Research paper

The Phycosiphon record in the Ladrilleros-Juanchaco section (Miocene, Colombian Pacific): palaeoecological implications


SERGIO A. CELIS
Grupo de Investigaciones en Estratigrafía y Vulcanología-GIEV, Instituto de Investigaciones en Estratigrafía, Departamento de Ciencias Geológicas, Universidad de Caldas, Calle 65 Nº 26 – 10, Manizales, 275, Colombia.  sergio.celis@ucaldas.edu.co
Corresponding author

FRANCISCO J. RODRÍGUEZ-TOVAR
Departamento de Estratigrafía y Paleontología, Universidad de Granada, Avda. Severo Ochoa s/n, 18002 Granada, Spain. fjrtovar@ugr.es

ANDRÉS PARDO-TRUJILLO
Grupo de Investigaciones en Estratigrafía y Vulcanología-GIEV, Instituto de Investigaciones en Estratigrafía, Departamento de Ciencias Geológicas, Universidad de Caldas, Calle 65 Nº 26 – 10, Manizales, 275, Colombia.  andres.pardo@ucaldas.edu.co


ABSTRACT

Miocene rocks of the Ladrilleros-Juanchaco section, located on the NW margin of South America, contain a high diverse and abundant trace fossil assemblage. The relative abundance of Phycosiphon, together with its morphological variations, provides new insights into the environmental conditions. Detailed outcrop stratigraphic, ichnological, and geochemical analyses carried out in the section focused on the trace fossil assemblages (distribution, relative abundance), ichnofabric index, and, especially, in the general ichnological features of Phycosiphon. In addition, the detailed photographic documentation and the use of the digital image treatment technique facilitate the precise study of particular ichnological properties.

Based on the stratigraphic analysis of the section, together with the abundance, size and distribution of the specimens of Phycosiphon, as well as the analysis of total organic carbon, the record of Phycosiphon is proved as related to the food content in the sediment, and then as a proxy in the study of ancient environments.


Key words: Ichnology, Phycosiphon, Miocene, Ladrilleros-Juanchaco section, Colombia, palaeoecological and depositional conditions.

How to cite: Celis, S.A., Rodríguez-Tovar, F.J. & Pardo-Trujillo, A. 2018. The Phycosiphon record in the Ladrilleros-Juanchaco section (Miocene, Colombian Pacific): palaeoecological implications. Spanish Journal of Palaeontology, 33 (2), 277-288.

Received 20 December 2017, Accepted 29 June 2018, Published 31 December 2018

https://doi.org/10.7203/sjp.33.2.13603