RT Journal Article
T1 What can be gained from studying coprolite taphonomy: the case of Villanueva-1 (Palencia, Spain)
A1 Cambronero García-Miguel, Irene
A1 Sevilla García, María Paloma
A1 García García, Nuria
AB Coprolites are relatively common trace fossils in Quaternary sites and are used to obtain a variety of information that goes from environment reconstruction to dating sites or recovering DNA among others. However, little attention is given to taphonomic processes undergone by the coprolites that might compromise their validity as sources of information. In this paper, we present the study of the Middle Pleistocene coprolites of Villanueva-1 from a taphonomic point of view and discuss the results of the analyses performed and how the taphonomic alterations identified have an effect on palaeoecological interpretations based on these fossils. Modifications prior to burial may be determined by direct observation of shape, colour, fractures and inclusions. Some diagenetic alterations can also be inferred from colour differences, but mostly require destructive analyses in order to identify the degree of chemical and structural changes that might interfere with content preservation, such as pollen, DNA, or organic carbon for dating purposes.
PB Taylor & Francis
SN 0891-2963, ESSN: 1029-2381
YR 2023
FD 2023-04-27
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/72411
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/72411
LA eng
NO Ministerio de Universidades
NO Universidad Complutense de Madrid
NO Junta de Castilla y León
NO CENIEH
DS Docta Complutense
RD 17 abr 2025