Ana P. MORENO RODRÍGUEZ, N. Chimento, F. Agnolín, Guillermo Jofré, Adriel R Gentil
{"title":"A POSSIBLE SMILODON (MAMMALIA, FELIDAE) COPROLITE FROM THE PLEISTOCENE OF ARGENTINA","authors":"Ana P. MORENO RODRÍGUEZ, N. Chimento, F. Agnolín, Guillermo Jofré, Adriel R Gentil","doi":"10.2110/palo.2021.056","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"Abstract: Pleistocene large carnivores from the Pampean Region have been studied almost always based on bone remains. Here we report the first coprolite of a large carnivore from the Late Pleistocene of the Pampean Region, Argentina. The coprolite was found associated with megafauna bone remains and it shows the typical shape and size of a carnivorous mammal, with a length of 240 mm and a maximum diameter of 39.59 mm. The coprolite contains two bones of the autopodium of an artiodactyl, and numerous dermal ossicles of giant terrestrial sloths. The coprolite's composition, size, and shape allow us to discard ursids, canids, and small felids. Ursid and canid feces contain abundant plant remains, which are absent in the coprolite described here. Feces of extant felids are smaller than the coprolite here as they do not exceed 130 mm in length and 30 mm in diameter. Based on size, shape, and bone inclusions, the discovered coprolite may be attributed to the Machairodontinae saber-toothed felid Smilodon. If correctly identified, this coprolite sheds light on predatory habits of Smilodon.","PeriodicalId":54647,"journal":{"name":"Palaios","volume":"37 1","pages":"402 - 410"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5000,"publicationDate":"2022-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"3","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Palaios","FirstCategoryId":"89","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.2110/palo.2021.056","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"GEOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 3
Abstract
Abstract: Pleistocene large carnivores from the Pampean Region have been studied almost always based on bone remains. Here we report the first coprolite of a large carnivore from the Late Pleistocene of the Pampean Region, Argentina. The coprolite was found associated with megafauna bone remains and it shows the typical shape and size of a carnivorous mammal, with a length of 240 mm and a maximum diameter of 39.59 mm. The coprolite contains two bones of the autopodium of an artiodactyl, and numerous dermal ossicles of giant terrestrial sloths. The coprolite's composition, size, and shape allow us to discard ursids, canids, and small felids. Ursid and canid feces contain abundant plant remains, which are absent in the coprolite described here. Feces of extant felids are smaller than the coprolite here as they do not exceed 130 mm in length and 30 mm in diameter. Based on size, shape, and bone inclusions, the discovered coprolite may be attributed to the Machairodontinae saber-toothed felid Smilodon. If correctly identified, this coprolite sheds light on predatory habits of Smilodon.
期刊介绍:
PALAIOS is a monthly journal, founded in 1986, dedicated to emphasizing the impact of life on Earth''s history as recorded in the paleontological and sedimentological records. PALAIOS disseminates information to an international spectrum of geologists and biologists interested in a broad range of topics, including, but not limited to, biogeochemistry, ichnology, paleoclimatology, paleoecology, paleoceanography, sedimentology, stratigraphy, geomicrobiology, paleobiogeochemistry, and astrobiology.
PALAIOS publishes original papers that emphasize using paleontology to answer important geological and biological questions that further our understanding of Earth history. Accordingly, manuscripts whose subject matter and conclusions have broader geologic implications are much more likely to be selected for publication. Given that the purpose of PALAIOS is to generate enthusiasm for paleontology among a broad spectrum of readers, the editors request the following: titles that generate immediate interest; abstracts that emphasize important conclusions; illustrations of professional caliber used in place of words; and lively, yet scholarly, text.