NEOICHNOLOGY OF ARMADILLOS: KEYS FOR THE PALEOECOLOGICAL AND BEHAVIORAL INTERPRETATION OF FOSSIL TETRAPOD BURROWS

IF 1.5 4区地球科学 Q2 GEOLOGY

Palaios Pub Date : 2023-02-27 DOI:10.2110/palo.2022.034

M. C. Cardonatto, Ricardo Néstor Melchor

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引用次数: 3

Abstract

Abstract: This study is based on the analysis of burrow casts of three species of armadillos from central Argentina: Chaetophractus villosus, Chaetophractus vellerosus, and Zaedyus pichiy (Chlamyphoridae: Euphractinae). The aim of this work was to identify key ichnologic signatures of Euphractinae armadillo burrows for application to the paleoecological and behavioral interpretation of fossil examples. A total of 15 active burrows from different biogeographic provinces were casted with polyurethane foam and then excavated. About two hundred uncasted burrows and foraging pits were also measured at the same localities. Euphractinae burrows are clearly distinguished from Chlamyphorinae burrows by its filling, surface ornamentation, and size. It is suggested that fossil armadillo (Euphractinae) burrows would be characterized by a single ramp with one entrance and massive or laminated fill, horizontal diameter larger than 100 mm, strongly marked sets of three claw traces that are arranged oblique to the ramp axis, and absence of feces or plant remains. The distinctive surface ornamentation present in the casted burrows is tentatively linked to a particular excavation mechanism involving rotation of the body along the antero-posterior axis. Burrow systems with a chamber are interpreted as permanent burrows, whereas those lacking chamber are considered as temporary/shelter burrows. Armadillo burrow systems (either temporary or permanent) are longer, less inclined, and have lower relative diameter indices (RDI) than armadillo foraging pits. Euphractinae burrows are linked to producers with solitary, fossorial, opportunistic omnivorous habits that excavate several burrows during their lives. They are left open after abandonment, and preferably located in xeric shrub lands and grasslands. The described morphological features of the burrows systems can be useful for the interpretation of fossil (post-Eocene) burrows.

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犰狳的新技术:四足动物化石洞穴的古生态学和行为学解释的关键

摘要/ Abstract摘要:本研究对阿根廷中部3种犰狳(毛毛Chaetophractus villosus, vellerosus, Zaedyus pichiy)的穴居标本进行了分析。本研究的目的是确定幼发拉底科犰狳洞穴的关键技术特征，用于化石样本的古生态和行为解释。采用聚氨脂泡沫浇铸的方法对不同生物地理省份的15个活动洞穴进行挖掘。在同一地点，还测量了大约200个未铸造的洞穴和觅食坑。幼发拉底亚科洞穴从其填充物、表面纹饰和大小明显区别于衣磷科洞穴。研究表明，犰狳(Euphractinae)化石洞穴的特征可能是:有一个单一的坡道，有一个入口，有大量或叠层填埋物，水平直径大于100 mm，明显的三组爪痕斜向坡道轴线排列，没有粪便或植物遗骸。在铸造的洞穴中存在的独特表面装饰初步与特定的挖掘机制有关，该机制涉及身体沿前后轴旋转。有洞穴的洞穴系统被解释为永久洞穴，而那些没有洞穴的洞穴被认为是临时/庇护洞穴。犰狳的洞穴系统(无论是临时的还是永久的)比犰狳觅食坑更长，倾斜度更低，相对直径指数(RDI)更低。Euphractinae的洞穴与具有独居、穴居、机会主义杂食习性的生产者有关，这些生产者一生中会挖掘几个洞穴。它们在被遗弃后仍然开放，最好位于干旱的灌木地和草地上。所描述的洞穴系统的形态特征可用于解释化石(后始新世)洞穴。

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来源期刊

Palaios 地学-地质学

CiteScore

2.80

自引率

12.50%

发文量

审稿时长

6 months

期刊介绍： PALAIOS is a monthly journal, founded in 1986, dedicated to emphasizing the impact of life on Earth''s history as recorded in the paleontological and sedimentological records. PALAIOS disseminates information to an international spectrum of geologists and biologists interested in a broad range of topics, including, but not limited to, biogeochemistry, ichnology, paleoclimatology, paleoecology, paleoceanography, sedimentology, stratigraphy, geomicrobiology, paleobiogeochemistry, and astrobiology. PALAIOS publishes original papers that emphasize using paleontology to answer important geological and biological questions that further our understanding of Earth history. Accordingly, manuscripts whose subject matter and conclusions have broader geologic implications are much more likely to be selected for publication. Given that the purpose of PALAIOS is to generate enthusiasm for paleontology among a broad spectrum of readers, the editors request the following: titles that generate immediate interest; abstracts that emphasize important conclusions; illustrations of professional caliber used in place of words; and lively, yet scholarly, text.