Cabeza Blanca: Deseadan, Argentina

List of taxa
Where & when
Geology
Taphonomy & methods
Metadata & references
Taxonomic list
Reptilia - Iguanidae
Iguanidae indet. Oppel 1811
Albino and Brizuela 2014 1 specimen
MPEF-PV 1460, tooth-bearing fragment of maxilla or dentary
Albino and Brizuela 2014 1 specimen
MPEF-PV 1463, isolated presacral vertebra
Reptilia - Madtsoiidae
Albino and Brizuela 2014 1 specimen
MPEF-PV 1464, isolated precloacal vertebral centrum
Reptilia - Testudines - Testudinidae
de Broin and de la Fuente 1993 1 individual
MACN
Reptilia - Gruiformes - Phorusrhacidae
Physornis sp. Ameghino 1895
Loomis 1914 1 specimen
Alvarenga and Holfing 2003
Reptilia - Anseriformes - Anatidae
Loomis 1914 3 individuals
Mammalia - Sparassodonta
Patterson and Marshall 1978 3 specimens
3 more MACN specimens may be from Cabeza Blanca
Loomis 1914 2 individuals
Forasiepi et al. 2015 1 specimen
UNPJSB PV 113, rostrum, basicranium, both dentaries, and dentition, except left i2, right i4 and right p1.
Patterson and Marshall 1978 1 specimen
(Ameghino 1897) probably Cabeza Blanca
Patterson and Marshall 1978 2 specimens
(Ameghino 1897)
Loomis 1914 1 individual
Mammalia - Paucituberculata - Caenolestidae
Patterson and Marshall 1978 2 specimens
(Ameghino 1897)
Loomis 1914 1 individual
MACN 52-371, isolated m3, holotype, probably from Cabeza Blanca; AC 3110, dentary p3-m4, certainly from here
Mammalia - Paucituberculata - Palaeothentidae
Patterson and Marshall 1978 1 specimen
(Ameghino 1902)
Patterson and Marshall 1978 1 specimen
(Ameghino 1897)
Loomis 1914 1 individual
Bown and Fleagle 1993
Holotype: MACN CH- 1311, right p3-m2
Callomenus praecursor n. sp. Loomis 1914
Loomis 1914 5 specimens
Mammalia
Patterson and Marshall 1978 1 specimen
(Ameghino 1897) Probably from Cabeza Blanca
Mammalia - Panameriungulata - Adianthidae
MACN A52-203, dentary p4-m2, holotype; MACN A52-615, dentary m3; FMNH P14698, right P3-M2 and left ?C, P2-3, M1-3; FMNH P14696, right m2-3
Loomis 1914 1 individual
Ameghino
3 specimens
MACN A52-13, dentary p3-4, holotype; A52-217, dentary p4-m1; A52-215, dentary m1-3
Cifelli and Soria 1983 1 specimen
MACN A52-214, dentary i2-c, p2-m2, lectotype
Mammalia - Panameriungulata - Proterotheriidae
Loomis 1914
Ameghino
Loomis 1914 1 individual
Mammalia - Panameriungulata - Macraucheniidae
Dozo and Vera 2010 1 individual
MPEF-PV 2524
Notodiaphorus crassus n. gen., n. sp. Loomis 1914
Loomis 1914 15 individuals
Mammalia - Rodentia
Caviomorpha indet. (Wood and Patterson 1955)
Wood and Patterson 1959 1 specimen
ACM 3039, left lower molar
Mammalia - Rodentia - Chinchillidae
Vucetich et al. 2015 2 specimens
MPEF-PV 10685, left m3, holotype; MPEF-PV 10686, M1 or M2
Wood and Patterson 1959 1 specimen
MACN A 52-113, upper cheek tooth
Patterson and Wood 1982
Busker and Dozo 2017
MPEF-PV 10721
Vucetich 1989 2 specimens
MACN 1297, left m1 or m2; MACN 1298, right m1 or m2
Scotamys antiquus n. gen., n. sp. Loomis 1914
Loomis 1914 1 individual
Mammalia - Rodentia
Vucetich et al. 2015 6 specimens
MPEF-PV 583, dentary p4-m2, holotype; MPEF-PV 585, right mandibular fragment with p4–m2 of a juvenile; MPEF-PV 586, left p4–m3 series; MPEF-PV 10680, isolated right p4; MPEF- PV 584, left mandibular fragment with p4-m2 and the incisor; MPEF-PV 10680, isolated right p4.
