New record of an immature Notiomastodon cf. platensis (Mammalia, Proboscidea) from Pernambuco State, Northeastern Brazil

Abstract

Proboscideans are megamammals widely recorded in South America Quaternary deposits, especially in Brazil, where many specimens were found in tanks and caves. In tank deposits, the fossil remains are usually recognized as adult individuals, although highly and usually fragmented. The records of immature proboscideans are rare, consisting of isolated teeth and jaw fragments, especially from tank deposits. Here we describe a new and rare occurrence of an immature proboscidean — a second upper left deciduous premolar (DP2) of Notiomastodon cf. platensis — from Pernambuco state, Brazil. This record increases the number of immature individuals known for Notiomastodon in Brazil, contributes to the understanding of the frequency of immature individuals in tank deposits, and increases Notiomastodon geographic distribution in South America. Keywords: South America, Quaternary, Notiomastodon platensis, immature, tank deposit.