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1
Artykuł dostępny w postaci pełnego tekstu - kliknij by otworzyć plik
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Paleoecology of the large carnivore guild from the late Pleistocene of Argentina

100%
Prevosti F. J., Vizcaino S. F.
Acta Palaeontologica Polonica
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2006
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tom 51
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nr 3
The paleoecology of the South American fossil carnivores has not been as well studied as that of their northern relatives. One decade ago Fariña suggested that the fauna of Río Luján locality (Argentina, late Pleistocene–early Holocene) is not balanced because the metabolic requirements of the large carnivores are exceeded by the densities and biomass of the large herbivores. This conclusion is based on the calculation of densities using allometric functions between body mass and population abundance, and is a consequence of low carnivore richness versus high herbivore richness. In this paper we review the carnivore richness in the Lujanian of the Pampean Region, describe the paleoecology of these species including their probable prey choices, and review the available information on taphonomy, carnivore ecology, and macroecology to test the hypothesis of “imbalance” of the Río Luján fauna. The carnivore richness of the Río Luján fauna comprises five species: Smilodon populator, Panthera onca, Puma concolor, Arctotherium tarijense, and Dusicyon avus. Two other species are added when the whole Lujanian of the Buenos Aires province is included: Arctotherium bonariense and Canis nehringi. With the exception of D. avus and Arctotherium, these are hypercarnivores that could prey on large mammals (100–500 kg) and juveniles of megamammals (>1000 kg). S. populator could also hunt larger prey with body mass between 1000 and 2000 kg. The review of the “imbalance” hypothesis reveals contrary evidence and allows the proposal of alternative hypotheses. If high herbivore biomass occurred during the Lujanian, a higher density of carnivores could be supported than as inferred from the power function of body size and population density.
2
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Carved teeth and strange jaws: how glyptodonts masticated

100%
Farina R. A., Vizcaino S. F.
Acta Palaeontologica Polonica
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2001
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tom 46
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nr 2
In this paper, the highly peculiar masticatory apparatus of glyptodonts is studied. The general morphology of the skull is analysed using a morphometric procedure, the Resistant Fit Theta Rho Analysis, which allows comparison among different biological forms. Here, a large terminal form, the late Pleistocene genus Glyptodon, is compared with the smaller primitive Miocene genus Propalaehoplophorus, and with the generalised Recent armadillo Chaetophractus. The masticatory musculature of glyptodonts is reconstructed. Their tooth form and wear facets, as well as their mandibular symphysis and jaw joint, are analysed. A model of jaw movement is constructed based on these analyses. It is demonstrated that the masticatory apparatus of glyptodonts had undergone a telescoping process, which was already underway in the most ancient forms whose skull is known. This process created problems in regard to the way stresses produced by mastication were absorbed by the mandible, and therefore it might be regarded as non-adaptive. Some functional explanatory hypotheses are discussed, such as a requirement of keeping the moment of the weight of the cranium small enough to be counterbalanced by the neck muscles, or fitting the head into the armour.
3
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Mass estimation of Santacrucian sloths from the Early Miocene Santa Cruz Formation of Patagonia, Argentina

