A NEW GIANT PORCUPINE (RODENTIA, ERETHIZONTIDAE) FROM THE LATE MIOCENE

CANDELA, ADRIANA

JOURNAL OF VERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY

SOC VERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY

Año: 2004 vol. 24 p. 732 - 741

0272-4634

ABSTRACT—An exceptionally well-preserved skull and associated dentary from the Chiquimil locality in the Andalhuala Formation (Huayquerian Age, late Miocene), Santa Marý´a Basin, Catamarca Province, northwestern Argentina, represent a new giant porcupine, Neosteiromys pattoni, sp. nov. N. pattoni is derived relative to Neosteiromys bombifronsNeosteiromys pattoni, sp. nov. N. pattoni is derived relative to Neosteiromys bombifrons Rovereto, 1914, the type species of the genus, by having pentalophodont m2–m3, a markedly infected angular region, more prominent masseteric crest, deeper masseteric fossa, and larger auditory bullae. Both species of NeosteiromysNeosteiromys appear to have been adapted to eat harder, more abrasive food items than those consumed by extant porcupines, as inferred from their stronger masticatory apparatus. They may have inhabited more open environments than those of living Neotropical porcupines.