Journal articles by Francisco J . Goin
Journal of South American Earth Sciences, 2024
Carolocoutoia ferigoloi is one of the largest metatherians of the Itaboraí fauna (Early Eocene, S... more Carolocoutoia ferigoloi is one of the largest metatherians of the Itaboraí fauna (Early Eocene, Southeastern Brazil). It was originally identified from a single upper molar with a markedly bunodont crown, wrinkled enamel, and a robust protocone. Here, we describe a nearly complete right dentary of C. ferigoloi with the alveoli of the premolars and first lower molar, a very worn second lower molar, complete third and fourth lower molars, and a
right second upper molar. Carolocoutoia differs from other protodidelphids in having inflated, conical trigonid cusps, a more flattened entoconid, a developed entocristid, and a supernumerary cusp labial to the entoconid. Carolocoutoia was recovered in our phylogenetic analysis as the sister taxon of Protodidelphis ), since both share the presence of an anteriorly recurved dentary, wrinkled enamel, and a sinuous crest between stylar cusps B and D. The inflated, conical trigonid cusps of Carolocoutoia represent an evolutionary convergence with other South American Paleogene mammals, such as some ungulates, and the polydolopimorphian Roberthoffstetteria. We also present the second record of a pathology (molar extrusion) in a metatherian from Itaboraí. Based on its molar crown morphology, Carolocoutoia ferigoloi was a specialized frugivorous metatherian. The occurrence of a specialized frugivorous protodidelphid in the Itaboraí fauna is in line with the well-established increase in global temperatures and the expansion of tropical forests after the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (around 55.5–55.3 million years ago).
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Suárez C, Forasiepi AM, Babot MJ, Shinmura T, Luque J, Vanegas RD, Cadena EA & Goin FJ. 2023. A sabre-tooth predator from the Neotropics: Cranial morphology of Anachlysictis gracilis Goin, 1997 (Metatheria, Thylacosmilidae), based on new specimens from La Venta (Middle Miocene, Colombia) Geodiversitas, 2023
The fossil metatherian assemblage from La Venta (Middle Miocene, Colombia) is one of the most div... more The fossil metatherian assemblage from La Venta (Middle Miocene, Colombia) is one of the most diverse in South America, and it is critical to understand the Neogene radiation of this group in this continent. La Venta contains the northernmost record of Thylacosmilidae Riggs, 1933 (Metatheria, Sparassodonta): Anachlysictis gracilis Goin, 1997, the first thylacosmilid species named for the Neotropics. This taxon was escribed mostly based on mandibular remains. Recent fieldwork and work in collections led to the discovery of new materials for this species, including the most complete skeleton ever found for this Sparassodonta Ameghino, 1894. Here, we present a detailed description of the cranial osteology and dentition of A. gracilis, which elucidates anatomical aspects previously inferred but hitherto unconfirmed. We investigate the phylogeny, and ecomorphological parameters of this taxon (diet and body mass) to set the evolutionary context of the species, understand its paleobiology, and evaluate palaeoecological implications. Additionally, we revise the phylogeny of the thylacosmilids, recovering the traditional classification of the group, differentiated from the proborhyaenids and borhyaenids. This work also proposes a new reconstruction of the external morphology of the head of A. gracilis based on 3D scans of the new referred materials.
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Historical Biology, 2023
In this work, we present several new materials collected at the pink sandstone levels from the La... more In this work, we present several new materials collected at the pink sandstone levels from the Las Flores Formation at the Cerro Pan de Azúcar (Gaiman, Chubut Province, Argentina) and compare them with taxa present in other localities of similar age. The Metatheria taxa described here are 1) the ‘Ameridelphia’ Sternbergiidae indet; 2) the Didelphimorphia Protodidelphis cf. mastodontoides and Guggenheimia glykeia sp.
nov. (Protodidelphidae); 3) the Polydolopimorphia Pliodolops rothi and Pliodolops cf. kamektsen (Polydolopidae); and 4) the Microbiotheria Eomicrobiotherium diluculum sp. nov. (Microbiotheriidae). On the other hand, the Cingulata Dasypodidae is represented by the Astegotheriini Prostegotherium astrifer. This fauna shares more species with those occurring in the localities from Paso del Sapo than with any other early – middle Eocene localities. However, at the generic level, it shares several taxa with the Itaboraian fauna from Sao José de Itaboraí. Finally, the faunal associations from Pan de Azúcar, Paso del Sapo, Cañadón Hondo, and Bajo de la Palangana could be, at least in part, synchronous, representing locally the Riochican SALMA, with an age spanning from 51 to 45 Ma (early Ypresian- early Lutetian).
