Brazilian late Pleistocene snakes have an extensive fossil record and are recognized for southern... more Brazilian late Pleistocene snakes have an extensive fossil record and are recognized for southern, northeastern and northern regions of this country. This fossil record is represented by the families Boidae, ‘Colubridae’, Viperidae and Elapidae. Here is presented the fi rst record for Eunectes Wagler for the late Pleistocene of the Brazilian northern region. The material described is a single incomplete dorsal vertebra, and although it shares several vertebral features with most Boidae taxa, it can be distinguished from all other boids because is a robust and wide vertebra with a slightly depressed neural arch, relatively thick and robust zygosphene with a prominent median turbercle. The taxonomic allocation to E. murinus (Linnaeus) is based on the exceptionally large size of the vertebra. The discovery of E. murinus in the late Pleistocene of Tocantins State indicates the presence of a large body of water in a region that has previously been interpreted as relatively arid during this time.
The gomphothere assemblage from the Pleistocene of Águas de Araxá (Minas Gerais State, Brazil) is... more The gomphothere assemblage from the Pleistocene of Águas de Araxá (Minas Gerais State, Brazil) is composed of several isolated teeth, cranial and postcranial fragments assigned to a single population of Notiomastodon platensis. The age profile suggests decline of the population, due to the large amount of senile and mature adult individuals. The mortality event probably occurred during a long period of low humidity, which could cause a mass death of the proboscideans aroundwater refuges. The ancient feeding ecology of these gomphotheres was reconstructed through stereomicrowear and plant microfossils from teeth calculi, using molars from four age classes. The enamel microwear patterns were recognized according to published studies, whereas the average scratch and pit values were compared to an extant ungulates database. The plant microfossils were chemically recovered and microscopically analyzed. Isotopic analyses of the South American gomphotheres suggest a wide dietary range for N. platensis, except for two localities: Santiago del Estero (Argentina) and La Carolina (Ecuador). For these, isotope analyses suggested an exclusive C4 diet, whereas all other South American localities studied so far indicate an exclusive C3 diet or a mixed C3 and C4 diet. The results also support the apparent latitudinal gradient of C3/ C4 grasses. The stereomicrowear analyses for N. platensis exhibited average scratch and pit values, which places it within the extant mixed-feeder morphospace. The higher frequency of fine scratches indicated the ingestion of C3 grasses. Alternatively, the presence of coarse and hypercoarse scratches along with gouges and large pits suggested the ingestion of foliage and lignified portions. The plant microfossil analysis recovered fragments of a conifer tracheid and vessel elements with a ray of parenchyma cells, which corroborates the consumption of wood plants. Also, pollen grains (Polygonaceae), spores (Polypodiaceae) and fibers were found in the samples. According to the results, the Águas de Araxá gomphotheres were feeding generalists and consumed wood elements, leaves and C3 grasses.
Bat species richness in Neotropical localities is generally higher than that of any other group o... more Bat species richness in Neotropical localities is generally higher than that of any other group of mammals, and surveys of local bat assemblages may provide useful data for conservation management plans. Although the bat fauna of the Rio de Janeiro state is currently one of the best known in Brazil, there are several localities not adequately surveyed yet, and most of them are in the mountainous regions and in the northern portion of the state. From January 2008 to November 2009, we conducted surveys of bats in three localities in the state of Rio de Janeiro (municipalities of Varre-Sai, Sumidouro, and Cantagalo), and our fieldwork constitutes the first assessment of the bat assemblages of these localities. Surveys were conducted using mist nets in four different habitat types in each locality (forest interior, forest edge, riparian forest, and open areas [pastures]). We captured a total of 148 individuals in 17 species, 14 genera and 3 families. Among them, 11 species were recorded in Sumidouro, seven in Cantagalo, and nine in Varre-Sai. Although species richness was low compared with previous surveys in other close localities, we recorded species that have been rarely sampled in Southeastern Brazil (e.g., Macrophyllum macrophyllum [Phyllostomidae]). The results reinforce the importance of sampling different habitats in short surveys to improve the number of species registered.
