Sprecher
Beschreibung
The Pelsa/Vazzoler fossil locality represents one of the best-preserved tropical lagoonal ecosystems of the Triassic in the Dolomites, yielding a rich malacofauna and ichthyofauna. In addition, rare laminated black limestone layers preserve a significant component of terrestrial input, including plant remains, rare insects, and traces of plant–animal interactions. A comprehensive collection strategy, independent of preservation quality, has enabled a detailed reconstruction of the terrestrial ecosystem. The plant assemblage is numerically dominated by conifers, in particular Pelourdea and Voltziales, followed by ferns and seed ferns. Fern remains are mostly preserved as isolated pinnae or pinnules. Leaves of Pelourdea are typically preserved as complete organs, only rarely folded, whereas voltzialean conifers occur predominantly as fragmentary shoots. Insect remains are rare and include four coleopteran specimens (three elytrae attributable to Archostemata and one abdominal fragment) as well as a single, well-preserved roachoid nymph, supporting a terrestrial source area. Evidence of plant–insect interactions comprises margin feeding, hole feeding, and a single mining trace, all restricted to Pelourdea leaves. In addition, a distinct endophytic damage type, expressed as small black circular structures, is interpreted as a possible indicator of fungal infection. The terrestrial assemblage preserved within the Pelsa/Vazzoler intraplatform basin most likely originated from nearby emergent areas, such as the Coldai zone (Pale di S. Martino–Civetta platform) located approximately 7 km to the northeast, or from smaller exposed landmasses distributed across the Ladinian carbonate platform system of the Dolomites.