RT Journal Article
T1 Multiproxy reconstruction of the palaeoclimate and palaeoenvironment of theMiddle Miocene Somosaguas site (Madrid, Spain) using herbivore dental enamel
A1 Domingo Martínez, Laura
A1 Cuevas González, Jaime
A1 Grimes, Stephen T.
A1 Hernández Fernández, Manuel
A1 López Martínez, Nieves
AB Profound palaeoclimatic changes took place during the Middle Miocene. The Miocene Climatic Optimum(∼20 to 14–13.5 Ma) was followed by a sudden (∼200 ka) decrease in temperature and an increase in aridityaround the world as a consequence of the reestablishment of the ice cap in Antarctica. Somosaguaspalaeontological site (Madrid Basin, Spain) has provided a rich record of mammal remains coincident withthis global event (Middle Miocene Biozone E, 14.1–13.8 Ma). It contains four fossiliferous levels (T1, T3-1, T3-2and T3-3, with T1 being the oldest) that span an estimated time of ∼105–125 ka. Scanning ElectronMicroscope (SEM) and Rare Earth Element (REE) analyses performed on herbivore tooth enamel(Gomphotherium angustidens, Anchitherium cf. A. cursor, Conohyus simorrensis, Prosantorhinus douvillei andruminants) indicate that diagenetic processes have not been intense enough as to obscure the originalgeochemical signal. Stable isotope (δ18OCO3, δ13CCO3 and δ18OPO4) analyses have been measured on theherbivore tooth enamel across these levels with the aim of determining to what extent the global cooling andaridity pattern is recorded at this site. A decrease in δ18OCO3 and δ18OPO4 has been detected from T1 to T3-3and T3-1 to T3-3 respectively indicating a progressive drop of about 6 °C (from around 18 °C to 12 °C) in meanannual temperatures within T3. Tooth enamel δ13C values experience an increase from T3-1 to T3-3suggesting an increase in aridity. Ba/Ca analyses have also been performed on the tooth enamel in order todetect changes in the palaeoecology of the studied taxa. This ratio allows the establishment of particularfeeding patterns such as a more browsing habit in the case of Gomphotherium angustidens compared toAnchitherium cf. A. cursor as suggested by higher Ba/Ca values in the latter. Trace elements do not supportany significant change across the succession in the dietary behaviour of the species analyzed, despite thestable isotopes evidence of an important palaeoclimatic shift from T1 to T3-3.
PB Elsevier
SN 0031-0182
YR 2009
FD 2009
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/49988
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/49988
LA eng
DS Docta Complutense
RD 2 may 2024