On the taphonomy of the late Maastrichtian (Late Cretaceous) marine turtle Allopleuron hofmanni
Janssen, R.; van Baal, R.R.; Schulp, A.S. (2011). On the taphonomy of the late Maastrichtian (Late Cretaceous) marine turtle Allopleuron hofmanni. Geol. Mijnb. 90(2-3): 187-196
In: Netherlands Journal of Geosciences. Kluwer/Cambridge University Press: Den Haag, Cambridge. ISSN 0016-7746; e-ISSN 1573-9708, more
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| Keywords |
Geological time > Phanerozoic > Geological time > Mesozoic > Cretaceous > Cretaceous, Upper > Maastrichtian
Allopleuron hofmanni; Testudines [WoRMS]
Belgium, Limburg [Marine Regions]
Marine/Coastal |
| Author keywords |
Allopleuron hofmanni; Cretaceous; Maastrichtian; marine turtles;population characteristics; taphonomy |
| Authors | | Top |
- Janssen, R.
- van Baal, R.R.
- Schulp, A.S.
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| Abstract |
An exhaustive screening of public collections containing remains of the latest Cretaceous (late Maastrichtian) marine turtle Allopleuron hofmanni (Gray, 1831) from the type area of the Maastrichtian Stage (southeast Netherlands, northeast Belgium) shows the available material to represent almost exclusively adult individuals. The various skeletal elements are not preserved in proportionally equal abundance, with portions of carapace, pectoral girdle, cranium and mandible overrepresented. These observations can be explained by population characteristics and taphonomic factors. During the late Maastrichtian, while hatchlings and juveniles in all likelihood lived and fed elsewhere, extensive seagrass meadows might have supported a population of only adult marine turtles. |
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