Traces of Insect Activity at Cooper's D Fossil Site (Cradle of Humankind, South Africa)

Research at Cooper's D Fossil Site, part of South Africa's Cradle of Humankind, reveals the first comprehensive evidence of insect trace fossils on bone within a Cenozoic African context. The study identified 53 bone specimens exhibiting distinct traces, including frass and coprolites, as well as nine unique morphological traces. Notably, two new ichnotaxa were described: Munitusichnus pascens, characterized by circular boreholes with crescent-shaped excavations, and Cubiculum cooperi, represented by ellipsoid surface borings (pupation chambers). These findings suggest multiple insect agents acted at different stages of bone taphonomy—whether sub-aerially exposed, during deposition, or post-burial. The discovery underscores the significance of insect activity in shaping fossil assemblages and provides critical insights into paleoecological processes.

Parkinson, A. H. (2016). Traces of Insect Activity at Cooper’s D Fossil Site (Cradle of Humankind, South Africa). Ichnos, 23(3-4), 322–339. https://doi.org/10.1080/10420940.2016.1202685