Registration, morphology and taphonomy of feeding structures produced by Chilean Flamingos (Phoenicopterus chilensis) in a lagoonal/barrier depositional system in southern Brazil

• Published in: Journal of South American earth sciences 2023-07, Vol.127, p.104396, Article 104396
• Main Authors: Barcelos-Silveira, André, Dentzien-Dias, Paula, Francischini, Heitor, Schultz, Cesar Leandro
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bird ichnology; Evolutionary taphonomy; Neoichnology; Neotaphonomy; Phoenicopteridae; Preservation model
• ISSN: 0895-9811; 1873-0647
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsames.2023.104396

Ichnological studies in modern settings can improve the interpretation of traces produced by ancient organisms and clarify which taphonomic agents operated in their paleoenvironments. This work analyzes examples from feeding structures produced by Chilean Flamingos (Phoenicopterus chilensis) in a lagoon/barrier depositional system in southern Brazil, describing the registration and morphology of feeding structures produced by rotating stamping, while also following taphonomic alterations. Newly registered structures consist of a central mound of piled sediment and a peripheral trench of overlapping footprints. The 52 stamping structures sampled showed a variety of morphologies related to the type of taphonomic agent and to the degree of alteration. Departing from the newly produced structures, the changes recorded are due to factors such as tidal range, current energy, terrain slope, and aeolian activity. The erosion of the structure was minor on the flat terrains and peaked at the stepper surfaces where intermittent streams form. Our observations point to the preservation potential of modern flamingo traces and to its putative importance for paleoecological and paleobehavioral inferences. •Flamingos register complex structures by differential use of both legs and beak.•Rotating-stamping structures are prone to enter taphonomic pathways of preservation.•Low energy tide and vicinity to aeolian sediment sources boost preservation.•Modes of registration and preservation can enhance paleoenvironmental analysis.