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Miocene characid fishes from Colombia: Evolutionary stasis and extirpation

Publication ,  Journal Article
Lundberg, JG; Machado-Allison, A; Kay, RF
Published in: Science
January 1, 1986

Fossil fishes from the Miocene La Venta fauna of the Magdalena River Valley, Colombia, are identified as Colossoma macropomum (Characidae), a living species from the Orinoco and Amazon basins. The fossils document a long and conservative history for a species that is highly specialized for feeding on streamside plants. The phylogenetically advanced position of Colossoma in the subfamily Serrasalminae implies that six related genera and other higher characid taxa originated well before 15 million years ago. This discovery also corroborates neontological evidence for a vicariance event that contributed species from Miocene Orinoco-Amazon faunas to the original Magdalena region fauna. The fossils suggest a formerly diverse Magdalena fauna that has suffered local extinction, perhaps associated with late Cenozoic tectonism. This new evidence may help explain the depauperate nature of the modern Magdalena River.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Science

ISSN

0036-8075

Publication Date

January 1, 1986

Volume

234

Issue

4773

Start / End Page

205 / 208

Related Subject Headings

  • General Science & Technology
 

Citation

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Lundberg, J. G., Machado-Allison, A., & Kay, R. F. (1986). Miocene characid fishes from Colombia: Evolutionary stasis and extirpation. Science, 234(4773), 205–208.
Lundberg, J. G., A. Machado-Allison, and R. F. Kay. “Miocene characid fishes from Colombia: Evolutionary stasis and extirpation.” Science 234, no. 4773 (January 1, 1986): 205–8.
Lundberg JG, Machado-Allison A, Kay RF. Miocene characid fishes from Colombia: Evolutionary stasis and extirpation. Science. 1986 Jan 1;234(4773):205–8.
Lundberg, J. G., et al. “Miocene characid fishes from Colombia: Evolutionary stasis and extirpation.” Science, vol. 234, no. 4773, Jan. 1986, pp. 205–08.
Lundberg JG, Machado-Allison A, Kay RF. Miocene characid fishes from Colombia: Evolutionary stasis and extirpation. Science. 1986 Jan 1;234(4773):205–208.
Journal cover image

Published In

Science

ISSN

0036-8075

Publication Date

January 1, 1986

Volume

234

Issue

4773

Start / End Page

205 / 208

Related Subject Headings

  • General Science & Technology