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Journal of Paleontology, 2023
Estelestes ensis Novaceck et al., 1991 is a curious Paleogene metatherian mammal recognized on t... more Estelestes ensis Novaceck et al., 1991 is a curious Paleogene metatherian mammal recognized on the basis of a single specimen from Baja California (Mexico) in southern North America. It comes from early Eocene (Wasatchian age) levels of the Las Tetas de Cabra Formation at “Marsupial Hill” in the Lomas Las Tetas de Cabra site. After its original description, Estelestes was rarely mentioned in the literature, and no further speculation on its possible affinities was made. The purpose of this note is to discuss the affinities of Estelestes ensis; in our opinion, the Baja California taxon is not referable to the Didelphinae or to any other Didelphimorphia. On the contrary, we emphasize the affinities between it and Bobbschaefferia fluminensis Paula Couto, 1952. The similarities with Bobbschaefferia are particularly interesting, as (1) this taxon was previously referred to a basal group of Polydolopimorphia (Marsupialia, Australidelphia); (2) several morphological matches are noticeable among Estelestes, Bobbschaefferia, and Glasbius (Glasbiidae), the latter two also previously considered to be basal groups of Polydolopimorphia; and (3) Bobbschaefferia has been related to Tingamarra porterorum Godthelp et al., 1992, from the earliest Eocene of Murgon, Australia, and thus to the Australasian metatherian radiation.
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PeAPA, Publicación Electrónica de la Asociación Paleontológica Argentina, 2023
We describe Lutreolina tonnii sp. nov. (Mammalia, Metatheria, Marsupialia, Didelphimorphia, Didel... more We describe Lutreolina tonnii sp. nov. (Mammalia, Metatheria, Marsupialia, Didelphimorphia, Didelphidae), recovered from Early (or Early–Middle) Pleistocene deposits of the coastal cliffs near Necochea City in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. Its holotype, a right maxillary with M1-3, indicates that it belongs to the largest species of the genus, including extinct and extant species. It also differs from other species of the genus in having more anteroposteriorly compressed protocones in the upper molars. It differs from the living species in that the maxillary-jugal contact is less horizontal in its posterior two-thirds, has a deeper ectoflexus in M3, and has a shallow but distinct internal (lingual) crest linking the bases of stylar cusps B and D in M1-3. The new species is the fourth known up to now for the South American record, and the third for the Plio–Pleistocene of the Pampean Region, thus suggesting a considerable diversity for this genus in mid-latitudes of this continent by the end of the Cenozoic Era.
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Communications of the Geological Survey of Namibia, 2022
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Fossil Record, 2022
Morotodon aenigmaticus gen. et sp. nov. (Mammalia, Metatheria, ?Herpetotheriidae) from the early ... more Morotodon aenigmaticus gen. et sp. nov. (Mammalia, Metatheria, ?Herpetotheriidae) from the early or early-middle Miocene of equatorial Africa (Moroto II locality, Moroto District, northeastern Uganda) is characterized by a short anterior cingulum, a buccal shelf, a well-developed hypoconulid in a central position, and a trigonid and talonid with similar mesio-distal lengths. Its small size and morphology suggest mostly insectivorous-faunivorous feeding habits. The faunal association of Moroto II, as well as previous palaeoenvironmental analyses, suggest that Morotodon lived in open woodland and bushland areas surrounded by grasses. Morotodon aenigmaticus shows several features reminiscent of early herpetotheriids, such as Golerdelphys stocki (late Paleocene of North America), and Amphiperatherium ambiguum (Eocene of Europe); this suggests an origin for its lineage previous to the Oligocene. In summary, its affinities lie with Northern Hemisphere herpetotheriids, and, most probably, with European ones.
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Cretaceous Research, 2022
The Upper Cretaceous (Cenomanian) Mata Amarilla Formation in western central Santa Cruz province ... more The Upper Cretaceous (Cenomanian) Mata Amarilla Formation in western central Santa Cruz province of Argentina has yielded fragmentary teeth of a large ?docodontan, an australosphenidan, a meridiolestidan (Amarillodon meridionalis gen. et sp. nov.), and a stem dryolestid (Treslagosodon shehuensis gen. et sp. nov.). These represent the first possible records for docodontans, Cretaceous australosphenidans, and
stem dryolestids in South America. Both ?docodontan tooth fragments are unusually large and exhibit potential durophagous adaptation. The Amarillodon gen. nov. lower (?deciduous) posterior premolar has a trigonid angulation of 100 and is autapomorphic by a large and exoedaenodont distolabial accessory cusp on the distal cingulid. Both the mesial and distal cingulid are shelf-like. The mesiolabial upper molar
fragment of the ausktribosphenid australosphenidan is similar to an upper M1 of aff. ?Bishops from the lower Albian (Lower Cretaceous) of Australia by its large stylar cusp ?C and breached paracone. The lower molar of the new stem dryolestid is characterized by a large talonid cusp d and a mesio-distally strongly compressed mesial root that is weaker than the distal one. The australosphenidan, if corroborated, suggests faunal interrelationships between Australia and South America by the late Early/early Late Cretaceous.
