Ichnological analysis of the Messinian-Zanclean (Miocene-Pliocene) transition at Eraclea Minoa (Sicily): Tracemaker response to the Terminal Messinian Flood

Francisco J. Rodríguez-Tovar; Gijs van Dijk; Jasper Maars; Federico Andreetto; F. Javier Hernández-Molina; Wout Krijgsman

doi:10.1016/j.palaeo.2023.111539

Ichnological analysis of the Messinian-Zanclean (Miocene-Pliocene) transition at Eraclea Minoa (Sicily): Tracemaker response to the Terminal Messinian Flood

Francisco J. Rodríguez-Tovar^*
, Gijs van Dijk
, Jasper Maars
, Federico Andreetto
, F. Javier Hernández-Molina
, Wout Krijgsman

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

Abstract

A detailed ichnological analysis has been conducted, for the first time, of the Arenazzolo and Trubi formations of the Caltanissetta Basin in Sicily. Aim of this analysis is to evaluate paleoenvironmental changes affecting macrobenthic tracemaker communities during the re-flooding of the Mediterranean at the end of the Messinian Salinity Crisis. The uppermost Messinian Arenazzolo Formation is characterized by a scarcity of trace fossils, probably related to high energy depositional conditions, and perhaps no fully normal salinity level yet, resulting in an unfavourable habitat for macrobenthic tracemaker communities. The exclusive presence of small traces (Chondrites) sparsely distributed in several horizons is associated to intermittent phases of lower energy conditions facilitating colonization by opportunistic tracemakers. A significant change in trace fossil assemblages is observed at the transition to the Zanclean Trubi Formation. Here the ichnofossil assemblage consists of?Arenicolites, Chondrites, Halimedides, Palaeophycus, Planolites, Thalassinoides, Trichichnus and Zoophycos, assigned to the Zoophycos ichnofacies, revealing an abundant, diverse, well-developed, multi-tiered, tracemaker community. This change observed at the Messsinian/Zanclean boundary is related to the rapid establishment of normal, full-marine, conditions with well oxygenated bottom- and pore-waters, and food availability in a deep marine environment. Comparison with previous micropaleontological studies supports the magnitude of the paleoenvironmental change affecting both pelagic and benthic environments.

Original language	English
Article number	111539
Pages (from-to)	1-13
Number of pages	13
Journal	Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology
Volume	619
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2023.111539
Publication status	Published - 1 Jun 2023

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This paper benefited from comments and suggestions by reviewers, Dr. Uchman (Jagiellonian University) and two anonymous, and Dr. Angiolini (Palaeo3 editor). Research by R-T was funded by Grants PID2019-104625RB-100 funded by MCIN/AEI/ 10.13039/501100011033 and TED2021-131697B-C21, by FEDER/Junta de Andalucía-Consejería de Economía y Conocimiento/ Projects P18-RT- 4074, projects B-RNM-072-UGR18 and A-RNM-368-UGR20 (FEDER Andalucía), Research Group RNM178 (Junta de Andalucía), and Projects PID2019-104625RB-100 (Secretaría de Estado de I + D + I, Spain), B-RNM-072-UGR18 (FEDER Andalucía), P18-RT-4074 (Junta de Andalucía), and Scientific Excellence Unit UCE-2016-05 (Universidad de Granada). The research of the UU-team was supported by the project SALTGIANT, which has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020s research and innovation program under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No 765256.

Funding Information:
This paper benefited from comments and suggestions by reviewers, Dr. Uchman (Jagiellonian University) and two anonymous, and Dr. Angiolini (Palaeo3 editor). Research by R-T was funded by Grants PID2019-104625RB-100 funded by MCIN/AEI / 10.13039/501100011033 and TED2021-131697B-C21, by FEDER/Junta de Andalucía-Consejería de Economía y Conocimiento/ Projects P18-RT- 4074, projects B-RNM-072-UGR18 and A-RNM-368-UGR20 (FEDER Andalucía), Research Group RNM178 (Junta de Andalucía), and Projects PID2019-104625RB-100 (Secretaría de Estado de I + D + I, Spain), B-RNM-072-UGR18 (FEDER Andalucía), P18-RT-4074 (Junta de Andalucía), and Scientific Excellence Unit UCE-2016-05 (Universidad de Granada). The research of the UU-team was supported by the project SALTGIANT, which has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020s research and innovation program under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No 765256 .

