Lopez de Bertodano Formation

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Lopez de Bertodano Formation
Stratigraphic range: Maastrichtian-Danian
~70–65.5  Ma
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S
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Type Geological formation
Unit of Marambio & Seymour Island Groups
Sub-unitsCape Lamb & Lower Sandwich Bluff Members
Underlies Sobral Fm., La Meseta Fm.
Overlies Snow Hill Island Formation
Lithology
Primary Siltstone, mudstone
Other Sandstone with concretions
Location
Coordinates 64°00′S57°24′W / 64.0°S 57.4°W / -64.0; -57.4
Approximate paleocoordinates 61°54′S68°06′W / 61.9°S 68.1°W / -61.9; -68.1
Region Seymour Island, James Ross Island group, Vega Island
Country Antarctica
Type section
Named forLópez de Bertodano Bay
Antarctica relief location map.jpg
Green-orange pog.svg
Lopez de Bertodano Formation (Antarctica)

The Lopez de Bertodano Formation is a geological formation in the James Ross archipelago of the Antarctic Peninsula. The strata date from the end of the Late Cretaceous (upper-lower Maastrichtian stage [1] ) to the Danian stage of the lower Paleocene, from about 70 to 65.5 million years ago, straddling the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary. [2]

Contents

Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary

Geologic map of Seymour Island, Antarctica with the Lopez de Bertodano Formation in light green, the locations where the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary is exposed are indicated Geologic map of Seymour Island, Antarctica.png
Geologic map of Seymour Island, Antarctica with the Lopez de Bertodano Formation in light green, the locations where the Cretaceous–Paleogene boundary is exposed are indicated

The Cretaceous–Paleogene boundary (K–Pg) crops out on Seymour Island in the upper levels of the Lopez de Bertodano Formation. [3] A small (but significant) iridium anomaly occurs at the boundary on Seymour Island, as at lower latitudes, thought to be fallout from the Chicxulub impactor in the Gulf of Mexico. [4] Directly above the boundary a layer of disarticulated fish fossils occurs, victims of a disturbed ecosystem immediately following the impact event. [3] Multiple reports have described evidence for climatic changes in Antarctica prior to the mass extinction, [5] but the extent to which these affected marine biodiversity is debated. Based on extensive marine fossil collections from Seymour Island, recent work has confirmed that a single and severe mass extinction event occurred at this time in Antarctica just as at lower latitudes. [6]

Climate

During the Maastrichtian, Seymour Island was located within the Antarctic polar circle at around ~65°S latitude. [7] Chemical studies on oxygen-18 isotopes found in shells and benthic foraminifera have calculated intermediate-depth and deep-sea ocean temperatures at a mean average of 6 °C (43 °F) with fluctuations of 4–12 °C (39–54 °F) throughout the Maastrichtian; one of the same studies has also suggested that sea surface temperatures may have been colder, possibly dropping below freezing and forming sea ice at times. [8] [9] Alternatively, a study using data acquired from ancient bacterial membrane lipids yielded a slightly warmer temperature of 12 ± 5 °C (54 ± 9 °F) around 66 Ma. Nevertheless, these estimated climates characterize primarily cool temperate environments with possible subpolar and warm episodes. [7]

Fossil content

The Lopez de Bertodano Formation has provided many fossils of flora, dinosaurs and birds. [10] [11] [12] Also the first fossil egg from Antarctica, Antarcticoolithus , was found in the formation. [13]

Dinosaur remains are among the fossils that have been recovered from the formation [14] and include at least two and probably as much as six lineages of indisputably modern birds: one related to waterfowl, a primitive shorebird or related form, 1 to 2 species of possible loons, a large and possibly flightless bird belonging to a lineage extinct today as well as a partial skull that might belong to either of the smaller species or represent yet another one. The formation also contains a rich fossil invertebrate fauna, including bivalves, gastropods, [15] and cephalopods (ammonites and nautiloids). [16]