This paper presents the Quaternary cingulates collected from two limestone caves in Aurora do Toc... more This paper presents the Quaternary cingulates collected from two limestone caves in Aurora do Tocantins, northern Brazil. Osteoderms of Euphractus sexcinctus, Dasypus novemcinctus, Propraopus sulcatus, and Pachyarmaterium brasiliense were retrieved, representing an expansion on the known distribution of the taxa. The specimens are described herein, and their geographic and chronologic distributions in Brazil are reviewed. Numerical dates allied to the presence of biostratigraphically relevant taxa indicate a Late Pleistoceneemiddle Holocene age. Considering that E. sexcinctus and D. novemcinctus occupy the area nowadays, why did part of the past cingulate community survive and the other part became extinct? We believe that their distribution was affected by paleoclimatic shifts, especially during glacial/interglacial cycles. The colder and arid climate of the Pleistocene glacial periods favored the development of open forests and savannas in Brazil, whereas grasslands and steppes were predominant in higher latitudes. Probably, Propraopus and Pachyarmatherium (from south and north, respectively) took refuge in lower latitudes, including in Brazil. Later, during the interglacial cycle, warm and moist climates favored the development of an evergreen forest in central Brazil, leading Propraopus and Pachyarmatherium to extinction and positively selecting E. sexcinctus and D. novemcinctus.
Brazilian late Pleistocene snakes have an extensive fossil record and are recognized for southern... more Brazilian late Pleistocene snakes have an extensive fossil record and are recognized for southern, northeastern and northern regions of this country. This fossil record is represented by the families Boidae, ‘Colubridae’, Viperidae and Elapidae. Here is presented the fi rst record for Eunectes Wagler for the late Pleistocene of the Brazilian northern region. The material described is a single incomplete dorsal vertebra, and although it shares several vertebral features with most Boidae taxa, it can be distinguished from all other boids because is a robust and wide vertebra with a slightly depressed neural arch, relatively thick and robust zygosphene with a prominent median turbercle. The taxonomic allocation to E. murinus (Linnaeus) is based on the exceptionally large size of the vertebra. The discovery of E. murinus in the late Pleistocene of Tocantins State indicates the presence of a large body of water in a region that has previously been interpreted as relatively arid during this time.
The gomphothere assemblage from the Pleistocene of Águas de Araxá (Minas Gerais State, Brazil) is... more The gomphothere assemblage from the Pleistocene of Águas de Araxá (Minas Gerais State, Brazil) is composed of several isolated teeth, cranial and postcranial fragments assigned to a single population of Notiomastodon platensis. The age profile suggests decline of the population, due to the large amount of senile and mature adult individuals. The mortality event probably occurred during a long period of low humidity, which could cause a mass death of the proboscideans aroundwater refuges. The ancient feeding ecology of these gomphotheres was reconstructed through stereomicrowear and plant microfossils from teeth calculi, using molars from four age classes. The enamel microwear patterns were recognized according to published studies, whereas the average scratch and pit values were compared to an extant ungulates database. The plant microfossils were chemically recovered and microscopically analyzed. Isotopic analyses of the South American gomphotheres suggest a wide dietary range for N. platensis, except for two localities: Santiago del Estero (Argentina) and La Carolina (Ecuador). For these, isotope analyses suggested an exclusive C4 diet, whereas all other South American localities studied so far indicate an exclusive C3 diet or a mixed C3 and C4 diet. The results also support the apparent latitudinal gradient of C3/ C4 grasses. The stereomicrowear analyses for N. platensis exhibited average scratch and pit values, which places it within the extant mixed-feeder morphospace. The higher frequency of fine scratches indicated the ingestion of C3 grasses. Alternatively, the presence of coarse and hypercoarse scratches along with gouges and large pits suggested the ingestion of foliage and lignified portions. The plant microfossil analysis recovered fragments of a conifer tracheid and vessel elements with a ray of parenchyma cells, which corroborates the consumption of wood plants. Also, pollen grains (Polygonaceae), spores (Polypodiaceae) and fibers were found in the samples. According to the results, the Águas de Araxá gomphotheres were feeding generalists and consumed wood elements, leaves and C3 grasses.
Bat species richness in Neotropical localities is generally higher than that of any other group o... more Bat species richness in Neotropical localities is generally higher than that of any other group of mammals, and surveys of local bat assemblages may provide useful data for conservation management plans. Although the bat fauna of the Rio de Janeiro state is currently one of the best known in Brazil, there are several localities not adequately surveyed yet, and most of them are in the mountainous regions and in the northern portion of the state. From January 2008 to November 2009, we conducted surveys of bats in three localities in the state of Rio de Janeiro (municipalities of Varre-Sai, Sumidouro, and Cantagalo), and our fieldwork constitutes the first assessment of the bat assemblages of these localities. Surveys were conducted using mist nets in four different habitat types in each locality (forest interior, forest edge, riparian forest, and open areas [pastures]). We captured a total of 148 individuals in 17 species, 14 genera and 3 families. Among them, 11 species were recorded in Sumidouro, seven in Cantagalo, and nine in Varre-Sai. Although species richness was low compared with previous surveys in other close localities, we recorded species that have been rarely sampled in Southeastern Brazil (e.g., Macrophyllum macrophyllum [Phyllostomidae]). The results reinforce the importance of sampling different habitats in short surveys to improve the number of species registered.