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Journal of South American Earth Sciences, 2021
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Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências, 2021
A new early Eocene, small-sized metatherian from the Itaboraí fauna is described. The new taxon i... more A new early Eocene, small-sized metatherian from the Itaboraí fauna is described. The new taxon is recognized on the basis of an incomplete dentary recovered from fi ssure fi llings in the travertine limestones from the Itaboraí Basin, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The phylogenetic analysis placed the new genus and species as the sister taxon of Derorhynchus, undescribed Derorhynchidae, and Coona plus Pauladelphys. When compared to Derorhynchus, the new taxon exhibits a shorter dentary, in which the fi rst lower premolar is not separated from the second by a diastema, and shows second and third lower molars with subequal trigonid and talonid width (in Derorhynchus the talonids are wider than the trigonids). This new taxon shows some plesiomorphic traits when compared with the remaining derorhynchids, such as the shallower dentary (less than 1.5 mm), and conical entoconids rather than fl attened in shape. The combination of very small size (~13-20g), sharp crests, tall and slender cuspids, broad talonid basins, as well as trigonid taller than the talonid is suggestive of an insectivorous diet for the new taxon.
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Spanish Journal of Palaeontology, 2021
Living metatherians are widely distributed both in Australasia and in the Americas. During the la... more Living metatherians are widely distributed both in Australasia and in the Americas. During the last hundred million years, however, they occupied every single continent on Earth, even though their temporal ranges and diversity were strongly unequal. The earliest records of Metatheria come from the Early Cretaceous (Aptian-Albian) of North America, where they had a wide distribution,
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Mastozoología Neotropical, 2021
A new species of Philander (Marsupialia, Didelphimorphia, Didelphidae), from levels of the Andalh... more A new species of Philander (Marsupialia, Didelphimorphia, Didelphidae), from levels of the Andalhuala Formation (late Miocene) at Tio Punco locality, Tucumán Province (Argentina) is described. Compared to the living species of the genus, the new species is relatively large and has stronger premolars and molars; the skull has short frontal crests which are more transversally placed regarding the cranial axis; the diastema between P1 and P2 is short; the labial cingulum of P3 is vestigial and incomplete; upper molars have more robust protocones, and the posmetacrista of M3 is less developed.
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Journal of South American Earth Sciences, 2021
The Mesozoic plate tectonic and paleogeographic history of the final break up of West Gondwana ha... more The Mesozoic plate tectonic and paleogeographic history of the final break up of West Gondwana had a profound effect on the distribution of terrestrial vertebrates in South America. As the supercontinent fragmented into a series of large landmasses (South America, Antarctica, Australia, New Zealand, the Indian subcontinent, and Madagascar), particularly during the Late Jurassic and Cretaceous, its terrestrial vertebrates became progressively isolated, evolving into unique faunal assemblages. The episodic nature of South American mammalian Cenozoic faunas became apparent in its modern formulation after George Gaylord Simpson's seminal works on this topic. Two aspects add complexity to this generally accepted scheme: first, the fact that South America is not (and was not) a biogeographic unit, as the Neotropical Region does not include its southernmost tip (the Andean Region, including Patagonia and the southern Andes). Second, and intimately linked with the first one, that South America was not an island continent during the Late Cretaceous and the beginning of the Cenozoic, being its southernmost portion closely linked with West Antarctica up to the late Paleocene at least. Here we stress on this second aspect; we summarize a series of recent, detailed paleogeographical analyses of the continental breakup between Patagonia (including the Magallanes Region) and the Antarctic Peninsula crustal block, beginning with the opening of the Atlantic Ocean in the Early Cretaceous and running up to the Early Paleogene with the expansion of the Scotia Basin. In second place, we comment on the implications of these distinct paleogeographic and paleobiogeographic scenarios (before and after their geographic and faunistic isolation) for the evolution of South American terrestrial mammalian faunas. Summarizing, (1) we recognize a West Weddellian terrestrial biogeographic unit with the assemblage of the southern part of South America (Patagonia and the Magallanes Region) and the Antarctic Peninsula (and probably Thurston Island) crustal block of West Antarctica, spanning from the Late Cretaceous (Campanian) through the Early Paleogene (Paleocene); (2) we suggest that the Antarctic Peninsula acted as a double "Noah's Ark” regarding, first, the probable migration of some nontherian lineages into southern South America; later, the migration of metatherians to Australasia.
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Nature Scientific Reports, 2021
In the last decades, several discoveries have uncovered the complexity of mammalian evolution dur... more In the last decades, several discoveries have uncovered the complexity of mammalian evolution during the Mesozoic Era, including important Gondwanan lineages: the australosphenidans, gondwanatherians, and meridiolestidans (Dryolestoidea). Most often, their presence and diversity is documented by isolated teeth and jaws. Here, we describe a new meridiolestidan mammal, Orretherium tzen gen. et sp. nov., from the Late Cretaceous of southern Chile, based on a partial jaw with five cheek teeth in locis and an isolated upper premolar. Phylogenetic analysis places Orretherium as the earliest divergence within Mesungulatidae, before other forms such as the Late Cretaceous Mesungulatum and Coloniatherium, and the early Paleocene Peligrotherium. The in loco tooth sequence (last two premolars and three molars) is the first recovered for a Cretaceous taxon in this family and suggests that reconstructed tooth sequences for other Mesozoic mesungulatids may include more than one species. Tooth eruption and replacement show that molar eruption in mesungulatids is heterochronically delayed with regard to basal dryolestoids, with therianlike simultaneous eruption of the last premolar and last molar. Meridiolestidans seem endemic to Patagonia, but given their diversity and abundance, and the similarity of vertebrate faunas in other regions of Gondwana, they may yet be discovered in other continents.
