Two new vertebrate localities from the Early Pleistocene of Mygdonia Basin (Macedonia, Greece): Preliminary results

By applying advanced spatial statistical methods, spatial taphonomy complements the traditional taphonomic approach and enhances our understanding of biostratinomic and diagenetic processes. In this study, we elaborate on a specific aspect – spatial anisotropy – of taphonomic processes. We aim to unravel the taphonomic history of the Early Pleistocene vertebrate assemblage of Tsiotra Vryssi (Mygdonia Basin, Greece). Circular statistics are used for the fabric analysis of elongated elements; geostatistics (directional variograms), wavelet and point pattern analyses are applied for detecting anisotropy at the assemblage level. The anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) of sedimentary magnetic minerals is also investigated. The results, integrated with preliminary remarks about the differential preservation of skeletal elements, sedimentological and micromorphological observations, suggest multiple dispersion events and recurrent spatial re‐arrangement of a lag, (peri)autochthonous assemblage, consistent with the cyclical lateral switching of a braided fluvial system. Furthermore, this study offers a contribution to the building of a spatial taphonomic referential framework for the interpretation of other fossil vertebrate assemblages, including archaeo‐palaeontological ones.

show abstract

“…; Konidaris et al . ). The TSR fauna occurs mainly within a ~1‐m‐thick interval of silts (uppermost part of unit Geo2, see Fig.…”

Section: The Palaeontological Site Of Tsiotra Vryssi (Tsr)mentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Therefore, integrating the results of our multiscale and multilevel analysis of anisotropy with preliminary remarks about differential taphonomic preservation, sedimentological and micromorphological observations, we aim to disentangle the taphonomic history of the fossiliferous locality Tsiotra Vryssi (Mygdonia Basin, Greece; Konidaris et al . ).…”

mentioning

confidence: 97%

Recursive anisotropy: a spatial taphonomic study of the Early Pleistocene vertebrate assemblage of Tsiotra Vryssi, Mygdonia Basin, Greece

Giusti

Konidaris

Tourloukis

et al. 2019

Boreas

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The taxon was also recognized in the Mygdonia Basin Late Villafranchian-Epivillafranchian localities Tsiotra Vryssi and Kalamoto [7,47], in the Late Villafranchian locality Libakos [48] and in the early Middle Pleistocene faunal group of the Petralona Cave [28], representing the latest occurrence of the taxon in Greece. Late Villafranchian-Epivillafranchian localities Tsiotra Vryssi and Kalamoto [7,47], in the Late Villafranchian locality Libakos [48] and in the early Middle Pleistocene faunal group of the Petralona Cave [28], representing the latest occurrence of the taxon in Greece. (Figure 12c,d) is moderately worn, preserving the entire crown and root.…”

Section: Praeglacialismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The similar dental morphology and dimensions of the APL sample with C. etruscus from different European localities suggest that it can be attributed to this taxon. Besides APL, C. etruscus is known from two other localities of the Mygdonia Basin, i.e., the early Late Villafranchian locality Gerakarou and the Late Villafranchian locality Tsiotra Vryssi [2,7]. Some dental remains of C. etruscus are also known from the Late Villafranchian locality Alykes (Thessaly, Greece) [13].…”

Section: Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The fossils were found into the Platanochori Formation, which overlies the Gerakarou Fm and crops out in the southeastern part of the Mygdonia Basin; the Platanochori Fm consists of grey-white, grey-green fluvio-lacustrine to lacustrine deposits [1,6,7]. The APL biochronological data suggest an Epivillafranchian age, more precisely ranging from 1.2 to 1.0 Ma.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

New Material and Revision of the Carnivora, Mammalia from the Lower Pleistocene Locality Apollonia 1, Greece

Koufos

2018

Quaternary

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

During the last field campaigns in the mammal fossiliferous site Apollonia 1 (Macedonia, Greece), new carnivoran material has been discovered. The new collection added two new carnivoran taxa, Homotherium latidens and Panthera gombaszögensis. The new canid material and the revision of the old one (a) suggest the presence of two Canis species, C. etruscus and C. apolloniensis; (b) confirm the presence of the hypercarnivore Lycaon lycaonoides, and (c) allow for re-classifying the vulpine material to Vulpes praeglacialis. The taxonomic status of the species C. apolloniensis and Meles dimitrius is discussed. The composition and diversity of the Apollonia carnivoran assemblage are estimated and compared to those of various Greek and European Villafranchian ones. The results suggest close similarity to the Venta Micena (Spain) and Dmanisi (Georgia) carnivoran assemblages. The biochronological evidence indicates that Apollonia 1 is younger than Venta Micena and older than Untermassfeld (Germany), suggesting an age of 1.3-1.0 Ma. The study of the carnivoran guild structure of Apollonia 1 in comparison to the modern ones from known environments, as well as their functional morphology, suggest an open habitat, agreeing with previous interpretations.

show abstract

The Fossil Record of Continental Elephants and Mammoths (Mammalia: Proboscidea: Elephantidae) in Greece

Athanassiou

2021

Fossil Vertebrates of Greece Vol. 1

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Two new vertebrate localities from the Early Pleistocene of Mygdonia Basin (Macedonia, Greece): Preliminary results

Cited by 48 publications

References 22 publications

Recursive anisotropy: a spatial taphonomic study of the Early Pleistocene vertebrate assemblage of Tsiotra Vryssi, Mygdonia Basin, Greece

Recursive anisotropy: a spatial taphonomic study of the Early Pleistocene vertebrate assemblage of Tsiotra Vryssi, Mygdonia Basin, Greece

New Material and Revision of the Carnivora, Mammalia from the Lower Pleistocene Locality Apollonia 1, Greece

The Fossil Record of Continental Elephants and Mammoths (Mammalia: Proboscidea: Elephantidae) in Greece

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About