Large mammal burrows in late Miocene calcic paleosols from central Argentina: paleoenvironment, taphonomy and producers.

ABSTRACT: Large cylindrical sediment-filled structures interpreted as mammal burrows occur within the loess-paleosol sequence of the late Miocene Cerro Azul Formation of central Argentina. A total of 115 burrow fills from three localities were measured. They are typically shallowly dipping, subcylindrical, unbranched structures with rounded ends and lacking enlargements. The horizontal diameter of the burrows range between 0.15 and 1.50 m, with most of the burrows in the interval of 0.39 to 0.98 m. Geometric morphometric analysis of transverse cross-sections support their distinct subcircular and elliptical (horizontally flattened) shapes. Burrow fills are typically laminated in the lower part and massive in the upper part. The laminated intervals reflect pulses of flowing water entering the abandon

SUBMITTER: Cardonatto MC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5969051 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature