Evaluating habitats and feeding habits through ecomorphological features in glyptodonts (Mammalia, Xenarthra)

VIZCAÍNO, SERGIO FABIÁN; CASSINI, GUILLERMO HERNÁN; FERNICOLA, JUAN CARLOS; BARGO, MARÍA SUSANA

AMEGHINIANA

ASOCIACION PALEONTOLOGICA ARGENTINA

Lugar: Buenos Aires; Año: 2011 vol. 48 p. 305 - 319

0002-7014

The goal of this study is to evaluate ecomorphological variables in glyptodonts from different ages (Miocene to early Holocene), clades, and sizes, with the purpose of inferring their habitats and feeding habits. The analyses included estimation of body masses and three variables: relative muzzle width (RMW), hypsodonty index (HI), and dental occlusal surface area (OSA). RMW allows the distinction of two main groups: the small-sized early Miocene propalaehoplophorids were selective feeders, while the larger post-Miocene forms were more bulk feeders. The Pleistocene Glyptodon appears as an exception, implying a reversion to a selective feeding behavior. The relation between RMW and HI allows discriminating feeding niche partitioning in glyptodonts. Among the early Miocene propalaehoplophorids, Eucinepeltus would have been a highly selective feeder in relatively closed environments, Propalaehoplophorus a highly selective feeder in moderately open habitats, and Cochlops a less selective feeder in moderately open habitats. Among the large Pliocene and Pleistocene taxa, cf. Neuryurus and Neosclerocalyptus were probably bulk feeders in relatively open environments, while Panochthus and Doedicurus were bulk feeders in open environments. Alternative interpretations can be assessed for Glyptodon: it was a more selective feeder in closer habitats, or had a different feeding behavior, browsing on specific plants at higher levels from the ground, and/or a specialized physiology. The late Miocene and Pliocene forms (Hoplophractus, Eosclerocalyptus, and Urotherium) were probably intermediate between the Miocene and the Pleistocene ones.