Leftover prey remains: a new taphonomic mode from the Late Miocene Cerro Azul Formation of Central Argentina

Abstract

The Cerro Azul Formation (La Pampa Province, Argentina) comprises a rich verte- brate fauna of small mammals dominated by notoungulates and rodents. The fauna pertains to the Late Miocene specifically to the Huayquerian Stage/Age. Taphonomic analysis of micro-mammals from Estancia Re locality evidenced that the faunal assem- blage was accumulated by the activity of a predator. This assemblage was compared with others from the Cerro Azul Formation in Telen and Caleufu localities (La Pampa Province), previously interpreted as products of predator activities. These microfossil accumulations differ from assemblages attributed to pellets and faeces produced by modern predators (nocturnal and diurnal bird raptors and carnivore mammals). However, due to their anatomical representation, degree of bone breakage and pres- ence of tooth marks, they are interpreted as accumulations of uneaten prey remains discarded by the predator. The predator involved could not be determined with cer- tainty, although the presence of tooth marks in some skeletal remains and the presence of coprolites in Telen and Caleufu suggest that it could be a carnivore mammal. Simi- larities in the accumulation mechanism, patterns of preservation and sedimentary contexts in the three assemblages support the recognition of a new taphonomic mode, termed ?leftover prey remains?.