The Cucaracha Formation (Tca)[1] is a geologic formation in Panama. It preserves vertebrate and plant fossils dating back to the Neogene period; Early to Middle Miocene epochs (Hemingfordian).[2] Fossils of the crocodylian Centenariosuchus, the turtle Rhinoclemmys panamaensis and the artiodactyl Paratoceras have been found in the formation.[3]

Cucaracha Formation
Stratigraphic range: Early Burdigalian-Mid Langhian (Hemingfordian-Barstovian)
19–14 Ma
TypeFormation
UnderliesPedro Miguel & La Boca Formations
OverliesCulebra Formation
Thickness~125 m (410 ft)
Lithology
PrimarySandstone, conglomerate
OtherClaystone
Location
Coordinates9°00′N 79°36′W / 9.0°N 79.6°W / 9.0; -79.6
Approximate paleocoordinates8°24′N 77°30′W / 8.4°N 77.5°W / 8.4; -77.5
RegionPanamá Province
Country Panama
ExtentPanama Basin
Cucaracha Formation is located in Panama
Cucaracha Formation
Cucaracha Formation (Panama)

The Cucaracha Formation is approximately 125 metres (410 ft) thick,[4] and dated to 19 to 14 Ma.[5]

Fossil content

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Color key
Taxon Reclassified taxon Taxon falsely reported as present Dubious taxon or junior synonym Ichnotaxon Ootaxon Morphotaxon
Notes
Uncertain or tentative taxa are in small text; crossed out taxa are discredited.

Mammals

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Bats

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Bats reported from the Cucaracha Formation
Genus Species Presence Material Notes Images
Americanycteris[6][7] A. cyrtodon Centenario Bridge & Hodges Hill Partial jaw & right premolar A leaf-nosed bat, first reported as a new "large insectivorous phyllostomine"

Carnivorans

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Carnivorans reported from the Cucaracha Formation
Genus Species Presence Material Notes Images
Bassaricyonoides[6] B. sp. Gaillard Cut A procyonid
Daphoenodon[6] cf. D. sp. Gaillard Cut A bear dog
 
Hemicyonidae indet.[8] Indeterminate Gaillard Cut Radius & ulna fragment A bear
Tomarctus[6][8] T. brevirostris Gaillard Cut Jaw & teeth A borophagine dog
 

Rodents

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Rodents reported from the Cucaracha Formation
Genus Species Presence Material Notes Images
Nototamias[6] N. sp. Gaillard Cut A ground squirrel
Petauristodon[6] P. sp. Gaillard Cut A flying squirrel
Proheteromys[6] P. sp. Gaillard Cut A heteromyid
 
Texomys[6][9] T. stewarti Pedro Miguel Lock & Gaillard Cut Teeth A jimomyid

Ungulates

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Ungulates reported from the Cucaracha Formation
Genus Species Presence Material Notes Images
Anchitherium[6][8][10] A. clarencei Gaillard Cut & Centenario Bridge Mandible fragment, upper cheek tooth & maxilla An equid
Archaeohippus[6][8] A. sp. Gaillard Cut Calcaneus & tooth An equid
Cynorca[6][11] C. occidentale Gaillard Cut, Centenario Bridge & Hodges Hill Jaw elements with teeth Species reassigned to the genus Tedfordhyus[12]
Floridaceras[6][8] F. whitei Gaillard Cut Jaws, teeth & femur fragment A rhinoceros
Floridatragulus[6] cf. F. nanus Gaillard Cut A camelid
Machaeromeryx[6] cf. M. sp. Gaillard Cut A moschid
Menoceras[6][8] M. barbouri Gaillard Cut Teeth & limb elements A rhinoceros
 
Merycochoerus[6][8] M. matthewi Gaillard Cut Skull elements An oreodont
Parablastomeryx[6] cf. P. sp. Gaillard Cut A moschid
Paratoceras[6][8][13] P. coatesi Gaillard Cut, Centenario Bridge, Hodges Hill & Cartagena Hill Skull elements, teeth & limb fragments A protoceratid, first reported as P. wardi
P. wardi Gaillard Cut Skull elements, teeth & limb fragments Remains reassigned to P. coatesi
Tedfordhyus[6][11] T. occidentalis Gaillard Cut, Centenario Bridge & Hodges Hill Jaw elements with teeth A peccary, originally named Cynorca occidentale

