Faunal assemblage seriation of southern African Pliocene and Pleistocene fossil deposits

Abstract

Fossil assemblages from the Pliocene and Pleistocene of southern Africa were seriated in order to give a better idea of their relative chronology. Time-sensitive mammals were selected for calculation of the Faunal Resemblance Index among 17 site units. On the basis of a logistical seriation and subsequent site analysis, the following sequence of sites was deemed most probable: Makapansgat Member 3, Makapansgat Member 4, Taung Dart deposits, Sterkfontein Member 4 and Taung Hrdlicka deposits, Sterkfontein Member 5 (in part) and Kromdraai B, Kromdraai A and Swartkrans Member 1, Swartkrans Member 2, Swartkrans Member 3, Plovers Lake, Cornelia, Elandsfontein Main Site, Cave of Hearths Acheulian levels, Florisbad and Equus Cave and Klasies River Mouth.

Mandibular postcanine dentition from the Shungura Formation, Ethiopia: Crown morphology, taxonomic allocations, and Plio-Pleistocene hominid evolution

“…For some reason, Member 5 a t Sterkfontein has yielded no remains of A. robustus, although recent reports suggest that this species may actually be represented in at least some of the Member 5 levels (Clarke, 1994). Despite broad temporal equivalence between Swartkrans Members 1 through 3 and Kromdraai B (Vrba, 1982;Delson, 1988;McKee, 1993;McKee et al, 1995), differences between the two A. robustus assemblages are well known in respect to deciduous molar and other craniodental morphologies (e.g., Howell, 1978;Grine, 1985). These aspects of the South African A. robustus record may simply be explained as a result of multiple incidences of fluctuation in geographical distribution of A. robustus.…”

Revised age estimates of Australopithecus‐bearing deposits at Sterkfontein, South Africa

“…This broad age bracket was set at between 2.7-4.0 Ma, based on its stratigraphic position 6.5 m below Member 4 (Clarke and Tobias, 1995;Clarke, 1998;Partridge et al, 2000a) and the presence of a carnivore specimen attributed to Chasmaporthetes nitidula (Turner, 1997;Partridge, 2000). The paleontological age range of Sterkfontein Member 4 was in turn established by faunal time ranges set by previous researchers at between 2.4 -2.8 million years (Vrba, 1985;Delson, 1988;McKee et al, 1995), with the majority of researchers suggesting an age greater than 2.5 Ma.…”

“…3 Faunal identifications are taken from published sources (Brain, 1981;Churcher, 1956Churcher, , 1970Churcher, , 1974Delson, 1984;de Ruiter, 2001;Freedman, 1957;Freedman and Brain, 1977;Kibii, 2001;Kuman and Clarke, 2000;Maglio, 1971Maglio, , 1972McKee et al, 1995;Pocock, 1987;Turner, 1986Turner, , 1987Turner, , 1997Vrba, 1976, Vrba, 1985, Vrba, 1995Watson, 1993;Werdelin and Lewis, 2001). the faunal evidence from this Member (Table 1) does not at present suggest that it should be considered any older than the broad temporal range of Sterkfontein Member 4 (1.5-2.5 Ma), several other equally plausible hypotheses may be generated.…”

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“…Le genotype de ce taxon consiste en une molaire inférieure décrite sous le nom de Stylohipparion hipkini (Van Hoepen, 1932 : 31 et suivantes, figs. 14-17) en provenance de la localité d'Uitzoek, Cornelia (Etat libre d'Orange, Afrique du Sud) et dont l'âge serait Pléistocène d'après Hendey (1974) et McKee et al (1995. Cette dent jugale est une M 2 droite très peu usée ( fig.…”