Mammalia - Rodentia - Acaremyidae
Vucetich et al. 2015 1 specimen
MPEF-PV 10676, dentary p4-m2, holotype
Mammalia - Rodentia
Vucetich et al. 2015 1 specimen
MPEF-PV 10679, dentary i, p4-m2
Vucetich et al. 2015 1 specimen
MPEF-PV 10678, right m2, holotype
Vucetich et al. 2015 1 specimen
MPEF-PV 10677, dentary i, dp4-m3, holotype
Ethelomys loomisi n. gen., n. sp.
Vucetich et al. 2015 2 specimens
ACM 3087, dentary m1-2, holotype; MPEF-PV 571, dentary i, m1-m2
Wood and Patterson 1959 2 specimens
ACM 3163, P4-M2; ACM 3071, M3
Mammalia - Rodentia - Cephalomyidae
Vucetich 1989 2 specimens
MACN 1295, M1 or M2; MACN 1296, M1 or M2
Vucetich et al. 2015
Litodontomys chubutensis n. gen., n. sp. Loomis 1914
Loomis 1914 1 individual
ACM 3086 - holotype; referred specimen: MPEF- PV 10696
55 individuals
MACN A 52-88 (lectotype), palatal fragments with P4-M3, dentary p4-m3; MACN A 52-89 (syntype), partial skull; additional specimens in MACN, Amherst, FMNH, AMNH, YPM, MCZ
Loomis 1914 19 individuals
Wood and Patterson 1959 1 specimen
MACN A 52-103, dentary p4-m3, type
1 specimen
MACN A 52-96, dentary with partial dp4 and m1-2
Wood and Patterson 1959 2 specimens
MACN A 52-108, dentary p4-m3 (lectotype); MACN A 52-109, palate with right and left P4-M3
Loomis 1914 3 individuals
4 specimens
MACN A 52-107, four teeth: left M3 (lectotype), left M1 or M2, right M1 or M2, and a fragment
32 specimens
MACN A 52-99, maxilla P4-M3, lectotype; 52-100, maxilla P4-M3; 52-101, mandible p4-m2; 52-102, mandible p4-m2. 3 in MACN; 17 in Amherst; 1 in FMNH; 2 in AMNH; 4 in YPM; and types of synonyms
Vucetich et al. 2015 1 specimen
MPEF-PV 10693, left m1 or m2, holotype
Mammalia - Rodentia
Vucetich et al. 2015 4 specimens
MPEF-PV 595 isolated right DP4; MPEF-PV 597 isolated left DP4 with damaged lingual wall. MACN 52-87, right dP4; ACM 3054, right M?3
1 specimen
MACN A 52-110, dentary with p4-m3
Mammalia - Rodentia - Eocardiidae
Wood and Patterson 1959 2 specimens
ACM 3054, M3; MACN A 52-87, dP4
Mammalia - Rodentia
Wood and Patterson 1959 1 specimen
AMNH 29557, dentary m2-3
Mammalia - Rodentia - Erethizontidae
Eosteiromys medianus Ameghino 1903
Loomis 1914 1 individual
Protosteiromys medianus (Ameghino 1903)
Wood and Patterson 1959 1 specimen
ACM 3014, M1 or M2
Vucetich et al. 2015
Mammalia - Rodentia
Vucetich et al. 2015 3 specimens
MPEF-PV 10682, M1-M2, holotype; MPEF-PV 10683, P4-M2; MPEF-PV 10681, dentary p4-m1
Mammalia - Astrapotheria - Astrapotheriidae
Loomis 1914 6 individuals
Mammalia - Notoungulata - Henricosborniidae
Vera et al. 2017 1 individual
MACN A52-486 (originally part of syntype of Progaleopithecus fissurellatus)
Mammalia - Notoungulata - Toxodontidae
Loomis 1914 2 individuals
Mammalia - Notoungulata
Marani and Dozo 2008 3 individuals
MACN A52-70 - holotype; hypodigm: MACN-A-52-71-73 and UNPSJB PV-60
Mammalia - Notoungulata - Leontiniidae
Ribeiro et al. 2010
Loomis 1914 44 individuals
Mammalia - Notoungulata - Homalodotheriidae
Loomis 1914 7 individuals
Mammalia - Notoungulata - Notohippidae
Loomis 1914 2 individuals
Loomis 1914 19 individuals
Simpson 1932
AMNH 29555
Mammalia - Notoungulata - Archaeohyracidae
Loomis 1914 1 individual
Ameghino
Billet et al. 2009
FMNH P13500, M1; P14681, dentary m2-3
