Resumo

ROSSOUW, L.; STYNDER, D.D.  e  HAARHOF, P.. Evidence for opal phytolith preservation in the Langebaanweg 'E' Quarry Varswater Formation and its potential for palaeohabitat reconstruction. S. Afr. j. sci. [online]. 2009, vol.105, n.5-6, pp.223-227. ISSN 1996-7489.

At the end of the Miocene epoch, C₄ grasslands began to expand at the expense of tree-, shrub- and forb-dominated C₃ ecosystems. While C₄ grasses were spreading throughout most regions of the world, C3 grasses may have been spreading along South Africa's southwest coast. Stable isotope analyses of hypsodont fossil ungulates from 'E' Quarry, a well-known Late Miocene/Early Pliocene fossil locality near the town of Langebaanweg, suggest that the local environment might have included a substantial C₃ grass component. Besides this indirect evidence, little is known about the evolution, nature and importance of grass in the 'E' Quarry biome. As a preliminary step towards addressing these questions, we initiated a trial investigation to assess whether sediments at the site are conducive to the preservation of phytoliths, an important tool in the reconstruction of palaeohabitats. Results indicate that fossil phytoliths are sufficiently well preserved to allow a comprehensive analysis of the 'E' Quarry phytolith assemblage.

Palavras-chave : phytoliths; grassland; habitat reconstruction; Langebaanweg; fynbos; hypsodonty.

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