New and exceptional discovery in the Upper Cretaceous of the Iberian Peninsula: the palaeontological site of "Lo Hueco", Cuenca, Spain

  1. Barroso-Barcenilla, F. 24
  2. Cambra-Moo, O. 3
  3. Escaso, F. 56
  4. Ortega, F. 3
  5. Pascual, A. 1
  6. Pérez-García, A. 46
  7. Rodríguez-Lázaro, J. 1
  8. Sanz, J.L. 6
  9. Segura, M. 2
  10. Torices, A. 4
  1. 1 Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea
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    Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea

    Lejona, España

    ROR https://ror.org/000xsnr85

    Geographic location of the organization Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea
  2. 2 Universidad de Alcalá
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    Universidad de Alcalá

    Alcalá de Henares, España

    ROR https://ror.org/04pmn0e78

    Geographic location of the organization Universidad de Alcalá
  3. 3 Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia
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    Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia

    Madrid, España

    ROR https://ror.org/02msb5n36

    Geographic location of the organization Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia
  4. 4 Universidad Complutense de Madrid
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    Universidad Complutense de Madrid

    Madrid, España

    ROR https://ror.org/02p0gd045

    Geographic location of the organization Universidad Complutense de Madrid
  5. 5 Museo de las Ciencias de Castilla-La Mancha, 16001 Cuenca, España, Spain
  6. 6 Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
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    Universidad Autónoma de Madrid

    Madrid, España

    ROR https://ror.org/01cby8j38

    Geographic location of the organization Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
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Journal:
Cretaceous Research

ISSN: 0195-6671

Year of publication: 2009

Volume: 30

Issue: 5

Pages: 1268-1278

Type: Article

DOI: 10.1016/J.CRETRES.2009.07.010 SCOPUS: 2-s2.0-70249098007 GOOGLE SCHOLAR HANDLE: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/100059

More publications in: Cretaceous Research

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Abstract

The palaeontological site of "Lo Hueco" was discovered in Cuenca, Spain, in 2007. It includes a stratigraphic interval in "Garumn" facies belonging to the upper part of the Villalba de la Sierra Formation. A succession of versicolor marly mudstone levels (V, G1, R1, G2, R2 and M) can be observed at the site studied. This succession is partially modified by a sandy channel structure (C) and by a sulphated interval (S). The C structure and the G1, G2 and R2 (lower part) levels have an extremely rich and varied fossil concentration and have provided to date more than 8500 macroremains. These are mainly from vertebrates, but also from plants and invertebrates. In general, vertebrates are represented by mineralized bones with an early infilling of gypsum, a ferruginous crust, and a secondary precipitation of gypsum; invertebrates by internal moulds; and plants by carbonized remains. Among the vertebrates, titanosaur dinosaurs (some of them with partially articulated skeletons) are by far the most common representatives, although lepisosteid fishes, bothremydid turtles, squamate lizards, eusuchian crocodiles, and ornithischian and theropod dinosaurs are also well represented. The relative stratigraphic position and the palaeontological content of this site allow to attribute it to the upper Campanian-lower Maastrichtian. Interpretation of its materials suggests a near coast muddy flood plain crossed by distributary sandy channels environment, exposed to brackish to fresh water aquatic influence. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.