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Article: On the existence of non‐microbiotherian Australidelphian marsupials (Diprotodontia) in the Eocene of Patagonia

Palaeontology Cover Image - Volume 59 Part 4
Publication: Palaeontology
Volume: 59
Part: 4
Publication Date: July 2016
Page(s): 533 547
Author(s): Malena Lorente, Laura Chornogubsky, and Francisco J. Goin
Addition Information

How to Cite

LORENTE, M., CHORNOGUBSKY, L., GOIN, F.J. 2016. On the existence of non‐microbiotherian Australidelphian marsupials (Diprotodontia) in the Eocene of Patagonia. Palaeontology, 59, 4, 533-547. DOI: 10.1111/pala.12241

Author Information

  • Malena Lorente - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) Argentina (Email: mlorente@fcnym.unlp.edu.ar)
  • Malena Lorente - Museo de La Plata División Paleontología Vertebrados La Plata Argentina
  • Laura Chornogubsky - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) Argentina (Email: lchorno@macn.gov.ar)
  • Laura Chornogubsky - Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales ‘Bernardino Rivadavia’ Sección Paleontología de Vertebrados Buenos Aires Argentina
  • Laura Chornogubsky - Universidad Nacional de Luján Departamento de Ciencias Básicas Luján Buenos Aires Province Argentina
  • Francisco J. Goin - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) Argentina (Email: fgoin@fcnym.unlp.edu.ar)
  • Francisco J. Goin - Museo de La Plata División Paleontología Vertebrados La Plata Argentina

Publication History

  • Manuscript Accepted: 19 March 2016
  • Manuscript Received: 21 September 2015

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Abstract

A diverse assemblage of extinct mammals of early–middle Eocene age (Ypresian–Lutetian boundary) come from the Patagonian localities of La Barda and Laguna Fría around Paso del Sapo in northwestern Chubut Province (Argentina). Metatherians are well represented, mostly by dental remains of ‘Didelphimorphia’, Paucituberculata, Sparassodonta, Microbiotheria, and Polydolopimorphia. Here we analyse three calcanea and one astragalus referable to the same, indeterminate taxon, from La Barda, showing the fusion of their ectal and sustentacular facets. This facet arrangement characterizes the Australidelphia, a marsupial clade represented by Microbiotheria from South America and Antarctica, plus all Australasian lineages. Other australidelphian features shown by these tarsals include: in the calcanea, a reduced peroneal process and a tripartite cuboid facet; in the astragalus, a round, very small astragalar head in relation to the body; a convex trochlea with a half for the tibia and half, in slightly lower position, for the fibula. Their size and other anatomical features suggest that the new tarsals cannot be referred to the Microbiotheria. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that the La Barda taxon lies within the Australidelphia, and that it is either closely related or belongs to, the Diprotodontia. The existence of advanced australidelphians in Patagonia adds further evidence of the close relationship between Patagonia, Antarctica, and Australia during the Late Cretaceous – early Palaeogene.

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