Reptiles

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Birds

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Birds reported from the Cucaracha Formation
Genus Species Presence Material Notes Images
Accipitridae indet.[14] Indeterminate West side of the Panama Canal Talon A large eagle, talon resembles those of the crowned eagle and martial eagle

Crocodilians

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Crocodilians reported from the Cucaracha Formation
Genus Species Presence Material Notes Images
Centenariosuchus[15] C. gilmorei Hodges Hill Skull & jaw A caiman
cf. C. gilmorei Centenario Bridge Right angular A caiman
Dadagavialis[16] D. gunai East margin of the Panama Canal Partial snout A gavialid
cf. D. gunai Centenario Bridge Partial mandible A gavialid
Eusuchia indet.[15] Indeterminate Panama Canal Zone Headless skeleton Osteoderms comparable to those of gavialids such as Gavialosuchus, but crocodilian osteoderms are non-diagnostic

Squamates

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Squamates reported from the Cucaracha Formation
Genus Species Presence Material Notes Images
Boa[17] B. cf. B. constrictor Cartagena Hill & Hodges Hill Incomplete vertebrae A boid snake
 

Turtles

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Turtles reported from the Cucaracha Formation
Genus Species Presence Material Notes Images
Podocnemididae indet.[18] Incertae sedis Centenario Bridge Right epiplastron A side-necked turtle
Rhinoclemmys[18] R. panamaensis Centenario Bridge Shell elements A geoemydid turtle
R. sp. Centenario Bridge & Culebra Reach Isolated bones A geoemydid turtle
Staurotypus[18] S. moschus Centenario Bridge Peripheral part of shell A kinosternid turtle
Testudinidae indet.[18] Incertae sedis Culebra Reach Shell & limb elements A tortoise
Trionychidae indet.[18] Incertae sedis Centenario Bridge Right costal A softshell turtle

Plants

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Plants reported from the Cucaracha Formation
Genus Species Presence Material Notes Images
Ampelorhiza[19] A. heteroxylon Culebra Cut Roots A member of Paullinieae
Antrocaryon[20] A. panamaensis Lirio East Endocarps A member of Anacardiaceae
Dracontomelon[20] D. montesii Lirio East Endocarps A member of Anacardiaceae
Guazumaoxylon[21] G. miocenica Hodges Hill Wood A member of Malvaceae, similar to Guazuma
Mammea[22] M. paramericana Northern Lirio East Stem A member of Calophyllaceae
Oreomunnea[23] O. grahamii Lirio East Nuts A member of Juglandaceae
Panascleroticoxylon[24] P. crystallosa Hodges Hill Wood A member of Malpighiales
Parinari[25] P. panamensis Lirio East, Gold Hill & Empire sites Endocarps A member of Chrysobalanaceae
Parinarioxylon[25] P. panamensis Lirio East Wood A member of Chrysobalanaceae
Periplanetoxylon[21] P. panamense Hodges Hill Wood A member of Malvaceae
Prioria[26] P. canalensis Hodges Hill Wood A legume
P. hodgesii Hodges Hill Wood A legume
Rourea[27] R. blatta Northern Lirio East site Wood A liana belonging to the Connaraceae
Spondias[20] S. rothwellii Lirio East Endocarps A member of Anacardiaceae

