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Sharks and rays (Chondrichthyes, Elasmobranchii) from the late Miocene Gatun Formation of Panama

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 May 2016

Catalina Pimiento ,
Gerardo González-Barba ,
Dana J. Ehret ,
Austin J. W. Hendy ,
Bruce J. MacFadden  and
Carlos Jaramillo
Catalina Pimiento
Affiliation:
Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA, ; ; Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Center for Tropical Paleoecology and Archaeology, Box 2072, Panama, Republic of Panama, Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
Gerardo González-Barba
Affiliation:
Museo de Historia Natural, Area de Ciencias del Mar, La Paz, Universidad Autonoma de Baja California Sur, AP 23080, Mexico,
Dana J. Ehret
Affiliation:
Alabama Museum of Natural History, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, 35487, USA,
Austin J. W. Hendy
Affiliation:
Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA, ; ; Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Center for Tropical Paleoecology and Archaeology, Box 2072, Panama, Republic of Panama,
Bruce J. MacFadden
Affiliation:
Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA, ; ;
Carlos Jaramillo
Affiliation:
Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Center for Tropical Paleoecology and Archaeology, Box 2072, Panama, Republic of Panama,
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Abstract

The late Miocene Gatun Formation of northern Panama contains a highly diverse and well sampled fossil marine assemblage that occupied a shallow-water embayment close to a purported connection between the Pacific and Atlantic (Caribbean) oceans. However, the diverse chondrichthyan fauna has been poorly documented. Based on recent field discoveries and further analysis of existing collections, the chondrichthyan fauna from this unit comprises at least 26 taxa, of which four species are extinct today. The remaining portion of the total chondrichthyan biodiversity has affinities with modern taxa and is therefore comprised of long-lived species. Based on known records of the modern geographic distribution range of the Gatun chondrichthyans, the fauna has mixed biogeographic affinities suggesting that around 10 million yr ago, a connection likely occurred between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Given the known habitat preferences for modern chondrichthyans, the Gatun fauna was primarily adapted to shallow waters within the neritic zone. Finally, comparisons of Gatun dental measurements with other faunas suggest that many of the taxa have an abundance of small individuals, in agreement with previous studies that proposed this area as a paleonursery habitat for the species Carcharocles megalodon.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Paleontology , Volume 87 , Issue 5 , September 2013 , pp. 755 - 774
Copyright
Copyright © The Paleontological Society 

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