Pleistocene vertebrate trace fossils of Robberg Nature Reserve
Date
2019-12
Authors
Helm, Charles W.
Cawthra, Hayley C.
Hattingh, Rudolph
Hattingh, Sinèad
McCrea, Richard T.
Thesen, Guy H. H.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Evolutionary Studies Institute
Abstract
More than 140 Late Pleistocene trace fossil sites have been identified in aeolianites and lithified foreshore deposits along a 350 kilometre
stretch of the Cape south coast in South Africa. Robberg Nature Reserve lies within this area and contains a zone of concentration of
such tracksites, which complement the Pleistocene vertebrate body fossil record and assist in shedding light on the palaeoenvironment
and palaeoecology of the Palaeo-Agulhas Plain. Ichnofossil sites unique to or of special significance within Robberg Nature Reserve
include a substantial palaeosurface exposure that allows an estimate of track density, the best-preserved rhinoceros trackway identified
to date, very well preserved artiodactyl tracks in the formof natural casts, small equid tracks, large elephant transmitted tracks, and well
preserved sub-surface golden mole burrows with a burrow chamber. Aeolianite layers at Robberg have recently been dated to Marine
Isotope Stage (MIS) 3. Samples that we have obtained for dating from the main palaeosurface underlie these dated layers and are
anticipated to contribute to the understanding of the Pleistocene geology of the Robberg Peninsula. The protected status of the area
lends itself to conservation, replication, interpretation and education initiatives.
Description
Keywords
Late Pleistocene, trackways, aeolianites, foreshore deposits