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

  • R. Janssen Faculteit der Aard- en Levenswetenschappen, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, NL-1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands
  • R.R. van Baal Faculteit der Aard- en Levenswetenschappen, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, NL-1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands
  • A.S. Schulp Natuurhistorisch Museum Maastricht, de Bosquetplein 6-7, NL-6211 KJ Maastricht, the Netherlands
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0016774600001104
Keywords: Allopleuron hofmanni, Cretaceous, Maastrichtian, marine turtles, population characteristics, taphonomy

Abstract

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.

Published
2011-11-01
How to Cite
R. Janssen, R.R. van Baal, & A.S. Schulp. (2011). On the taphonomy of the late Maastrichtian (Late Cretaceous) marine turtle Allopleuron hofmanni. Netherlands Journal of Geosciences, 90, 187 - 196. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0016774600001104
Issue
Volume 90 - 2011
Section
Original Articles

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