<i> Circamustela peignei</i> n. sp. ( Figs 2-6; 7 A-D) Mustelidae gen. et sp. indet. ... more <i> Circamustela peignei</i> n. sp. ( Figs 2-6; 7 A-D) Mustelidae gen. et sp. indet. aff.<i> Circamustela dechaseauxi</i> – Valenciano 2017: 331. HOLOTYPE. — BAT-3 '10.1570, complete cranium with C, P1-4 and M1 ( Fig. 2 A-E). PARATYPE. — BAT- 3'13.1048, nearly complete left hemimandible with p2-m2 ( Fig. 5 D-F). ETYMOLOGY. — In memory of Dr Stéphane Peigné, expert on Neogene carnivorans from Eurasia and Africa. HYPODIGM. — BAT-3'11.1041 ( Fig. 2 F-L): fragmentary cranium, comprising the muzzle, a left fragment of the maxillary with a fragmented P3 and a complete P4 and isolated right P4; BAT-3 '10.1246: fragmentary cranium, comprising the muzzle and attached mandible, including C, P1-4, M1 and i1-3, c, p2-4, m1-2 ( Fig. 3); BAT-3 '13.1086: nearly complete right hemimandible with p2-m2 ( Fig. 5 A-C) (same individual as the paratype); BAT-3 '10.1570A ( Fig. 5 J-L): fragmentary left hemimandible with p4 and m1 (same individual as the holotype); BAT-3 '10.1570B ( Fig. 5 G-I): fragmentary right hemimandible with a broken p2 and complete p3-m1 (same individual as the holotype); Bat5-'10.G14.129: right m1 ( Fig. 6). TYPE LOCALITY. — Batallones-3 (late Miocene, Vallesian, MN 10). OTHER LOCALITY. — Batallones-5 (late Miocene, Vallesian, MN 10). AGE. — Late Miocene, Vallesian, MN10. DIAGNOSIS. — Mustelid of a size comparable to<i> Circamustela dechaseauxi</i>. Relatively long muzzle; P1 present; P2-3 unicuspid and elongated; P3 distally widened; P4 long with conical and slender protocone mesially located, low parastyle and lingual cingulum; M1 buccolingually elongated and mesiodistally reduced, with a large parastylar area, paracone larger than metacone, the latter being distinctive, high mesially located protocone; long and low mandibular corpus; high coronoid process and shallow masseteric fossa; p2-4 elongated; p2-3 unicuspid; p4 with low distal accessory cuspid; m1 metaconid lingually expanded; oval and short m2 with small protoconid and metaconid. DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS. — Differs from<i> Circamustela dechaseauxi</i> [...]
FIG. 2. — Eucyon debonisi n. sp. from Venta del Moro (Spain): A-C, maxilla with both dental serie... more FIG. 2. — Eucyon debonisi n. sp. from Venta del Moro (Spain): A-C, maxilla with both dental series (MGUV 14752); B, C, detailed views of the left maxilla with P3-M2; D, E, right upper canine (MGUV 14778); A, ventral view; B, occlusal view; C, lateral view; D, lingual view; E, buccal view. Scale bars: 10 mm.
FIG. 5. — Bivariate plot of the P4 of different Eucyon Tedford & Qiu, 1996 species and Canis cipi... more FIG. 5. — Bivariate plot of the P4 of different Eucyon Tedford & Qiu, 1996 species and Canis cipio Crusafont, 1950. Data, in part, from Crusafont (1950), Martin (1973), Hendey (1974), and Tedford & Qiu (1996). Abbreviations: L, length; W, width. ○, E. adoxus Martin, 1973; XI, C. cipio Crusafont, 1950; X, E. debonisi n. sp.; △, E. davisi (Merriam, 1911); ◆, E. zhoui Tedford & Qiu, 1996; □, Eucyon sp.
FIG. 1. — Holotype of Eucyon debonisi n. sp. from Venta del Moro (Spain): A-C, fragment of left m... more FIG. 1. — Holotype of Eucyon debonisi n. sp. from Venta del Moro (Spain): A-C, fragment of left maxilla with P2-M2 (MGUV 14781); D-F, fragment of right maxilla with P2 and P4-M2 (MGUV 14780); G-J, right mandible with p2-p3 (MGUV 14779); A, B, D, E, I, J, stereo- photographs of occlusal views; C, F, lateral views; G, buccal view; H, lingual view. Scale bar: 10 mm.
