Entrampamientos en la Formación Luján (Pleistoceno tardío). Análisis tafonómico de un espécimen de Hippidion Owen de la cuenca del río Salado (provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina)

Abstract

The interesting finding of a Hippidion specimen in sediments referred to the Guerrero Member of the Luján Formation (late Pleistocene) in northeast Buenos Aires Province is reported. Preliminary considerations indicate that the bearing level represents a deposition environment similar to existing poorly-drained flood plains. Analysis of several taphonomic characteristics (e.g. position, degree of articulation, soft tissue molds) allows considering that the specimen was incorporated through swamp-miring that also led to its death. Available palaeoautoecological information for this taxon allows the possibility that the accumulation environment of this specimen was a habitat used regularly by the taxon. Reconstruction of the taphonomic path of this specimen admits the assumption that at least some parts of the floodplain could have worked as swamp-miring sites. The occurrence of this taphonomic mode in the Salado River Basin is particularly relevant because it accounts for the relative abundance of relatively complete and well-articulated skeletons, and it also evidences possible taphonomic bias related to the frequency of use of this environment by each taxon.