Pleistocene Mammals from Pampean Region (Argentina). Biostratigraphic, Biogeographic, and Environmental Implications

The Pampean Region contains sedimentary sequences with abundant mammal fossil records, which constitute the chronological outline of the Plio–Pleistocene of South America. These classic localities have been used for more than a century to correlate with other South American regions. Throughout this time, a series of misinterpretations have appeared. To understand the stratigraphic significance of these localities and the geochronological situation of each unit referring to the Pleistocene, a critical historical study of the antecedents was carried out, evaluating the state of each unit. The biostratigraphic studies of the Pampean Region’s mammalian faunas improved the understanding of biogeographic changes taking into account the environmental fluctuations of the Pleistocene.

Eremotherium (Xenarthra, Mammalia) materials from the collections of Laboratório de Paleontologia e Evolução and Laboratório de Geologia of Universidade Federal de Goiás

This study presents the first survey of fossil mammal specimens housed at the collections of the Federal University of Goiás. Here, we describe a set of associated femur and vertebrae fragments, one fragment of tibia, and two left and right maxillary fragments, identified as Eremotherium. Despite its fragmentary condition, the size and morphological aspect of the materials show diagnostic characteristics that suggest their relationship with Eremotherium. These new specimens described here contribute to the paleontology of the Goiás State, which may provide future research investments in collections not yet known, which may increase the knowledge on Pleistocene mammals of Central Brazil.

Pleistocene mammals from Extinction Cave, Belize

A small mammalian fauna is recorded from Extinction Cave (also called Sibun Cave), east of Belmopan, on the Sibun River, Belize, Central America. The animals recognized are armadillo (†Dasypus bellus), American lion (†Panthera atrox), jaguar (Panthera onca), puma or mountain lion (Puma concolor), Florida spectacled bear (†Tremarctos floridanus), javelina or collared peccary (Pecari tajacu), llama (Camelidae indet., †?Palaeolama mirifica), red brocket deer (Mazama americana), bison (Bison sp.) and Mexican half-ass (†Equus conversidens); sabre-toothed cat (†Smilodon fatalis) may also be represented. “†” indicates an extinct taxon. Bear and bison are absent from the region today. The bison record is one of the more southerly known. The bear record is almost the most westerly known and a first for Central America.

MARCAS EM FÓSSEIS DE MEGAFAUNA EM LAGOA DA PEDRA, SALGUEIRO-PE

Este trabalho descreve marcas encontradas em fósseis de mamíferos pleistocênicos do Sítio Lagoa da Pedra, que fica localizado no distrito de Conceição das Creoulas, identificando possíveis relações temporais e/ou físicas entre os grupos pré-históricos e a megafauna que coabitou a região nordeste do Brasil, em Salgueiro - PE, no Pleistoceno Final - Holoceno Inicial. A metodologia aplicada, utilizando microscópio estereoscópico, identificou fósseis que apresentam marcas que foram possivelmente causadas por instrumentos líticos. O trabalho apresenta indícios de interação homem-megafauna através da caça desses animais, reforçando evidências já existentes sobre a coabitação durante o final do Pleistoceno e início do Holoceno.BRANDS ON MEGAFAUNA FOSSILS IN LAGOA DA PEDRA, SALGUEIRO-PE, BRAZIL ABSTRACTThis work describes marks found on fossil mammals of the Pleistocene Lagoa da Pedra Site, which is located in the Conceição das Creoulas district, identifying possible temporal and / or physical relationships between prehistoric groups and the megafauna that cohabitated the northeast region of Brazil. , in Salgueiro - PE, in the Late Pleistocene - Early Holocene. The applied methodology, using stereoscopic microscope, identified fossils presenting marks that were possibly caused by lithic instruments. This work presents evidence of human-megafauna interaction through hunting of these animals, reinforcing existing evidence on cohabitation during the late Pleistocene and early Holocene.Keywords: Quaternary; marks; fossils; pleistocene mammals; megamammals.