This paper presents the Quaternary cingulates collected from two limestone caves in Aurora do Toc... more This paper presents the Quaternary cingulates collected from two limestone caves in Aurora do Tocantins, northern Brazil. Osteoderms of Euphractus sexcinctus, Dasypus novemcinctus, Propraopus sulcatus, and Pachyarmaterium brasiliense were retrieved, representing an expansion on the known distribution of the taxa. The specimens are described herein, and their geographic and chronologic distributions in Brazil are reviewed. Numerical dates allied to the presence of biostratigraphically relevant taxa indicate a Late Pleistoceneemiddle Holocene age. Considering that E. sexcinctus and D. novemcinctus occupy the area nowadays, why did part of the past cingulate community survive and the other part became extinct? We believe that their distribution was affected by paleoclimatic shifts, especially during glacial/interglacial cycles. The colder and arid climate of the Pleistocene glacial periods favored the development of open forests and savannas in Brazil, whereas grasslands and steppes were predominant in higher latitudes. Probably, Propraopus and Pachyarmatherium (from south and north, respectively) took refuge in lower latitudes, including in Brazil. Later, during the interglacial cycle, warm and moist climates favored the development of an evergreen forest in central Brazil, leading Propraopus and Pachyarmatherium to extinction and positively selecting E. sexcinctus and D. novemcinctus.
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and northern regions of this country. This fossil record is represented by the families Boidae, ‘Colubridae’, Viperidae and
Elapidae. Here is presented the fi rst record for Eunectes Wagler for the late Pleistocene of the Brazilian northern region. The
material described is a single incomplete dorsal vertebra, and although it shares several vertebral features with most Boidae
taxa, it can be distinguished from all other boids because is a robust and wide vertebra with a slightly depressed neural arch,
relatively thick and robust zygosphene with a prominent median turbercle. The taxonomic allocation to E. murinus (Linnaeus)
is based on the exceptionally large size of the vertebra. The discovery of E. murinus in the late Pleistocene of Tocantins State indicates the presence of a large body of water in a region that has previously been interpreted as relatively arid during this time.
composed of several isolated teeth, cranial and postcranial fragments assigned to a single population of
Notiomastodon platensis. The age profile suggests decline of the population, due to the large amount of
senile and mature adult individuals. The mortality event probably occurred during a long period of low
humidity, which could cause a mass death of the proboscideans aroundwater refuges. The ancient feeding
ecology of these gomphotheres was reconstructed through stereomicrowear and plant microfossils from
teeth calculi, using molars from four age classes. The enamel microwear patterns were recognized
according to published studies, whereas the average scratch and pit values were compared to an extant
ungulates database. The plant microfossils were chemically recovered and microscopically analyzed.
Isotopic analyses of the South American gomphotheres suggest a wide dietary range for N. platensis, except
for two localities: Santiago del Estero (Argentina) and La Carolina (Ecuador). For these, isotope analyses
suggested an exclusive C4 diet, whereas all other South American localities studied so far indicate an
exclusive C3 diet or a mixed C3 and C4 diet. The results also support the apparent latitudinal gradient of C3/
C4 grasses. The stereomicrowear analyses for N. platensis exhibited average scratch and pit values, which
places it within the extant mixed-feeder morphospace. The higher frequency of fine scratches indicated the
ingestion of C3 grasses. Alternatively, the presence of coarse and hypercoarse scratches along with gouges
and large pits suggested the ingestion of foliage and lignified portions. The plant microfossil analysis
recovered fragments of a conifer tracheid and vessel elements with a ray of parenchyma cells, which
corroborates the consumption of wood plants. Also, pollen grains (Polygonaceae), spores (Polypodiaceae)
and fibers were found in the samples. According to the results, the Águas de Araxá gomphotheres were
feeding generalists and consumed wood elements, leaves and C3 grasses.
northern Brazil. Osteoderms of Euphractus sexcinctus, Dasypus novemcinctus, Propraopus sulcatus, and
Pachyarmaterium brasiliense were retrieved, representing an expansion on the known distribution of the
taxa. The specimens are described herein, and their geographic and chronologic distributions in Brazil
are reviewed. Numerical dates allied to the presence of biostratigraphically relevant taxa indicate a Late
Pleistoceneemiddle Holocene age. Considering that E. sexcinctus and D. novemcinctus occupy the area
nowadays, why did part of the past cingulate community survive and the other part became extinct? We
believe that their distribution was affected by paleoclimatic shifts, especially during glacial/interglacial
cycles. The colder and arid climate of the Pleistocene glacial periods favored the development of open
forests and savannas in Brazil, whereas grasslands and steppes were predominant in higher latitudes.
