A review of some problems associated with the occurrences of fossil vertebrates in South America

Some questions posed by fossil vertebrates of South America since the first discoveries of the 'giant's bones' are reviewed and questions of taxonomy, taphonomy, palaeoenvironment and palaeobiogeography discussed. Through time, palaeobiogeographic issues have been the dominant theme in discussions of South American vertebrates. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.