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Geology and paleontology of Tresjuncos (Cuenca, Spain), a new diatomaceous deposit with Konservat-Lagerstätte characteristics from the European late Miocene

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Abstract

Purpose

A new Iberian Konservat-Lagerstätte discovered in Tresjuncos (Cuenca, Spain) is described and interpreted based on geological and paleontological information.

Methods

The samples were studied using conventional mineralogical (powder X-ray diffraction), petrographic (optical and scanning electron microscopy) and geochemical (X-ray energy-dispersive spectrometry) techniques.

Results

Based upon geological context, stratigraphy, lithology, sedimentology and origin of the rocks, we describe and interpret the new fossil site as originated in a lacustrine environment. The micromammals found in the Tresjuncos 1 outcrop suggest that the main site is Turolian in age (uppermost Miocene), continental chronological unit MN13. The fossils are preserved in laminates comprising rhythmic, millimeterscale alternations of diatomites and calcareous diatomites. An analysis of the lake paleobiota includes amphibians, crustaceans, insects, plants, and diatoms. The diatoms are dominated by Cyclotella iris. The whole assemblage is indicative of a planktic community developed in somewhat alkaline waters. An extremely well preserved premetamorphic Pelobates (Pelobatidae) tadpole was discovered; it is remarkable because of its gigantic size. Its digestive tract predominantly contains the rare diatom Navicula halionata var directa, likely associated with the shore vegetation in which it presumably lived and fed. The arthropods form a typical lacustrine aquatic assemblage, lacking fish. This assemblage is made up of small filtering crustaceans and of both predator and non-predator insects of diverse sizes.

Conclusions

The available evidence on Tresjuncos shows the extraordinary potential for paleontological information that can be expected from this new Konservat-Lagerstätte, which constitutes a significant finding that improves our understanding of continental late Miocene Mediterranean environments.

Resumen

Propósito

Se describe e interpreta un nuevo Konservat-Lagerstätte Ibérico descubierto en Tresjuncos (Cuenca, España) a partir de información geológica y paleontológica.

Métodos

Las muestras se han estudiado utilizando metodologías convencionales mineralógicas (difracción de rayos X) petrográficas (microscopía óptica y electrónica) y geoquímicas (Espectrometría de energía dispersiva de rayos X).

Resultados

Basados en el contexto geológico, estratigrafía, litología, sedimentología y origen de las rocas, describimos e interpretamos la nueva localidad fósil como originada en un ambiente lacustre. Los micromammíferos encontrados en el afloramiento de Tresjuncos 1 sugieren una edad Turoliense (Mioceno superior), unidad cronológica continental MN13. Los fósiles se conservan en laminaciones que comprenden alternancias rítmicas a escala milimétrica de diatomitas y diatomitas calcáreas. Un análisis de la paleobiota del lago incluye anfibios, crustáceos, insectos, plantas y diatomeas. Las diatomeas están dominadas por Cyclotella iris. Todo el conjunto es indicativo de una comunidad planctónica desarrollada en aguas algo alcalinas. Se descubrió un renacuajo de Pelobates (Pelobatidae) pre-metamorfosis muy bien conservado; remarcable debido a su enorme tamaño. Su tracto digestivo contiene predominantemente la rara diatomea Navicula halionata var directa, probablemente asociada con la vegetación de la orilla en la que presumiblemente vivía y se alimentaba. Los artrópodos forman una típica agrupación acuática lacustre, carente de peces. Este conjunto se compone de pequeños crustáceos filtrantes y de insectos predadores y no predadores de diversos tamaños.

Conclusiones

La evidencia disponible sobre Tresjuncos muestra el extraordinario potencial de información paleontológica que se puede esperar de esta nueva Konservat-Lagerstätte, que constituye un hallazgo significativo que mejora nuestra comprensión de los ambientes mediterráneos del Mioceno continental.

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Acknowledgements

We are deeply grateful to the technical staff of the laboratories of the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN), particularly to M. Castillejo (preparation of samples), R. González (DRX), L. Tormo, M. Furió, and A. Jorge (SEM, EDS). We deeply thank A.D. Buscalioni for her important help in early stages of this study and the recovery of some of the fossil remains. We further thank M.T Fernández Marrón and L. Hably for their help with the paleobotany. We are also grateful to the late J.L. Ortiz, “Chicuto”. The present research was funded by Spanish Projects CGL2011-27826-CO2-02, CGL2014-54818-P and CGL2015-68333-P (Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad/FEDER, European Union). We thank to Dr. Jose Pedro Calvo Sorando, and one anonymous reviewer for their detailed review of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Geología, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, José Gutiérrez Abascal nº 2, 28006, Madrid, Spain

    María Ángeles Bustillo & María José López-García

  2. Departamento de Estratigrafía, Facultad de Ciencias Geológicas, Universidad Complutense, José Antonio Novais 12, 28040, Madrid, Spain

    Margarita Díaz-Molina

  3. Departament de Dinàmica de la Terra i de l’Oceà and Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Facultat de Ciències de la Terra, Universitat de Barcelona, Martí i Franquès s/n, 08028, Barcelona, Spain

    Xavier Delclòs

  4. Departamento de Paleobiología, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, José Gutiérrez Abascal nº 2, 28006, Madrid, Spain

    Pablo Peláez-Campomanes & Borja Sanchiz

  5. Museo Geominero, Instituto Geológico y Minero de España, Ríos Rosas nº 23, 28003, Madrid, Spain

    Enrique Peñalver

  6. Plaza del Olivar 1, 10600, Plasencia, Spain

    Rosario Rodríguez-Talavera

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  1. María Ángeles Bustillo
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Bustillo, M.Á., Díaz-Molina, M., López-García, M.J. et al. Geology and paleontology of Tresjuncos (Cuenca, Spain), a new diatomaceous deposit with Konservat-Lagerstätte characteristics from the European late Miocene. J Iber Geol 43, 395–411 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41513-017-0032-4

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