The fish assemblage of the López de Bertodano Formation was dominated by Enchodus and ichthyodectiformes, accounting for 21.95% and 45.6% of local fish diversity respectively. Of the remaining percentages, sand sharks made up 10.5%, the cow shark Notidanodon 6.8%, chimaeras 3.9%, saw sharks 2.7%, various other teleost fish 2.4%, and the remaining 6% were shared between other sharks like Paraorthacodus , frilled sharks, Protosqualus , and Cretalamna. [17]

Vertebrates

Dinosaurs

Color key
Taxon Reclassified taxonTaxon falsely reported as presentDubious taxon or junior synonym Ichnotaxon Ootaxon Morphotaxon
Notes
Uncertain or tentative taxa are in small text; crossed out taxa are discredited.
Ornithischians
Ornithischians recorded from Lopez de Bertodano Formation
GenusSpeciesMember/LocationMaterialDescriptionImage
Elasmaria IndeterminateSandwich Bluff MemberCM 93790, right prox. Metatarsal II; Rt. Prox. Metatarsal IV; left. Prox. Fibula [18]
IndeterminateSandwich Bluff MemberMLP 98-I-10-70, pedal ungual [18] Also considered Ornithischia Indet
Hadrosauridae IndeterminateSandwich Bluff, Vega IslandIsolated cheek tooth, MLP 98-I-10-1. [19] The 1st Hadrosaur remains of Antarctica
IndeterminateSeymour IslandMLP 96-1-6-2, Distal end of metatarsal [20]
Parankylosauria IndeterminateSandwich Bluff MemberRight pedal ungual IV, CM93791, and osteoderm [18]
Theropods
Theropods recorded from Lopez de Bertodano Formation
GenusSpeciesMember/LocationMaterialDescriptionImage
Charadriiform [21] IndeterminateCape LambPartial skeleton
Conflicto [22] C. antarcticusSeymour IslandMLP 07-III-1-1, a three-dimensionally preserved, partly complete skeletonAn anseriform
Conflicto antarctiicus.jpg
Gaviiformes IndeterminateVEG IAA 2/98, Isla VegaMLP 98-I-10-47, MLP 98-I-10-50, MLP 98-I-10-52, MLP 98-I-10-76: tarsometatarsus;MLP 98-I-10-59: diaphysis of left tibiotarsus; MLP 98-I-10-51: proximal end of left femur; MLP 98-I-10-48: distal end of left tibiotarsus; MLP 98-I-10-60 and MLP 98-I-10-61: distal end and partial corpus of pedal phalanges. [23] Very similar to that of Gavia immer
Cf.Gaviiformes IndeterminateVEG IAA 2/98, Isla VegaMLP 98-I-10-54, MLP 98-I-10-27: tarsometatarsus; MLP 98-I-10-53: distal end of left tibiotarsus; MLP 98-I-10-49 distal end of right tibiotarsus [23] Very similar to that of Gavia immer
Megaraptora [18] IndeterminateSandwich Bluff, Cape LambSDSM 159537, maxillaHas oblong and narrow tooth alveoli, seen in Megaraptorans
IndeterminateSandwich Bluff, Cape LambSDSM 9918, left maxillary
Neornithes IndeterminateSandwich Bluff, Cape LambPartial skullRelationships undetermined, cranium some 5–6 centimetres (2.0–2.4 in) long
Polarornis P. gregoriiSandwich Bluff, Seymour IslandPartial skull and skeleton, holotype A Vegaviid of uncertain relative. Possibly a more primitive form with strong flight ability and lighter bones [14]
P.? sp.Sandwich Bluff, Cape LambPartial skeleton including wing and hindlimbs
Cf. P. sp. [24] Sandwich Bluff, Cape LambMN 7833-V, distal portion of a tarsometatarsus
P. sp.IAA 10/13, Marambio IslandMLP 96-I-6-2, incomplete skeleton [23]
Vegavis [25] V. iaai [26] Lower Sandwich BluffPartial skeleton, holotypeAn anseriform
Vegavis restoration.jpg
V. sp.Plesiosaur Papoose, Cape LambIsolated femurInitially identified as a fossil of a member of Cariamae, [27] but subsequently reinterpreted as a fossil of an unnamed large-bodied member of the genus Vegavis. [28]
Cf. V. sp. [24] Sandwich Bluff, Cape LambMN 7832-V, synsacrum
Vegaviidae IndeterminateSeymour Island [23]
Theropoda IndeterminateSandwich Bluff, Cape LambFragments [1]

