As a result of a microfacial study in the outer and middle ramp deposits of the Vaca Muerta Formation (lower Tithonian-upper Valanginian), four ichnotaxa of crustacean microcoprolites are described: Palaxius azulensis Kietzmann isp. nov., Palaxius caracuraensis Kietzmann isp. nov., Helicerina? isp. A. aff. Helicerina siciliana and Helicerina isp. B. They represent one of the first records of crustacean microcoprolites for the Neuquén Basin and Argentina. Helicerina is reported for the first time from the Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous of South America. It is inferred that Palaxius ichnospecies were produced by callianassids, while Helicerina ichnospecies could be produced by decapods of Mecochiridae, Erymidae, and/or Nephropidae affinity. Two assemblages of crustacean microcoprolites are recognised, a middle Tithonian to lower Berriasian Palaxius-dominated assemblage and an early to late Valanginian Helicerina-dominated assemblage.
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10 December 2009
Crustacean Microcoprolites from the Upper Jurassic— Lower Cretaceous of the Neuquén Basin, Argentina: Systematics and Biostratigraphic Implications
Diego A. Kietzmann,
Joachim Blau,
Diana E. Fernández,
Ricardo M. Palma
Acta Palaeontologica Polonica
Vol. 55 • No. 2
June 2010
Vol. 55 • No. 2
June 2010
Argentina
Crustacean microcoprolites
Helicerina
Jurassic-Cretaceous
Neuquén Basin
Palaxius
Vaca Muerta Formation