The Pleistocene Gomphotheriidae (Proboscidea) from South America

Abstract

Gomphotheres arrived in South America during the “Great American Biotic Interchange” and occurred in South America from the early middle Pleistocene (Ensenadan Land-mammal Age) to the late Pleistocene (Lujanian Land-mammal Age). Only two genera are recognized: (1) Cuvieronius, which has only one species, Cuvieronius hyodon; and (2) Stegomastodon, which has two species, Stegomastodon waringi and Stegomastodon platensis. The small Cuvieronius utilized the Andean corridor and was almost exclusively a mixed-feeder. The large Stegomastodon dispersed through the East route and the coastal area. Stegomastodon waringi showed an adaptive trend from mixed-feeder to grazer, while Stegomastodon platensis showed a trend from mixed to browser feeding. Cuvieronius seems to have been adapted to temperate-cold climate conditions, while Stegomastodon appears to have predominated in lower latitudes, and was better adapted to warm or temperate climatic conditions.