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Geologic Map, 1980
  2. ^ Cucaracha Formation at Fossilworks.org
  3. ^ Centenariosuchus at Fossilworks.org
  4. ^ Kirby et al., 2008, p.9
  5. ^ Kirby et al., 2008, p.11
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s MacFadden, Bruce J.; Bloch, Jonathan I.; Evans, Helen; Foster, David A.; Morgan, Gary S.; Rincon, Aldo; Wood, Aaron R. (March 2014). "Temporal Calibration and Biochronology of the Centenario Fauna, Early Miocene of Panama". The Journal of Geology. 122 (2): 113–135. Bibcode:2014JG....122..113M. doi:10.1086/675244. ISSN 0022-1376.
  7. ^ Morgan, Gary S.; Czaplewski, Nicholas; Rincon, Aldo F.; Bloch, Jonathan Ivan (November 2023). "A new early Miocene bat (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) from Panama confirms middle Cenozoic chiropteran dispersal between the Americas". Journal of Mammalian Evolution. 30 (4): 963–993. doi:10.1007/s10914-023-09690-4.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h Macfadden, Bruce J. (2006). "North American Miocene Land Mammals from Panama". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 26 (3): 720–734. doi:10.1671/0272-4634(2006)26[720:NAMLMF]2.0.CO;2. ISSN 0272-4634. JSTOR 4524616.
  9. ^ Slaughter, Bob H. (1981). "A New Genus of Geomyoid Rodent from the Miocene of Texas and Panama". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 1 (1): 111–115. Bibcode:1981JVPal...1..111S. doi:10.1080/02724634.1981.10011884. ISSN 0272-4634. JSTOR 4522841.
  10. ^ MacFadden, Bruce J. (2009). "Three-Toed Browsing Horse Anchitherium (Equidae) from the Miocene of Panama". Journal of Paleontology. 83 (3): 489–492. Bibcode:2009JPal...83..489M. doi:10.1666/08-155.1. ISSN 0022-3360. JSTOR 29739113.
  11. ^ a b Macfadden, Bruce J.; Kirby, Michael X.; Rincon, Aldo; Montes, Camilo; Moron, Sara; Strong, Nikki; Jaramillo, Carlos (March 2010). "Extinct peccary "Cynorca" occidentale (Tayassuidae, Tayassuinae) from the Miocene of Panama and correlations to North America". Journal of Paleontology. 84 (2): 288–298. Bibcode:2010JPal...84..288M. doi:10.1666/09-064R.1. ISSN 0022-3360.
  12. ^ PROTHERO, DONALD R. (2021-05-28). THE SYSTEMATICS OF NORTH AMERICAN PECCARIES (MAMMALIA: ARTIODACTYLA: TAYASSUIDAE). New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science.
  13. ^ Rincon, Aldo F.; Bloch, Jonathan I.; Macfadden, Bruce J.; Jaramillo, Carlos A. (2015-09-03). "New early Miocene protoceratids (Mammalia, Artiodactyla) from Panama". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 35 (5): e970688. Bibcode:2015JVPal..35E0688R. doi:10.1080/02724634.2015.970688. ISSN 0272-4634.
  14. ^ Steadman, David. W.; MacFadden, Bruce J. (2016). "A large eagle (Aves, Accipitridae) from the early Miocene of Panama". Journal of Paleontology. 90 (5): 1012–1015. Bibcode:2016JPal...90.1012S. doi:10.1017/jpa.2016.103. ISSN 0022-3360. JSTOR 48572611. S2CID 132732768.
  15. ^ a b Hastings, Alexander K.; Bloch, Jonathan I.; Jaramillo, Carlos A.; Rincon, Aldo F.; Macfadden, Bruce J. (2013). "Systematics and biogeography of crocodylians from the Miocene of Panama". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 33 (2): 239. Bibcode:2013JVPal..33..239H. doi:10.1080/02724634.2012.713814. ISSN 0272-4634.
  16. ^ Salas-Gismondi, Rodolfo; Moreno-Bernal, Jorge W.; Scheyer, Torsten M.; Sánchez-Villagra, Marcelo R.; Jaramillo, Carlos (2019-06-18). "New Miocene Caribbean gavialoids and patterns of longirostry in crocodylians". Journal of Systematic Palaeontology. 17 (12): 1049–1075. Bibcode:2019JSPal..17.1049S. doi:10.1080/14772019.2018.1495275. ISSN 1477-2019.