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023

Funding

This paper benefited from comments and suggestions by reviewers, Dr. Uchman (Jagiellonian University) and two anonymous, and Dr. Angiolini (Palaeo3 editor). Research by R-T was funded by Grants PID2019-104625RB-100 funded by MCIN/AEI/ 10.13039/501100011033 and TED2021-131697B-C21, by FEDER/Junta de Andalucía-Consejería de Economía y Conocimiento/ Projects P18-RT- 4074, projects B-RNM-072-UGR18 and A-RNM-368-UGR20 (FEDER Andalucía), Research Group RNM178 (Junta de Andalucía), and Projects PID2019-104625RB-100 (Secretaría de Estado de I + D + I, Spain), B-RNM-072-UGR18 (FEDER Andalucía), P18-RT-4074 (Junta de Andalucía), and Scientific Excellence Unit UCE-2016-05 (Universidad de Granada). The research of the UU-team was supported by the project SALTGIANT, which has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020s research and innovation program under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No 765256. This paper benefited from comments and suggestions by reviewers, Dr. Uchman (Jagiellonian University) and two anonymous, and Dr. Angiolini (Palaeo3 editor). Research by R-T was funded by Grants PID2019-104625RB-100 funded by MCIN/AEI / 10.13039/501100011033 and TED2021-131697B-C21, by FEDER/Junta de Andalucía-Consejería de Economía y Conocimiento/ Projects P18-RT- 4074, projects B-RNM-072-UGR18 and A-RNM-368-UGR20 (FEDER Andalucía), Research Group RNM178 (Junta de Andalucía), and Projects PID2019-104625RB-100 (Secretaría de Estado de I + D + I, Spain), B-RNM-072-UGR18 (FEDER Andalucía), P18-RT-4074 (Junta de Andalucía), and Scientific Excellence Unit UCE-2016-05 (Universidad de Granada). The research of the UU-team was supported by the project SALTGIANT, which has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020s research and innovation program under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No 765256 .

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 14 Life Below Water

Keywords

Deep marine deposits
Mediterranean Sea
Messinian Salinity Crisis
Miocene/Pliocene boundary
Trace fossils

Access to Document

10.1016/j.palaeo.2023.111539Licence: CC BY-NC-ND

1-s2.0-S0031018223001578-mainFinal published version, 26 MBLicence: CC BY-NC-ND

Cite this

Rodríguez-Tovar, F. J., van Dijk, G., Maars, J., Andreetto, F., Hernández-Molina, F. J., & Krijgsman, W. (2023). Ichnological analysis of the Messinian-Zanclean (Miocene-Pliocene) transition at Eraclea Minoa (Sicily): Tracemaker response to the Terminal Messinian Flood. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 619, 1-13. Article 111539. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2023.111539

@article{b1eb349510cb4483b83135fd9fb96777,

title = "Ichnological analysis of the Messinian-Zanclean (Miocene-Pliocene) transition at Eraclea Minoa (Sicily): Tracemaker response to the Terminal Messinian Flood",

abstract = "A detailed ichnological analysis has been conducted, for the first time, of the Arenazzolo and Trubi formations of the Caltanissetta Basin in Sicily. Aim of this analysis is to evaluate paleoenvironmental changes affecting macrobenthic tracemaker communities during the re-flooding of the Mediterranean at the end of the Messinian Salinity Crisis. The uppermost Messinian Arenazzolo Formation is characterized by a scarcity of trace fossils, probably related to high energy depositional conditions, and perhaps no fully normal salinity level yet, resulting in an unfavourable habitat for macrobenthic tracemaker communities. The exclusive presence of small traces (Chondrites) sparsely distributed in several horizons is associated to intermittent phases of lower energy conditions facilitating colonization by opportunistic tracemakers. A significant change in trace fossil assemblages is observed at the transition to the Zanclean Trubi Formation. Here the ichnofossil assemblage consists of?Arenicolites, Chondrites, Halimedides, Palaeophycus, Planolites, Thalassinoides, Trichichnus and Zoophycos, assigned to the Zoophycos ichnofacies, revealing an abundant, diverse, well-developed, multi-tiered, tracemaker community. This change observed at the Messsinian/Zanclean boundary is related to the rapid establishment of normal, full-marine, conditions with well oxygenated bottom- and pore-waters, and food availability in a deep marine environment. Comparison with previous micropaleontological studies supports the magnitude of the paleoenvironmental change affecting both pelagic and benthic environments.",

keywords = "Deep marine deposits, Mediterranean Sea, Messinian Salinity Crisis, Miocene/Pliocene boundary, Trace fossils",

author = "Rodr{\'i}guez-Tovar, \{Francisco J.\} and \{van Dijk\}, Gijs and Jasper Maars and Federico Andreetto and Hern{\'a}ndez-Molina, \{F. Javier\} and Wout Krijgsman",

