TAPHONOMIC ANALISYS OF FOSSIL QUATERNARY MEGAFAUNA OF THE LAJEDÃO DO PATRÍCIO, JOÃO DOURADO (BAHIA), BRAZIL

Abstract

The description and interpretation of the macroscopic changes in the Quaternary megafauna bone fossils was performed in this study. The fossils were collected in the João Dourado County, Lajedão do Patrício locality, Bahia state. Using the taphorecords concept, skeletal remains were featured in taphonomic categories according to its state of preservation, inserting them into groups with different taphonomic histories, which are ressedimented and reworked bones. The fossiliferous concentration is dominated by Eremotherium laurillardi (Pilosa Megatheridae) and Notiomastodon platensis species, due to the abundance they have in the final Pleistocene - early Holocene biocenoses and the strength of your bones. The bioclasts present guidance indicating the action of the flows in the bones accumulation. Bioclasts and clasts were transported and deposited in lightning flooding events (flash floods) in temporary drainage and in a seasonal climate context. The fossiliferous concentration is parautoctone, monotypic and paucitaxic, predominating elements with low to moderate potential of the transportation, respectively, indicating that the skeletal remains that comprise fossiliferous accumulation were transported and reworked of the tanatocenoses near the accumulation and burial site.