THE GENUS<i> INDARCTOS</i> IN THE FOSSIL RECORD The genus<i> Indarctos</i>... more THE GENUS<i> INDARCTOS</i> IN THE FOSSIL RECORD The genus<i> Indarctos</i> comprises medium to large-sized bears from the late Miocene, with an omnivorous diet ( Montoya<i> et al.</i> 2001; Viranta 2004; Abella 2011; Abella<i> et al.</i> 2013; Monescillo<i> et al.</i> 2014; Domingo<i> et al.</i> 2016). Although comprehensively studied, there is not a full consensus about their phylogenetic relationships. Some authors ( Hendey 1972; Qiu<i> et al.</i> 2014) relate them to the genus<i> Agriotherium</i> (considered a Hemicyonidae by the authors of the present paper) and others consider it to be a basal Ursidae ( Abella<i> et al.</i> 2012, 2014). However, the most recent phylogenetic analyses, based on cranial, mandibular and dental characters, include<i> Indarctos</i> spp. in the Ailuropodinae ( Abella<i> et al.</i> 2012; Qiu<i> et al.</i> 2014)...
FIG. 7. — Other Indarctos species for comparison with I. punjabiensis (Lydekker, 1884) of Las Cas... more FIG. 7. — Other Indarctos species for comparison with I. punjabiensis (Lydekker, 1884) of Las Casiones: A, I. vireti Villalta & Crusafont, 1943; B, I. arctoides (Depéret, 1895) (from type locality); C, I. punjabiensis (syntype). All images are in occlusal view. Scale bar: 5 cm.
FIG. 3. — Indarctos punjabiensis (Lydekker, 1884) from Las Casiones, right IV metacarpal: A, plan... more FIG. 3. — Indarctos punjabiensis (Lydekker, 1884) from Las Casiones, right IV metacarpal: A, plantar view; B, medial view; C, dorsal view; D, lateral view. Scale bar: 5 cm.
FIG. 1. — Schematic geologic map of the northern part of the Teruel basin with the paleontologica... more FIG. 1. — Schematic geologic map of the northern part of the Teruel basin with the paleontological localities indicated (after Pesquero et al. 2003 modified).
We describe two carnivoran coprolites found in the pseudokarst natural carnivore trap of Batallon... more We describe two carnivoran coprolites found in the pseudokarst natural carnivore trap of Batallones-3, from the Late Miocene of Spain. The larger one, comprising multiple indistinguishable fragments of broken and corroded bones, indicates that the producer of the dropping might have been highly capable of crushing the softer parts of large bones. On the other hand, the smaller one shows several relatively larger and more complete bone fragments, thus exhibiting a greater capacity to break and swallow large portions of bone. The external morphology of the large coprolite is similar to that of extant bears, whereas the smaller one more closely resembles that of the living insectivorous hyaenid Proteles in morphology, on the one hand, and that of the viverrid Genetta in size, on the other hand. We hypothesize that the amphicyonid Magerycion anceps was the producer of the large coprolite and the jackal-sized basal hyaenid Protictitherium crassum excreted the smaller one. Thus, we present the first direct evidence of a bone durophagous diet in the carnivorans of Batallones
Altres ajuts: CERCA Programme/Generalitat de CatalunyaAltres ajuts: research groups CSIC-64-1538 ... more Altres ajuts: CERCA Programme/Generalitat de CatalunyaAltres ajuts: research groups CSIC-64-1538 and CAM-UCM-910607Carnivoran-dominated fossil sites are scarce in the fossil record but provide precious information on the diversity and ecology of past carnivoran guilds. The Cerro de los Batallones sites host the oldest carnivoran-dominated assemblages, with the highest carnivoran abundances observed in the fossil record. Batallones-3 (Late Miocene, Madrid Basin, Spain) hosts three discrete, carnivoran-dominated fossiliferous levels deposited in a 15m-diameter, 4m-high pseudokarstic cavity with 1m-high talus cone located beneath the mouth of the cavity on the roof. Levels I, II and III are multitaxic multidominant assemblages, with the sabretooth cats Promegantereon ogygia and Machairodus aphanistus and the ursid Indarctos arctoides being the most abundant species. These carnivoran-dominated assemblages are autochthonous and show diagenetically fractured but well-preserved remains (complete, little to no weathering or abrasion). Root marks and manganese oxide precipitation are common and more abundant in Level III, due to modern pedogenic processes. There are also a few allochthonous, badly preserved (weathered and abraded) herbivore remains that were washed into the cavity. The taphonomic homogeneity of all three levels suggests recurring taphonomic and geologic processes throughout the accumulation of infill in the cave. The trap-like nature of the cave, unbroken and largely unweathered carnivoran bones suggest these predators intentionally jumped into the cave but were unable to escape
