Resumen: En este estudio se realizó una revisión exhaustiva de documentos históricos de la época de contacto con los europeos para evaluar la presencia histórica del jaguar (Panthera onca) en la Patagonia. Dado que no existen registros escritos con anterioridad a la llegada del hombre europeo, entonces se buscó evidencia suplementaria en restos fósiles, etnografía, topónimos y nombres indígenas para la especie. La evidencia disponible señala que la especie pudo haber alcanzado la región del Estrecho de Magallanes, Chile. Aunque la información es escasa para permitir un análisis del patrón de distribución pasado en Patagonia, a escala regional se identificaron tres áreas de ocupación: noroeste de Patagonia, sur continental de Chile, y áreas cercanas a puertos naturales de la costa Atlántica. El jaguar sobrevivió en el norte de la Patagonia Argentina y el Estrecho de Magallanes, Chile, hasta fines del siglo XIX, y se extirpó de la región centro-sur de Chile durante el siglo XVII. Se discuten brevemente los probables factores que contribuyeron a la declinación y extinción del jaguar en la Patagonia.Palabras clave: Presencia histórica, Panthera onca, Patagonia. Abstract: An exhaustive review of written historical documents from the time of European contact was completed in order to examine the historic presence of the jaguar (Panthera onca) in Patagonia. Since prior to the arrival of the Europeans there are no written records, therefore supplementary evidence has been sought in fossil remains, ethnography, toponyms and indigenous names for the species. There is evidence to suggest that the species may have occurred as far south as the Estrecho de Magallanes, Chile. Although the available evidence is scarce to enable an analysis of the former distribution pattern in Patagonia, at a regional scale three main areas of occupation can be identified: north-western Patagonia, southern continental Chile, and the vicinity of natural ports in the Atlantic coast. It is known that the jaguar survived in northern Argentine Patagonia and the Estrecho de Magallanes, Chile, until the late 19th century, and was extirpated in south-central Chile during the 17th century. Probable factors contributing to the decline and extinction of the jaguar in Patagonia are briefly discussed.Key words: Historical occurrence, Panthera onca, Patagonia.
Paleogene Pseudoglyptodont Xenarthrans from Central Chile and Argentine Patagonia
