DOI: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2012.06.027
论文题名: Evidence for taphonomic size bias in the Dinosaur Park Formation (Campanian, Alberta), a model Mesozoic terrestrial alluvial-paralic system
作者: Brown C.M. ; Evans D.C. ; Campione N.E. ; O'Brien L.J. ; Eberth D.A.
刊名: Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology
ISSN: 0031-0182
出版年: 2013
卷: 372 起始页码: 108
结束页码: 122
语种: 英语
英文关键词: Body mass
; Dinosaur
; Diversity
; Size
; Taphonomic bias
; Taphonomy
英文摘要: A study of the distribution of dinosaurian body masses in the Dinosaur Park Formation (DPF; Campanian; southern Alberta), reveals a prominent negative skew; a pattern distinct from those of modern terrestrial faunas. We find a direct and robust correlation between taxon size (estimated live body mass) and known completeness. There is a clear dichotomy between large and small-bodied taxa at around 60. kg, in which taxa less than 60. kg are significantly less complete (mean completeness = 7.6%) than those with an estimated mass of 60. kg or greater (mean = 78.2%). Along with completeness, there is also a strong association of body size and taphonomic mode, with small taxa known largely from isolated and occasionally associated remains, and large taxa known from articulated skeletons. In addition, there is a significant correlation between taxon body mass and both date of discovery and of description, with taxa < 60. kg taking an average of 65.9 and 75.6. years to discover and describe, respectively, compared to 33.6 and 34.1. years for taxa > 60. kg. The rates of both cumulative discovery and description for large taxa are best described by a logarithmic curve nearing an asymptote, whereas small taxa show either a linear or power increase through time. This suggests that our current knowledge of the large-bodied dinosaur assemblage is reasonably representative of the true biological fauna with few discoveries likely to be made in the future. However, small taxa are greatly underestimated in both their diversity and abundance, with many more potential discoveries to be made. Given that (1) the sedimentary deposits and fossil assemblages in the DPF together represent one of the best studied examples of a Mesozoic alluvial-paralic (terrestrial) 'palaeoecosystem,' and (2) similar patterns have been suggested (but not documented) for other Mesozoic terrestrial ecosystems in the Western Interior of North America, we suggest that this pattern of size bias may typify vertebrate fossil assemblages in terrestrial Mesozoic systems. If so, such biases must be considered before patterns of diversity in dinosaur communities through time can be considered accurate, or used to compare and interpret Mesozoic palaeoecosystems. © 2012 Elsevier B.V. Citation statistics:
资源类型: 期刊论文
标识符: http://119.78.100.158/handle/2HF3EXSE/69832
Appears in Collections: 过去全球变化的重建
There are no files associated with this item.
作者单位: Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5S 3B2, Canada; Department of Natural History - Palaeobiology, Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, M5S 2C6, Canada; Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology, Drumheller, T0J 0Y0, Canada
Recommended Citation:
Brown C.M.,Evans D.C.,Campione N.E.,et al. Evidence for taphonomic size bias in the Dinosaur Park Formation (Campanian, Alberta), a model Mesozoic terrestrial alluvial-paralic system[J]. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology,2013-01-01,372