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The Neoichnology of Two Ambystomatid Salamanders, Pennsylvanian Paleosols, and Their Use in Paleoenvironmental, Paleoecological, and Paleoclimatic Interpretations

Dzenowski, Nicole D.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1338574841

Abstract Details

2012, Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, Geological Sciences (Arts and Sciences).
Effectively interpreting paleoclimate from the geologic record requires diverse array of data. Paleosols are excellent tools in paleoclimatic interpretations due to their direct exposure to external environment. Utilization of the ichnology of a continental environment furthers the ability to accurately interpret paleoenvironments and paleoclimates. Neoichnological studies are necessary to determine the type of biogenic structures that are produced by different soil animals in various environmental conditions. Two separate studies were conducted; a paleopedological study of local paleosols within the Late Pennsylvanian Glenshaw and a neoichnological study of two species of terrestrial salamanders, both with the goal of improving interpretations of paleoclimatic conditions. The small-scale paleopedological study found that two distinct, stacked paleosols occur below the Ames Limestone, an calcic Vertisol and a calcic vertic Gleysol. These paleosols mark a climatic shift from a seasonally dry environment to a seasonally wet environment. The neoichnological study used two terrestrial species of salamanders in order to quantify their burrows and understand how environmental conditions affect the biogenic structure they produced. It was found that the eastern tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) and the marbled salamander (Ambystoma opacum) produce burrows with similar morphologies regardless of soil moisture, substrate composition, and habitat size. Size of the specimen was also found to have no significant effect on the size of the burrows produced. The ability to distinguish burrows produced by salamanders in the fossil record as well as knowing the environmental conditions in which those burrows are likely to have been formed will improve the ability to interpret the paleoclimate of that environment.
Daniel Hembree, PhD (Advisor)
Gregory Nadon, PhD (Committee Member)
Douglas Green, PhD (Committee Member)
197 p.
Geology; Paleontology
Neoichnology; Paleopedology; Pennsylvanian Paleosols; Continental Ichnology; Vertebrate Ichnology

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Dzenowski, N. D. (2012). The Neoichnology of Two Ambystomatid Salamanders, Pennsylvanian Paleosols, and Their Use in Paleoenvironmental, Paleoecological, and Paleoclimatic Interpretations [Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1338574841

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Dzenowski, Nicole. The Neoichnology of Two Ambystomatid Salamanders, Pennsylvanian Paleosols, and Their Use in Paleoenvironmental, Paleoecological, and Paleoclimatic Interpretations. 2012. Ohio University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1338574841.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Dzenowski, Nicole. "The Neoichnology of Two Ambystomatid Salamanders, Pennsylvanian Paleosols, and Their Use in Paleoenvironmental, Paleoecological, and Paleoclimatic Interpretations." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2012. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1338574841

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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© 2012, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.