Taphonomy of the reference Middle Permian – Early Triassic tetrapod localities of the East European Platform. I. Perevolotsoye locality (Tupilakosaurus fauna)

Abstract

The results of a taphonomic study of the Perevolotskoye locality (Orenburg region), a reference for the Early Triassic Tupilakosaurus fauna of southern areas of Eastern Europe, were presented. Based on the ratio of paired elements (hypo- and pleurocentra) in embolomerous vertebrae of the brachiopoid temnospondyl Tupilakosaurus (over 1500 specimens), the conclusion about the predominantly autochthonous genesis of the locality was made. Six successive stages in the history of its formation were identified.

Keywords

• taphonomy
• lower triassic
• tupilakosaurus fauna
• tetrapods
• east european platform