Mammalia - Notoungulata - Interatheriidae
Vera et al. 2017 1 individual
MACN A52-486 - type
Vera et al. 2017 2 individuals
MNH DES 334 - type; referred material: FMNH 14687
4 individuals
MACN A52-472 - holotype
MacPhee et al. 2021
FMH P13415
Loomis 1914 1 individual
Vera et al. 2017 2 individuals
MACN A52-478 and A52-474
Mammalia - Notoungulata - Mesotheriidae
Loomis 1914 4 individuals
MACN A52-492, MACN A52-491, MACN A52-566, MACN A52-567, MACN A52-493, MACN A52-489, MACN A52-498, MACN A52-496, MACN A52-490, UNPSJB PV 112, AMNH 29564, ACM 3264, ACM s/n and FMNH P13281
Reguero and Castro 2004 1 specimen
MACN A52-490, mandible with left and right i1-2, p2-m2, left m3
Eutrachytherus grandis n. sp. Loomis 1914
Loomis 1914 1 individual
Loomis 1914 1 individual
Billet et al. 2008 1 specimen
MACN A52-566, maxilla dP3-4, M1, holotype
Mammalia - Notoungulata
Loomis 1914 2 individuals
Reguero et al. 2007 2 individuals
MACN A52-488 - syntype; MPEF-PV 693
Loomis 1914 7 individuals
Loomis 1914 17 individuals
Reguero and Cerdeño 2005 6 specimens
MACN A52-446, A52-447, A52-449, FMNH P13414, FMNH P14695, AMNH 312 c; and hypodigms of synonyms
Prohegetotherium shumwayi n. sp. Loomis 1914
Loomis 1914 3 individuals
Kramarz and Bond 2017 1 individual
MACN PV CH2137
3 specimens
MACN A52-450, A52-463, A52-448 (lectotype)
Mammalia - Notoungulata - Protypotheriidae
1 individual
MACN A52-483 - type
Mammalia - Pyrotheridae
MacPhee et al. 2021
AM 3207
Loomis 1914 11 individuals
Mammalia - Cingulata - Palaeopeltidae
Loomis 1914 1 individual
Mammalia - Cingulata - Dasypodidae
Loomis 1914 3 individuals
Loomis 1914 9 individuals
Mammalia - Cingulata
Loomis 1914 2 individuals
Mammalia - Cingulata - Chlamyphoridae
Loomis 1914 1 individual
Loomis 1914 2 individuals
Carlini et al. 2009
Mammalia - Edentata
Edentata indet. Cuvier 1798
Loomis 1914 1 individual
see common names

Geography
Country:Argentina State/province:Chubut
Coordinates: 45.2° South, 67.5° West (view map)
Paleocoordinates:45.0° South, 62.9° West (Wright 2013)
Basis of coordinate:stated in text
Geographic resolution:outcrop
Time
10 m.y. bin: Cenozoic 4-5
*Period:Middle Tertiary *Epoch:Late/Upper Oligocene
*Local age/stage:Deseadan
Key time interval: Deseadan
Age range of interval: 29 - 21 m.y. ago
Age estimate: 29.18 to 26.34 Ma (Ar/Ar)
* legacy (obsolete) database fields
Stratigraphy
Formation:Sarmiento
Stratigraphic resolution:bed
Stratigraphy comments: According to the most recent geochronological calibrations at Gran Barranca, Deseadan mammal assemblages could be as old as 29.2 Ma and as young as 26.3 Ma (Ré et al. 2010: 59243), a timespan corresponding to the late Oligocene.
Lithology and environment
Primary lithology:brown sandy "shale"
Secondary lithology:concretionary,yellow sandy claystone
Includes fossils?Y
Includes fossils?Y
Lithology description: "The material varies from brown sandy clay shales to yellow sandy clay with concretions, and is capped with a varying laer of greenish sand, which, in some places, is coarse and irregular, in others fine and uniform, and in still other places is mixed with considerable quantities of volcanic ash. In it are many mud balls..."
Environment:terrestrial indet.
