Shungura Formation

The Shungura Formation is a stratigraphic formation located in the Omo river basin in Ethiopia. It dates to the Late Pliocene to Early Pleistocene. Oldowan tools have been found in the formation, suggesting early use of stone tools by hominins. Among many others, fossils of Panthera were found in Member G of the formation.[1][2]

Shungura Formation
Stratigraphic range: Piacenzian-Gelasian
Lower Omo Valley
TypeGeological formation
Unit ofOmo Group
UnderliesKalam Formation
OverliesMursi Formation
Lithology
PrimarySandstone, siltstone
OtherClaystone, tuff
Location
Coordinates5.1°N 36.0°E / 5.1; 36.0
Approximate paleocoordinates5.8°N 36.1°E / 5.8; 36.1
Country Ethiopia
ExtentOmo Subbasin
 Turkana Basin
Shungura Formation is located in Ethiopia
Shungura Formation
Shungura Formation (Ethiopia)

Geology

The formation comprises sandstones, siltstones, claystones and tuff, deposited in a fluvial to deltaic lacustrine environment.

Paleobiota

Fossil content
Color key
Taxon Reclassified taxon Taxon falsely reported as present Dubious taxon or junior synonym Ichnotaxon Ootaxon Morphotaxon
 Notes
Uncertain or tentative taxa are in small text; crossed out taxa are discredited.

Among many others, the following fossils have been reported from the formation:[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]

Chiroptera
Bats of the Shungura Formation
TaxaSpeciesLocalityMaterialNotesImages
Hipposideros H. kaumbului Member F. A Roundleaf bat.
Taphozous T. abitus Member F. Extinct relative of tomb bats and sheath-tailed bats.

Lagomorphs
Lagomorphs of the Shungura Formation
TaxaSpeciesLocalityMaterialNotesImages
Lepus L. capensis Member E, and lower Members F and G.

Eulipotyphla
Eulipotyphlas of the Shungura Formation
TaxaSpeciesLocalityMaterialNotesImages
Crocidura C. aithiops
Suncus S. haesaertsi
S. cf. lixus
S. shungurensis

Perissodactyls
Chalicotheres
Chalicotheres of the Shungura Formation
TaxaSpeciesLocalityMaterialNotesImages
Ancylotherium A. hennigi[12] Members D and G. [12] A chalicothere.
Rhinocerotidae
Rhinocerotidaes of the Shungura Formation
TaxaSpeciesLocalityMaterialNotesImages
Ceratotherium C. simum Members C, D, E, J, K, L, and O. A white rhinoceros.
Diceros D. bicornis Members B, D, L, K, and O. Complete Skull and Molars. A black rhinoceros.
Equidae
Equids of the Shungura Formation
TaxaSpeciesLocalityMaterialNotesImages
Equus E. oldowayensis[13] Members F, G, H, I, and J. Jawbone mandible with complete dentition. An Olduvai zebra.
Eurygnathohippus E. libycum Members C, E, F, G, and L. A Hipparionine horse.
Hipparion H. sitifense[14] Members A, B, C, D, E, F, and G Multiple cheek teeth and fragmented dentition. Relatives of early horses.

