Abstract

LAZA, José H.. Pliocene and pleistocene termitaria from buenos aires province, argentina: Paleoenvironmental and paleozoogeographical significance. Ameghiniana [online]. 2006, vol.43, n.4, pp.641-648. ISSN 1851-8044.

New trace fossils attributed to Termitidae are described (Barberichnus bonaerensis igen. et isp. nov.). The preserved parts correspond to chambers and tunnels of two termite nests found in two paleosols: one, in the lower part of the Buenos Aires Formation (Middle Pleistocene) in La Plata County; the other, in beds of the San Andrés Formation (Upper Pliocene) cropping out at the base of the marine cliff in Necochea County. The location of the fossil termite nests does not fit into the distributional area of most extant Termitidae, suggesting a shift in the climate to drier and cooler climatic conditions.

Keywords : Ichnofossils; Isoptera; Termitidae; Pliocene; Pleistocene; Paleoenvironments; Buenos Aires; Argentina.