Dinomyid (Rodentia, Caviomorpha) diversity from the Late Miocene (Chasicoan Stage/Age) Cerro Azul Formation at the classical Arroyo Chasicó locality (Argentina)

Abstract

Dinomyidae is a South American group of caviomorph rodents with a single extant species (Dinomys branickii), but with a rich fossil record including medium-sized to giant species, which reached its peak diversity during the Late Miocene. The dinomyids from the Cerro Azul Formation (late Middle Miocene to Early Pliocene) have been studied in detail from localities in La Pampa Province, Argentina. In this contribution, dinomyids from Chasicoan Stage/Age (Late Miocene) levels of the Cerro Azul Formation at Arroyo Chasicó locality (Buenos Aires Province, Argentina) are revised, including previously published material and unpublished ones. We confirm the presence of Tetrastylus sp. Diaphoromys gamayensis, and define two new taxa, Bondesiomys chasiquensis gen. et sp. nov. and Gyriabrus sokka sp. nov. The diversity of dinomyids from the Cerro Azul Formation at Arroyo Chasicó is higher than other Chasicoan faunas at the same latitude, identified in localities of La Pampa Province, since in Cerro Patagua there are not Dinomyidae records and in Cerro la Bota Tetrastylus sp. and Dinomyidae indet. were the only recorded taxa.