  17. ^ Head, Jason J.; Rincon, Aldo F.; Suarez, Catalina; Montes, Camilo; Jaramillo, Carlos (2012-10-31). "Fossil evidence for earliest Neogene American faunal interchange: Boa (Serpentes, Boinae) from the early Miocene of Panama". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 32 (6): 1328–1334. Bibcode:2012JVPal..32.1328H. doi:10.1080/02724634.2012.694387. ISSN 0272-4634.
  18. ^ a b c d e Cadena, E.; Bourque, J.R.; Rincón, A.F.; Bloch, J.I.; Jaramillo, C.A.; MacFadden, B.J. (2012). "New turtles (Chelonia) from the late Eocene through Late Miocene of the Panama Canal Basin". Journal of Paleontology. 86 (3): 539–557. Bibcode:2012JPal...86..539C. doi:10.1666/11-106.1.
  19. ^ Jud, Nathan A.; Allen, Sarah E.; Nelson, Chris W.; Bastos, Carolina L.; Chery, Joyce G. (2021-04-07). Wong, William Oki (ed.). "Climbing since the early Miocene: The fossil record of Paullinieae (Sapindaceae)". PLOS ONE. 16 (4): e0248369. Bibcode:2021PLoSO..1648369J. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0248369. ISSN 1932-6203. PMC 8026063. PMID 33826635.
  20. ^ a b c Herrera, Fabiany; Carvalho, Mónica R.; Jaramillo, Carlos; Manchester, Steven R. (July 2019). "19-Million-Year-Old Spondioid Fruits from Panama Reveal a Dynamic Dispersal History for Anacardiaceae". International Journal of Plant Sciences. 180 (6): 479–492. doi:10.1086/703551. ISSN 1058-5893.
  21. ^ a b Rodríguez-Reyes, Oris; Falcon-Lang, Howard; Gasson, Peter; Collinson, Margaret; Jaramillo, Carlos (October 2014). "Fossil woods (Malvaceae) from the lower Miocene (early to mid-Burdigalian) part of the Cucaracha Formation of Panama (Central America) and their biogeographic implications". Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology. 209: 11–34. Bibcode:2014RPaPa.209...11R. doi:10.1016/j.revpalbo.2014.05.006. ISSN 0034-6667.
  22. ^ Nelson, Chris W.; Jud, Nathan A. (2017-03-01). "Biogeographic Implications of Mammea paramericana sp. nov. from the Lower Miocene of Panama and the Evolution of Calophyllaceae". International Journal of Plant Sciences. 178 (3): 241–257. doi:10.1086/689618. ISSN 1058-5893. S2CID 89714823.
  23. ^ Graham, Alan; Montiel, Olga Martha; Raven, Peter H.; Stevens, Warren Douglas (2014). "Fruits of Oreomunnea (Juglandaceae) in the early Miocene of Panama". Paleobotany and biogeography :a festschrift for Alan Graham in his 80th year. Missouri Botanical Garden. pp. 124–133.
  24. ^ Rodriguez-Reyes, Oris; Gasson, Peter; Thornton, Carolyn; Falcon-Lang, Howard J.; Jud, Nathan A. (2017-12-06). "Panascleroticoxylon crystallosa gen. et sp. nov.: a new Miocene malpighialean tree from Panama". IAWA Journal. 38 (4): 437–455. doi:10.1163/22941932-20170178. ISSN 0928-1541.
  25. ^ a b Jud, Nathan A.; Nelson, Chris W.; Herrera, Fabiany (2016-02-10). "Fruits and wood of Parinari from the early Miocene of Panama and the fossil record of Chrysobalanaceae". American Journal of Botany. 103 (2): 277–289. doi:10.3732/ajb.1500425. ISSN 0002-9122. PMID 26865122.
  26. ^ Rodríguez-Reyes, Oris; Gasson, Peter; Falcon-Lang, Howard J.; Collinson, Margaret E. (November 2017). "Fossil legume woods of the Prioria-clade (subfamily Detarioideae) from the lower Miocene (early to mid-Burdigalian) part of the Cucaracha Formation of Panama (Central America) and their systematic and palaeoecological implications". Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology. 246: 44–61. Bibcode:2017RPaPa.246...44R. doi:10.1016/j.revpalbo.2017.06.005.
  27. ^ Jud, Nathan A.; Nelson, Chris W. (May 2017). "A liana from the lower Miocene of Panama and the fossil record of Connaraceae". American Journal of Botany. 104 (5): 685–693. doi:10.3732/ajb.1700080. ISSN 0002-9122. PMID 28500228.

Bibliography

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