Sands of Time: Ancient Life in the Late Miocene of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (Vertebrate Paleobiology and Paleoanthropology)

This monograph presents the results of over 10 years of survey and excavation work collecting fossils from the Baynunah Formation of western Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. The Baynunah fossils provide the only record of environment and evolution of terrestrial animals from the late Miocene (12-5 Ma) epoch from the entire Arabian Peninsula. The monograph primarily describes new fossil collections systematically by taxon, including mammals, reptiles, and invertebrates, framing these within the context of results from new geological and geochemical analysis. Vertebrate paleontologists, paleoanthropologists, and natural history enthusiasts will discover new scientific findings of ostracod, fish, aves, carnivora, hippopotamidae and equidae fossils. Contributors to the monograph are specialists who have over the last years dedicated time to studying the new Baynunah fossil collections. Foreword References Reference Contents Contributors 1 The History of Paleontological Investigation in Western Abu Dhabi Emirate Abstract Introduction Early Paleontological Work Whybrow and Hill: 1979–1999 Abu Dhabi Islands Archaeological Survey (ADIAS): 1992–2006 Bibi and The Abu Dhabi Public Works Department: 2003–2006 Yale University and Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH): 2006–2012 Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi): 2012–2018 Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT Abu Dhabi): 2018 to Present References 2 Fossil Localities of the Baynunah Formation Abstract Introduction Localities of the Baynunah Formation Acknowledgements References 3 Sedimentology and Stratigraphy of the Baynunah Formation Abstract Introduction General Context Stratigraphy Sedimentology Fluvial Deposits (Fig. 3.5) Paleosols (Fig. 3.6) Carbonate Beds (Fig. 3.7) Acknowledgements References 4 Magnetostratigraphy of Baynunah Formation Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion Correlation of Polarity Stratigraphy Relationship of the Baynunah Magnetostratigraphy to Previous Work Correlation to the Global Polarity Timescale (GPTS) Conclusions Acknowledgements Appendices References 5 Excavation and Conservation of Fossils from the Baynunah Formation Abstract Introduction Discovery and Excavation Molding Fossils In Situ Conservation (Preparation) Long-Term Preservation of Specimens Support and Storage Salts, Humidity and Temperature Control Conclusion Acknowledgements References 6 Ostracods, Charophytes, and Pollen from the Baynunah Formation Abstract Introduction Materials and Methods Results Discussion The Ostracod Assemblages Taphonomic Observations Paleoenvironments Biochronology Conclusions Acknowledgements References 7 Fishes from the Baynunah Formation Abstract Introduction Geological Context and Age Material: Preservation and Depositional Environment Systematic Paleontology The Aquatic Environment of the Baynunah Formation A Tropical Freshwater Fish Assemblage The Freshwater Fish Ecosystem of the Baynunah Formation The Aquatic Landscape of the Baynunah Paleobiogeography Evolutionary History of the Baynunah Fishes Origin of the Baynunah Ichthyofauna and Its Relationship to the Extant Arabian Ichthyofauna Conclusions: The Baynunah Hydrographical System Acknowledgements References 8 Amphibians and Squamates from the Baynunah Formation Abstract Introduction Materials and Methods Institutional Abbreviations Systematic Paleontology Discussion Acknowledgements References 9 Birds from the Baynunah Formation Abstract Introduction Methods Systematic Paleontology Ratite Eggshells Paleoecological Implications Conclusions Acknowledgements References 10 Proboscidea from the Baynunah Formation Abstract Introduction Abbreviations and Definitions Systematic Paleontology Description Description Description Description Discussion Acknowledgements References 11 Carnivora from the Baynunah Formation Abstract Introduction Material and Methods Systematic Paleontology Conclusions Acknowledgements References 12 Rodents from the Baynunah Formation Abstract Introduction Methods Systematic Paleontology Remarks Remarks Description Discussion Remarks Description Discussion Acknowledgements References 13 Primates from the Baynunah Formation Abstract Introduction AUH 1321: An Early Guenon Taxonomic Affinities of AUH 35 Biogeographic Implications In Memoriam Acknowledgements Appendix References 14 Bovidae and Giraffidae from the Baynunah Formation Abstract Introduction Systematic Paleontology Bovid Postcrania and Body Size Estimates Conclusions Acknowledgements References 15 Hippopotamidae from the Baynunah Formation Abstract Introduction Material and Methods Site and Institutional Abbreviations Systematic Paleontology Comparative Description Mandible Rostral Dentition Postcanine Dentition Autopodium Phylogenetic Analysis Discussion and Conclusions Phylogenetic Placement Paleobiogeography and Paleoecology Acknowledgements References 16 Equidae from the Baynunah Formation Abstract Introduction Methods Statistical Analysis Systematic Paleontology Conclusions Acknowledgements References 17 Fossil Trackways of the Baynunah Formation Abstract Introduction Methods The Trackway Sites Conclusions Acknowledgements References 18 Stable Isotope Paleoecology of the Baynunah Formation Abstract Introduction Materials and Methods Materials Methods Stable Isotopes in Vegetation and Teeth Carbon Isotope Enrichment in Plant Waxes and Tooth Enamel C3 and C4 Endmembers from Plant Waxes and Tooth Enamel Plant Wax Sampling and Analysis Enamel Sampling, Pretreatment, and Isotope Analysis Intratooth Stable Isotope Profiles and Inverse Modeling Climate and Precipitation Records Results Plant Waxes Plant Wax Concentrations Plant Wax Stable Isotope Ratios Stable Isotopes in Teeth Pretreatment Results Bulk Samples Artiodactyls Perissodactyls Proboscideans Serially Sampled Equids Baynunah Hydroclimate Discussion Paleoenvironmental Reconstructions in Local and Regional Contexts Baynunah Vegetation from Carbon Isotopes Old World Vegetation from Carbon Isotopes Hydroclimate Evidence for Monsoon Conditions Dietary Reconstructions in Local and Global Contexts Artiodactyls Perissodactyls Proboscideans Baynunah Dietary Structure Conclusions Acknowledgements References 19 Paleoecology and Paleobiogeography of the Baynunah Fauna Abstract Introduction Geology and Paleoenvironments Biochronology Temporal Duration Taxonomic Diversity and Relative Abundance Biogeography The Baynunah Large Mammal Food Web Conclusions Methods Acknowledgements References This monograph presents the results of over 10 years of paleontological and geological survey in the Baynunah Formation of the United Arab Emirates. Exposed widely in western Abu Dhabi Emirate, the Baynunah Formation and its fossils provide the only record of terrestrial environments and evolution in the Arabian Peninsula during the late Miocene epoch (12-5 Ma). This volume describes new fossils collected since 2002, presented systematically by taxon, and including mammals, reptiles, and invertebrates, as well as fossil trackways. The discoveries are framed within the results of new geological, geochemical, and geochrononological analyses, providing an updated and synthetic view of the age, environments, and biogeographic relationships of this important fossil assemblage.