Description

A comprehensive compilation of important mammalian groups of the Santa Cruz Formation fossils, for academic researchers and graduate students. This volume provides a comprehensive compilation of important mammalian groups of the Santa Cruz Formation fossils, with a key focus on the paleoclimate and paleoenvironment during the time of deposition. A valuable resource for academic researchers and graduate students in paleontology, paleobiology, paleoecology, stratigraphy, climatology and geochronology. This volume provides a comprehensive compilation of important mammalian groups of the Santa Cruz Formation fossils, with a key focus on the paleoclimate and paleoenvironment during the time of deposition. A valuable resource for academic researchers and graduate students in paleontology, paleobiology, paleoecology, stratigraphy, climatology and geochronology. Coastal exposures of the Santa Cruz Formation in southern Patagonia have been a fertile ground for recovery of Early Miocene vertebrates for more than 100 years. This volume presents a comprehensive compilation of important mammalian groups which continue to thrive today. It includes the most recent fossil finds as well as important new interpretations based on 10 years of fieldwork by the authors. A key focus is placed on the paleoclimate and paleoenvironment during the time of deposition in the Middle Miocene Climatic Optimum (MMCO) between 20 and 15 million years ago. The authors present the first reconstruction of what climatic conditions were like and present important new evidence of the geochronological age, habits and community structures of fossil bird and mammal species. Academic researchers and graduate students in paleontology, paleobiology, paleoecology, stratigraphy, climatology and geochronology will find this a valuable source of information about this fascinating geological formation. List of contributors; Preface; 1. Background for a paleoecological study of the Santa Cruz Formation (late Early Miocene) on the Atlantic Coast of Patagonia Sergio F. Vizcaíno, Richard F. Kay and M. Susana Bargo; 2. Tephrochronology of the Santa Cruz and Pinturas Formation Michael E. Perkins, John G. Fleagle, Matt T. Heitzler, Barbara Nash, Thomas M. Bown, Adán A. Tauber and Maria T. Dozo; 3. Tephrochronology and paleontology of the Santa Cruz and Pinturas Formation John G. Fleagle, Michael E. Perkins, Matt T. Heitzler, Barbara Nash, Thomas M. Bown, Adán A. Tauber, Maria T. Dozo and Marcelo F. Tejedor; 4. Sedimentology and paleoenvironment of the Santa Cruz Formation Sergio Matheos and M. Sol Raigemborm; 5. Oysters from the base of Santa Cruz Formation (late Early Miocene) of Patagonia Miguel Griffin and Ana Parras; 6. Ichnology of the Santa Cruz Formation (late Early Miocene), at the coast between the Rio Gallegos and Rio Coyle Verónica Krapovickas; 7. Fossil plant studies from late Early Miocene of the Santa Cruz Formation: paleoecology and paleoclimatology at the passive margin of Patagonia, Argentina Mariana Brea, Alejandro Zucol and Ari Iglesias; 8. Amphibians and squamate reptiles from the Santa Cruz Formation (late Early Miocene), Santa Cruz Province, Argentina: paleoenvironmental and paleobiological considerations Juan Carlos Fernicola and Adriana Albino; 9. Diversity and paleobiology of the Santacrucian birds Federico Degrange, Jorge I. Noriega and Juan I. Areta; 10. Paleoecology of the Paucituberculata and Microbiotheria (Mammalia, Marsupialia) from the late Early Miocene of Pata