Huincul Formation

Huincul Formation
Stratigraphic range: Late Cenomanian-Early Turonian
~97–93 Ma
TypeGeological formation
Unit ofNeuquén Group
 Río Limay Subgroup
UnderliesLisandro Formation
OverliesCandeleros Formation
Thickness250 m (820 ft)
Lithology
PrimarySandstone
OtherClaystone
Location
Coordinates39°24′S 69°00′W / 39.4°S 69.0°W / -39.4; -69.0
Approximate paleocoordinates46°06′S 46°00′W / 46.1°S 46.0°W / -46.1; -46.0
RegionMendoza, Río Negro & Neuquén Provinces
CountryArgentina
ExtentNeuquén Basin
Type section
Named forPlaza Huincul
Named byKeidel
Year defined1929
Huincul Formation is located in Argentina
Huincul Formation
Huincul Formation (Argentina)

The Huincul Formation is a geologic formation of Late Cretaceous (Early Cenomanian to Late Turonian) age of the Neuquén Basin that outcrops in the Mendoza, Río Negro and Neuquén Provinces of northern Patagonia, Argentina. It is the second formation in the Río Limay Subgroup, the oldest subgroup within the Neuquén Group. Formerly that subgroup was treated as a formation, and the Huincul Formation was known as the Huincul Member.

Description

The type locality of the Huincul Formation is near the town of Plaza Huincul in Neuquén Province after which the formation was named by Wichmann in 1929. This formation conformably overlies the Candeleros Formation, and it is in turn overlain by the Lisandro Formation.

The Huincul Formation is thought to represent an arid environment with ephemeral or seasonal streams. In some areas, it is up to 250 metres (820 ft) thick. It is mainly composed of green and yellow sandstones and can easily be differentiated from the overlying Lisandro Formation, which is red in color. The Candeleros Formation, underlying the Huincul, is composed of darker sediments, making all three formations easily distinguishable.

Paleobiota

Size of dinosaurs named from the Huincul Formation compared to a human

Dinosaur fossils are frequently found in the Huincul Formation. The titanosaurian sauropod Argentinosaurus huinculensis, one of the largest known land animals, is named after the formation. Another noteworthy Huincul dinosaur is the carcharodontosaurid theropod Mapusaurus roseae, which is regarded as one of the largest known terrestrial predators.

Dinosaurs

Apart from sauropods and theropods, rare fossils of iguanodonts and other ornithopods have been recorded in the formation. Ichnofossils (footprints) of abelisaurid theropods and hadrosaurs are also known.

Sauropods

Color key
Taxon Reclassified taxon Taxon falsely reported as present Dubious taxon or junior synonym Ichnotaxon Ootaxon Morphotaxon
Notes
Uncertain or tentative taxa are in small text; crossed out taxa are discredited.
Sauropods of the Huincul Formation
Genus Species Material Notes Images
Argentinosaurus A. huinculensis Seven dorsal vertebrae, partial sacrum, partial dorsal rib, fibula and potentially other hindlimb bones A titanosaur
Bustingorrytitan B. shiva Four specimens are known, together including parts of the dentary and postcranial skeleton. A titanosaur
Cathartesaura C. anaerobica A rebbachisaurid
Choconsaurus C. baileywillisi Partial skeleton without skull, MMCh-PV 44/10. A titanosaur
Chucarosaurus C. diripienda A complete left humerus, partial left radius, complete left metacarpal II, left ischium, partial left femur and fibula, partial right tibia, and partial indeterminate metapodial. A titanosaur.
Limaysaurus L. tessonei A rebbachisaurid
Limaysaurus
Limaysaurus
Sidersaura S. marae Two partial skeletons A rebbachisaurid

Theropods

Theropods of the Huincul Formation
Taxa Species Material Notes Images
Aoniraptor A. liberataem Sacral vertebra, six proximal caudal vertebrae, four mid-caudal vertebrae. A fragmentary theropod originally described as a megaraptoran.
Gualicho G. shinyae A partial skeleton lacking the skull along with four vertebrae of the back, three vertebrae of the middle tail, ribs, a basket of belly ribs, the left shoulder girdle, the left forelimb, the right lower arm, the lower ends of both pubic bones, the right thighbone, the lower end of the left thighbone, the upper ends of the right shinbone and calf bone, elements of both metatarsi and three toes of the right foot (Holotype MPCN PV 0001). A theropod of uncertain affinities
Huinculsaurus H. montesi Several vertebrae A noasaurid
Ilokelesia I. aguadagrandensis Fragmented skull and the axial, appendicular skeleton. An abelisaurid
Ilokelesia
Ilokelesia
Mapusaurus M. roseae Multiple skeletal specimens. A carcharodontosaurid
Meraxes M. gigas A nearly complete skull, pectoral and pelvic elements, partial forelimbs, complete hindlimbs, fragmentary ribs, and cervical and dorsal vertebrae, a sacrum, and several complete caudal vertebrae. A carcharodontosaurid
Meraxes_gigas_reconstruction
Meraxes_gigas_reconstruction
Overoraptor O. chimentoi Skeletal specimen consists of two phalanges and a metacarpal of the right hand, two hemal arches, the right scapula, the right ulna, a partial ilium, a partial pubis, two metatarsals from each foot, and several phalanges and unguals from the left foot. A paravian.
Skorpiovenator S. bustingorryi A preserved skeleton. An abelisaurid
Taurovenator T. violantei A carcharodontosaurid
Tralkasaurus T. cuyi An incomplete skeleton ( MPCA-Pv 815), which comprises a maxilla; dorsal, sacral, and caudal vertebrae; cervical ribs; and a badly-preserved pubis. An abelisaurid

Other reptiles

Apart from the taxa named here, fossils of unnamed squamates and neosuchian crocodyliforms have been discovered in the formation.

Non-dinosaur reptiles of the Huincul Formation
Genus Species Material Notes Images
Kaikaifilusaurus K. sp. Incomplete right dentary An eilenodontine rhynchocephalian
Patagosphenos P. watuku Disarticulated skull with shoulder and limb fragments An eilenodontine rhynchocephalian
Prochelidella P. buitreraensis Skull, two cervical vertebrae, partial left forelimb, right pelvic girdle, shell fragments A chelid turtle

See also


This page was last updated at 2024-02-11 02:40 UTC. Update now. View original page.

All our content comes from Wikipedia and under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.


Top

If mathematical, chemical, physical and other formulas are not displayed correctly on this page, please useFirefox or Safari