Mangrullo Formation
| Mangrullo Formation | ||
|---|---|---|
Ma | ||
Approximate paleocoordinates 50°12′S 37°18′W / 50.2°S 37.3°W | | |
| Region | Cerro Largo Department | |
| Country |  Uruguay | |
| Extent | Norte Basin | |
| Type section | ||
| Named for | Mangrullo, Cerro Largo | |
 The Mangrullo Formation is a part of the Paraná Basin (Bacia do Paraná) | ||
The Mangrullo Formation is an
subdivisions of the Melo Formation, in which case it is referred to as the Mangrullo Member.[3][4] Like the correlated formations of Irati and Whitehill, it is known for its abundant mesosaur fossils. It also contains the oldest known Konservat-Lagerstätte in South America, as well as the oldest known fossils of amniote embryos.[5]
Geology
The Mangrullo Formation is part of the
It has a thickness of nearly 40 m (130 ft).
Fossil biota
Undichna insolentia), and numerous and well-preserved skulls and partial skeletons of mesosaurs (Stereosternum and Mesosaurus).[5][8]
The Mangrullo Formation is notable for being the oldest known
Taphonomy
The locality is believed to have been a shallow
hypersaline as it became shallower. It produced anoxic conditions near the bottom which resulted in the exceptional preservation of fossils during this period. Most of the earlier organisms disappeared and was replaced by mesosaurs and pygocephalomorphs, both inferred to have been capable of tolerating hypersaline environments. The connection to the sea was reestablished later on in the top layers, and fossils of mesosaurs disappeared to be replaced once again by fish and bioturbating organisms.[5]
Gallery
-
Early Permian paleogeography -
Mesosaurus tenuidens -
M. tenuidens -
Mesosaurid fossils -
Mesosaurid palate -
Mesosaurid skull -
"Mesosaurus Sea"
-
Mesosaurid skull and description -
Mesosaurid skeleton and gypsum -
Pygocephalomorph (Hoplita ginsburgi) fossils -
Pygocephalomorph fossils -
Algal mats -
See also
References
- ^ Mangrullo Formation at Fossilworks.org
- ^ Mangrullo Member at Fossilworks.org
- ^ a b "Arroyo de La Mina (Permian of Uruguay)". Paleobiology Database. Retrieved October 18, 2012.
- ^ a b Beri et al., 2011
- ^ a b c d e f g Piñeiro et al., 2012a
- ^ De Santa Ana et al., 2006
- ^ Pinto et al., 2000
- ^ Mones, 1972
- ^ Piñeiro et al., 2012b
Bibliography
- Piñeiro, G.; A. Ramos; C. S. Goso; F. Scarabino, and M. Laurin. 2012a. Unusual Environmental Conditions Preserve a Permian Mesosaur-Bearing Konservat-Lagerstätte from Uruguay.
- Piñeiro, G.; J. Ferigolo; M. Meneghel, and M. Laurin. 2012b. The oldest known amniotic embryos suggest viviparity in mesosaurs.
- Beri, Á.; P. Gutiérrez, and L. A. Balarino. 2011. Palynostratigraphy of the late Palaeozoic of Uruguay, Paraná Basin.
- De Santa Ana, H.; C. Goso, and G. Daners. 2006. Cuencas Sedimentarias de Uruguay: Geología, Paleontología y Recursos Minerales, Paleozoico - Cuenca Norte: estratigrafía del Carbonífero y Pérmico, 147–208. DIRAC, ISBN 9789974003163
- Pinto, I. D.; G. Piñeiro, and M. Verde. 2000. First Permian insects from Uruguay. Pesquisas 27. 89–96. .
- Mones, A. 1972. Lista de los vertebrados fosiles del Uruguay, I. Chondrichthyes, Osteichthyes, Reptilia, Aves - List of the fossil vertebrates of Uruguay, I. Chondrichthyes, Osteichthyes, Reptilia, Aves. Comunicaciones Paleontologicas del Museo de Historia Natural de Montevideo 1. 23–35. .