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Journal of Paleontology, 2020
Materials from the localities of Araia d'Alcora in the Ribesalbes-Alcora Basin (Spain, early Mioc... more Materials from the localities of Araia d'Alcora in the Ribesalbes-Alcora Basin (Spain, early Miocene, Biozone C, MN4) have yielded an assemblage of erinaceids and metatherians, relatively rich for an Iberian site. The most common erinaceid is the gymnure Galerix symeonidisi Doukas, 1986, present in almost all of the studied sites. Other erinaceids in the faunal list are possibly an indeterminate species of the genera Lantanotherium Filhol, 1888 and Atelerix Pomel, 1848, in what constitutes one of their oldest occurrences in Europe. Metatherians are represented by the herpetotheriid Amphiperatherium frequens erkertshofense (Koenigswald, 1970). The material described here was partially published by Furió and colleagues in 2012. We complete it with new material from the known localities and with material from new sites. We describe for the first time the lower dentition of this taxon in this basin, thus increasing knowledge of the high variability of its decidual molars. In addition, the climatic preferences of the species A. frequens (von Meyer, 1846), which was probably less strict in its humidity requirements than previously thought, are also discussed.
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Boletín del Museo Nacional de Historia Natural, Chile, 69 (1): 5-31, 2020
We describe Magallanodon baikashkenke gen. et. sp. nov., a new gondwanatherian mammal from the La... more We describe Magallanodon baikashkenke gen. et. sp. nov., a new gondwanatherian mammal from the Late Cretaceous of the Magallanes Region in southern Chile (Río de Las Chinas Valley, Estancia Cerro Guido, north of Puerto Natales city, Última Esperanza Province). The mammal-bearing layer is placed within the Late Campanian-Early Maastrichtian levels of the Dorotea Formation (Magallanes/Austral Basin). The new remains constitute the southernmost record of a Mesozoic gondwanatherian mammal, as well as the first Mesozoic mammal from Chile. This taxon is comparable in size to the hypsodont-toothed Gondwanatherium (Late Cretaceous) and Sudamerica (Early Paleocene) but with noticeably brachyodont molariforms supported by four to five roots. As in other gondwanatherians, it has at least one hypertrophied, rodent-like incisor in the upper jaw. The new taxon is here diagnosed
and described, and is regarded as a possible ferugliotheriid (?Ferugliotheriidae). If confirmed, it would represent the largest known taxon for this family. Its molariform occlusal crown pattern, after wear,
resembles that of other gondwanatherians, particularly ferugliotheriids and that of the sudamericid Gondwanatherium. This adds new evidence on the phylogenetic proximity of ferugliotheriid and sudamericid gondwanatherians. An analysis of the enamel microstructure of the upper incisor of Magallanodon was performed demonstrating several crucial similarities with the pattern shown by Gondwanatherium (Sudamericidae). We discuss the significance of Magallanodon for understanding the acquisition, within gondwanatherians, of a lophed molariform pattern. Finally, we discuss the significance of the new finding in the context of southern biotas, including those of Patagonia and Antarctica.
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Journal of Systematic Paleontology, 2020
With two recognized species, the extinct (Late Eocene) Groeberia is periodically at the centre of... more With two recognized species, the extinct (Late Eocene) Groeberia is periodically at the centre of systematic disputes. On basis of its best-preserved specimen, we describe in detail the dental and functional morphology of the masticatory apparatus of Groeberia minoprioi, contributing with new anatomical information. The review of its dental anatomy indicates that Groeberia has a tribosphenic molar pattern which confirms its therian affinities.In addition, molars are brachyodont with a slight difference in height between the lingual and labial sides. The dental formula of I2/1; C1/1; P3/1; M4/4 is compatible with the usual metatherian set of three premolars and four molars in the upper dentition, and with the common 'pseudodiprotodont' lower postcanine formula of one premolar (p3) and four molars. The functional morphology of the masticatory apparatus suggests a distinctive incision and chewing phases. The incisive stroke involved the crushing complex of the dentition and contributed to the initial reduction of the food. It was followed by a power stroke with a combination of proal and ectental motion of the jaw. The cladistic analysis resulted in the inclusion of Groeberia among australidelphian metatherians. Groeberia clustered with vombatiform diprotodontians in the consensus tree; however, these affinities requires further testing. Integrating the results on masticatory movements, occlusal tooth wear, infraorbital foramen size, and body mass estimations (90.2 g for G. pattersoni and 216.3 g for G. minoprioi) we suggest an omnivorous diet with a preference for plant material, like that characterizing living potoroids.
