Quaternary proboscidean (Mammalia) remains of the UIS Geological Museum, Colombia

Abstract

Proboscideans arrived in South America from North America during the Great American Biotic Interchange, becoming one of the most representative animals of the megafauna thatinhabited this continent throughout the Quaternary. In Colombia, the abundance of their remains contrasts with scarce scientific descriptions and publications. This paper identifies dental and postcranial proboscidean fossils from the Center and Northeast of Colombia. The fossil remains were identified as molars (six), a tusk, cervical vertebrae, and a distal part of the right humerus. The tusk was assigned to Notiomastodon platensis, while the other remains were assigned to Gomphotheriidae, with at least six individuals: two immatures, two subadults, and two older adults–mature and senile. Keywords: South America, megamammals, taxonomy, Gomphotheriidae, Notiomastodon platensis.