The Ventian land mammal age includes most of the Spanish faunas assigned to the biochronologic un... more The Ventian land mammal age includes most of the Spanish faunas assigned to the biochronologic unit MN 13. It is correlatable with the Messinian, although it may include, in its latest part, early Pliocene faunas. We propose that the Ventian begins with the fi rst occurrence of the Muridae genus Stephanomys (7 Ma, paleomagnetic dating from El Bunker, Teruel basin), well recorded in Teruel basin, and ends with the appearance of Promimomys (ca. 5 Ma), also registered in the Teruel basin. We suggest a new reorganization of the Ventian. The fi rst subdivision corresponds to the zone M (Dam et al., 2001). The second, zone N, is proposed here for the fi rst time, being equivalent to the zone with Celadensia (Mein et al., 1990; Dam et al., 2006) plus the part of the zone with two Paraethomys (Dam et al., 2006) in which Celadensia has dissappeared and still does not register Promimomys. The Ventian is now accurately recognized with quite precise boundaries and divisions, so that it can be easily recognized Palabras clave: Biocronología, Península Ibérica, cuencas continentales, Messiniense. in the Iberian continental basins with Mio-Pliocene sediments allowing refi ned intra-and inter-basin correlations.
The evolution and occurrence of fossil sea turtles at the Pacific margin of South America is poor... more The evolution and occurrence of fossil sea turtles at the Pacific margin of South America is poorly known and restricted to Neogene (Miocene) findings from Perú. Here we report and describe the first record of Paleogene (Late Oligocene, ~24 Ma) sea turtle remains. The fossil material corresponds to a single, isolated and well-preserved costal bone found at the Montañita/Olón locality, Santa Elena Province, Ecuador. Comparisons with other Oligocene and extant representatives allow us to confirm that belong to a sea turtle characterized by: lack of lateral ossification, allowing the dorsal exposure of the distal end of ribs; dorsal surface of bone sculptured, changing from dense vermiculation at the vertebral scute region and changing to anastomosing pattern of grooves at the most lateral portion of the costal. This fossil finding shows the high potential that the Ecuadorian Paleogene outcrops have in order to explore the evolution and paleobiogeography distribution of sea turtles by ...
In this paper we describe Late Miocene (MN13) remains of the genus Indarctos Pilgrim, 1913 from t... more In this paper we describe Late Miocene (MN13) remains of the genus Indarctos Pilgrim, 1913 from the locality of Las Casiones (Teruel, Spain). Although the phylogenetic relationships of this genus are still controversial, the most recent phylogenetic analyses, based on cranial, man dibular and dental characters, include it in Ailuropodinae, thus making the relatives of the gi ant panda the predominant bears in the carnivoran assemblages for most of the Late Miocene in the Iberian Peninsula. These fossils of Indarctos punjabiensis (Lydekker, 1884) represent the last population of this subfamily from the Iberian fossil record, and possibly also from Europe, making this an important advance in our knowledge of the evolutionary history of this group. We also note the replacement of Indarctos by Agriotherium A. Wagner, 1837 in Iberian faunas, between c. 6.3 and c. 6.23 Ma. RÉSUMÉ Le dernier enregistrement d'un ours ailuropode dans la péninsule Ibérique. Dans cet article nous décrivons les restes fossiles du genre Indarctos Pilgrim, 1913 du Miocène supérieur (MN13) de la localité de Las Casiones (Teruel, Espagne). Bien que les relations phylo génétiques de ce genre soient encore controversées, dans l'analyse phylogénétique la plus récente basée sur les caractères crâniens, mandibulaires et dentaires, ils sont inclus dans les Ailuro podinae. Ces parents des pandas géants étaient donc les ours prédominants dans les assemblages de car nivores pendant la majeure partie du Miocène supérieur de la péninsule Ibérique. D'autre part, ces fossiles d'Indarctos punjabiensis (Lydekker, 1884) représentent la dernière population de cette sousfamille dans les archives fossiles de la péninsule Ibérique, et éventuellement aussi d'Europe, ils contribuent de manière significative à l'avancement de la connaissance de l'histoire évolutive de cet groupe. En outre, nous signalons le remplacement de Indarctos par Agriotherium Wagner, 1837 dans les faunes ibériques entre 6.3 et 6.23 Ma.
