Diversity of the fossil gomphotheres from South America

Abstract

ABSTRACT The contemporary mammalian communities of South America were defined by the rise of the Isthmus of Panama and by the deep climatic oscillations during the Pleistocene. Gomphotheres are a conspicuous group of North American immigrant mammals that came to South America during the late Pliocene and did not survive the great megafauna extinction approximately twelve thousand years ago. The present study compiles updated data on the phylogeny, systematics and ecology of this group in South America. Both genera reached South America in two independent dispersal events, Cuvieronius spread across the Andean corridor, while Notiomastodon extent along the eastern route. Cuvieronius hyodon is geographically restricted to the Andean Region in Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Chile. Notiomastodon platensis was recorded in Ecuador, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile, and Argentina, especially the Pampean Region.