First record of Scelidodon chiliense (LYDEKKER) (Phyllophaga, Scelidotheriinae) from the Lujanian Stage (Late Pleistocene- Early Holocene) of Argentina. Its paleobiogeographical importance

MIÑO-BOILINI, A.R.; CARLINI, A. A.; CHIESA, J.O.; LUCERO, N.; ZURITA, A. E

NEUES JAHRBUCH FUR GEOLOGIE UND PALAONTOLOGIE-ABHANDLUNGEN

E. Schweiezerbartsche Verlagsbuchhandlung

Lugar: Stutgartt; Año: 2009 vol. 43 p. 373 - 381

0077-7749

Abstract: The Tardigrada Scelidotheriinae constitutes a group of sloth with numerous problems, mainly related to their early records and phylogenetic relationships. From an anatomical point of view, this subfamily is characterized by a narrow and elongated skull, a coincident modification of the dental series and having a medium to large size. In this contribution we report the first record of Scelidodon chiliense (Lydekker) (Phyllophaga, Scelidotheriinae), exhumed from Lujanian sediments (late Pleistocene-early Holocene) belonging to the Uspara Formation, San Luis province, Argentina. The fossil (MHIN-UNSL GEO V-199) consists of a relatively well preserved complete skull. The specific assignation is based on: a and b) sagittal and temporal crests with little development; c) the parietal and squamosal bones separated by a suture horizontally orientated. This reports broad the geographical distribution of the species, known so far only for northern Chile, Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador, mainly from Andean or sub-Andean areas. Finally, it allows raising and discussing some hypothesis related to its presence into the current territory of Argentina.