Neogene decapod crustaceans from the Caribbean of Colombia

Abstract

An abundant and diverse assemblage of decapod crustaceans from the Neogene (Miocene to Pliocene) from the Las Perdices and Tubará formations in San Jacinto Fold Belt (Colombian Caribbean) is here reported. Found in shallow marine and paralic sediments, specimens of the following species are identified: Callianassidae, Neocallichirus scotti (Brown and Pilsbry, 1913), Glypturus toulai (Rathbun, 1919), Petrochirus bouvieri Rathbun, 1919, Hepatus lineatinus Collins and Todd in Todd and Collins, 2005, Palaeopinixa perornata Collins and Morris, 1976, Persephona enigmatica Collins and Todd in Todd and Collins, 2005, Microphrys sp., Necronectes proavitus (Rathbun, 1918), Scylla sp., Euphylax maculatus Collins and Todd in Todd and Collins, 2005, and Eurytium sp. All of these species indicate a correlation with other Caribbean crustaceans from the Neogene, mainly of Panama, Costa Rica, and Venezuela. The facies association and decapod assemblage suggest shallow marine environments for the Neogene units of this area of Caribbean coast of Colombia.