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  • 标题:The Pleistocene fauna of the Cape south coast revealed through ichnology at two localities
  • 本地全文:下载
  • 作者:Charles W. Helm ; Hayley C. Cawthra ; Jan C. de Vynck
  • 期刊名称:South African Journal of Science
  • 印刷版ISSN:0038-2353
  • 电子版ISSN:1996-7489
  • 出版年度:2019
  • 卷号:115
  • 期号:1-2
  • 页码:41-49
  • DOI:10.17159/sajs.2019/5135
  • 语种:English
  • 出版社:The Foundation for Research Development
  • 摘要:East of Still Bay on the Cape south coast of South Africa lies a rugged, remote stretch of sea cliffs that expose Late Pleistocene aeolianites. A zone of dense concentration of fossil tracks occurs within this area. Two large rocks, which we call Roberts Rock and Megafauna Rock, were identified ~400 metres apart. These rocks contained a variety of trackways, individual tracks, burrow traces and invertebrate trace fossils on multiple bedding planes. Both rocks were found ex situ, but their context could be determined. Roberts Rock has subsequently slid into the ocean, and Megafauna Rock lies at the base of a coastal cliff. Probable trackmakers include elephant, long-horned buffalo, giant Cape horse, rhinoceros, medium and small artiodactyls, golden mole, birds and invertebrates. Dating studies at an adjacent site, which is comparable to the stratigraphy described here, indicate that both rocks were most likely deposited in Marine Isotope Stage 5e (~128–116 ka). Analysis and description of these tracksites confirms the potential of ichnology to complement the skeletal fossil record and to enhance the understanding of Pleistocene life in southern Africa. The ephemeral nature of such tracksites makes repeated visits to this coastline desirable, both to monitor the fate of known sites and to search for newly exposed trace fossil surfaces.
  • 关键词:aeolianites;Pleistocene megafauna;fossil tracks;elephant;giant Cape horse;long-horned buffalo
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