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| The Eocene of Na Duong Basin is considered as a fossil Lagerstätte of Southeast Asia Flora and fauna constituent in the drawing were an actual reconstruction based on palynology analyses, and of body fossil findings from various workers Crococopros naduongensis Halaçlar, Rummy, Liu, Hunt, Do, Minh & Deng, 2023 Illustration by Chung-Tat Cheung facebook.com/ChungTatCheung |
Highlights:
• New ichnogenus and ichnospecies Crococopros naduongensis
• First quantitative study on crocodilian coprolites
• Multidisciplinary approach to understand paleoecology of Na Duong Basin
• Tangible evidence supporting Na Duong Basin as a fossil-Lagerstätte of Southeast Asia
Summary
This study examines 55 coprolites from the Na Duong Basin to reconstruct the paleoenvironment. Coproecology sheds light on understanding the complex prey-predator relationships, trophic dynamics, and ecosystem evolution. Through quantitative and multidisciplinary analysis, the putative coprolites were attributed to crocodilian producers, leading to the establishment of a new ichnogenus and species, Crococopros naduongensis igen. et isp. nov., based on distinct characteristics and comparisons. The study provides compelling evidence of an ancient river or lake-like environment dominated by diverse crocodilian fauna, indicating a thriving food chain in the Na Duong Basin. The findings also highlight the remarkable richness of ichnofauna, fauna, flora, and the presence of a favorable climate, confirming the area as a significant fossil Lagerstätte in Southeast Asia. Overall, this study offers a unique snapshot of the past, providing valuable insights into the regional ecosystem and significantly contributing to our understanding of paleoenvironmental conditions and biotic interactions.
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| Paleoenvironment reconstruction drawing reflects a real ‘snapshot’ of an intermittently swamped lacustrine–fluvial plain ecosystem with an abundance of crocodilians and testudines The Eocene of Na Duong Basin is considered as a fossil Lagerstätte of Southeast Asia (Flora and fauna constituent in the drawing were an actual reconstruction based on palynology analyses, and of body fossil findings from various workers). Illustration by Chung-Tat Cheung |
Kazım Halaçlar, Paul Rummy, Jia Liu, Adrian P. Hunt, Truong Van Do, Nguyen Trung Minh and Tao Deng. 2023. Exceptionally Well-preserved Crocodilian Coprolites from the Late Eocene of Northern Vietnam: Ichnology and Paleoecological Significance. iScience. 26(9); 107607. DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107607