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Advances in Polar Science, 2019
The fossil record of terrestrial mammals in Antarctica is temporally and geographically constrain... more The fossil record of terrestrial mammals in Antarctica is temporally and geographically constrained to the Eocene outcrops of La Meseta and Submeseta formations in Seymour (Marambio) Island in West Antarctica. The faunal assemblage indicates a clear South American imprint since all the groups have a close phylogenetic relationship with Cretaceous and Paleogene mammals from Patagonia. Despite the presence of several mammalian taxonomic groups: Dryolestida, Gondwanatheria, Eutheria and Metatheria, the presence of other major mammalian taxa should be expected and will probably be confirmed by new findings. Placental mammals with an inferred body mass between 10 to 400 kg in size, are represented by xenarthrans, and two groups of the so called South American native ungulates: Astrapotheria and Litopterna. The Metatheria are the smaller (less than 1 kg) and most abundant components of the fauna. Marsupials are represented by derorhynchid ameridelphians, several microbiotherian australidelphians (both microbiotheriids and woodburnodontids), and ?glasbiid prepidolopod and polydolopid polydolopimorphians. Plus, there are remains of several mammalian teeth of indeterminate phylogenetic affinities. The present knowledge of the Southern Hemisphere mammalian evolution and paleogeographic change through time, indicates that Antarctica played a major role for land mammals, at least since the Jurassic. The actual representation of Paleogene terrestrial mammals in Antarctica is most probably biased, as all the evidence indicates that australosphenidan mammals should be present in this continent since the Jurassic.
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Ameghiniana, 2019
Sparassodonts were the main mammalian predators during most of the Cenozoic in South America. The... more Sparassodonts were the main mammalian predators during most of the Cenozoic in South America. The lower Eocene Itaboraí Basin/Formation includes the second oldest fossil records of this group in South America: Patene Simpson and cf. Nemolestes Ameghino. Patene is by far the most abundant sparassodont from this formation, with more than 30 specimens referable to a single taxon, Patene simpsoni Paula Couto. Some specimens recovered from the Quebrada de Los Colorados Formation (formerly Lumbrera Formation – middle Eocene) in Northwestern Argentina have been also referred to P. simpsoni. In order to test the affinities of Patene and the taxonomy of the Argentinean specimens, we performed a review of the genus. Specimens of Patene from Northwestern Argentina show significant differences from the specimen from Brazil, including: smaller size; a relatively larger paraconid; and smaller metaconid, entoconid and hypoconid. As a result, the specimens from the Quebrada de Los Colorados Formation are assigned to a new taxon, Patene coloradensis sp. nov. The results of our phylogenetic analysis recover Patene as a basal sparassodont and support previous hypotheses that exclude Patene from the "Hathliacynidae”. The results also supported the hypothesis that Allqokirus australis Marshall & Muizon and Mayulestes ferox Muizon from the Tiupampa Basin (Santa Lucía Formation, lower Paleocene – Tiupampan SALMA), Bolivia, are the oldest known representatives of the Sparassodonta. The results also supported the monophyly of the Pucadelphyda with the inclusion of the Jaskhadelphyidae and closely related taxa in this group in addition to the Pucadelphyidae and Sparassodonta. The late Cretaceous North American Varalphadon Johanson was not recovered as a representative of the Sparassodonta in our phylogenetic analysis. Based on our results and the current fossil record, the Sparassodonta should be considered an endemic South American lineage.
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Journal of Mammalian Evolution, 2018
A new Paleogene metatherian from locality IAA 1/90, Marambio (Seymour) Island in the Antarctic Pe... more A new Paleogene metatherian from locality IAA 1/90, Marambio (Seymour) Island in the Antarctic Peninsula is described. Pujatodon ektopos, gen. et sp. nov., is recognized on the basis of a tiny lower left molar recovered from early Eocene (late Ypresian) levels of the Cucullaea I Allomember, La Meseta Formation. The tooth is characterized by its small size, bunoid aspect, short trigonid with closely set paraconid and metaconid, wide and long talonid, the development of an incipient cingulid at the labial base of the crown between the trigonid and talonid, and an expanded posterior cingulid. Body mass estimations for the new taxon range from 83.13 to 153.15 g. Its enamel microstructure shows the earliest evidence among metatherians of aligned prisms, as well as of interprismatic sheets of matrix. The analysis of other parameters, like body mass, molar morphometric index, and wear facets, suggests that the molars of Pujatodon were primarily adapted to the processing of fruits, nuts, seeds, and/or hard insects. Several features suggest the allocation of this specimen among basal polydolopimorphians (Prepidolopidae or, more probably, Glasbiidae). The discovery of the specimen MLP 14-I-10-20 could offer new insights on the origins and early diversification of Australidelphian marsupials in southern (and northern?) continents. It also adds significant information on the diversity of Antarctic Paleogene mammals, their evolution, habits, and historical biogeography.