Taphonomy
Modes of preservation:body
Size of fossils:macrofossils,mesofossils
Disassociated minor elements:some
Fragmentation:frequent
Collection methods and comments
Collection excludes:some genera
Collection methods:field collection
Reason for describing collection:taxonomic analysis
Metadata
Also known as:Loomis Locality
Database number:14211
Authorizer:J. Alroy, E. Vlachos, J. Zijlstra, P. Barrett, C. Jaramillo, P. Mannion Enterer:J. Wertheim, J. Carrillo, E. Vlachos, T. Cleary, J. Zijlstra, G. Varnham, P. Mannion
Modifier:P. Wagner Research group:vertebrate
Created:2002-05-23 14:48:19 Last modified:2025-02-22 15:12:02
Access level:the public Released:2002-05-23 14:48:19
Creative Commons license:CC0
Reference information

Primary reference:
36444. F. Ameghino. 1897. Mammiféres crétacés de l’Argentine (Deuxième contribution à la connaissance de la fauna mammalogique de couches à Pyrotherium) [Cretaceous mammals of Argentina (second contribution to the knowledge of the mammalian fauna of the Pyrotherium Beds)]. Boletin Instituto Geografico Argentino 18(4–9):406-521 [M. Uhen/M. Uhen/M. Carrano]

Secondary references:

59244 A. M. Albino and S. Brizuela. 2014. First record of squamate reptiles from the Oligocene of South America. Alcheringa 38(3):412-421 [P. Barrett/T. Cleary/M. Uhen]
35669 H. M. F. Alvarenga and E. Holfing. 2003. Systematic revision of the Phorusrhacidae (Avies: Ralliformes). Papeis Avulsos de Zoologia 43(4):55-91 [M. Uhen/M. Uhen]
43122 G. Billet, C. Muizon, and B. Mamani-Quispe. 2008. Late Oligocene mesotheriids (Mammalia, Notoungulata) from Salla and Lacayani (Bolivia): implications for basal mesotheriid phylogeny and distribution. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 152:153-200 [C. Jaramillo/A. Cárdenas/K. Pino]
46251 G. Billet, B. Patterson, and C. Muizon. 2009. Craniodental anatomy of late Oligocene archaeohyracids (Notoungulata, Mammalia) from Bolivia and Argentina and new phylogenetic hypotheses. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 155:458-509 [C. Jaramillo/A. Cárdenas]
73037 T. M. Bown and J. G. Fleagle. 1993. Systematics, Biostratigraphy, and Dental Evolution of the Palaeothentidae, Later Oligocene to Early-Middle Miocene (Deseadan-Santacrucian) Caenolestoid Marsupials of South America. Memoir (The Paleontological Society) 29:1-76 [P. Mannion/G. Varnham]
64702 F. Busker and M. T. Dozo. 2017. First confirmed record of Incamys bolivianus (Caviomorpha, Chinchilloidea) in the Deseadan of Patagonia (Argentina). Ameghiniana 54(6):706-712 [E. Vlachos/E. Vlachos/P. Mannion]
73550 F. Busker, M. T. Dozo, and I. M. Soto. 2020. New remains of Cephalomys arcidens (Rodentia, Caviomorpha) and a redefinition of the enigmatic Cephalomyidae. Journal of Systematic Palaeontology 18(19):1589-1629 [P. Mannion/P. Mannion/P. Mannion]
62632 A. A. Carlini, M. R. Ciancio, J. J. Flynn, G. J. Scillato-Yané, and A. R. Wyss. 2009. The phylogenetic and biostratigraphic significance of new armadillos (Mammalia, Xenarthra, Dasypodidae, Euphractinae) from the Tinguirirican (early Oligocene) of Chile. Journal of Systematic Palaeontology 7(4):489-503 [P. Mannion/P. Mannion]
58245 R. L. Cifelli and M. F. Soria. 1983. Systematics of the Adianthidae (Litopterna, Mammalia). American Museum Novitates 2771:1-25 [J. Zijlstra/J. Zijlstra/J. Zijlstra]
42415 F. de Broin and M. de la Fuente. 1993. Les tortues fossiles d'Argentine: synthese [The fossil turtles of Argentina: synthesis]. Annales de Paléontologie (Invertebrés-Vertebrés) 79(3):169-232 [R. Benson/R. Benson/M. Carrano]
62548 M. T. Dozo and B. Vera. 2010. First skull and associated postcranial bones of Macraucheniidae (Mammalia, Litopterna) from the Deseadan SALMA (late Oligocene) of Cabeza Blanca (Chubut, Argentina). Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 30(6):1818-1826 [P. Mannion/P. Mannion]
58304 A. M. Forasiepi, M. J. Babot, and N. Zimicz. 2015. Australohyaena antiqua (Mammalia, Metatheria, Sparassodonta), a large predator from the Late Oligocene of Patagonia. Journal of Systematic Palaeontology 13(6):503-525 [J. Zijlstra/J. Zijlstra/P. Mannion]