Rodents
Rodents of the Shungura Formation
TaxaSpeciesLocalityMaterialNotesImages
Aethomys A. deheinzelini a rock mouse.
Arvicanthis A. sp.
Acomys A. sp.
Gerbillus G. sp.
Heterocephalus H. atikoi
Jaculus J. orientalis
Mastomys M. minor
Paraxerus P. ochraceus
Pelomys P. sp.
Saidomys S. sp.
Tatera T. sp.
Xerus X. sp.
Bovids
Bovids of the Shungura Formation
TaxaSpeciesLocalityMaterialNotesImages
Aepyceros A. shungurae Members B, C, D, E, F, and G Extinct relative of modern impala.
Antidorcas A. recki Members B, C, D, E, F, G, and H. Extinct relative of modern springbok
Beatragus B. antiquus Member G. Extinct relative of modern Hirola.
Gazella G. praethomsoni Members F, G, and H.
Kobus K. ancystrocera Member B, C, E, G, and J.
K. ellipsiprymnus Member G, J, and K. A waterbuck.
K. oricornis Extinct relatives of the Kobus family.
K. sigmoidalis Members D, E, F, and G.
Megalotragus M. sp. An alcelaphine.
Menelikia M. lyrocera Members C, E, F, G, H, I, and J.
Pelorovis P. sp.
Parmularius P. altidens Members G and H.
Redunca R. sp. A reedbuck.
Syncerus S. cf. acoelotus Members B, C, D, E, F, and G.
Tragelaphus T. gaudryi
T. nakuae
Camelids
Camels of the Shungura Formation
TaxaSpeciesLocalityMaterialNotesImages
Camelus C. grattardi[15] Lower member G (G4-G13). Distal humerus L1–68–76, maxilla fragment with heavily worn P4–M2 (Omo 75S-70–956); same individual as Omo 75–69–2222, M3. Extinct relative of Camels.
Camelus C. sp.
Giraffidae
Giraffids of the Shungura Formation
TaxaSpeciesLocalityMaterialNotesImages
Giraffa G. gracilis Members E and F
G. pygmaea Members G.
G. jumae
Sivatherium S. maurusium Member F.
Hippopotamidae
Hippopotamids of the Shungura Formation
TaxaSpeciesLocalityMaterialNotesImages
Hexaprotodon H. protoamphibius
H. shungurensis
Hippopotamus H. protoamphibius
Suidae
Suidae of the Shungura Formation
TaxaSpeciesLocalityMaterialNotesImages
Kolpochoerus K. limnetes An omnivorous pig.
Metridiochoerus M. jacksoni A giant warthog.
M. modestus
Notochoerus N. euilus
N. scotti[16]
Nyanzachoerus N. kanamensis

Carnivora
Carnivorans of the Shungura Formation
TaxaSpeciesLocalityMaterialNotesImages
Enhydriodon E. omoensis[17] Right femur (L 183-14), fragmented mandible, and lower dentition. A lion-sized river otter.
Enhydriodon omoensis right femur faced at different sides.
Dinofelis D. petteri Member A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. [18] Damaged cranium skull and dentition fragments, OMO 1-768-3.[18] A sabertooth cat.
D. sp.[18] Member A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. [18] Postcranial skulls (OMO 28-67-1075 from Member B), craniodental, and dentition fragments.[18]
Helogale H. hirtula Extinct species of Mongoose family.
H. kitafe
Homotherium H. aethiopicum
Hyracoidea
Hyraxes of the Shungura Formation
TaxaSpeciesLocalityMaterialNotesImages
Gigantohyrax G. maguirei[19] A giant hyrax.
Proboscideans
Proboscideans of the Shungura Formation
TaxaSpeciesLocalityMaterialNotesImages
Loxodonta L. adaurora Extinct subspecies of African elephants.
L. exoptata
Palaeoloxodon recki P. r. shungurensis An extinct elephant species native to Africa.
Life restoration of Palaeoloxodon recki
Cercopithecidae
Cercopithecids of the Shungura Formation
TaxaSpeciesLocalityMaterialNotesImages
Dinopithecus D. sp.[20][21]
Paracolobus P. mutiwa[21] Member C, E, and G. [22]
Rhinocolobus R. turkanaensis[21] Member C, E, and G.[22]
Theropithecus T. brumpti Members B, C, D, E, F, and G. Extinct relative of Gelada Baboons.
T. oswaldi Members D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, and L.
Galagidae
Galagidaes of the Shungura Formation
TaxaSpeciesLocalityMaterialNotesImages
Otolemur O. howelli Member B. L. 1-378 (right m2), L. 1-377 (holotype, left maxillary fragment) with P4-M1, and Omo 229-73-4018 (right mandibular fragment).[23] Extinct relative of greater galago.
Hominins
Homonids of the Shungura Formation
TaxaSpeciesLocalityMaterialNotesImages
Australopithecus A. sp.
Paranthropus P. aethiopicus Members C, D, E, and F.
P. boisei Members G and K.

Reptiles
Reptiles of the Shungura Formation
TaxaSpeciesLocalityMaterialNotesImages
Euthecodon[24] E. brumpti Member H. Complete partial skull. A giant African long-snouted crocodile, formally named Tomistoma brumpti.