note = "Funding Information: This paper benefited from comments and suggestions by reviewers, Dr. Uchman (Jagiellonian University) and two anonymous, and Dr. Angiolini (Palaeo3 editor). Research by R-T was funded by Grants PID2019-104625RB-100 funded by MCIN/AEI/ 10.13039/501100011033 and TED2021-131697B-C21, by FEDER/Junta de Andaluc{\'i}a-Consejer{\'i}a de Econom{\'i}a y Conocimiento/ Projects P18-RT- 4074, projects B-RNM-072-UGR18 and A-RNM-368-UGR20 (FEDER Andaluc{\'i}a), Research Group RNM178 (Junta de Andaluc{\'i}a), and Projects PID2019-104625RB-100 (Secretar{\'i}a de Estado de I + D + I, Spain), B-RNM-072-UGR18 (FEDER Andaluc{\'i}a), P18-RT-4074 (Junta de Andaluc{\'i}a), and Scientific Excellence Unit UCE-2016-05 (Universidad de Granada). The research of the UU-team was supported by the project SALTGIANT, which has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020s research and innovation program under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No 765256. Funding Information: This paper benefited from comments and suggestions by reviewers, Dr. Uchman (Jagiellonian University) and two anonymous, and Dr. Angiolini (Palaeo3 editor). Research by R-T was funded by Grants PID2019-104625RB-100 funded by MCIN/AEI / 10.13039/501100011033 and TED2021-131697B-C21, by FEDER/Junta de Andaluc{\'i}a-Consejer{\'i}a de Econom{\'i}a y Conocimiento/ Projects P18-RT- 4074, projects B-RNM-072-UGR18 and A-RNM-368-UGR20 (FEDER Andaluc{\'i}a), Research Group RNM178 (Junta de Andaluc{\'i}a), and Projects PID2019-104625RB-100 (Secretar{\'i}a de Estado de I + D + I, Spain), B-RNM-072-UGR18 (FEDER Andaluc{\'i}a), P18-RT-4074 (Junta de Andaluc{\'i}a), and Scientific Excellence Unit UCE-2016-05 (Universidad de Granada). The research of the UU-team was supported by the project SALTGIANT, which has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020s research and innovation program under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No 765256 . Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2023",

year = "2023",

month = jun,

day = "1",

doi = "10.1016/j.palaeo.2023.111539",

language = "English",

volume = "619",

pages = "1--13",

journal = "Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology",

issn = "0031-0182",

publisher = "Elsevier BV",

}

Rodríguez-Tovar, FJ, van Dijk, G, Maars, J, Andreetto, F, Hernández-Molina, FJ & Krijgsman, W 2023, 'Ichnological analysis of the Messinian-Zanclean (Miocene-Pliocene) transition at Eraclea Minoa (Sicily): Tracemaker response to the Terminal Messinian Flood', Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, vol. 619, 111539, pp. 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2023.111539

Ichnological analysis of the Messinian-Zanclean (Miocene-Pliocene) transition at Eraclea Minoa (Sicily): Tracemaker response to the Terminal Messinian Flood. / Rodríguez-Tovar, Francisco J.; van Dijk, Gijs; Maars, Jasper et al.
In: Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, Vol. 619, 111539, 01.06.2023, p. 1-13.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

TY - JOUR

T1 - Ichnological analysis of the Messinian-Zanclean (Miocene-Pliocene) transition at Eraclea Minoa (Sicily)

T2 - Tracemaker response to the Terminal Messinian Flood

AU - Rodríguez-Tovar, Francisco J.