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Journal articles by Francisco J . Goin
right second upper molar. Carolocoutoia differs from other protodidelphids in having inflated, conical trigonid cusps, a more flattened entoconid, a developed entocristid, and a supernumerary cusp labial to the entoconid. Carolocoutoia was recovered in our phylogenetic analysis as the sister taxon of Protodidelphis ), since both share the presence of an anteriorly recurved dentary, wrinkled enamel, and a sinuous crest between stylar cusps B and D. The inflated, conical trigonid cusps of Carolocoutoia represent an evolutionary convergence with other South American Paleogene mammals, such as some ungulates, and the polydolopimorphian Roberthoffstetteria. We also present the second record of a pathology (molar extrusion) in a metatherian from Itaboraí. Based on its molar crown morphology, Carolocoutoia ferigoloi was a specialized frugivorous metatherian. The occurrence of a specialized frugivorous protodidelphid in the Itaboraí fauna is in line with the well-established increase in global temperatures and the expansion of tropical forests after the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (around 55.5–55.3 million years ago).
nov. (Protodidelphidae); 3) the Polydolopimorphia Pliodolops rothi and Pliodolops cf. kamektsen (Polydolopidae); and 4) the Microbiotheria Eomicrobiotherium diluculum sp. nov. (Microbiotheriidae). On the other hand, the Cingulata Dasypodidae is represented by the Astegotheriini Prostegotherium astrifer. This fauna shares more species with those occurring in the localities from Paso del Sapo than with any other early – middle Eocene localities. However, at the generic level, it shares several taxa with the Itaboraian fauna from Sao José de Itaboraí. Finally, the faunal associations from Pan de Azúcar, Paso del Sapo, Cañadón Hondo, and Bajo de la Palangana could be, at least in part, synchronous, representing locally the Riochican SALMA, with an age spanning from 51 to 45 Ma (early Ypresian- early Lutetian).
stem dryolestids in South America. Both ?docodontan tooth fragments are unusually large and exhibit potential durophagous adaptation. The Amarillodon gen. nov. lower (?deciduous) posterior premolar has a trigonid angulation of 100 and is autapomorphic by a large and exoedaenodont distolabial accessory cusp on the distal cingulid. Both the mesial and distal cingulid are shelf-like. The mesiolabial upper molar
fragment of the ausktribosphenid australosphenidan is similar to an upper M1 of aff. ?Bishops from the lower Albian (Lower Cretaceous) of Australia by its large stylar cusp ?C and breached paracone. The lower molar of the new stem dryolestid is characterized by a large talonid cusp d and a mesio-distally strongly compressed mesial root that is weaker than the distal one. The australosphenidan, if corroborated, suggests faunal interrelationships between Australia and South America by the late Early/early Late Cretaceous.
and described, and is regarded as a possible ferugliotheriid (?Ferugliotheriidae). If confirmed, it would represent the largest known taxon for this family. Its molariform occlusal crown pattern, after wear,
resembles that of other gondwanatherians, particularly ferugliotheriids and that of the sudamericid Gondwanatherium. This adds new evidence on the phylogenetic proximity of ferugliotheriid and sudamericid gondwanatherians. An analysis of the enamel microstructure of the upper incisor of Magallanodon was performed demonstrating several crucial similarities with the pattern shown by Gondwanatherium (Sudamericidae). We discuss the significance of Magallanodon for understanding the acquisition, within gondwanatherians, of a lophed molariform pattern. Finally, we discuss the significance of the new finding in the context of southern biotas, including those of Patagonia and Antarctica.
right second upper molar. Carolocoutoia differs from other protodidelphids in having inflated, conical trigonid cusps, a more flattened entoconid, a developed entocristid, and a supernumerary cusp labial to the entoconid. Carolocoutoia was recovered in our phylogenetic analysis as the sister taxon of Protodidelphis ), since both share the presence of an anteriorly recurved dentary, wrinkled enamel, and a sinuous crest between stylar cusps B and D. The inflated, conical trigonid cusps of Carolocoutoia represent an evolutionary convergence with other South American Paleogene mammals, such as some ungulates, and the polydolopimorphian Roberthoffstetteria. We also present the second record of a pathology (molar extrusion) in a metatherian from Itaboraí. Based on its molar crown morphology, Carolocoutoia ferigoloi was a specialized frugivorous metatherian. The occurrence of a specialized frugivorous protodidelphid in the Itaboraí fauna is in line with the well-established increase in global temperatures and the expansion of tropical forests after the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (around 55.5–55.3 million years ago).
nov. (Protodidelphidae); 3) the Polydolopimorphia Pliodolops rothi and Pliodolops cf. kamektsen (Polydolopidae); and 4) the Microbiotheria Eomicrobiotherium diluculum sp. nov. (Microbiotheriidae). On the other hand, the Cingulata Dasypodidae is represented by the Astegotheriini Prostegotherium astrifer. This fauna shares more species with those occurring in the localities from Paso del Sapo than with any other early – middle Eocene localities. However, at the generic level, it shares several taxa with the Itaboraian fauna from Sao José de Itaboraí. Finally, the faunal associations from Pan de Azúcar, Paso del Sapo, Cañadón Hondo, and Bajo de la Palangana could be, at least in part, synchronous, representing locally the Riochican SALMA, with an age spanning from 51 to 45 Ma (early Ypresian- early Lutetian).