Probably, Propraopus and Pachyarmatherium (from south and north, respectively) took refuge in lower
latitudes, including in Brazil. Later, during the interglacial cycle, warm and moist climates favored the
development of an evergreen forest in central Brazil, leading Propraopus and Pachyarmatherium to
extinction and positively selecting E. sexcinctus and D. novemcinctus.
and northern regions of this country. This fossil record is represented by the families Boidae, ‘Colubridae’, Viperidae and
Elapidae. Here is presented the fi rst record for Eunectes Wagler for the late Pleistocene of the Brazilian northern region. The
material described is a single incomplete dorsal vertebra, and although it shares several vertebral features with most Boidae
taxa, it can be distinguished from all other boids because is a robust and wide vertebra with a slightly depressed neural arch,
relatively thick and robust zygosphene with a prominent median turbercle. The taxonomic allocation to E. murinus (Linnaeus)
is based on the exceptionally large size of the vertebra. The discovery of E. murinus in the late Pleistocene of Tocantins State indicates the presence of a large body of water in a region that has previously been interpreted as relatively arid during this time.
composed of several isolated teeth, cranial and postcranial fragments assigned to a single population of
Notiomastodon platensis. The age profile suggests decline of the population, due to the large amount of
senile and mature adult individuals. The mortality event probably occurred during a long period of low
humidity, which could cause a mass death of the proboscideans aroundwater refuges. The ancient feeding
ecology of these gomphotheres was reconstructed through stereomicrowear and plant microfossils from
teeth calculi, using molars from four age classes. The enamel microwear patterns were recognized
according to published studies, whereas the average scratch and pit values were compared to an extant
ungulates database. The plant microfossils were chemically recovered and microscopically analyzed.
Isotopic analyses of the South American gomphotheres suggest a wide dietary range for N. platensis, except
for two localities: Santiago del Estero (Argentina) and La Carolina (Ecuador). For these, isotope analyses
suggested an exclusive C4 diet, whereas all other South American localities studied so far indicate an
exclusive C3 diet or a mixed C3 and C4 diet. The results also support the apparent latitudinal gradient of C3/
C4 grasses. The stereomicrowear analyses for N. platensis exhibited average scratch and pit values, which
places it within the extant mixed-feeder morphospace. The higher frequency of fine scratches indicated the
ingestion of C3 grasses. Alternatively, the presence of coarse and hypercoarse scratches along with gouges
and large pits suggested the ingestion of foliage and lignified portions. The plant microfossil analysis
recovered fragments of a conifer tracheid and vessel elements with a ray of parenchyma cells, which
corroborates the consumption of wood plants. Also, pollen grains (Polygonaceae), spores (Polypodiaceae)
and fibers were found in the samples. According to the results, the Águas de Araxá gomphotheres were
feeding generalists and consumed wood elements, leaves and C3 grasses.
northern Brazil. Osteoderms of Euphractus sexcinctus, Dasypus novemcinctus, Propraopus sulcatus, and
Pachyarmaterium brasiliense were retrieved, representing an expansion on the known distribution of the
taxa. The specimens are described herein, and their geographic and chronologic distributions in Brazil
are reviewed. Numerical dates allied to the presence of biostratigraphically relevant taxa indicate a Late
Pleistoceneemiddle Holocene age. Considering that E. sexcinctus and D. novemcinctus occupy the area
nowadays, why did part of the past cingulate community survive and the other part became extinct? We
believe that their distribution was affected by paleoclimatic shifts, especially during glacial/interglacial
cycles. The colder and arid climate of the Pleistocene glacial periods favored the development of open
forests and savannas in Brazil, whereas grasslands and steppes were predominant in higher latitudes.
Probably, Propraopus and Pachyarmatherium (from south and north, respectively) took refuge in lower
latitudes, including in Brazil. Later, during the interglacial cycle, warm and moist climates favored the
development of an evergreen forest in central Brazil, leading Propraopus and Pachyarmatherium to
extinction and positively selecting E. sexcinctus and D. novemcinctus.