Fish
Fish of the Shungura Formation
TaxaSpeciesLocalityMaterialNotesImages
Auchenoglanis A. sp. Members F3 and G24. Omo 199 1973-1278 and Omo 215 1973-2556, two pectoral spines, the former lacking the distalmost tip.
Clarias C. sp.
Gymnarchus G. sp.
Polypterus P. bichir An association of several rows of rhombic ganoid scales, Omo 40-4343. A Nile Bichir.
Sindacharax S. greenwoodi Relatives of African tetras.
S. omoensis Upper Member A. Omo 128-72-22, Partial premaxilla (right) broken off lateral to the third outer tooth and second inner tooth, with first and second inner teeth in situ, and tooth bases visible of the first, second, and third outer teeth.
Synodontis S. frontosus relatives of Mochokid catfishes
S. schall

See also

References
  1. Sabol, 2011, p.230
  2. Boaz, N. T., Howell, F. C., & McCrossin, M. L. (1982). Faunal age of the Usno, Shungura B and Hadar Formations, Ethiopia. Nature, 300(5893), 633–635. https://doi.org/10.1038/300633A0
  3. ETE Locality 807, Omo - member G at Fossilworks.org
  4. ETE Locality 860, Omo - member C at Fossilworks.org
  5. ETE Locality 486, Omo - O.75 at Fossilworks.org
  6. ETE Locality 452, Omo - O.81, P.928 at Fossilworks.org
  7. ETE Locality 363, Omo - L.28 at Fossilworks.org
  8. ETE Locality 835, Omo - member G5 at Fossilworks.org
  9. Stewart, Kathlyn & Murray, Alison. (2008). Fish remains from the Plio-Pleistocene Shungura Formation, Omo River basin, Ethiopia. Geobios - GEOBIOS-LYON. 41. 283-295. 10.1016/j.geobios.2007.06.004.
  10. Boaz, N. T., Howell, F. C., & McCrossin, M. L. (1982). Faunal age of the Usno, Shungura B and Hadar Formations, Ethiopia. Nature, 300(5893), 633–635. https://doi.org/10.1038/300633A0
  11. Sillen, A. (1986). Biogenic and Diagenetic Sr/Ca in Plio-Pleistocene Fossils of the Omo Shungura Formation. Paleobiology, 12(3), 311–323. http://www.jstor.org/stable/2400437
  12. Denis Geraads. Faunal Change in Eastern Africa at the Oldowan – Acheulean Transition. The Emergence of the Acheulean in East Africa and Beyond: Contributions in Honor of Jean Chavaillon, In press. ffhalshs-01819105
  13. Gilbert, William & Bernor, Raymond. (2009). Equidae. 10.1525/california/9780520251205.003.0006.
  14. Eisenmann, Véra. (1976). Equidae from the Shungura formation. Earliest Man and Environments in the Lake Rudolf Basin. 225-233.
  15. John Rowan, Pietro Martini, Likius Andossa, Gildas Merceron, Jean-Renaud Boisserie. New Pliocene remains of Camelus grattardi (Mammalia, Camelidae) from the Shungura Formation, Lower Omo Valley, Ethiopia, and the evolution of African camels. Historical Biology, 2018, 31 (9), pp.1123-1134. ⟨10.1080/08912963.2017.1423485⟩. ⟨hal-02100346⟩
  16. White, T. D., & Suwa, G. (2004). A New Species of Notochoerus (Artiodactyla, Suidae) from the Pliocene of Ethiopia. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 24(2), 474–480. http://www.jstor.org/stable/4524733
  17. Grohé, Camille & Uno, Kevin & Boisserie, Jean-Renaud. (2022). Lutrinae Bonaparte, 1838 (Carnivora, Mustelidae) from the Plio-Pleistocene of the Lower Omo Valley, southwestern Ethiopia: systematics and new insights into the paleoecology and paleobiogeography of the Turkana otters. 21. 681-705. 10.5852/cr-palevol2022v21a30.
  18. Werdelin, Lars & Lewis, Margaret. (2001). A revision of the genus Dinofelis (Mammalia, Felidae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 132. 147 - 258. 10.1111/j.1096-3642.2001.tb02465.x.
  19. Skinner, J. D.; Chimimba, Christian T. (2005). The Mammals of the Southern African Sub-region. Cambridge University Press. p. 41. ISBN 9781107394056. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  20. Jablonski, Nina & Leakey, Meave & Anton, Mauricio. (2008). Systematic paleontology of the cercopithecines. The Fossil Monkeys. 6. 103-300.
  21. Gilbert, C. C. (2013). Cladistic analysis of extant and fossil African papionins using craniodental data. Journal of Human Evolution, 64(5), 399–433. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JHEVOL.2013.01.013
  22. Pallas, L., Daver, G., Merceron, G., & Boisserie, J. (2023, February 3). Postcranial anatomy of colobines (Mammalia, Primates) from the Plio-Pleistocene Omo Group deposits (Shungura Formation and Usno Formation, 1967-2018 field campaigns, Lower Omo Valley, Ethiopia). https://doi.org/10.31233/osf.io/bwegt
  23. Werdelin, Lars & Partridge, Timothy & Seiffert, Erik & Feakins, Sarah & Demenocal, Peter & Jacobs, Bonnie & Gunnell, Gregg & Holroyd, Patricia & Asher, Robert & Sanders, William & Rasmussen, David & Gutiérrez, Mercedes & Domning, Daryl & Winkler, Alisa & Avery, D. Margaret & Godinot, Marc & Harrison, Terry & Godfrey, Laurie & Jablonski, Nina & Cerling, Thure. (2010). Cenozoic Mammals of Africa. 10.1525/california/9780520257214.001.0001. Page: 344-345
  24. Joleaud ML (1920) On the presence of a Gavialide of the genus Tomistoma in the freshwater Pliocene of Ethiopia, Comptes Rendus de l'Académie des Sciences 70, 816-818