stem dryolestids in South America. Both ?docodontan tooth fragments are unusually large and exhibit potential durophagous adaptation. The Amarillodon gen. nov. lower (?deciduous) posterior premolar has a trigonid angulation of 100 and is autapomorphic by a large and exoedaenodont distolabial accessory cusp on the distal cingulid. Both the mesial and distal cingulid are shelf-like. The mesiolabial upper molar
fragment of the ausktribosphenid australosphenidan is similar to an upper M1 of aff. ?Bishops from the lower Albian (Lower Cretaceous) of Australia by its large stylar cusp ?C and breached paracone. The lower molar of the new stem dryolestid is characterized by a large talonid cusp d and a mesio-distally strongly compressed mesial root that is weaker than the distal one. The australosphenidan, if corroborated, suggests faunal interrelationships between Australia and South America by the late Early/early Late Cretaceous.
and described, and is regarded as a possible ferugliotheriid (?Ferugliotheriidae). If confirmed, it would represent the largest known taxon for this family. Its molariform occlusal crown pattern, after wear,
resembles that of other gondwanatherians, particularly ferugliotheriids and that of the sudamericid Gondwanatherium. This adds new evidence on the phylogenetic proximity of ferugliotheriid and sudamericid gondwanatherians. An analysis of the enamel microstructure of the upper incisor of Magallanodon was performed demonstrating several crucial similarities with the pattern shown by Gondwanatherium (Sudamericidae). We discuss the significance of Magallanodon for understanding the acquisition, within gondwanatherians, of a lophed molariform pattern. Finally, we discuss the significance of the new finding in the context of southern biotas, including those of Patagonia and Antarctica.
of a metatherian in Australasia is from the early Eocene. Since then, their diversity increased to reach the living 17 families with 250 species. Marsupial reproductive physiology, as well as their relative low basal metabolic rate, suggest that they were sensitive to the global temperature changes of the last 100 million years. Metatherian radiation events occurred in coincidence with global greenhouse conditions, while extinctions and/or turnovers happened mostly during cooling phases.
Pediomyidae, Peradectoidea, “Didelphimorphia”, Paucituberculata, and Polydolopimorphia. Recent studies exclude the Microbiotheria of the Itaboraí fauna. North American lineages are represented by pediomyids and a few peradectids. Sparassodonts include small, generalized forms such as Patene simpsoni. The large variety of Itaboraian “didelphimorphians” (a polyphyletic clade in its present concept) includes, among others, caroloameghiniids, eobrasilines, herpetotheriids (sternbergiines and derorhynchines), monodelphopsines, pucadelphyids and the specialized protodidelphids; most of them seem to belong to early metatherian clades, not closely related to modern (Neogene) didelphid opossums. Derorhynchines have several derived dental features suggesting affinities with Australian peramelemorphians. The caroloameghiniid “didelphimorphian” opossums represent a South American peradectoid lineage. One of the oldest known Paucituberculata is also recorded in the Itaboraí fauna. Polydolopimorphians were supposed to be exclusively represented in Itaboraí by epidolopines; however, Bobbschaefferia and Mirandatherium may constitute early, plesiomorphic polydolopimorphians. Regarding the intercontinental relationships of metatherians some Itaboraian taxa such as derorhynchines,sternbergiines, and peradectids are presumed to be key in the affinities of African, Eurasian, Antarctic, and some Australian metatherians.
American Biotic Interchange (between 4 and 5).
most dramatic faunal turnover in South American marsupials (and probably of all other mammalian clades in the continent as well) during the Cenozoic Era, an event here termed the Patagonian Hinge (“Bisagra Patago´nica”). This turnover coincides with a sudden drop in global temperatures at latest Eocene – early Oligocene time. Some of the features that characterize this turnover among marsupials are the last
records of Polydolopiformes and bonapartherioid Bonapartheriformes, the beginning of the Argyrolagoidea (and of hypsodonty in marsupials), a rapid radiation of paucituberculatans, and the development of gigantism among borhyaenid
sparassodonts and the last polydolopines.
paleoambientais e paleoclimáticos, o seu registro no Pleistoceno/Holoceno do Brasil é bastante escasso. No Rio Grande do Sul, a situação não é diferente e muito pouco se conhece sobre os principais grupos que compõe as comunidades de pequenos mamíferos: marsupiais, morcegos e roedores. Recentemente, estudos sobre duas assembléias de mamíferos holocênicas descobertas durante escavações arqueológicas estão dando a conhecer os marsupiais e quirópteros de duas localidades no Rio Grande do Sul. A análise desse material possibilitou perceber mudanças na distribuição geográfica no Holoceno de espécies ainda viventes, e corroborar os dados palinológicos para as áreas, mostrando que o Rio Grande do Sul sofreu mudanças climáticas graduais ao longo do Holoceno.
of new taxa. On this basis, many phylogenetic, paleobiogeographic, paleobiologic, and taphonomic studies could be carried out. Geologic, radiometric and magnetostratigraphic studies helped improving the calibration of land-mammal bearing horizons and correlation among basins. In this brief contribution the main progresses in the above mentioned subjects are summarized.
