New data on the diversity and chronology of late Neogene sloths (Xenarthra, Folivora) from the Villavil-Quillay Basin, Catamarca, Argentina

MIÑO-BOILINI, ÁNGEL, R.; BRANDONI, DIEGO; BONINI, RICARDO A.; GEORGIEFF, SERGIO, M.

Historical Biology

Taylor and Francis

Año: 2020 p. 1 - 12

0891-2963

Folivora (Mammalia, Xenarthra) constitutes one of the most characteristic groups of mammals of theCenozoic of South America, which is represented by several species within of Mylodontidae,Nothrotheriidae, Megatheriidae, and Megalonychidae. The diversity and biostratigraphical relevance ofground sloths recorded in the late Miocene?late Pliocene of Catamarca Province are studied here. Thespecimens studied come from new collections made in San Fernando Norte locality, and from museumcollections from Puerta de Corral Quemado locality, both in Villavil-Quillay Basin, Belén Department,Catamarca Province (Argentina). The fossil record of ground sloths of Catamarca Province analysed here isexpanded from the late Miocene to late Pliocene (Messinian to Piacenzian) and it is correlated with thebiozones proposed for this basin. The record of the Megatheriinae Pyamidontherium sp. from San FernandoNorte confirms its presence in sediments younger than 5 Ma; the Nothrotheriinae Pronothrotherium typicumpresents a very extensive record expanded for more than 3 Ma, and finally, the record of the genusProscelidodon, represented by Proscelidodon gracillimus constitutes the oldest record of the genus.