Fossil rodents in Mylodon Cave as indicators of late Pleistocene–Holocene environmental evolution in southern Chile

Bibliographic Data

ID24085525
AuthorsUlyses F J Pardiñas (0000-0001-9496-5433, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, corresponding author), Luis Alberto Borrero (0000-0002-8193-1573, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas), Luis Borrero, Fabiana Martins (0009-0008-5591-6063, Universidad de Magallanes), Fabiana M Martin, Mauricio Massone (Universidad de Magallanes), Fernando J Fernández (0000-0002-6002-0113, Universidad de Buenos Aires)
Year2022
Volume105
Pages218-234
Publication date2022-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueQuaternary Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0033-5894 • E-ISSN: 1096-0287
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/qua.2021.44
OpenAlexW4232799994
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited48

We conducted the first taphonomic and paleoenvironmental study based on late Pleistocene–Holocene small mammal remains recovered from the famous Mylodon Cave (Cerro Benítez area, Última Esperanza, Chile). Most of the analyzed material came from the extensive excavations made by Earl Saxon in 1976. We also studied late Holocene small mammal samples of the neighboring rock shelter Dos Herraduras 1. Analyzed remains were mostly produced by owls, probably living inside the caves. In Mylodon Cave, the higher values of girdle bones are consistent with a windblown litter. We recorded nine species of rodents, seven cricetids, and two caviomorphs; almost all the identified taxa integrate recent local communities. Late Pleistocene–Holocene assemblages are characterized by the chinchilla rat Euneomys , indicating unforested areas around the caves under cold and moist climatic conditions. Middle Holocene amelioration is reflected by incremental rodent species richness, including the first record of taxa clearly associated with forest (e.g., Abrothrix lanosa ). Late Holocene assemblages are markedly stable, indicating local conditions similar to the current (historical) environment. Quaternary rodents from Cerro Benítez area do not indicate abrupt environmental changes during middle–late Holocene, but a progressive trend towards forest increase.

Archaeology · Cave · Geography · Holocene · Holocene climatic optimum · Pleistocene · Quaternary · Taphonomy · Evolution and Paleontology Studies · Geology · Geology and Paleoclimatology Research · Paleontology · Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology