Earliest South American paucituberculatans and their significance in the understanding of 'pseudodiprotodont' marsupial radiations
We describe the oldest Paucituberculata marsupials, from the La Barda and Las Flores localities (Argentina; Late Palaeocene, and Early-Middle Eocene), as well as from the Itaboraí Basin (Brazil; Late Palaeocene). The new taxa are represented by very scarce, although well-preserved, dental remains. A...
Guardado en:
| Autores principales: | , , , |
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| Formato: | Articulo |
| Lenguaje: | Inglés |
| Publicado: |
2009
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| Materias: | |
| Acceso en línea: | http://sedici.unlp.edu.ar/handle/10915/82688 |
| Aporte de: |
| Sumario: | We describe the oldest Paucituberculata marsupials, from the La Barda and Las Flores localities (Argentina; Late Palaeocene, and Early-Middle Eocene), as well as from the Itaboraí Basin (Brazil; Late Palaeocene). The new taxa are represented by very scarce, although well-preserved, dental remains. A parsimony analysis was performed in order to evaluate the phylogenetic affinities of these taxa. Representatives of both <i>Riolestes capricornicus</i> gen. et sp. nov. and <i>Bardalestes hunco</i> gen. et sp. nov. appear to be basal paucituberculatans, and their molar features give clues on the early evolution of the representatives of this order. Within the Paucituberculata we recognize two major clades: Caenolestoidea and Palaeothentoidea. We conclude that 'pseudodiprotodont' marsupials of the traditional literature (i.e. Polydolopimorphia + Paucituberculata) do not form a natural group. |
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