Applied Research and Innovation

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

Applied Research and Innovation

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

Introduction and Research Objectives

Applied Research and Innovation

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

Applied Research and Innovation

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.

Methodology

Applied Research and Innovation

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;

Applied Research and Innovation

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

Applied Research and Innovation

Applied Research and Innovation

Applied Research and Innovation

Applied Research and Innovation

Applied Research and Innovation

Applied Research and Innovation

Applied Research and Innovation

Applied Research and Innovation

Very good results from this expedition:

104 total fossil specimens

17 fossil sloth specimens

Results

Applied Research and Innovation

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

Conclusions and Future Research

Applied Research and Innovation

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

Applied Research and Innovation

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