The Paraná Formation is a geologic formation in Argentina. It preserves fossils dating back to the late Miocene epoch.

Fossil content

Mammals Cetaceans Cetaceans reported from the Paraná Formation Genus Species Presence Material Notes Imagescf. Aulophysetercf. A. sp.Cantera del Puerto Viejo near Paraná, Entre Ríos.Incomplete tooth (MACN Pv 8926).Now deemed an indeterminate physeteroid.Balaenidae gen. et. sp. indet.IndeterminateRight tympanic bulla (MACN Pv 13221).A balaenid.BalaenopteraB. sp.Right tympanic bulla (MACN Pv 13220).A rorqual.Balaenopteridae indet.South Bank of Ensenada Creek.Cubitus & radius (CICYTTP-PV-1-197) bearing bite marks matching Cosmopolitodus hastalis.A rorqual.Physeteroidea gen. et. sp. indet.IndeterminateCantera del Puerto Viejo near Paraná, Entre Ríos.An almost complete tooth (MAS Pv 1361) & a fragmentary tooth (MACN Pv 8926).Previously identified as cf. Aulophyseter sp.Platanistoidea indet.Left tympanic bulla (MACN Pv 15997).A relative of river dolphins.PontistesP. rectifronsA pontoporiid.PrionodelphisP. roveretiA single tooth.A dubious delphinoid, other specimens once referred to this taxon are now thought to represent monachine seals.

Pinnipeds Pinnipeds reported from the Paraná Formation Genus Species Presence Material Notes Images ProperiptychusP. argentinus Jaw & limb elements. A monachine seal.

Rodents Rodents reported from the Paraná Formation Genus Species Presence Material Notes Imagescf. Cardiatheriumcf. C. sp. indet.La Juanita locality.Left isolated cheek tooth (CICYTTP-PV-M-1-147) & right upper cheek tooth (CICYTTP-PV-M-1-148).A hydrochoerine.Caviidae gen. & sp. indet.IndeterminateLa Juanita locality.A left upper M1-2 (CICYTTP-PV-M-2-267).A cavy.PlesiacarechimysP. nov. sp.?La Juanita locality.Right lower molar (CICYTTP-PV-M-1-145).An octodontoid.

Sirenians Sirenians reported from the Paraná Formation Genus Species Presence Material Notes ImagesDioplotheriumD. sp.Cliffs along Paraná River, Villa Urquiza.Upper left molar (CORD-PZ 4301).A dugongid. MetaxytheriumM. sp. Cerro La Matanza locality, Victoria City.Posterior end of both maxillae (MASP 373). A dugongid.

Xenarthrans Xenarthrans reported from the Paraná Formation Genus Species Presence Material Notes ImagesScirrotheriumS. sp. indet.La Juanita locality.A fixed osteoderm (CICYTTP-PV-M-1-144).A pampatheriid.

Birds Birds reported from the Paraná Formation Genus Species Presence Material Notes ImagesPelecanusP. paranensisCerro La Matanza locality, Victoria City.A nearly complete pelvis (CICYTTP-PV-A-3-277).A pelican.cf. Phoenicopteruscf. P. sp. indet.La Juanita locality.Fragment of shaft with distal end of left tibiotarsus (CICYTTP-PV-A-1-12).A flamingo.

Fish Bony fish Bony fish reported from the Paraná Formation Genus Species Presence Material Notes ImagesSiluroidaeUndeterminedAbundant fragmentary specimens.Evidently represents extant catfish genera.Tetraodontidae indet.IndeterminateLa Juanita & Toma Vieja localities.Several premaxillary beaks.Remains of pufferfish.

Rays Rays reported from the Paraná Formation Genus Species Presence Material Notes ImagesDynatobatisD. paranensisDermal tubercles.MyliobatisM. americanusDetached teeth.RajaR. agassiziDermal tubercles.Moved to the genus Rioraja.RiorajaR. agassiziiDermal tubercles.A skate, originally reported as Raja agassizi.

Sharks Sharks reported from the Paraná Formation Genus Species Presence Material Notes ImagesCarchariasC. (Prionodon) obliquidensTeeth.Junior synonym of Squalus obliquidens.CarcharodonC. megalodonTeeth.Reassigned to the genus Otodus.C. sp.Arroyo Ensenada valley.2 teeth (UAP 1301 & 1303).Related to the great white shark.CestracionC. paranensis2 teeth.Cestracion is now a junior synyonym of Heterodontus.CosmopolitodusC. hastalisSeveral teeth.A mackerel shark, originally reported as Oxyrhina hastalis.GaleocerdoG. aduncusTooth.A requiem shark.HemipristisH. serraA few well-preserved upper teeth.A large weasel shark.HeterodontusH. paranensis2 teeth.A bullhead shark, originally reported as Cestracion paranensis.MegascyliorhinusM. trelewensisLa Juanita locality.4 anterior teeth.A ground shark, specimens originally labelled "Squatina".OdontaspisO. elegansTeeth.OtodusO. megalodonTeeth.A megatooth shark, originally reported as Carcharodon megalodon.OxyrhinaO. hastalisSeveral teeth.Reassigned to the genus Cosmopolitodus.SqualusS. obliquidensTeeth.Originally reported as Carcharias (Prionodon) obliquidens.

