New Record of a Phocid (Mammalia, Carnivora, Phocidae) in the Late Miocene of Patagonia, Argentina

Abstract

South American Fossil records of seals is restricted to a few locations in Peru, Chile and Argentina. In the Late Miocene of Argentina, two species has been reported: Kawas benegasorum (Puerto Madryn Fm.), known only for postcranial remains; and Properiptychus argentinus (Parana Fm.). We describe a new record from Puerto Madryn Fm. MACN-Pv 20064 corresponds to a fragment of right hemimandible without teeth. It is assigned to the Phocidae and differs from P. argentinus by being more robust, slightly more convex and presenting a smooth texture. A more precise identification is not possible, leaving this new record as Phocidae indet.