Neogene Mammal Sites in Molina de Aragón (Guadalajara, Spain): Correlation to Other Karstic Sites of the Iberian Chain, and their Geoheritage Values

Abstract

Corral de Lobato, a new karstic site in the area of Molina de Aragón is preliminary studied. Even though there are not many Neogene karstic sites in the Iberian Chain, it seems they can be grouped into four clusters, with ages ranging from latest middle Miocene (MN7/8) to early Pleistocene (MN17). The correlation between those clusters and the stratigraphical units of the Tagus basin, as well as with local and global events, is tentatively made. These karstic sites provide a complementary source of fossil vertebrate remains to that of the stratified sites formed lowland. The Heritage significance of such sites arises from the enhanced preservation of rare taxa or associations, and the operation of biotic concentrative processes.

5th International Meeting of Early-stage Researchers in Palaeontology

“…The karstic site Corral de Lobato is located on the Iberian Range, while Cerro de la Garita, Los Mansuetos, El Arquillo 1 and Las Casiones are located in the Teruel Basin. All of them are dated close to the end of the MN12 and the beginning of the MN13 (from ~7.7 to 6.7 Ma) (Morales et al, 2018). Four genera are shared by two or more fossil sites: Tragoportax, Hipparion, Pliocervus and Hippopotamodon.…”

First occurrence of Sivatherium Falconer and Cautley, 1836 (Mammalia, Ruminantia, Giraffidae) in the Iberian Peninsula

“…Most specimens potentially referable to Sivatheriinae from the upper Miocene-lower Pliocene of Aragon in northeastern Spain fall within the range of the larger Birgerbohlinia schaubi individuals from Crevillente-2. The distal metatarsal from Corral de Lobato (Molina de Aragón; Morales et al, 2018) clearly belongs to a taxon within the Birgerbohlinia-Helladotherium medium-large giraffid size range rather than the larger Sivatherium. The same is true of remains assigned to cf.…”

“…These include the poorly documented remains of a juvenile mandible of Decennatherium pachecoi from La Paloma (MN13; Montenat and Crusafont, 1970), the alleged Sivatheriinae indet. from the upper Miocene-lower Pliocene of Corral de Lobato (base of MN13; Morales et al, 2018) and La Alberca (MN13; Montenat and Crusafont, 1970), and cf. Birgerbohlinia from the lower Pliocene sites of La Gloria-4 and La Calera (MN14; Alcalá, 1994;Alcalá and Montoya, 1994).…”