Carnivore-rich fossil sites are uncommon in the fossil record and, accordingly, provide valuable ... more Carnivore-rich fossil sites are uncommon in the fossil record and, accordingly, provide valuable opportunities to study predators from vantages that are rarely applied to ancient faunas. Through stable isotopes of carbon and a Bayesian mixing model, we analyze time-successive (nearly contemporaneous), late Miocene carnivoran populations from two fossil sites (Batallones-1 and Batallones-3) from central Spain. Stable isotopes of carbon in tooth enamel provide a reliable and direct methodology to track ancient diets. These two carnivoran-dominated fossil sites display differences in the composition and abundance of the carnivoran species, with some species present at both sites and some present only at one site. This disparity has been interpreted as the consequence of habitat differences between Batallones-1, the older site, and Batallones-3, the younger site. However, carbon isotope values of carnivore and herbivore tooth enamel suggest a common habitat of C3 woodland originally pre...
We describe cranial and mandibular remains of three undescribed individuals of the giant mustelid... more We describe cranial and mandibular remains of three undescribed individuals of the giant mustelid Megalictis ferox Matthew, 1907 from the latest Arikareean (Ar4), Early Miocene mammal fauna of Nebraska, and Wyoming (USA) housed at the American Museum of Natural History (New York, USA). Our phylogenetic hypothesis indicates that Ar4 specimens assigned to M. ferox constitute a monophyletic group. We assign three additional species previously referred to Paroligobunis to Megalictis: M. simplicidens, M. frazieri, and "M." petersoni. The node containing these four species of Megalictis and Oligobunis forms the Oligobuninae. We test the hypothesis that Oligobuninae (Megalictis and Oligobunis) is a stem mustelid taxon. Our results indicate that the Oligobuninae form the sister clade to the crown extant mustelids. Based on the cranium, M. ferox is a jaguar-size mustelid and the largest terrestrial mustelid known to have existed. This new material also sheds light on a new ecomorph...
<i> Circamustela peignei</i> n. sp. ( Figs 2-6; 7 A-D) Mustelidae gen. et sp. indet. ... more <i> Circamustela peignei</i> n. sp. ( Figs 2-6; 7 A-D) Mustelidae gen. et sp. indet. aff.<i> Circamustela dechaseauxi</i> – Valenciano 2017: 331. HOLOTYPE. — BAT-3 '10.1570, complete cranium with C, P1-4 and M1 ( Fig. 2 A-E). PARATYPE. — BAT- 3'13.1048, nearly complete left hemimandible with p2-m2 ( Fig. 5 D-F). ETYMOLOGY. — In memory of Dr Stéphane Peigné, expert on Neogene carnivorans from Eurasia and Africa. HYPODIGM. — BAT-3'11.1041 ( Fig. 2 F-L): fragmentary cranium, comprising the muzzle, a left fragment of the maxillary with a fragmented P3 and a complete P4 and isolated right P4; BAT-3 '10.1246: fragmentary cranium, comprising the muzzle and attached mandible, including C, P1-4, M1 and i1-3, c, p2-4, m1-2 ( Fig. 3); BAT-3 '13.1086: nearly complete right hemimandible with p2-m2 ( Fig. 5 A-C) (same individual as the paratype); BAT-3 '10.1570A ( Fig. 5 J-L): fragmentary left hemimandible with p4 and m1 (same individual as the holotype); BAT-3 '10.1570B ( Fig. 5 G-I): fragmentary right hemimandible with a broken p2 and complete p3-m1 (same individual as the holotype); Bat5-'10.G14.129: right m1 ( Fig. 6). TYPE LOCALITY. — Batallones-3 (late Miocene, Vallesian, MN 10). OTHER LOCALITY. — Batallones-5 (late Miocene, Vallesian, MN 10). AGE. — Late Miocene, Vallesian, MN10. DIAGNOSIS. — Mustelid of a size comparable to<i> Circamustela dechaseauxi</i>. Relatively long muzzle; P1 present; P2-3 unicuspid and elongated; P3 distally widened; P4 long with conical and slender protocone mesially located, low parastyle and lingual cingulum; M1 buccolingually elongated and mesiodistally reduced, with a large parastylar area, paracone larger than metacone, the latter being distinctive, high mesially located protocone; long and low mandibular corpus; high coronoid process and shallow masseteric fossa; p2-4 elongated; p2-3 unicuspid; p4 with low distal accessory cuspid; m1 metaconid lingually expanded; oval and short m2 with small protoconid and metaconid. DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS. — Differs from<i> Circamustela dechaseauxi</i> [...]