Fish

Bony Fishes
Bony Fish recorded from Lopez de Bertodano Formation
GenusSpeciesMember/LocationMaterialDescriptionImage
Antarctiberyx [29] A. seymouriSeymour IslandTTU P9210. A poorly preserved anterior skull section with partial dentary attachedA member of Beryciformes
Enchodus E. sp.Seymour IslandOne palatine tooth, MLP 12-XI-29-43; five teeth, MLP 12-XI-29-25 to 28; one tooth, MLP 12-XI-29-53; thirty-five teeth, MLP 12-XI-29-55; fifty-three teeth, MLP 12-XI-29-56 [17] A member of Enchodontidae
Enchodus petrosus.png
Ichthyodectiformes IndeterminateSeymour IslandOne tooth, MLP 12-XI-29-21; ninety-four teeth, MLP 12-XI-29-38; thirteen teeth, MLP 12-XI-29-51; seventy-eight teeth, MLP 12-XI-29-52; one tooth, MLP 12-XI-29-54. [17]
Pachycormidae IndeterminateSeymour IslandIsolated and fragmentary caudal fin-rays, MLP 13XI-29-57. [17]
Chondrichthyes
Chondrichthyes recorded from Lopez de Bertodano Formation
GenusSpeciesMember/LocationMaterialDescriptionImage
Callorhinchus C. sp. [30] Seymour IslandTeethA Chimaera
Callorhinchus callorhynchus.JPG
Carcharias cf. C. sp.Seymour IslandTwo left upper lateral teeth preserving one root branch and lateral denticle, MLP 13-XI-29-35, MLP 13-XI-29-37; one right upper lateral tooth preserving one root branch and lateral denticle, MLP 13-XI-29-36; several fragmentary teeth, MLP 13-XI29-4, MLP13-XI-29-44 to46, MLP13-XI-29-16, MLP 13-XI-29-13 to 14. [17] A Odontaspididae Shark
" Cretalamna "“C. appendiculata”Seymour IslandOne lateral lower tooth which lacks crown tip, distal lateral cusplet, and distal root branch, MLP 13XI-29-47; one anterior upper tooth lacking the distal root branch, distal lateral cusplet, and crown tip, MLP 13-XI-29-2 [17] A Otodontidae Shark
Lamniformes IndeterminateSeymour IslandFour crowns, MLP 13-XI-29-30. [17]
Notidanodon [29] N. sp.Seymour IslandTeethA Hexanchidae Shark
?N. sp. [30] Seymour IslandTeethA Hexanchidae Shark
Paraorthacodus P. sp.Seymour IslandFour fragmentary teeth, MLP 13-XI-29-8, MLP 13XI-29-18, MLP 13-XI-29-31, and MLP 13-XI-29-32. [17] A Paraorthacodontidae Shark
Propristiophorus aff. P. sp.Seymour IslandThree fragmentary rostral spines, MLP 13-XI-2939, MLP 13-XI-29-40, and MLP 13-XI-29-41. [17] A Pristiophoridae Shark
Protosqualus P. sp.Seymour IslandTwo lateral, almost complete teeth, MLP 13-XI29-9, MLP 13-XI-29-33; one latero-posterior, complete tooth, MLP 13-XI-29-10 [17] A Squalidae Shark
Sphenodus [29] S. sp.Seymour IslandTeethA Orthacodontidae Shark
S. sp.Seymour IslandTwo fragmentary teeth, MLP 13-XI-29-20, MLP 13-XI-29-11 [17] A Orthacodontidae Shark
Xampylodon [31] X. diastemacronFilo Negro Section, Klb 9MN 7825-V (holotype),incomplete posterolateral tooth of the lower jaw, with only its anterior portion still preservedA Hexanchidae Shark