Invertebrates Bivalves Bivalves reported from the Paraná Formation Genus Species Presence Material Notes ImagesAequipectenA. paranensisValves.A scallop.AmusiumA. darwinianumA scallop.ErodonaE. doellojuradoiLa Juanita & La Paz.260 specimens.An erodonid.FlabellipectenF. oblongusValves.A scallop.PolymesodaP. muravchikiLa Juanita.13 specimens.A cyrenid.

Bryozoans Bryozoans reported from the Paraná Formation Genus Species Presence Material Notes ImagesAcanthodesiaA. cf. sulcataPunta Gorda, near Diamante, Entre Ríos.Fragments of colonies (MLP 13471 to 13476).A cheilostomatid.MicroporellaM. sp.Punta Gorda, near Diamante, Entre Ríos.Fragments of colonies (MLP 13477 to 13483).A microporellid.SchizoporellaS. sp.Punta Gorda, near Diamante, Entre Ríos.Fragments of colonies (MLP 13474, MLP 13484 to 13488).A schizoporellid.Schizoporellidae indet.IndeterminatePunta Gorda, near Diamante, Entre Ríos.Fragments of colonies (MLP 13489).A schizoporellid.SchizosmittinaS. sp.Punta Gorda, near Diamante, Entre Ríos.Fragments of colonies (MLP 13486, MLP 13490 to 13492).A bitectiporid.TubuliporaT. sp.Punta Gorda, near Diamante, Entre Ríos.Two colonies (MLP 13493 & MLP 13494).A tubuliporid.

Echinoderms Echinoderms reported from the Paraná Formation Genus Species Presence Material Notes ImagesAbertellaA. sp.A sand dollar.AmplasterA. alatusA sand dollar.A. ellipticusA sand dollar.MonophorasterM. duboisiA sand dollar.NeognathostomataIndeterminateAn immature specimen.A sea urchin.OphiocomaO. sp.A brittle star.OphiothrixO. sp.A brittle star.

Plants Plants reported from the Paraná Formation Genus Species Presence Material Notes ImagesAstroniumxylonA. parabalansaeToma Vieja fossil locality.Fossil wood.An anacardiaceaen.LaurophyllumL. sp.Villa Urquiza.Leaves.A lauraceaen.MyrciophyllumM. paranaesianumVilla Urquiza.Leaves.A myrtaceaen.OcoteaO. sp.Villa Urquiza.Leaves.A lauraceaen.PiptadenioxylonP. paraexcelsaToma Vieja fossil locality.Fossil wood.A mimosoid.SchinusS. aff. terebinthifoliusVilla Urquiza.Leaves.An anacardiaceaen.SolanumxylonS. paranensisToma Vieja fossil locality.Fossil wood.A nightshade.

Correlations

Laventan + Laventan correlations in South America Formation Honda Honda Aisol Cura-Mallín Pisco Ipururo Pebas Capadare Urumaco Inés Paraná Map Basin VSM Honda San Rafael Caldera Pisco Ucayali Amazon Falcón Venezuela Paraná Boreostemma Hapalops Miocochilius Theosodon Xenastrapotherium Mylodontidae Sparassodonta Primates Rodents Birds Terror birds Reptiles megalodon Flora Insects Environments Fluvial Fluvio-deltaic Fluvio-lacustrine Fluvio-deltaic Fluvial Volcanic Yes

Huayquerian + Huayquerian correlations in South America Formation Cerro Azul Ituzaingó Paraná Camacho Raigón Andalhuala Chiquimil Las Flores Maimará Palo Pebas Muyu Rosa Saldungaray Salicas Urumaco Map Basin Colorado Paraná Hualfín Tontal Andes Salta Amazon Huasi Altiplano BA Velasco Falcón Cardiatherium Lagostomus Macroeuphractus Proeuphractus Pronothrotherium Pseudotypotherium Thylacosmilus Xotodon Macraucheniidae Primates Rodents Reptiles Birds Terror birds Flora Environments Aeolian-fluvial Fluvio-deltaic Fluvial Fluvio-lacustrine Fluvial Fluvio-lacustrine Fluvio-deltaic Volcanic Yes

References