FIG. 2. — Eucyon debonisi n. sp. from Venta del Moro (Spain): A-C, maxilla with both dental serie... more FIG. 2. — Eucyon debonisi n. sp. from Venta del Moro (Spain): A-C, maxilla with both dental series (MGUV 14752); B, C, detailed views of the left maxilla with P3-M2; D, E, right upper canine (MGUV 14778); A, ventral view; B, occlusal view; C, lateral view; D, lingual view; E, buccal view. Scale bars: 10 mm.
FIG. 5. — Bivariate plot of the P4 of different Eucyon Tedford & Qiu, 1996 species and Canis cipi... more FIG. 5. — Bivariate plot of the P4 of different Eucyon Tedford & Qiu, 1996 species and Canis cipio Crusafont, 1950. Data, in part, from Crusafont (1950), Martin (1973), Hendey (1974), and Tedford & Qiu (1996). Abbreviations: L, length; W, width. ○, E. adoxus Martin, 1973; XI, C. cipio Crusafont, 1950; X, E. debonisi n. sp.; △, E. davisi (Merriam, 1911); ◆, E. zhoui Tedford & Qiu, 1996; □, Eucyon sp.
FIG. 1. — Holotype of Eucyon debonisi n. sp. from Venta del Moro (Spain): A-C, fragment of left m... more FIG. 1. — Holotype of Eucyon debonisi n. sp. from Venta del Moro (Spain): A-C, fragment of left maxilla with P2-M2 (MGUV 14781); D-F, fragment of right maxilla with P2 and P4-M2 (MGUV 14780); G-J, right mandible with p2-p3 (MGUV 14779); A, B, D, E, I, J, stereo- photographs of occlusal views; C, F, lateral views; G, buccal view; H, lingual view. Scale bar: 10 mm.
THE GENUS<i> INDARCTOS</i> IN THE FOSSIL RECORD The genus<i> Indarctos</i>... more THE GENUS<i> INDARCTOS</i> IN THE FOSSIL RECORD The genus<i> Indarctos</i> comprises medium to large-sized bears from the late Miocene, with an omnivorous diet ( Montoya<i> et al.</i> 2001; Viranta 2004; Abella 2011; Abella<i> et al.</i> 2013; Monescillo<i> et al.</i> 2014; Domingo<i> et al.</i> 2016). Although comprehensively studied, there is not a full consensus about their phylogenetic relationships. Some authors ( Hendey 1972; Qiu<i> et al.</i> 2014) relate them to the genus<i> Agriotherium</i> (considered a Hemicyonidae by the authors of the present paper) and others consider it to be a basal Ursidae ( Abella<i> et al.</i> 2012, 2014). However, the most recent phylogenetic analyses, based on cranial, mandibular and dental characters, include<i> Indarctos</i> spp. in the Ailuropodinae ( Abella<i> et al.</i> 2012; Qiu<i> et al.</i> 2014)...
FIG. 7. — Other Indarctos species for comparison with I. punjabiensis (Lydekker, 1884) of Las Cas... more FIG. 7. — Other Indarctos species for comparison with I. punjabiensis (Lydekker, 1884) of Las Casiones: A, I. vireti Villalta & Crusafont, 1943; B, I. arctoides (Depéret, 1895) (from type locality); C, I. punjabiensis (syntype). All images are in occlusal view. Scale bar: 5 cm.
FIG. 3. — Indarctos punjabiensis (Lydekker, 1884) from Las Casiones, right IV metacarpal: A, plan... more FIG. 3. — Indarctos punjabiensis (Lydekker, 1884) from Las Casiones, right IV metacarpal: A, plantar view; B, medial view; C, dorsal view; D, lateral view. Scale bar: 5 cm.
FIG. 1. — Schematic geologic map of the northern part of the Teruel basin with the paleontologica... more FIG. 1. — Schematic geologic map of the northern part of the Teruel basin with the paleontological localities indicated (after Pesquero et al. 2003 modified).
We describe two carnivoran coprolites found in the pseudokarst natural carnivore trap of Batallon... more We describe two carnivoran coprolites found in the pseudokarst natural carnivore trap of Batallones-3, from the Late Miocene of Spain. The larger one, comprising multiple indistinguishable fragments of broken and corroded bones, indicates that the producer of the dropping might have been highly capable of crushing the softer parts of large bones. On the other hand, the smaller one shows several relatively larger and more complete bone fragments, thus exhibiting a greater capacity to break and swallow large portions of bone. The external morphology of the large coprolite is similar to that of extant bears, whereas the smaller one more closely resembles that of the living insectivorous hyaenid Proteles in morphology, on the one hand, and that of the viverrid Genetta in size, on the other hand. We hypothesize that the amphicyonid Magerycion anceps was the producer of the large coprolite and the jackal-sized basal hyaenid Protictitherium crassum excreted the smaller one. Thus, we present the first direct evidence of a bone durophagous diet in the carnivorans of Batallones
Altres ajuts: CERCA Programme/Generalitat de CatalunyaAltres ajuts: research groups CSIC-64-1538 ... more Altres ajuts: CERCA Programme/Generalitat de CatalunyaAltres ajuts: research groups CSIC-64-1538 and CAM-UCM-910607Carnivoran-dominated fossil sites are scarce in the fossil record but provide precious information on the diversity and ecology of past carnivoran guilds. The Cerro de los Batallones sites host the oldest carnivoran-dominated assemblages, with the highest carnivoran abundances observed in the fossil record. Batallones-3 (Late Miocene, Madrid Basin, Spain) hosts three discrete, carnivoran-dominated fossiliferous levels deposited in a 15m-diameter, 4m-high pseudokarstic cavity with 1m-high talus cone located beneath the mouth of the cavity on the roof. Levels I, II and III are multitaxic multidominant assemblages, with the sabretooth cats Promegantereon ogygia and Machairodus aphanistus and the ursid Indarctos arctoides being the most abundant species. These carnivoran-dominated assemblages are autochthonous and show diagenetically fractured but well-preserved remains (complete, little to no weathering or abrasion). Root marks and manganese oxide precipitation are common and more abundant in Level III, due to modern pedogenic processes. There are also a few allochthonous, badly preserved (weathered and abraded) herbivore remains that were washed into the cavity. The taphonomic homogeneity of all three levels suggests recurring taphonomic and geologic processes throughout the accumulation of infill in the cave. The trap-like nature of the cave, unbroken and largely unweathered carnivoran bones suggest these predators intentionally jumped into the cave but were unable to escape
The Ventian land mammal age includes most of the Spanish faunas assigned to the biochronologic un... more The Ventian land mammal age includes most of the Spanish faunas assigned to the biochronologic unit MN 13. It is correlatable with the Messinian, although it may include, in its latest part, early Pliocene faunas. We propose that the Ventian begins with the fi rst occurrence of the Muridae genus Stephanomys (7 Ma, paleomagnetic dating from El Bunker, Teruel basin), well recorded in Teruel basin, and ends with the appearance of Promimomys (ca. 5 Ma), also registered in the Teruel basin. We suggest a new reorganization of the Ventian. The fi rst subdivision corresponds to the zone M (Dam et al., 2001). The second, zone N, is proposed here for the fi rst time, being equivalent to the zone with Celadensia (Mein et al., 1990; Dam et al., 2006) plus the part of the zone with two Paraethomys (Dam et al., 2006) in which Celadensia has dissappeared and still does not register Promimomys. The Ventian is now accurately recognized with quite precise boundaries and divisions, so that it can be easily recognized Palabras clave: Biocronología, Península Ibérica, cuencas continentales, Messiniense. in the Iberian continental basins with Mio-Pliocene sediments allowing refi ned intra-and inter-basin correlations.