Bibliography

Further reading
  • L. Bobe and M. Mabela. 1997. Incidence of four gastrointestinal parasite worms in the group of cricetomas, Lukaya-Democratic Republic of Congo. Tropicultura 15(3):132-135
  • C. S. Churcher and D. A. Hooijer. 1980. The Olduvai Zebra (Equus oldowayensis) from the later Omo beds, Ethiopia. Zoologische Mededelingen 55(22):265-280
  • Y. Coppens and F. C. Howell. 1985. Les Faunes Plio-Pleistocenes de las Basse Vallee de l'Omo (Ethiopie), Tome 1: Perissodactyls, Artiodactyls (Bovidae). Cahiers de Paleontologie, Editions du CNRS, Paris
  • G. Eck. 1977. Diversity and frequency distributions of Omo Group Cercopithecidae. Journal of Human Evolution 6:55-63
  • C. S. Feibel, F.H. Brown, and I. McDougall. 1989. Stratigraphic Context of Fossil hominids from the Omo Group Deposits: Northern Turkana Basin, Kenya and Ethiopia. American Journal of Physical Anthropology 78:595-622
  • J. de Heinzelin. 1983. The Omo Group: Archives of the International Omo Research Expedition. Musee Royal de l'Afrique Centrale, Annales Series 8, Tervuren, Belgique 85
  • F. C. Howell and Y. Coppens. 1973. Inventory of remains of Hominidae from Pliocene and Pleistocene formations of the lower Omo Basin, Ethiopia (1967-1972). American Journal of Physical Anthropology 40:1-16
  • M. G. Leakey. 1982. Extinct large Colobines from the Plio-Pleistocene of Africa. American Journal of Physical Anthropology 58:153-172
  • 2015 - Thomas W. Plummer, Joseph V. Ferraro, Julien Louys, Fritz Hertel, Zeresenay Alemseged, René Bobe, L. C. Bishop - Bovid ecomorphology and hominin paleoenvironments of the Shungura Formation, lower Omo River Valley, Ethiopia
  • 1979 - Robert J. Rogers & Francis H. Brown - Authigenic mitridatite from the Shungura Formation, southwestern Ethiopia
  • G. Suwa, T. D. White, and F. Clark Howell. 1996. Mandibular postcanine dentition from the Shungura Formation, Ethiopia: Crown morphology, taxonomic allocations and Plio-Pleistocene Hominid Evolution. American Journal of Physical Anthropology 101:247-282
  • Vickers-Rich, Patricia & Rich, Thomas Hewett (1993); Wildlife of Gondwana. Reed. ISBN 0-7301-0315-3
  • H. B. Wesselman. 1984. The Omo Micromammals: Systematics and Paleoecology of Early Man Sites from Ethiopia. Contributions to Vertebrate Evolution 17
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