A Late Pleistocene (MIS4-MIS2) palaeohydrological reconstruction from Lake Chalco, Basin of Mexico.

We present a palaeohydrological reconstruction of Lake Chalco from 70 to 11.5 ka BP based on ostracod records consisting of three species: Limnocytherina axalapasco, Candona patzcuaro , and Cypridopsis vidua. Overall, the presence of these species helped investigate Lake Chalco water level fluctuations, and thus water salinity variations. Moreover, this work helped improve our knowledge of L. axalapasco and Candona alchichica , two endemic species of Central Mexico, the latter of which was replaced by C. patzcuaro after the cold and dry MIS4. Five ostracod zones reflect the main environmental changes that occurred during the Late Pleistocene. During 70–62 ka BP (Zone 5), shallow and very variable salinity conditions were inferred with a possible occupancy of submerged macrophytes. The Lake Chalco water level increased from 62 to 49 ka BP (Zone 4) and relatively less saline conditions were inferred. The warmer period from of 49–39 ka BP (Zone 3) was characterised by lower lake levels and a gradually increasing salinity. The evaporation rates continued to increase during 39–27 ka BP (Zone 2). However, a higher runoff input helped maintain a relatively high lake level. Later on, cold and dry conditions from 27 to 11.5 ka BP (Zone 1) inhibited the ostracod occupancy in Lake Chalco. • Paleoenvironmental reconstruction of Lake Chalco based on ostracod record from 70 to 11.5 ka BP. • Lake water salinity changes correlate with ostracod relative abundances changes. • Replacement of Candona alchichica by Candona patzcuaro after the cold and dry MIS4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]