Poster De Conférence Année : 2022

Palaeoecology and isotopic niche modelling of the late Middle Eocene mammal fauna from the Pondaung Fm. (Myanmar)

Résumé

In the late middle Eocene (40 Ma) Pondaung Fm. located in the Central Basin of Myanmar, a rich fossil record of a diverse terrestrial mammal fauna is preserved. It opens a window to understand the environment and ecosystem dynamics of this past greenhouse world in which important radiations of anthropoid primates and anthracotheres occurred. Previous studies focused on the climate and vegetation of this Eocene habitat. Early monsoon onset was suggested based on oxygen isotopes of fossil mammal teeth and gastropod shells and is once more confirmed by our data. Palaeobotanical studies of the fossil woods from the Pondaung Fm. revealed the presence of a dry dipterocarp forest but with the addition of littoral forest elements in the coastal and riparian areas. We wanted to take a closer look on how the mammal fauna used this habitat and which different ecological niches and microhabitats they occupied. We analysed the carbonate fraction of dental enamel of fossil large herbivores ( Anthracotheriidae, Brontotheriidae and Rhinocerotoidea) from various localities of the Pondaung Fm. Bayesian niche modelling of the ẟ13C and ẟ18O values allowed us to quantify the ecological core niches occupied by these taxa, calculate niche overlap and use these data to infer directional competition potential in this mammal community. A comparison of different areas of the Pondaung Fm. revealed differences in microhabitats consistent with existing vegetation models. Furthermore, we could detect differences in ecological niches between and within the two anthracotheriid genera Anthracotherium and Anthracokeryx, providing new insights into the niche partitioning within this family.

Fichier non déposé

Dates et versions

hal-04720423 , version 1 (03-10-2024)

Identifiants

  • HAL Id : hal-04720423 , version 1

Citer

Sophie Gabriele Habinger, Olivier Chavasseau, Stéphane Ducrocq, Yaowalak Chaimanee, Jean-Jacques Jaeger, et al.. Palaeoecology and isotopic niche modelling of the late Middle Eocene mammal fauna from the Pondaung Fm. (Myanmar). 6th International Palaeontological Congress : From Condwana to Laurasia (IPC6 Thailand), Nov 2022, Khon Kaen, Thailand. ⟨hal-04720423⟩
57 Consultations
0 Téléchargements

Partager

  • More