The evolution and occurrence of fossil sea turtles at the Pacific margin of South America is poor... more The evolution and occurrence of fossil sea turtles at the Pacific margin of South America is poorly known and restricted to Neogene (Miocene) findings from Perú. Here we report and describe the first record of Paleogene (Late Oligocene, ~24 Ma) sea turtle remains. The fossil material corresponds to a single, isolated and well-preserved costal bone found at the Montañita/Olón locality, Santa Elena Province, Ecuador. Comparisons with other Oligocene and extant representatives allow us to confirm that belong to a sea turtle characterized by: lack of lateral ossification, allowing the dorsal exposure of the distal end of ribs; dorsal surface of bone sculptured, changing from dense vermiculation at the vertebral scute region and changing to anastomosing pattern of grooves at the most lateral portion of the costal. This fossil finding shows the high potential that the Ecuadorian Paleogene outcrops have in order to explore the evolution and paleobiogeography distribution of sea turtles by ...
In this paper we describe Late Miocene (MN13) remains of the genus Indarctos Pilgrim, 1913 from t... more In this paper we describe Late Miocene (MN13) remains of the genus Indarctos Pilgrim, 1913 from the locality of Las Casiones (Teruel, Spain). Although the phylogenetic relationships of this genus are still controversial, the most recent phylogenetic analyses, based on cranial, man dibular and dental characters, include it in Ailuropodinae, thus making the relatives of the gi ant panda the predominant bears in the carnivoran assemblages for most of the Late Miocene in the Iberian Peninsula. These fossils of Indarctos punjabiensis (Lydekker, 1884) represent the last population of this subfamily from the Iberian fossil record, and possibly also from Europe, making this an important advance in our knowledge of the evolutionary history of this group. We also note the replacement of Indarctos by Agriotherium A. Wagner, 1837 in Iberian faunas, between c. 6.3 and c. 6.23 Ma. RÉSUMÉ Le dernier enregistrement d'un ours ailuropode dans la péninsule Ibérique. Dans cet article nous décrivons les restes fossiles du genre Indarctos Pilgrim, 1913 du Miocène supérieur (MN13) de la localité de Las Casiones (Teruel, Espagne). Bien que les relations phylo génétiques de ce genre soient encore controversées, dans l'analyse phylogénétique la plus récente basée sur les caractères crâniens, mandibulaires et dentaires, ils sont inclus dans les Ailuro podinae. Ces parents des pandas géants étaient donc les ours prédominants dans les assemblages de car nivores pendant la majeure partie du Miocène supérieur de la péninsule Ibérique. D'autre part, ces fossiles d'Indarctos punjabiensis (Lydekker, 1884) représentent la dernière population de cette sousfamille dans les archives fossiles de la péninsule Ibérique, et éventuellement aussi d'Europe, ils contribuent de manière significative à l'avancement de la connaissance de l'histoire évolutive de cet groupe. En outre, nous signalons le remplacement de Indarctos par Agriotherium Wagner, 1837 dans les faunes ibériques entre 6.3 et 6.23 Ma.
Carnivore-rich fossil sites are uncommon in the fossil record and, accordingly, provide valuable ... more Carnivore-rich fossil sites are uncommon in the fossil record and, accordingly, provide valuable opportunities to study predators from vantages that are rarely applied to ancient faunas. Through stable isotopes of carbon and a Bayesian mixing model, we analyze time-successive (nearly contemporaneous), late Miocene carnivoran populations from two fossil sites (Batallones-1 and Batallones-3) from central Spain. Stable isotopes of carbon in tooth enamel provide a reliable and direct methodology to track ancient diets. These two carnivoran-dominated fossil sites display differences in the composition and abundance of the carnivoran species, with some species present at both sites and some present only at one site. This disparity has been interpreted as the consequence of habitat differences between Batallones-1, the older site, and Batallones-3, the younger site. However, carbon isotope values of carnivore and herbivore tooth enamel suggest a common habitat of C3 woodland originally pre...
We describe cranial and mandibular remains of three undescribed individuals of the giant mustelid... more We describe cranial and mandibular remains of three undescribed individuals of the giant mustelid Megalictis ferox Matthew, 1907 from the latest Arikareean (Ar4), Early Miocene mammal fauna of Nebraska, and Wyoming (USA) housed at the American Museum of Natural History (New York, USA). Our phylogenetic hypothesis indicates that Ar4 specimens assigned to M. ferox constitute a monophyletic group. We assign three additional species previously referred to Paroligobunis to Megalictis: M. simplicidens, M. frazieri, and "M." petersoni. The node containing these four species of Megalictis and Oligobunis forms the Oligobuninae. We test the hypothesis that Oligobuninae (Megalictis and Oligobunis) is a stem mustelid taxon. Our results indicate that the Oligobuninae form the sister clade to the crown extant mustelids. Based on the cranium, M. ferox is a jaguar-size mustelid and the largest terrestrial mustelid known to have existed. This new material also sheds light on a new ecomorph...
