Flora and fauna Santa Marta Formation

taniwhasaurus

fish present, including 1 of first frilled sharks, chlamydoselachus thomsoni. other marine vertebrates included small mosasaur taniwhasaurus antarcticus, known lakumasaurus antarcticus. close relation of t. antarcticus other species of taniwhasaurus found in new zealand , patagonia provides evidence gondwanan endemism.

antarctopelta oliveroi, ankylosaur, discovered in 1986 on northern part of james ross island 2 kilometers south of santa marta cove in beds part of santa marta formation. first dinosaur found in antarctica. may possible nodosaur there has been no formal phylogenic analysis prove relationship other ankylosaurs. although formation made of marine deposits, bodies of these animals along other debris may have been washed out sea later sink bottom , buried sediment.

leaves , fragments of plants commonly found fossils throughout formation large tree trunks in lower members. evidence of forested environment covered antarctica during late cretaceous due overall warmer global temperature , milder climate. @ time river delta had vegetation, , able support large herbivores such antarctopelta.