences indicate that tools probably were entered to the sites already manufactured. During the middle and late Holocene nodules and cores could have been brought into the sites. The strategies involved in their reduction are in broad terms similar to those implemented with local raw materials; there is no evidence that obsidian had more value in any way. On the other hand, it is also not possible to state that there was just an eventual exploitation of this raw material. We believe that obsidian was acquired during mobility circuits which enabled the contact between different groups.

SPARASSODONTA (METATHERIA) COPROLITES FROM THE EARLY-MID MIOCENE (SANTACRUCIAN AGE) OF PATAGONIA (ARGENTINA) WITH EVIDENCE OF EXPLOITATION BY COPROPHAGOUS INSECTS

Palaios ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (12) ◽  
pp. 639-651
Author(s):  
RODRIGO L. TOMASSINI ◽  
CLAUDIA I. MONTALVO ◽  
M.SUSANA BARGO ◽  
SERGIO F. VIZCAÍNO ◽  
JOSÉ I. CUITIÑO
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
Trophic Interactions ◽  
Middle Miocene ◽  
Dung Beetles ◽  
Santa Cruz ◽  
Size And Shape ◽  
History Of ◽  
Bone Remains

ABSTRACT Coprolites are a useful tool to obtain information related to the life history of the producer, trophic interactions, biodiversity, paleoenvironments, and paleoclimate, among other issues. We analyze here a sample of 111 coprolites recovered from levels of the Santa Cruz Formation (lower–middle Miocene, Burdigalian–early Langhian), outcropping in different localities of the Santa Cruz Province, Patagonian Argentina. Based on size and shape, two morphotypes were identified: coprolites assigned to morphotype I vary from ovoid to subspherical in shape, while coprolites assigned to morphotype II are cylindrical in shape. Several coprolites have bone and teeth inclusions belonging to small mammals (i.e., Octodontoidea and/or Chinchilloidea rodents). Morphometry, composition, and taphonomy of the bone remains suggest that the coprolites were produced by carnivorous mammals. According to the features of the guild of carnivorous mammals from the Santa Cruz Formation, we interpret that hathliacynids and/or small borhyaenoids (Sparassodonta) are the most probable producers. Different traces recorded in the coprolites, such as borings and putative eggs, suggest that the feces were exploited by coprophagous insects, probably dung beetles, for different purposes such as feeding and possible oviposition.

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