The earliest record of Neuryurus Ameghino (Mammalia, Glyptodontidae, Hoplophorinae)

Abstract

Zurita, A.E., Soibelzon, E., Scillato-Yané, G.J. & Cenizo, M., March, 2009. The earliest record of Neuryurus Ameghino (Mammalia, Glyptodontidae, Hoplophorinae). Alcheringa 33, 49–57. ISSN 0311-5518. Among the Pleistocene Cingulata (Glyptodontidae), Neuryurus Ameghino is poorly documented; the only well-characterized species being N. rudis (Gervais), limited to the Ensenadan Age/Stage (early-middle Pleistocene) of the Pampean region in Argentina. The genus is characterized by dorsal carapace osteoderms with uniformly punctate exposed surfaces giving them a rugose, almost spongy aspect; sutures between the osteoderms are loose. Outside Argentina, Neuryurus has been recorded in western Uruguay and southern Brazil. Until now, its temporal range was restricted to the Ensenadan-Lujanian (early Pleistocene–early Holocene). In this context, we present the earliest record of the genus from the San Andrés Formation (Sanandresian Substage; late Pliocene), consisting of dorsal carapace osteoderms and caudal rings and sheath. Most of the associated fauna indicates a dry climate and the assemblage probably characterizes a cold arid event detected at around 2.5 Ma.