Late Pleistocene cingulates (Mammalia: Xenarthra) from Mene de Inciarte Tar Pits, Sierra de Perijá, western Venezuela

ABSTRACT

A new assemblage of Cingulata (Xenarthra) from the late Pleistocene of northwestern Venezuela is reported. The fauna includes Dasypus sabanicola, Propraopus sulcatus, and Pampatherium humboldtii, all three of which are reported for the first time from the Venezuelan Pleistocene. Glyptodon clavipes is also reported. A systematic problem with the species of Propraopus is reported, with a suggestion for the probable inclusion of Dasypus bellus, Dasypus (Hyperoambon) kappleri, and Propraopus with its two valid species, P. punctatus and P. sulcatus, in the same genus. Hyperoambon Peters, 1865 would have seniority over Propraopus Ameghino, 1881 and would include four species, the extant D. kappleri, and the extinct D. bellus, P. punctatus, and P. sulcatus. The paleoecological aspects of the Mene de Inciarte Cingulata reflect a complex and heterogenic faunal community dominated mainly by savanna elements with some forest elements that could represent seasonally dry forest.