Taphonomy and whale-fall analysis of the Tortonian baleen whales from the Stirone river, Emilia Romagna (northern Italy)

Frontiers in Earth Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 13

Published: April 22, 2025

Introduction The taphonomy of three balaenopterid skeletons is examined in order to describe the traces left by whale fall communities. specimens include two partial and an isolated periotic; one holotype Plesiobalaenoptera quarantellii , while other represent indeterminate species. high number trace fossils observed these was not previous paleontological records diversity broad stratigraphic context which assemblages are included investigated investigate into origin evolution specialized communities since Neogene. Methods Macrophotographs, three-dimensional modeling from photogrammetry laser scanner examinations were used analyze on bones balaenopterids. Biostratigraphic analyses outcrops where discovered realized constrain ages reconstruct paleoecological characters sites. Additionally, fish otoliths, mollusc shells microfossils carried out refine ecological setting Results partially articulated affected intense bioerosion disarticulation that displaced several before final burials.Trace found shark bite traces, Trypanites Gastrochaenolites ?Meandropolydora Gnatulichnus ichnogenera documenting exploitation energy reservoir represented carcasses. biostratigraphic analysis site supports a Late Miocene (Upper Tortonian) age shows presence post-depositional processes. These micro-faulting acted and, case, provided forces able deform lumbar vertebra. Fish consistent supporting c. 100 m deep inner shelf deposit. Discussion Absence chemoautothrophic molluscs present falls confirms water depth may be main determinant highly species, flourish anoxic environments, because decomposition at shallow depths still occur Oxygen concentrations. Those described herein most dense ensembles up now.

Language: Английский

Retrieving Palaeoecological Information from Historic Fossil Finds: A Taphonomic Cold Case from Orciano Pisano (Central Italy) Reveals a Distinctive Trophic Interaction in the Pliocene Mediterranean Sea

Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 13(3), P. 508 - 508

Published: March 5, 2025

Evidence of trophic interactions between sharks and cetaceans is rather widespread in the fossil records, consisting as it does tooth marks on bones rarer teeth or fragments embedded (or associated with) skeletal remains. Here, we reappraise a partial mysticete (baleen whale) forelimb that was collected more than century ago from Pliocene deposits exposed at celebrated locality Orciano Pisano (Tuscany, central Italy). This specimen, which revealed to originate an early juvenile individual, features shark both humerus radius. Whether these traces are due active predation scavenging cannot be ascertained. During Pliocene, Mediterranean Basin inhabited by diverse elasmobranch fauna, including number mammal-eating forms no longer inhabit Sea (e.g., Galeocerdo some Carcharhinus spp. well extinct Parotodus). Early mysticetes were also likely common today Sea, may have contained balaenid balaenopterid calving grounds, thus providing with vulnerable, energetically valuable potential prey items. Thus, our results evoke kind interaction ecologically relevant Sea.

Language: Английский

Surviving a Dark Age: The Oldest Baleen-Bearing Whales (Cetacea: Chaeomysticeti) of Pacific South America (Lower Miocene, Peru)

Life, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(3), P. 452 - 452

Published: March 13, 2025

The evolution of baleen whales (Mysticeti) comprises two main phases, namely, (i) a Paleogene phase, which saw the diversification stem lineages, and (ii) Neogene dominated by modern-looking, toothless, baleen-bearing forms in monophyletic group Chaeomysticeti. These phases are separated global turnover event coinciding with gap—or “dark age”—in mysticete fossil record. This dark age occurred between 23 ~18 Ma is apparently detected worldwide, except Zealandia. Here, we report on new from Lower Miocene (Burdigalian: ~19.2 Ma) strata Chilcatay Formation cropping out at newly discovered locality Cerro Tiza (East Pisco Basin, Peru), represents limited but precious testament last phase whale age. Two previously mentioned, slightly geologically younger fossils same formation also reappraised herein, revealing occurrence least another taxon upper strata—one that belongs crown group. Although Early remains problematic time interval for record whales, our results encourage search East whose basin fill preserves cornucopia extraordinarily informative marine vertebrate Cenozoic age, as well coeval deposits worldwide.

Language: Английский