Esta contribución presenta los recientes hallazgos realizados en el sitio arqueológico OGSE-46 (S... more Esta contribución presenta los recientes hallazgos realizados en el sitio arqueológico OGSE-46 (Samarina) de la cultura Guangala o de Desarrollo Regional (500 a.E.-800) de la península de Santa Elena (Ecuador). Este asentamiento se caracteriza por la presencia de varios concheros con áreas de actividad doméstica. También se intercalan al menos dos suelos preparados de tierra batida con numerosos agujeros de poste que pudieron servir para sostener una cubierta elaborada con materiales perecederos. En estos suelos, interpretados como pisos de ocupación doméstica, se localizaron varias sepulturas en fosa. La novedad de los hallazgos reside en las pocas evidencias conocidas de arquitecturas domésticas en la cultura Guangala, a lo que se une, la ubicación de cuatro sepulturas en su interior. Los gestos funerarios asociados a las sepulturas fueron analizados a partir de la documentación gráfica de los trabajos de campo y de la información generada en laboratorio. Se aplicaron los criterios de la arqueotanatología para la definición de las prácticas funerarias. El material esquelético fue analizado pormenorizadamente con objeto de valorar las principales variables bioantropológicas (edad, sexo, salud dental, patologías, tafonomía, etc.). Los resultados indican la presencia de sepulturas primarias y secundarias con un número mínimo de diez individuos. Algunos de ellos tenían el cráneo artificialmente deformado mediante tabulación erecta. Destaca la presencia de marcas de corte en los restos de un individuo adulto procedente de una sepultura secundaria. Finalmente, se discute la información de estos hallazgos con otros contextos del mismo periodo.
The localities of La Bullana 3 and LA Bullana 2B (Valencia, E Spain) have yielded remains of Apod... more The localities of La Bullana 3 and LA Bullana 2B (Valencia, E Spain) have yielded remains of Apodemus gorafensis, Paraethomys aff. abaigari, Stephanomys dubari, Apocricetus barrierei, Sciuridae indet. and Asoriculus cf. gibberodon the former, and Apodemus gorafensis, Paraethomys aff. abaigari, Stephanomys dubari, Apocricetus barrierei, Sciuridae indet., Asoriculus cf. gibberodon, Castillomys gracilis, Occitanomys brailloni, Occitanomys sp., Paraethomys meini, Ruscinomys sp., Eliomys intermedius, Debruijnimys cf. julii and Atlantoxerus sp. the latter. Based on the study of these micromammal assemblages, we propose an Early Pliocene age (MN14) for both sites. The presence a gerbilid related to Debruijnimys julii in La Bullana 2B open new questions about the phylogenetic relationship between Debruijnimys species from the Miocene and Pliocene of the Iberian Peninsula. Furthermore, preliminary paleomagnetic data indicate an age between 4.997 Ma and 4.896 Ma for La Bullana 2B, and between 5.235 Ma and 4.997 Ma for La Bullana 3.
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Papers by Juan Abella
abaigari, Stephanomys dubari, Apocricetus barrierei, Sciuridae indet. and Asoriculus cf. gibberodon the former, and Apodemus gorafensis,
Paraethomys aff. abaigari, Stephanomys dubari, Apocricetus barrierei, Sciuridae indet., Asoriculus cf. gibberodon, Castillomys gracilis,
Occitanomys brailloni, Occitanomys sp., Paraethomys meini, Ruscinomys sp., Eliomys intermedius, Debruijnimys cf. julii and Atlantoxerus
sp. the latter. Based on the study of these micromammal assemblages, we propose an Early Pliocene age (MN14) for both sites. The presence a gerbilid related to Debruijnimys julii in La Bullana 2B open new questions about the phylogenetic relationship between Debruijnimys species from the Miocene and Pliocene of the Iberian Peninsula. Furthermore, preliminary paleomagnetic data indicate an age between
4.997 Ma and 4.896 Ma for La Bullana 2B, and between 5.235 Ma and 4.997 Ma for La Bullana 3.