62639 A. G. Kramarz and M. Bond. 2017. Systematics and stratigraphical range of the hegetotheriids Hegetotheriopsis sulcatus and Prohegetotherium sculptum (Mammalia: Notoungulata). Journal of Systematic Palaeontology 15(12):1027-1036 [P. Mannion/P. Mannion/M. Uhen]
13480 F. B. Loomis. 1914. The Deseado Formation of Patagonia 1-232 [J. Alroy/J. Wertheim/M. Uhen]
81723 R. D. E. MacPhee, S. Hernández del Pino, A. Kramarz, A. M. Forasiepi, M. Bond and R. B. Sulser. 2021. Cranial morphology and phylogenetic relationships of Trigonostylops wortmani, an Eocene South American native ungulate. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 449(1):1-183 [P. Mannion/G. Varnham]
62529 H. Marani and M. T. Dozo. 2008. El cráneo más completo de Eurygenium latirostris Ameghino, 1895 (Mammalia, Notoungulata), un Notohippidae del Deseadense (Oligoceno Tardío) de la Patagonia, Argentina. Ameghiniana 45(3):619-626 [P. Mannion/P. Mannion]
61925% 33860B. Patterson and L. G. Marshall. 1978. The Deseadan, Early Oligocene, Marsupialia of South America. Fieldiana Geology 41(2):1-100 [J. Alroy/J. Wertheim/J. Wertheim]
42997 B. Patterson and A. E. Wood. 1982. Rodents from the Deseadan Oligocene of Bolivia and the relationships of the Caviomorpha. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology 149(7):371-543 [C. Jaramillo/A. Cárdenas]
59243 G. H. Re, E. S. Bellosi, M. Heizler, J. F. Vilas, R. H. Madden, A. A. Carlini, R. F. Kay and M. G. Vucetich. 2010. A geochronology for the Sarmiento Formation at Gran Barranca. In R. H. Madden, A. A. Carlini, M. G. Vucetich, R. F. Kay (eds.), The Paleontology of Gran Barranca: Evolution and Environmental Change through the Middle Cenozoic of Patagonia 46-58 [P. Barrett/T. Cleary]
58252 M. A. Reguero and P. V. Castro. 2004. Un nuevo Trachytheriinae (Mammalia, Notoungulata) del Deseadense (Oligoceno tardío) de Patagonia, Argentina: implicancias en la filogenia, biogeografía y bioestratigrafía de los Mesotheriidae. Andean Geology 31(1):45-64 [J. Zijlstra/J. Zijlstra/J. Zijlstra]
16747 M. A. Reguero and E. Cerdeño. 2005. New late Oligocene Hegetotheriidae (Mammalia, Notoungulata) from Salla, Bolivia. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 25(3):674-684 [D. Croft/D. Croft]
62528 M. A. Reguero, M. T. Dozo, and E. Cerdeño. 2007. A poorly known rodent-like mammal (Pachyrukhinae, Hegetotheriidae, Notoungulata) from the Deseadan (Late Oligocene) of Argentina. Paleoecology, biogeography, and radiation of the rodentlike ungulates in South America. Journal of Paleontology 81(6):1301-1307 [P. Mannion/P. Mannion]
57906 A. M. Ribeiro, G. M. López, and M. Bond. 2010. The Leontiniidae (Mammalia, Notoungulata) from the Sarmiento Formation at Gran Barranca, Chubut Province, Argentina. In R. H. Madden, A. A. Carlini, M. G. Vucetich, R. F. Kay (eds.), The Paleontology of Gran Barranca: Evolution and Environmental Change through the Middle Cenozoic of Patagonia 170-181 [J. Zijlstra/J. Zijlstra/J. Zijlstra]
47285 G. G. Simpson. 1932. New or little-known ungulates from the Pyrotherium and Colpodon beds of Patagonia. American Museum Novitates 576 [C. Jaramillo/J. Carrillo]
62562 B. Vera, E. Cerdeño, and M. Reguero. 2017. The Interatheriinae from the Late Oligocene of Mendoza (Argentina), with comments on some Deseadan Interatheriidae. Historical Biology 29(5):607-626 [P. Mannion/P. Mannion/P. Mannion]
58103 M. Vucetich, M. Dozo, M. Arnal and M. Pérez. 2015. New rodents (Mammalia) from the late Oligocene of Cabeza Blanca (Chubut) and the first rodent radiation in Patagonia. Historical Biology 27(2):236-257 [J. Zijlstra/J. Zijlstra/J. Zijlstra]
58120 M. G. Vucetich. 1989. Rodents (Mammalia) of the Lacayani fauna revisited (Deseadan, Bolivia). Comparison with new Chinchillidae and Cephalomyidae from Argentina. Bulletin du Muséum national d'histoire naturelle 11(4):233-247 [J. Zijlstra/J. Zijlstra/J. Zijlstra]
58220 A. E. Wood and B. Patterson. 1959. The rodents of the Deseadan Oligocene of Patagonia and the beginnings of South American rodent evolution. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology 120:279-428 [J. Zijlstra/J. Zijlstra]