Taphonomy of modern communal burrow systems of the Plains vizcacha (Lagostomus maximus, Chinchillidae) in the Pampas region of Argentina: implications for the fossil record

The Plains vizcacha (Lagostomus maximus) is one of the largest rodents in South America. They live in communal burrow systems (vizcacheras) shaped by complex subterranean galleries which produce a strong impact on the local landscape. This paper presents the results of an actualistic study conducted with abandoned vizcacheras from the Pampas region of Argentina. The main objective is to evaluate the role of this rodent in the formation of the fossil record. Results indicate that the Plains vizcacha is responsible for the mixing, accumulation, and transport of materials; such as sticks, caliche, dung, feces, and abundant bone remains. Their burrowing activity and the accumulating habits, modifies the landscape, creating environments conducive to the buildup of objects and the reuse by different animals. These characteristics result in very complex associations of materials of different origins; making this rodent an important taphonomic agent with the potential to significantly impact the fossil record.

普林斯维斯科查（Lagostomus maximus）是南美洲最大的啮齿类动物之一。它们生活在由复杂地下通道塑造的社群洞穴系统中（vizcacheras），这些通道对当地景观产生了显著影响。本文展示了在阿根廷潘帕斯地区废弃的vizcacheras中进行的实际研究的结果。主要目标在于评估该啮齿类动物在化石记录形成中的角色。研究结果指出，普林斯维斯科查负责物质的混合、积累和运输，如木棍、钙华、粪便、排泄物以及丰富的骨骼残留物。其挖掘活动和积累习性改变了景观，形成了有利于物体堆积和被其他动物重复利用的环境。这些特征导致了不同来源的物质之间极其复杂的联系；使得这种啮齿类动物成为一位重要的古生物学因素，具有显著影响化石记录的潜力。