On the taxonomic status of some Glyptodontidae (Mammalia, Xenarthra, Cingulata) from the Pleistocene of South America

Abstract

The anatomical and taxonomic knowledge of some groups of Glyptodontidae (Mammalia, Cingulata) is still very poor. In addition, a strict typological/morphological taxonomic criterion was used in recognizing many taxa, especially during the second half of the 19th century and the first of the 20th century. This particular situation resulted in a clear overestimation diversity, mainly with respect to the South American glyptodonts. In this scenario, this paper analyzes the taxonomic status of some Glyptodontinae through a precise comparative study with well characterized taxa. The main results show that the genera Pseudothoracophorus Castellanos ( P. depressus) and Chlamydotherium Lund, one species of the genus “ Boreostracon” Simpson ( B. corondanus) , and one species of the genus Glyptodon Owen ( G. falkneri), actually represents juvenile specimens referable to Glyptodon Owen; the genus Neothoracophorus Ameghino ( N. elevatus) could be related either to Glyptodon Owen or Glyptotherium Osborn. Another species, Heteroglyptodon genuarioi, presents an almost identical morphology compared with the recognized species of Glyptodon (e.g. G. munizi and G. reticulatus). In this sense, the diagnostic characters described for Glyptodon perforatus Ameghino, a taxon with biostratigraphic relevance since it is characteristic of the Lujanian Age/Stage (late Pleistocene-early Holocene), are also present in other species of Glyptodon, especially G. reticulatus and G. clavipes, very frequent taxa in southern South America .