Macraucheniidae and Proterotheriidae (Mammalia, Litopterna) from Quebrada Fiera (Late Oligocene), Mendoza Province, Argentina

SCHMIDT, G.I.; CERDEÑO, E; HERNÁNDEZ DEL PINO, S.

ANDEAN GEOLOGY

SERVICIO NACIONAL GEOLOGIA MINERVA

Lugar: Santiago de Chile; Año: 2018

0718-7092

In this contribution we present new specimens ofLitopterna recovered during the last decade in Quebrada Fiera (MendozaProvince, Argentina), whose fossiliferous sediments, currently recognized asthe base of Agua de la Piedra Formation, are assignable to Late Oligocene(Deseadan South American Land Mammal Age). Two remains mentioned in the firstpublication on this locality were neither detailed nor described, and they havenot been located in the corresponding repository. The new material consists ofpostcranial fragmentary remains (astragali, calcaneum, and metapodials) ofMacraucheniidae (Cramaucheniinae) and an incomplete upper molar (M3) ofProterotheriidae (Proterotheriinae). These few remains of litopterns contrastwith the abundance of notoungulates at Quebrada Fiera. A comparative study wascarried out with material from Patagonia (Argentina) and taxa recorded inBolivia and Peru for the same temporal interval. The specimens ofCramaucheniinae are assigned to Coniopterniumandinum and the molar of Proterotheriinae to cf. Lambdaconus suinus. This contribution allows us to extend thegeographical range of Coniopternium,filling the gap between the Patagonian and lower latitude localities (Boliviaand Peru) in which this genus was found. The record of L. suinus in Quebrada Fiera expands the geographical range of thisspecies outside from Patagonia.