Paleozoogeographic, biostratigraphic and systematic aspects of the genus Sclerocalyptus Ameghino, 1891 (Xenarthra, Glyptodontidae) of Argentina

ZURITA, A. E.,; SCILLATO-YANÉ, G. J.; CARLINI, A. A.

JOURNAL OF SOUTH AMERICAN EARTH SCIENCES

ELSEVIER

Lugar: Oxford y New York; Año: 2005 vol. 20 p. 121 - 129

0895-9811

Abstract. Using the species of the genus Sclerocalyptus Ameghino, 1891, founded in Argentina and considered as valid ones by us,  we conclude that: 1- for the Ensenadan Stage (Late Pliocene-Middle Pleistocene), four species could be recognized: S. pseudornatus (Ameghino), restricted to the Buenos Aires province; S. ornatus (Owen), recorded at Buenos Aires, Córdoba and Santa Fe provinces; S. perfectus (Gervais and Ameghino), in Buenos Aires and Santiago del Estero provinces; and S. cordubensis (Ameghino), endemic to the west-central Córdoba Province. 2- for the Bonaerian Stage (Middle-Late Pleistocene) a single species could be recognized, S. migoyanus, restricted to the Buenos Aires Province. 3- At last, the Lujanian taxa (Late Pleistocene-Early Holocene) are represented by S. heusseri (Ameghino), distributed in Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Tucumán, Corrientes and Santa Fe provinces, and S. evidens (Ameghino), in Salta Province. From a paleoenvironmental standpoint, the Sclerocalyptus species clearly show adaptations for arid to semiarid and cold environments, like the strong development of the fronto-nasal sinuses, a characteristic probably appeared at the Sanadresian-Ensenadan bearing. Sclerocalyptus is not frequent in those areas in which relatively more humid and warm climates than those inferred for the Pampean region and central-northern Argentina (e.g. Mesopotamian region, west of Uruguay and south of Brazil), prevailed during the Quaternary