First dryolestoid (Mammalia, Dryolestoidea, Meridiolestida) from the Coniacian of Patagonia and new evidence on their early radiation in South America

Abstract

We report on a new dryolestoid (Mammalia, Dryolestoidea, Meridiolestida) from the Los Bastos Formation (Coniacian), Neuquén Province, Patagonia, Argentina, consisting of an edentulous left: dentary (MCF-PVPH 412). The alveoli preserved suggest the presence of three incisors, one double-rooted canine, and six double-rooted postcanines (probably three premolars and three molars). Based on comparisons with previously known dentaries and isolated teeth, MCF-PVPH 412 would have been about the same size as Reigitherium Bonaparte. Among Dryolestoidea, MCF-PVPH 412 is assigned to Meridiolestida because there were probably three molars, the roots of the posterior molars are anteroposteriorly compressed, and there is no Meckelian groove. In addition, the penultimate lower premolar would be the largest in the tooth series, which is also true in other meridiolestidans. The position of the mandibular foramen, the probable presence of three premolars, and the outline of the posteroventral part of the jaw suggest affinities with the Mesungulatoidea (e.g., Coloniatherium Rougier, Forasiepi, Hill and Novaceck; Peligrotherium Bonaparte, Van Valen and Kramarz; and Reigitherium). The Coniacian specimen represents the oldest Mesungulatoidea and fills the gap in the record between the oldest South American dryolestoid (i.e., Cenomanian) and the better known Campanian-Maastrichtian taxa. The discovery of MCF-PVPH 412 in the Coniacian of Patagonia is consistent with the dryolestoid diversification during the Late Cretaceous that makes them the most abundant mammals during that period in South America.