Chronostratigraphic synthesis of the latest Cretaceous dinosaur turnover in south-western Europe

摘要: Abstract In south-western Europe, the uppermost Cretaceous continental deposits in different sedimentary basins of Iberia (Portugal and north central Spain), Pyrenees (Spain France) as well Languedoc Provence (southern provide one few terrestrial records that allow a comprehensive study Campanian-Maastrichtian dinosaur assemblages. For last years southern has been target intense geological, palaeontological geochronological research. Hundreds fossil localities are now framed high-resolution lithological sections. The succession these sites, most them located Tremp Syncline, is based on physical correlation rock bodies, permitted by general outcropping conditions. Outside this syncline, supported geochronologic biostratigraphic data (mainly magnetostratigraphy planktic foraminifera biostratigraphy). integration entire dataset sheds new light Maastrichtian turnover, characterized shift from sauropod-dominated to hadrosauroid-dominated faunal assemblage. This turnover was progressive involved immigrants North America, Eurasia Gondwana, which probably reached area after sea level drop. change mainly triggered arrival lambeosaurine hadrosauroids, group rapidly displaced rest herbivorous clades region. Some extinction events suffered “pre-turnover” faunas during coincide with marine isotopic sea-level drop events, suggesting competition not only cause observed changes composition. Despite replacement, resulting ecosystem shows no major loss biodiversity before Cretaceous-Paleogene event.