The Cenozoic diamictitic deposits of the James Ross Basin, Antarctica: A stratigraphic synthesis and new paleontological findings

• Main Authors: Concheyro, A., Salani, F.M., Adamonis, S., Lirio, J.M.
• Format: Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Subjects: Antarctica; Cenozoic James Ross Basin; Diamictite; Paleontology; biostratigraphy; foraminifera; fossil record; Miocene; ostracod; Antarctic Peninsula; James Ross Island; West Antarctica; Balanidae; Brachiopoda; Bryozoa; Cellarinella; Hornera (bryozoan); Melicerita; Microporella; Ostracoda; Serpulidae; Zygochlamys; Antarc*; Antarctic; Ross Island
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12110/paper_00044822_v62_n4_p568_Concheyro

The Cenozoic glaciar deposits from the James Ross Basin, Antarctica, are here studied. They are stratigraphically characterized, their localities and outcrops are mentioned, and new paleontological discoveries are presented from the Hamilton Cape, southeast James Ross Island. In this region, diamictites are fossilliferous in megafauna and microfauna. The megafauna contains Zygochlamys andersonni, brachiopods, balanids, serpulids and a rich bryozoan association, composed of Cellarinella, Hornera, Membranicellaria, Melicerita, Microporella y Polirhabdotos. Some of those genera constitute their first fossil record defined for the Late Miocene of Antarctica. The age is confirmed by foraminifera and ostracods found in the same locality. The microfauna allow establishing normal marine salinity conditions, higher temperatures than the present ones at the same latitude, and cold water influences.