Reptiles

Elasmosaurs
Elasmosaurs recorded from Lopez de Bertodano Formation
GenusSpeciesMember/LocationMaterialDescriptionImage
Aristonectes [32] A. parvidensSeymour IslandPartial postcranial skeleton (MLP 89-III-3-1)A giant elasmosaur
Aristonectes parvidens.png
A. sp [33] Sandwich Bluff, Cape LambMLP 11-I-1-15, caudal vertebra
A. sp [34] [35] Seymour IslandTTU.P.9219 (holotype skull and cervical vertebrae)
Elasmosauridae [36] IndeterminateSW corner, Seymour IslandMLP 82-I-28-1, an incomplete skeleton comprising 15 cervical, three pectorals, 21 dorsal, three sacral, and 22 caudal vertebrae, an almost complete left hind limb, some dorsal ribs, incomplete coracoids and fragments of the scapulae
Indeterminate [37] SW corner, Seymour IslandZPAL R.8, pectoral, dorsal, and caudal vertebral centra, femur, tibia, and fragments of the humerus, scapula, and ischia
Indeterminate [38] Seymour IslandTTU P 9240; dorsal, sacral and caudal vertebrae, limbs and paddle fragments
Indeterminate [39] Seymour IslandSGO.PV.6523, postcranial remains of a single adult individual, including remains of 9 mid-to-posterior cervical vertebrae (6 of them preserving parts of their centra), the right scapula, several fragments of ribs and gastralia, and one phalanx.
Indeterminate [38] Seymour IslandTTU P 9238; part of cervicals, rib fragments, isolated paddles, and gastroliths
Indeterminate [34] Seymour IslandTTU P 9239; isolated vertebrae, limb bones, paddle elements, and ribs
IndeterminateSeymour IslandIAA Pv 443, an incomplete skeleton comprising the mandibular symphysis and part of right and left mandibular rami, cervical and dorsal centra, an incomplete humerus, radius, ulna, ulnare, intermedium, radiale and distal carpal 1, 2 þ 3 and 4, other fragmentary postcranial bones and associated gastroliths [40]
Euelasmosaurida [33] IndeterminateSandwich Bluff, Cape LambCM 93780; left and right pubes and ischia: MLP 15-I-7-8, left ilium and indeterminate fragments
Marambionectes [41] M. molinaiSeymour IslandPartially articulated incomplete skeleton including cranial material, many vertebrae, ribs, an ilium, limb bones (right humerus and ulna, a femur), and gastroliths (IAA-Pv 752)A weddellonectian elasmosaur
Marambionectes molinai.png
Morturneria [34] M. seymourensisSeymour Islandseveral cervical vertebrae, a right humerus, a nearly complete left forelimb missing the proximal end of the humerus, and a left femur (TTU P9217)An elasmosaur
Morturneria seymourensis.png
Weddellonectia [42] IndeterminateSandwich Bluff, Cape LambMLP 15-I-7-48, right humerus, ulna, ulnare, intermedium, distal carpal I, distal carpal II+III, pisiform, phalanges and one rib
IndeterminateSeymour IslandMLP 14-I-20-16, 12 cervical vertebrae, three pectoral vertebrae, 11 dorsal vertebrae, one sacral vertebra, 11 caudal vertebrae, right femur, tibia, fibula and mesopodial elements, fragments of pectoral and pelvic girdles and gastroliths [42]
Mosasaurs
Mosasaurs recorded from Lopez de Bertodano Formation
