VERTEBRADOS DEL CUATERNARIO CONTINENTAL DE URUGUAY: CRONOLOGÍA Y AMBIENTES

Abstract

. QUATERNARY CoNTINENTAL VERTEBRATEs oF URUGUAY: CHRoNoLoGY AND ENVIRoNMENTs. A brief revision of selected studies on the Quaternary continental vertebrates of Uruguay is provided. The diversity of the dominant group in the record—mammals—was notably increased as well as in some avian groups. The temporal framework takes into account the chronostratigraphic proposal available for the Pampean region as a biostratigraphic correlation tool and an increasing number of numerical ages (radiocarbon and optically stimulated luminescence). The sedimentary beds outcropping in northern Uruguay (the sopas Formation) yield a rich and diverse fossil content. They are correlated to the Lujanian stage/Age and the numerical ages of many outcrops fall in the range of the Marine Isotopic stage 3 (MIs 3). The vertebrates support diverse environments including freshwater bodies, riparian forests, semi-open forests, open areas