81%
Toledo N., Cassini G. H., Vizcaino S. F., Bargo M. S.
Acta Palaeontologica Polonica
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2014
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tom 59
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nr 2
Miocene deposits of the Santa Cruz Formation, Patagonia, comprise a diverse and excellently preserved vertebrate fauna, allowing detailed paleobiological and paleoecological studies based on three ecological parameters: body mass, diet, and substrate preference. In contrast to the small and arboreal extant sloths, Bradypus and Choloepus, Santacrucian sloths were much more diverse and larger, and comprised 11 genera previously characterized as arboreal or climbing forms. Here, we focus on body mass estimation based on measurements of postcranial elements. We present a morphometric database comprising 64 linear, base-ten logged variables applied to Santacrucian sloths and a wide sample of extant mammals, as well as the body mass of the extant taxa as reported in the literature. To detect any potential phylogenetical bias, we performed a variance decomposition test on our sample of extant mammals. Based on four orthogram statistics, logged body mass was found not to be dependent on phylogenetic tree topology. Predictive equations for the body mass of extant mammals were generated through multiple regression analysis, using weighting procedures to avoid taxonomic biases and stepwise analysis to discard redundant variables. Using this procedure, we derived separate equations for the scapula, humerus, radius, ulna, pelvis, femur, tibia plus fibula, astragalus, and calcaneum. These equations were then applied to estimate the body mass of our sample of Santacrucian sloths. We obtained an average body mass of about 70 kg for the megalonychid Eucholoeops. Among stem megatherioids, Hapalops ranged between 30 and 80 kg, Analcimorphus was estimated at 67 kg, and Schismotherium at 44 kg. Larger genera included the megatheriid Prepotherium (~123 kg), and the mylodontids Analcitherium (~88 kg) and Nematherium (~89 kg). The medium to large body size of Santacrucian sloths imposed constraints on their climbing abilities. Megalonychids and stem megatherioids were likely unable to access the finest branches, while megatheriids and mylodonts were more terrestrial forms.
4

Ulnar dimensions and fossoriality in armadillos

80%
Vizcaino S. F., Farina R. A., Mazzetta G. V.
Acta Theriologica
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1999
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tom 44
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nr 3
Ulnar dimensions were measured in 14 species of armadillos (Xenarthra: Dasy- podidae). An index of f'ossorial ability (IFA) was constructed, relating the length of the olecranon process to the remaining length of the ulna. For comparative purposes, the same measurements were taken in 14 other species of mostly South American mammals belonging to 3 orders and 11 families. The fossorial habits of these mammals were classified into 3 categories: (1) species mostly cursorial and non-digging; (2) species that often dig, but to which digging plays no essentia! part in their alimentary strategy and are not burrowers; and (3) species that are burrowers. IFA means of the studied mammal orders were compared using one-way analysis of variance on log-trans formed data. Bivariate size allametry between ulnar dimensions and body mass was assessed by fitting (least squares and geometric mean) linear regressions of log-transformed data. It is concluded that the IFA discriminates among the species according to their fossorial habits within orders, but it is not equally useful in distinguishing fossorial species between orders. In armadillos, the relationships between ulnar dimensions and body mass are isometrical, Finally, the IFA is independent of body size.
5
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Pleistocene burrows in the Mar del Plata area [Argentina] and their probable builders

80%
Vizcaino S. F., Zarate M., Bargo M. S., Dondas A.
Acta Palaeontologica Polonica
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2001
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tom 46
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nr 2
Structures discovered near Mar del Plata are attributed to palaeoburrows built by fossil animals on the basis of morphological patterns, transgressive boundaries in relation to the sedimentary units, and the presence of claw marks on the walls and roofs. They are discrete features of several metres in length, and with subrounded cross sections. Their diameters range from 0.80 to 1.80 m, with the width generally exceeding the height. These structures occur in Pleistocene deposits containing mammals referable to the Ensenadan and Lujanian Ages. Several Xenarthra are good candidates as builders of these burrows. Palaeoburrows were attributed before to the large Pleistocene armadillos Propraopus, Eutatus, and Pampatherium. We consider the possibility that the mylodontid ground sloths were responsible for excavating the burrows. The similar diameters of the burrows and the sloths are consistent with this observation. Anatomical, allometric, and biomechanical analysis of sloths limbs indicates that they were well designed to perfonn such activity. The shape of some claw marks preserved on the sides and roof of the burrows fits the form of their hand skeleton. Thus, the mylodontid sloths Scelidotherium and Glossotherium are considered as possible builders for the large late Cenozoic burrows present in the Pampean region.
6
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Hypsodonty in Pleistocene ground sloths