1 Introduction
1.1 Abbreviations and Conventions
1.1.1 Abbreviations
1.1.2 Dental Nomenclature
1.1.3 Chronology
1.1.4 Classification
1.2 Metatheria and Marsupialia
1.2.1 Fossils and Radiations
1.2.2 Definitions and Characteristic Features
1.3 South American Metatherians, Living and Extinct
1.4 A Historical Perspective
1.4.1 First Period (1878–1930)
1.4.2 Second Period (1930–1977)
1.4.3 Third Period (1977–Present)
1.5 The Incompleteness of the Fossil Record
2 South American Living Metatherians: Physiological Ecology
and Constraints
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Thermal Constraints
2.3 Feeding Constraints
2.4 Reproductive Constraints
2.5 Size and Anatomical Constraints, Locomotion and Habitat Use
2.6 Integrating Physiological and Ecological Constraints
3 Dispersal of Vertebrates from Between the Americas, Antarctica, and Australia in the Late Cretaceous and Early Cenozoic
3.1 Introduction
3.1.1 Definitions and Abbreviations
3.2 Dispersals Between North and South America
3.2.1 Cretaceous Background
3.2.2 Alamitan SALMA
3.2.3 Mammalian Immigrations
3.2.4 Xenarthran Problem
3.2.5 Summary
3.3 Dispersal Between South America, Antarctica, and Australia
3.3.1 Geological Overview
3.3.2 Tingamarra Local Fauna
3.4 Antarctic Dispersals to and from South America
3.5 Antarctic Climate
3.6 Summary
3.7 Conclusions
References
4 Evolutionary Contexts
4.1 Climate
4.2 Ecosystem Evolution
4.3 Biogeography
4.3.1 Development of South America’s Arid Diagonal
4.3.2 Late Maastrichtian–Danian Paleogeography of Southern-South America
4.4 Phases in South American Mammalian Evolution
4.4.1 Early Gondwanian Phase
4.4.2 Late Gondwanian Phase
4.4.3 Early South American Phase
4.4.4 Late South American Phase
4.4.5 Interamerican Phase
4.4.6 Hypoamerican Phase
4.5 Faunal Interactions
References
5 Phylogeny and Diversity of South American Metatherians
5.1 Metatherian Phylogenetic Analyses
5.1.1 Relationships Among South American Metatherians
5.2 Diversity of South American, Cenozoic Metatherians
5.2.1 “Ameridelphia” Incertae Sedis
5.2.2 Sparassodonta
5.2.3 Didelphimorphia
5.2.4 Paucituberculata
5.2.5 Microbiotheria
5.2.6 Polydolopimorphia
References
6 Paleobiology and Adaptations of Paleogene Metatherians
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Metatherian Diversity and Climates During the Paleogene in South America
6.3 Feeding Ecology
6.3.1 Insectivory
6.3.2 Carnivory
6.3.3 Frugivory
6.3.4 Granivory
6.3.5 Folivory
6.4 Trophic Index and Paleogene Climates
6.5 Body Mass
6.6 Paleogene Macroevolutionary Events
6.7 Thermal Biology: Key for the Understanding of Metatherian Evolution
References
7 Summary: Milestones in the Evolution of South American Metatherians
7.1 The Paleogeographic Context
7.2 Origins of South American Metatherians
7.3 Initial Radiations of Native “Ameridelphians”
7.4 Origins of the Australidelphia
7.5 Successive Phases in the Evolution of South American Metatherians
7.5.1 Early South American Phase
7.5.2 Late South American Phase
7.5.3 Interamerican Phase
7.5.4 Hypoamerican Phase
References
Index
1 Introduction. 1
2 West Antarctica: Tectonics and Paleogeography
3 Late Cretaceous/Paleogene Stratigraphy in the James Ross Basin
4 South America/West Antarctica: Pacific Affinities of the Weddellian Marine/Coastal Vertebrates
5 The Terrestrial Biotic Dimension of West Antarctica
metaterios (Mammalia, Metatheria) de La Venta fueron originalmente descritos por Marshall (1976; 1977). Posteriormente, Dumont y Bown (1997) y Goin (1997) dieron a conocer nuevos materiales y taxones, y este último revisó parte de la taxonomía previamente reconocida por Marshall. El estudio aquí presentado se desarrolló en el marco de una tesis doctoral cuyo objetivo principal fue ampliar y actualizar el conocimiento sobre la diversidad, evolución y paleobiología de la asociación de metaterios del Mioceno medio de Colombia, y compararlo
con aquel derivado del registro miocénico de las latitudes australes de América del Sur, fundamentalmente de la Patagonia argentina. Se realizó la revisión más completa hasta el momento de esta asociación de metaterios, estudiando casi la totalidad de los especímenes que la componen, la mayoría de los cuales se alojan en colecciones de Estados Unidos, Japón y Colombia; adicionalmente fueron colectados nuevos materiales en campo, que actualmente están alojados en el Servicio Geológico Colombiano (Bogotá).
https://lacuevadechauvet.com/renacimiento/
upper molars have more robust protocones, and the posmetacrista of M3 is less developed.