New mammal assemblage from last interglacial in Argentine Pampas: Debating biostratigraphic and biochronological reliability

This study analyzes one of the most complete mammalian fossil records from the Middle to the end of the Pleistocene in the Pampean Region, recovered from the Salto de Piedra Paleontological Locality along Tapalqué Creek. The site preserves a fluvial-palustrine sequence with six depositional units (U...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Bellinzoni, Jonathan, Bonini, Ricardo, García-Morato, Sara, Gómez, Gustavo N., Steffan, Pamela, Marín-Monfort, María Dolores, Zurita, Alfredo, Cuadrelli, Francisco, Prevosti, Francisco J., Fernández, Fernando J., Favier-Dubois, Cristian, Rafuse, Daniel J., Alberdi, María Teresa, Fernandez-Jalvo, Yolanda, Prado, José L.
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2025
País:España
Institución:Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)
Repositorio:DIGITAL.CSIC. Repositorio Institucional del CSIC
OAI Identifier:oai:dnet:digitalcsic_::97b1da66fc95033be9d1cd6c37665832
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10261/430312
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Biozones, Biostratigraphy, Mammals, Megafauna, Paleobiology, Pleistocene, South America
Descripción
Sumario:This study analyzes one of the most complete mammalian fossil records from the Middle to the end of the Pleistocene in the Pampean Region, recovered from the Salto de Piedra Paleontological Locality along Tapalqué Creek. The site preserves a fluvial-palustrine sequence with six depositional units (U1–U6), separated by erosive unconformities or pedogenetic horizons. Radiometric dating (OSL and AMS C), integrated with sedimentological and faunal data, allows correlation with Marine Isotope Stages: Unit 1 (MIS 6–5; >127 ka), Unit 2 (MIS 3; ∼40.5 ka), Units 3–4 (MIS 2; 38–11.2 ka), and Units 5–6 (MIS 1; 12.6–7.8 ka). Three fossil assemblages were identified (U1, U3–4, U5–6), primarily linked to fluvial channels. The record provides critical biochronological information, with fossils showing minimal weathering and abrasion, and no evidence of reworking. The occurrence of Equus neogeus in U1 (>127 ka) expands the lower limit of its biozone back to ∼300 ka. Index taxa in Unit 1—Glyptodon munizi, Megatherium americanum, Equus neogeus—highlight biozone overlap, challenging the stratigraphic resolution of traditional schemes. Due to the lack of exclusive taxa and overlapping ages, we propose merging the Bonaerean with the Lujanian Stage/Age (∼300–11.6 ka). These findings call for a revision of Quaternary biozone frameworks in South America and improve biostratigraphic resolution for the Pampean fossil record.