Estudio integrado (geología y paleontología) de la sucesión de dinosaurios (Maastrichtiense) de la vertiente surpirenaica

Abstract

The succession of terrestrial Maastrichtian deposits of the Arén and Tremp formations has been carried out, where numerous dinosaur sites are found. The study area comprises the Vallcebre, Coll de Nargó and Tremp synclines. The dinosaur record consists on titanosaur sauropods, dromaeosaurid theropods, hadrosaur ornithopods (including lambeosaurines) and nodosaurid ankylosaurians, as well as many egg horizons. Correlation of the sections enabled a clear succession of dinosaur localities to be established in each of these areas. Besides, magnetostratigraphic dating of the eastern Tremp syncline, oospecies succession dating in the Coll de Nargó syncline and the existence of physical correlation horizons among these areas allowed a global succession of dinosaur faunas in the south Pyrenean area to be established. In addition, the succession of dinosaur French localities (north Pyrenean area and Provence) using data from bibliography was established and included in the general scheme. A compilation of all the sedimentological data from the sites in the south Pyrenean area and southern France (north Pyrenean area and Provence) together with their paleontological content allowed assessing the existence, or not, of environmental biases. This is essential to interpret the global dinosaur succession accurately. Sedimentological studies were carried out in the most representative sites in the south Pyrenean area (Fumanya, Basturs Poble and other) in order to infer their forming processes and paleoecological data. In addition, carbon and oxygen stable isotopes studies were carried out in the available carbonates (dinosaur eggshells and pedogenic nodules). These studies enabled the establishment of vertical δ13C and δ18O trends during the Maastrichtian and the differences in the isotopic compositions among the different areas.

Date of Award	11 Jun 2010
Original language	Undefined/Unknown
Supervisor	Josep Oriol Oms Llobet (Director) & Àngel Galobart Lorente (Co-director)