THE YOUNGEST CROCODYLIFORM RECORD FROM PATAGONIA (CHICHINALES FORMATION, EARLY MIOCENE)

LIO, GABRIEL; AGNOLIN, FEDERICO L.; CHIMENTO, NICOLAS R.

Brazilian Geographical Journal

BGJ

Año: 2019

2179-2321

After K-P extinction, Patagonian crocodyliforms became less diverse,and scarcer in Paleogene layers. The specimen here described comesfrom ?Puerta del Diablo? ranch at the Natural Protected Area of PasoCórdoba, southwestern of General Roca city (Río Negro province,Argentina) and was found in strata from the Chichinales Formation,Early Miocene (Colhuehuapian SALMA). MPCN-PV-174 isrepresented by an isolated fragment of the posterior region of theskull roof. This fragmentary material is assigned to an indeterminateCrocodyliformes. Previous contributions identified the most recentrecord of a crocodyliform from Patagonia as coming from the EarlyOligocene. The specimen here described indicates thatcrocodyliforms were still present in the Early Miocene of Patagonia.This suggests that suitable habitats and climate for the existence ofcrocodilians were still available in northeastern Patagonia, at least.