80%
Bargo M. S., De Iuliis G., Vizcaino S. F.
Acta Palaeontologica Polonica
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2006
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tom 51
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nr 1
Although living sloths (Xenarthra, Tardigrada) are represented by only two genera, their fossil relatives form a large and diverse group. The evolution of hypsodonty, the crown height of a tooth, has traditionally been viewed as a response to dietary shifts toward abrasive vegetation. But recent work indicates that hypsodonty is also due to the higher prevalence of grit and dust in more open environments. The teeth of sloths are both high−crowned and open−rooted, or hypselodont, but distinctions between the selective factors acting to produce differing degrees of hypsodonty have not been rigorously considered. A comparative analysis of hypsodonty was performed in eleven species of Pleistocene sloths. It suggests that differences in hypsodonty may be explained by dietary preferences, habitat and habits. Among mylodontids, morphologic and biomechanical analyses indicate that hypsodonty was unlikely to be due solely to feeding behavior, such as grazing. Some mylodontids (e.g., Scelidotherium leptocephalum, Lestodon armatus, Glossotherium robustum, Mylodon darwini) were capable diggers that likely dug for food, and ingestion of abrasive soil particles probably played a considerable role in shaping their dental characteristics. Increased hypsodonty over time in Paramylodon harlani, however, is apparently due to a change in habitat from closed to more open environments. Geographical distributions of the megatheriids Eremotherium and Megatherium indicate differing habitats as possible factors in hypsodonty differences. In summary, among Tardigrada hypsodonty is apparently affected by diet, habitat and habit. The absence of enamel must be responsible for much of the hypsodonty observed in xenarthrans, which obscures the interpretation of contribution of each of the mentioned factors.
7

Distribution and use of burrows and tunnels of Chaetophractus villosus [Mammalia, Xenarthra] in the Eastern Argentinean pampas

80%
Abba A. M., Udrizar Sauthier D. E., Vizcaino S. F.
Acta Theriologica
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2005
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tom 50
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nr 1
Burrows and tunnels built byChaetophractus villosus (Desmarest, 1804) (hairy armadillo) were studied in a farming area located in the Argentinean pampas, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. Fifty-six structures were selected and carefully excavated for this study. Data on diameter, form, and orientation of the entrance, angle, length, and depth of the galleries, and spatial distribution of the structures were recorded. The structures were separated into two types: simple and complex, both located in high terrain. Simple structures are shorter than complex ones and are built when animals are in search of food or as temporary shelters. Complex structures are built as home burrows. The orientation of the entrances of both kinds of burrows is related to the prevalent wind direction.
8

A cranial morphometric study od deer [Mammalia, Cervidae] from Argentina using three-dimensional landmarks

80%
Merino M. L., Milne N., Vizcaino S. F.
Acta Theriologica
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2005
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tom 50
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nr 1
This study examines morphological variation in the crania (n = 70) of eight cervid species from Argentina. Forty 3-dimensional landmarks were acquired on each adult cervid cranium. The data were analysed using Morphologika software. The co-ordinates were registered and scaled to remove size differences by Procrustes analysis, and then principal components analysis was applied to examine shape variation. Shape variation associated with each principal component can be visualised in the program. The first principal component correlates strongly with the centroid size of the crania and also with the body mass and height of each species. The larger species were distinguished by relatively longer snouts and relatively smaller brains. The smallerMazama andPudu species cluster closely on the first as well as the other principal components. Among the larger species, the twoHippocamelus species, which live at higher altitudes, were clearly distinguished from the lowland species,Ozotoceros bezoarticus andBlastocerus dichotomus, on the basis of cranial flexion and the orientation of the occipital region. FinallyO. bezoarticus andB. dichotomus were compared directly and small differences were noted in the orbital region. The shape data was used to produce a distance matrix and a phenogram, which we relate to some of currently accepted phylogenetic relationships of this group of cervids.
9

Ratite bird from the Paleogene La Meseta formation, Seymour Island, Antarctica

61%
Tambussi C. P., Noriega J. I., Gazdzicki A., Tatur A., Reguero M. A., Vizcaino S. F.
Polish Polar Research
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1994
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tom 15
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nr 1-2
15-20
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