GenusSpeciesMember/LocationMaterialDescriptionImage
Antarcticoolithus A. bradyiSeymour Island.A fossilized eggshell.A mosasaur.
Kaikaifilu [43] K. herveiSeymour IslandSeveral incomplete parts of a skull, jawbone, 30 isolated teeth, and a partial left humerus (SGO.PV.6509)A tylosaurine mosasaur
Kaikaifilu.png
Liodon [44] L sp.Vega Island Sandwich BluffMLP 98-I-10-1 is a fragment of a maxilla; MLP 98-I-10-12/15/23 are a teeth [44] A Mosasauridae mosasaur
L sp.Seymour IslandDJ.952.266, a tooth [45]
Mosasauridae IndeterminateBahía FósilesMLP 80-I-1-1, a cervical vertebra; MLP 80-I-1-2, a mandibular fragment; MLP 80-I-1-3, a cranial fragment; MLP 82-I-28-2, a vertebra; MLP 82-I-3-1/4, four caudal centers [46]
IndeterminateSeymour IslandDJ.957.133, 18 partially articulated caudal vertebrae, four of which possess transverse process, and DJ.957.505 a caudal vertebra [45]
IndeterminateFilo Negro SectionMLP 82-I-26-1, a pygal vertebra [31]
IndeterminateSeymour IslandIAA-Pv 819, an almost complete right humerus. [47]
IndeterminateSeymour IslandMLP 82-I-5-1, fragments of vertebrae and ribs [46]
Mosasaurus aff. M. hoffmanniSeymour IslandDJ.1053.10, a large, fragmentary skull [45] A Mosasauridae mosasaur
Mosasaurus missouriensis NT.png
M. sp.Seymour IslandDJ.1020.2-A, DJ.1020.2-B and DJ.1053.14- A, teeth; MLP 83-X-12-2, a caudal vertebra; MLP 92-XII-30, skull fragments including one tooth and a relatively short, and medially constricted suprastapedial process of the quadrate [45]
M. sp.Seymour IslandMLP 15-I-24-41, a partial skull including, partial frontal, right postorbital, parietal, right quadrate, right posterior end of basisphenoid, right coronoid, right angular, splenial and right surangular, a broken marginal tooth and several pterygoid teeth have been associated to this specimen. [48]
Plioplatecarpus P. sp.Seymour IslandDJ.1020.2-C, DJ.1020.2-H and DJ.952.266, teeth [45] A Mosasauridae mosasaur
PlioplatecarpusDB.jpg
P. sp.Quebrada de la Foca muertaMLP 79-I-1/20, several vertebrae [46]
Tylosaurinae IndeterminateBahía FósilesMLP 87-II-7-1, a vertebra; MLP 86-X-28-7, an anterior caudal vertebra [46]
IndeterminateSeymour IslandDJ.956.41, two or three caudal vertebrae [45]
IndeterminateFilo Negro Sectionlam. II, 7-8, a vertebra [31]

Other fossils

Ammonites [16]
Ammonites recorded from Lopez de Bertodano Formation
GenusSpeciesMember/LocationMaterialDescriptionImage
Diplomoceras D. cylindraceumA paperclip-shaped Ammonite.
Gaudryceras G. seymouriense
Grossouvrites G. joharae
Kitchinites K. laurae
Maorites M. densicostatus
Pachydiscus P. (Pachydiscus) ultimus
Pseudophyllites P. cf. loryi
Zelandites Z. varuna
Other invertebrates
Invertebrates recorded from Lopez de Bertodano Formation
GenusSpeciesMember/LocationMaterialDescriptionImage
Eutrephoceras E. dorbignyanum
Cyathocidaris C. nordenskjoldi
C. patera
Rotularia R. fallax
Flora

See also

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References

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Bibliography

Further reading