Lecho Formation

Lecho Formation
Stratigraphic range: Early Maastrichtian
~70–68 Ma
TypeGeological formation
Unit ofSalta Group
UnderliesYacoraite Formation
OverliesLos Blanquitos Formation
Lithology
PrimarySandstone
Location
Coordinates26°06′S 65°24′W / 26.1°S 65.4°W / -26.1; -65.4Coordinates: 26°06′S 65°24′W / 26.1°S 65.4°W / -26.1; -65.4
Approximate paleocoordinates28°36′S 52°00′W / 28.6°S 52.0°W / -28.6; -52.0
RegionJujuy, Salta
CountryArgentina
ExtentSalta Basin
Lecho Formation is located in Argentina
Lecho Formation
Lecho Formation (Argentina)

The Lecho Formation is a geological formation in the Salta Basin of the provinces Jujuy and Salta of northwestern Argentina. Its strata date back to the Early Maastrichtian, and is a unit of the Salta Group. The fine-grained bioturbated sandstones of the formation were deposited in a fluvial to lacustrine coastal plain environment.

Dinosaur remains are among the fossils that have been recovered from the formation.

According to Frankfurt and Chiappe (1999), the Lecho Formation is composed of reddish sandstones. The Lecho is part of the Upper/Late Cretaceous Balbuena Subgroup (Salta Group), which is a near-border stratigraphic unit of the Andean sedimentary basin. Fossils from this formation include the titanosaur Saltasaurus along with a variety of avian and non-avian theropods.

Fossil content

Aves y Dinosaurs from the Lecho Formation
Genus Species Location Stratigraphic position Material Notes Images
Elbretornis E. bonapartei Scapula, partial coracoid, humerus, partial radius, partial ulna Enantiornithes
Enantiornis E. leali "Postcranial elements" Enantiornithes
Lectavis L. bretincola "Tarsometatarsus and tibiotarsus" Enantiornithes
Martinavis M. minor Partial humerus Enantiornithes
M. saltariensis Humerus
M. vincei Humeri
M. whetstonei Partial humerus
Noasaurus N. leali Isolated elements from the head and foot, as well as a verebral arch. A putative oviraptorosaurian cervical vertebra is likely to belong to this taxon. Noasaurid abelisaurs
Noasaurus-sketch3.jpg
Saltasaurus S. loricatus "Partial skeletons of at least [six] individuals, including jaws and armor." Saltasaurid titanosaurs
Saltasaurus dinosaur.png
Soroavisaurus S. australis "Tarsometatarsus and phalanges." Avisaurid enantiornithes
Yungavolucris Y. brevipedalis "Tarsometatarsi" Enantiornithes

See also


This page was last updated at 2022-05-29 22:19 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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