A POSSIBLE SMILODON (MAMMALIA, FELIDAE) COPROLITE FROM THE PLEISTOCENE OF ARGENTINA

IF 1.5 4区地球科学 Q2 GEOLOGY

Palaios Pub Date : 2022-07-25 DOI:10.2110/palo.2021.056

Ana P. MORENO RODRÍGUEZ, N. Chimento, F. Agnolín, Guillermo Jofré, Adriel R Gentil

引用次数: 3

Abstract

Abstract: Pleistocene large carnivores from the Pampean Region have been studied almost always based on bone remains. Here we report the first coprolite of a large carnivore from the Late Pleistocene of the Pampean Region, Argentina. The coprolite was found associated with megafauna bone remains and it shows the typical shape and size of a carnivorous mammal, with a length of 240 mm and a maximum diameter of 39.59 mm. The coprolite contains two bones of the autopodium of an artiodactyl, and numerous dermal ossicles of giant terrestrial sloths. The coprolite's composition, size, and shape allow us to discard ursids, canids, and small felids. Ursid and canid feces contain abundant plant remains, which are absent in the coprolite described here. Feces of extant felids are smaller than the coprolite here as they do not exceed 130 mm in length and 30 mm in diameter. Based on size, shape, and bone inclusions, the discovered coprolite may be attributed to the Machairodontinae saber-toothed felid Smilodon. If correctly identified, this coprolite sheds light on predatory habits of Smilodon.

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阿根廷更新世一种可能的笑齿龙（哺乳动物、猫科动物）粪化石

摘要：潘潘地区更新世大型食肉动物的研究几乎总是基于骨骼遗骸。在这里，我们报道了阿根廷潘潘地区更新世晚期第一个大型食肉动物的粪化石。粪化石被发现与巨型动物的骨骼遗骸有关，它显示出食肉哺乳动物的典型形状和大小，长度为240毫米，最大直径为39.59毫米。粪化石包含两块偶蹄目的自足骨和许多巨大陆生树懒的真皮小骨。粪化石的组成、大小和形状使我们能够丢弃熊、犬科动物和小型猫科动物。熊和犬科动物的粪便中含有丰富的植物遗骸，而这些遗骸在这里描述的粪化石中是不存在的。现存猫科动物的粪便比这里的粪化石小，因为它们的长度不超过130毫米，直径不超过30毫米。根据大小、形状和骨骼内含物，所发现的粪化石可能属于马海龙科剑齿猫Smilodon。如果正确识别，这种粪化石可以揭示微笑齿龙的捕食习性。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Palaios 地学-地质学

CiteScore

2.80

自引率

12.50%

发文量

审稿时长

6 months

期刊介绍： PALAIOS is a monthly journal, founded in 1986, dedicated to emphasizing the impact of life on Earth''s history as recorded in the paleontological and sedimentological records. PALAIOS disseminates information to an international spectrum of geologists and biologists interested in a broad range of topics, including, but not limited to, biogeochemistry, ichnology, paleoclimatology, paleoecology, paleoceanography, sedimentology, stratigraphy, geomicrobiology, paleobiogeochemistry, and astrobiology. PALAIOS publishes original papers that emphasize using paleontology to answer important geological and biological questions that further our understanding of Earth history. Accordingly, manuscripts whose subject matter and conclusions have broader geologic implications are much more likely to be selected for publication. Given that the purpose of PALAIOS is to generate enthusiasm for paleontology among a broad spectrum of readers, the editors request the following: titles that generate immediate interest; abstracts that emphasize important conclusions; illustrations of professional caliber used in place of words; and lively, yet scholarly, text.