Updated synthesys of South American Mesotheriidae (Notongulata) with emphasis on west-central Argentina

CERDEÑO, E

Revue de Paleobiologie

Museum d'Histoire Naturelle de Genève

Lugar: Ginebra; Año: 2018 vol. 37 p. 421 - 431

0253-6730

Abstract. It is an honor for me to contribute to this volumein memory of Claude Guérin. He dedicated many years of his research to fossil rhinoceroses, but also to some of the interesting groups of South American mammals. In this contribution, I present the updated knowledge of a family of South American native ungulates, mainly concerning Mendoza Province in Argentina, within a broader geographical context. South American native ungulates are represented by different orders, among which Notoungulata was the most diverse and abundant throughout the Cenozoic. Notoungulates are gathered in two suborders, Toxodontia and Typotheria, which in turn include up to 13-14 families, not all presently considered as monophyletic groups. Mesotheriidae are the largest-sized typotheres and are recorded from late Oligocene to late Pleistocene. They are mainly known from Argentina, but are also present in Chile, Bolivia, and Peru. The record of Argentinean mesotheriids has increased in recent years in extra-Patagonian areas, which is the case of Mendoza Province, both from Paleogene and Neogene levels. The systematics of mesotheriids is far from being well resolved. Recent studies have evidenced a marked change in tooth morphology, size, and proportions along the ontogeny within mesotheriines, which have led to questioning some assumed diagnostic features. New findings from several localities in Mendoza could help elucidate some taxonomic issues, especially among Miocene taxa.