AU - van Dijk, Gijs

AU - Maars, Jasper

AU - Andreetto, Federico

AU - Hernández-Molina, F. Javier

AU - Krijgsman, Wout

N1 - Funding Information: This paper benefited from comments and suggestions by reviewers, Dr. Uchman (Jagiellonian University) and two anonymous, and Dr. Angiolini (Palaeo3 editor). Research by R-T was funded by Grants PID2019-104625RB-100 funded by MCIN/AEI/ 10.13039/501100011033 and TED2021-131697B-C21, by FEDER/Junta de Andalucía-Consejería de Economía y Conocimiento/ Projects P18-RT- 4074, projects B-RNM-072-UGR18 and A-RNM-368-UGR20 (FEDER Andalucía), Research Group RNM178 (Junta de Andalucía), and Projects PID2019-104625RB-100 (Secretaría de Estado de I + D + I, Spain), B-RNM-072-UGR18 (FEDER Andalucía), P18-RT-4074 (Junta de Andalucía), and Scientific Excellence Unit UCE-2016-05 (Universidad de Granada). The research of the UU-team was supported by the project SALTGIANT, which has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020s research and innovation program under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No 765256. Funding Information: This paper benefited from comments and suggestions by reviewers, Dr. Uchman (Jagiellonian University) and two anonymous, and Dr. Angiolini (Palaeo3 editor). Research by R-T was funded by Grants PID2019-104625RB-100 funded by MCIN/AEI / 10.13039/501100011033 and TED2021-131697B-C21, by FEDER/Junta de Andalucía-Consejería de Economía y Conocimiento/ Projects P18-RT- 4074, projects B-RNM-072-UGR18 and A-RNM-368-UGR20 (FEDER Andalucía), Research Group RNM178 (Junta de Andalucía), and Projects PID2019-104625RB-100 (Secretaría de Estado de I + D + I, Spain), B-RNM-072-UGR18 (FEDER Andalucía), P18-RT-4074 (Junta de Andalucía), and Scientific Excellence Unit UCE-2016-05 (Universidad de Granada). The research of the UU-team was supported by the project SALTGIANT, which has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020s research and innovation program under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No 765256 . Publisher Copyright: © 2023

PY - 2023/6/1

Y1 - 2023/6/1

N2 - A detailed ichnological analysis has been conducted, for the first time, of the Arenazzolo and Trubi formations of the Caltanissetta Basin in Sicily. Aim of this analysis is to evaluate paleoenvironmental changes affecting macrobenthic tracemaker communities during the re-flooding of the Mediterranean at the end of the Messinian Salinity Crisis. The uppermost Messinian Arenazzolo Formation is characterized by a scarcity of trace fossils, probably related to high energy depositional conditions, and perhaps no fully normal salinity level yet, resulting in an unfavourable habitat for macrobenthic tracemaker communities. The exclusive presence of small traces (Chondrites) sparsely distributed in several horizons is associated to intermittent phases of lower energy conditions facilitating colonization by opportunistic tracemakers. A significant change in trace fossil assemblages is observed at the transition to the Zanclean Trubi Formation. Here the ichnofossil assemblage consists of?Arenicolites, Chondrites, Halimedides, Palaeophycus, Planolites, Thalassinoides, Trichichnus and Zoophycos, assigned to the Zoophycos ichnofacies, revealing an abundant, diverse, well-developed, multi-tiered, tracemaker community. This change observed at the Messsinian/Zanclean boundary is related to the rapid establishment of normal, full-marine, conditions with well oxygenated bottom- and pore-waters, and food availability in a deep marine environment. Comparison with previous micropaleontological studies supports the magnitude of the paleoenvironmental change affecting both pelagic and benthic environments.

AB - A detailed ichnological analysis has been conducted, for the first time, of the Arenazzolo and Trubi formations of the Caltanissetta Basin in Sicily. Aim of this analysis is to evaluate paleoenvironmental changes affecting macrobenthic tracemaker communities during the re-flooding of the Mediterranean at the end of the Messinian Salinity Crisis. The uppermost Messinian Arenazzolo Formation is characterized by a scarcity of trace fossils, probably related to high energy depositional conditions, and perhaps no fully normal salinity level yet, resulting in an unfavourable habitat for macrobenthic tracemaker communities. The exclusive presence of small traces (Chondrites) sparsely distributed in several horizons is associated to intermittent phases of lower energy conditions facilitating colonization by opportunistic tracemakers. A significant change in trace fossil assemblages is observed at the transition to the Zanclean Trubi Formation. Here the ichnofossil assemblage consists of?Arenicolites, Chondrites, Halimedides, Palaeophycus, Planolites, Thalassinoides, Trichichnus and Zoophycos, assigned to the Zoophycos ichnofacies, revealing an abundant, diverse, well-developed, multi-tiered, tracemaker community. This change observed at the Messsinian/Zanclean boundary is related to the rapid establishment of normal, full-marine, conditions with well oxygenated bottom- and pore-waters, and food availability in a deep marine environment. Comparison with previous micropaleontological studies supports the magnitude of the paleoenvironmental change affecting both pelagic and benthic environments.

KW - Deep marine deposits

KW - Mediterranean Sea

KW - Messinian Salinity Crisis

KW - Miocene/Pliocene boundary

KW - Trace fossils

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85152681191

U2 - 10.1016/j.palaeo.2023.111539

DO - 10.1016/j.palaeo.2023.111539

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85152681191

SN - 0031-0182

VL - 619

SP - 1

EP - 13

JO - Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology

JF - Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology

M1 - 111539

ER -

Ichnological analysis of the Messinian-Zanclean (Miocene-Pliocene) transition at Eraclea Minoa (Sicily): Tracemaker response to the Terminal Messinian Flood

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Funding

UN SDGs

Keywords

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Cite this