The earliest record of Neuryurus Ameghino (Mammalia, Glyptodontidae, Hoplophorinae)

ZURITA, A. E.; SOIBELZON, E.; SCILLATO-YANÉ, G. J.; CENIZO, M. M.

Alcheringa

Año: 2009 vol. 33 p. 49 - 57

Among the Pleistocene Cingulata (Glyptodontidae), Neuryurus Ameghino is poorly documented; the only wellcharacterized species being N. rudis (Gervais), limited to the Ensenadan Age/Stage (late Pliocene–early middle Pleistocene) of the Pampean region in Argentina. The genus is characterized by dorsal carapace osteoderms with uniformly punctate exposed surfaces giving them a rugose, almost spongy aspect; sutures between the osteoderms are loose. Outside Argentina, Neuryurus has been recorded in western Uruguay and southern Brazil. Until now, its temporal range was restricted to the Ensenadan-Lujanian (late Pliocene–early Holocene). In this context, we present the earliest record of the genus from the San Andre´ s Formation (Sanandresian Substage; late Pliocene), consisting of dorsal carapace osteoderms and caudal rings and sheath. Most of the associated fauna indicates a dry climate and the assemblage probably characterizes a cold arid event detected at around 2.5 Ma.