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On the taphonomy of the late Maastrichtian (Late Cretaceous) marine turtle Allopleuron hofmanni*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 March 2014

R. Janssen ,
R.R. van Baal  and
A.S. Schulp
R. Janssen*
Affiliation:
Faculteit der Aard- en Levenswetenschappen, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, NL-1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands
R.R. van Baal
Affiliation:
Faculteit der Aard- en Levenswetenschappen, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, NL-1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands
A.S. Schulp
Affiliation:
Natuurhistorisch Museum Maastricht, de Bosquetplein 6-7, NL-6211 KJ Maastricht, the Netherlands
*
*Email: rjn600@falw.vu.nl

Abstract

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An exhaustive screening of public collections containing remains of the latest Cretaceous (late Maastrichtian) marine turtle Allopleuron hofmanni (Gray, 1831) from the type area of the Maastrichtian Stage (southeast Netherlands, northeast Belgium) shows the available material to represent almost exclusively adult individuals. The various skeletal elements are not preserved in proportionally equal abundance, with portions of carapace, pectoral girdle, cranium and mandible overrepresented. These observations can be explained by population characteristics and taphonomic factors. During the late Maastrichtian, while hatchlings and juveniles in all likelihood lived and fed elsewhere, extensive seagrass meadows might have supported a population of only adult marine turtles.

Keywords

Allopleuron hofmanniCretaceousMaastrichtianmarine turtlespopulation characteristicstaphonomy
Type
Research Article
Information
Netherlands Journal of Geosciences , Volume 90 , Issue 2-3 , November 2011 , pp. 187 - 196
Copyright
Copyright © Stichting Netherlands Journal of Geosciences 2011

Footnotes

*

In: Jagt, J.W.M., Jagt-Yazykova, E.A. & Schins, W.J.H. (eds): A tribute to the late Felder brothers – pioneers of Limburg geology and prehistoric archaeology.

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