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Introduction and Research Objectives

Fossil mammals of the late Miocene (11.6-5.3 MYA) Santa Cruz Formation, Santa Cruz (Patagonia), Argentina Gerry De Iuliis, School of Nursing, GBC Museo de La Plata Duke University Medical Center National Geographic Society Arius 3D. Introduction and Research Objectives.

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Introduction and Research Objectives

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  1. Fossil mammals of the late Miocene (11.6-5.3 MYA) Santa Cruz Formation, Santa Cruz (Patagonia), Argentina Gerry De Iuliis, School of Nursing, GBC Museo de La Plata Duke University Medical Center National Geographic Society Arius 3D

  2. Introduction and Research Objectives Santa Cruz Formation: classical site for fossil mammals during critical period in mammalian evolution in S Am Especially for xenarthrans: sloths, armadillos, anteaters Objective: understand this group of sloths from a modern biological perspective

  3. An important diversification of sloths occurred during this period • Critical for understanding later evolutionary history of this group • Knowledge of these sloths limited to collections made > 100 years ago • So, material abundant, but based on century-old collecting techniques

  4. Methodology To understand this group of sloths from modern biological perspective: controlled data collection and analysis • 1st step: obtain new fossil specimens under tight stratigraphic control; • 2nd step: analyze fossil specimens.

  5. 2007 Funding:1st step: obtain new fossil specimens under tight stratigraphic control • Mounting an expedition to Santa Cruz Province (Patagonia), Argentina; • Collection of material from exposures of the Santa Cruz Formation;

  6. Profile of Santa Cruz Formation • Fossils from several levels • Older collections: poor information on precise position of fossils • Current objective: collect new fossils with precise information in geological context

  7. Results Very good results from this expedition: • 104 total fossil specimens • 17 fossil sloth specimens

  8. Conclusions and Future Research Future Research: 2nd step: analyze new fossil specimens and integrate older fossil specimens to produce: 1) modern understanding of the biological taxonomic relationships of the species, which allows: 2) inferences on population structure, biodiversity, paleoecology, extinction

  9. Interdisciplinary collaboration with specialists to produce a comprehensive view of the mammalian paleobiology of the Santa Cruz Formation; Potential expansion of multi-institutional 3D data banks of fossil specimens; enhance international reputation though involvement in an international multidisciplinary research project; benefit student outcome through enhanced teaching and learning experiences; Benefits to Industry Partner Benefits to GBC

  10. commercialization potential with Arius 3D by providing a viable conduit for commercialization of 3D casts and images of fossils for sale to academic institutions and graphic production houses, and for educational use through digital databases in teaching and in linking with other researchers; • providing a student with paid research experience through training and preparation of material at the Royal Ontario Museum; potential as an IPE experience

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