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The scarcity of fossils in the African rainforest. Archaeo-paleontological surveys and actualistic taphonomy in Equatorial Guinea

  • Identification data

    Identifier: imarina:9261218
    Authors:
    Rosas, AntonioGarcia-Tabernero, AntonioFidalgo, DarioFero Mene, MaximilianoEbana Ebana, CayetanoEsono Mba, FidelMorales, Juan IgnacioSaladie, Palmira
    Abstract:
    The African rainforest is considered a 'palaeontological desert', exemplified with the virtual absence of ape fossils from the last 10 Ma. To overcome this deficiency of the fossil record, archaeo-palaeontological surveys have been undertaken in the rainforest of Equatorial Guinea. We have inventoried 225 outcrops and eluvial materials and the formation of 'stone lines' (of diverse genesis) predominate. Close to the Atlantic estuaries, there are short fluvial sedimentary sequences (sands and gravels), where remains of lithic industry and charcoal appear, but in no case macro vertebrate fossils. Given the intensity of the survey, the scarcity of sampling is ruled out as the cause of this 'palaeontological desert'. Besides, biogenic, biostratinomic and fossildiagenetic factors have been explored by means of an actualistic approach. The rainforest ecosystem produces very low density tanatocenosis. Simultaneously, there is a low rate of sedimentation/erosion and the action of scavengers has not been detected, although the action of ants and termites may be determinant. Two fossildiagenetic factors can be inferred: lixiviation as a destructive cause and the existence of periods of intensive erosion. The search for palaeontological record should focus on protected sedimentary environments (rockshelters) or more confined ones (maars and small endorheic basins).
  • Others:

    Author, as appears in the article.: Rosas, Antonio; Garcia-Tabernero, Antonio; Fidalgo, Dario; Fero Mene, Maximiliano; Ebana Ebana, Cayetano; Esono Mba, Fidel; Morales, Juan Ignacio; Saladie, Palmira;
    Department: Història i Història de l'Art
    URV's Author/s: Saladié Ballesté, Palmira
    Keywords: Taphonomy Site Rock Remains Record Monte alen Fossil apes Forest African rainforest
    Abstract: The African rainforest is considered a 'palaeontological desert', exemplified with the virtual absence of ape fossils from the last 10 Ma. To overcome this deficiency of the fossil record, archaeo-palaeontological surveys have been undertaken in the rainforest of Equatorial Guinea. We have inventoried 225 outcrops and eluvial materials and the formation of 'stone lines' (of diverse genesis) predominate. Close to the Atlantic estuaries, there are short fluvial sedimentary sequences (sands and gravels), where remains of lithic industry and charcoal appear, but in no case macro vertebrate fossils. Given the intensity of the survey, the scarcity of sampling is ruled out as the cause of this 'palaeontological desert'. Besides, biogenic, biostratinomic and fossildiagenetic factors have been explored by means of an actualistic approach. The rainforest ecosystem produces very low density tanatocenosis. Simultaneously, there is a low rate of sedimentation/erosion and the action of scavengers has not been detected, although the action of ants and termites may be determinant. Two fossildiagenetic factors can be inferred: lixiviation as a destructive cause and the existence of periods of intensive erosion. The search for palaeontological record should focus on protected sedimentary environments (rockshelters) or more confined ones (maars and small endorheic basins).
    Thematic Areas: Paleontology Interdisciplinar Geociências General agricultural and biological sciences Filosofia/teologia:subcomissão filosofia Biodiversidade Agricultural and biological sciences (miscellaneous) Agricultural and biological sciences (all)
    licence for use: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/es/
    Author's mail: palmira.saladie@urv.cat
    Author identifier: 0000-0002-1730-8461
    Record's date: 2024-09-07
    Papper version: info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
    Link to the original source: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08912963.2022.2057226
    Licence document URL: https://repositori.urv.cat/ca/proteccio-de-dades/
    Papper original source: Historical Biology. 34 (8): 1582-1590
    APA: Rosas, Antonio; Garcia-Tabernero, Antonio; Fidalgo, Dario; Fero Mene, Maximiliano; Ebana Ebana, Cayetano; Esono Mba, Fidel; Morales, Juan Ignacio; Sal (2022). The scarcity of fossils in the African rainforest. Archaeo-paleontological surveys and actualistic taphonomy in Equatorial Guinea. Historical Biology, 34(8), 1582-1590. DOI: 10.1080/08912963.2022.2057226
    Article's DOI: 10.1080/08912963.2022.2057226
    Entity: Universitat Rovira i Virgili
    Journal publication year: 2022
    Publication Type: Journal Publications
  • Keywords:

    Agricultural and Biological Sciences (Miscellaneous),Paleontology
    Taphonomy
    Site
    Rock
    Remains
    Record
    Monte alen
    Fossil apes
    Forest
    African rainforest
    Paleontology
    Interdisciplinar
    Geociências
    General agricultural and biological sciences
    Filosofia/teologia:subcomissão filosofia
    Biodiversidade
    Agricultural and biological sciences (miscellaneous)
    Agricultural and biological sciences (all)
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