Unexpected record of the aquatic sloth Thalassocnus (Mammalia, Xenarthra, Folivora) in the upper Neogene of the Puna (Jujuy, Argentina)

ABSTRACT

Xenarthra are, very probably, the most basally branching clade among Placentalia, and the result of the so-called “Splendid Isolation” of South America. Although this is the only endemic clade with living representatives, its current diversity is very poor compared with that achieved during most of the Cenozoic. One particular clade, Folivora (living and fossil sloths), includes one of the most enigmatic animals, Thalassocnus, the only genus of the subfamily Thalassocninae. It was originally interpreted as an aquatic sloth taking into account the previous records, which are limited to coastal areas of the latest Miocene and Pliocene of Peru and Chile. Here we present the first record of Thalassocnus from Argentina, which in turn represents the first finding of the genus in a continental sequence. The materials (JUY-P-0180, radius, ulna and part of the articulated left manus) were exhumed from the upper member of the Tafna Formation (Late Miocene–Pliocene) in the eastern Puna (Jujuy Province), Argentina. In agreement with our comparative study, the cladistic analysis corroborates its identification as belonging to the genus Thalassocnus, being placed in a relatively basal location. This finding is of paleobiogeographic and paleoenvironmental significance, due to its location, more than 1171 km away from the Peruvian locality (Sacaco) and more than 750 km from the nearest ones in Chile (Caldera). This extends the geographic range from 76°W to 65°53′W, and from typical littoral environments, to clearly more terrestrial ones. The evolutionary and paleobiogeographic history of Thalassocnus is more complex than previously interpreted.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors want to express gratitude to the authorities and people of Cieneguillas, Calahoyo, Casira, and Santa Catalina for their hospitality during fieldwork. This acknowledgement also extends to the Secretaría de Cultura and IdGyM-UNJu (Instituto de Geología y Minería, Universidad Nacional de Jujuy) of the Jujuy province for the authorization. To N. Solis (Director of IdGyM, UNJu) and staff of Museo de Geología, Mineralogía y Paleontología for providing us with access to the material and assistance during our stay in Jujuy. To M. Ercoli (CONICET), P. Cuaranta, and M. Claros for participating in fieldwork. We also thank C. Deschamps who helped with the English and P. Cuaranta for the reconstruction of the taxon and the environment. We also thank both reviewers (E. Amson and an anonymous reviewer) and editor J. Meachen, whose comments and suggestions greatly improved the manuscript. This contribution was supported by grants PICT 003380 (FONCyT)/18; PI 18Q002 and 17/Q002 (SGCyT-UNNE).