Taphonomy of modern communal burrow systems of the Plains vizcacha (Lagostomus maximus, Chinchillidae) in the Pampas region of Argentina: implications for the fossil record

Abstract

The Plains vizcacha (Lagostomus maximus) is one of the largest rodents in South America. They live in communal burrow systems (vizcacheras) shaped by complex subterranean galleries which produce a strong impact on the local landscape. This paper presents the results of an actualistic study conducted with abandoned vizcacheras from the Pampas region of Argentina. The main objective is to evaluate the role of this rodent in the formation of the fossil record. Results indicate that the Plains vizcacha is responsible for the mixing, accumulation, and transport of materials; such as sticks, caliche, dung, feces, and abundant bone remains. Their burrowing activity and the accumulating habits, modifies the landscape, creating environments conducive to the buildup of objects and the reuse by different animals. These characteristics result in very complex associations of materials of different origins; making this rodent an important taphonomic agent with the potential to significantly impact the fossil record.

Keywords:

• Actualistic taphonomy
• Lagostomus maximus
• vizcacheras
• burrow
• bioturbation

Acknowledgements

The Instituto de Investigaciones Arqueológicos y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano (INCUAPA-CONICET) provided institutional support. We would like to thank the students from the graduate course “Tafonomía y Procesos de Formación de Sitios” (FACSO-UNICEN) who participated in the field work. Finally, thanks to Maxime Pelletier and two anonymous reviewers for their insightful comments and suggestions.