Unexpected record of the aquatic sloth Thalassocnus (Mammalia, Xenarthra, Folivora) in the upper Neogene of the Puna (Jujuy, Argentina)

Xenarthra are, very probably, the most basally branching clade among Placentalia, and the result of the so-called Splendid Isolation of South America. Although this is the only endemic clade with living representatives, its current diversity is very poor compared with that achieved during most of the Cenozoic. One particular clade, Folivora (living and fossil sloths), includes one of the most enigmatic animals, Thalassocnus, the only genus of the subfamily Thalassocninae. It was originally interpreted as an aquatic sloth taking into account the previous records, which are limited to coastal areas of the latest Miocene and Pliocene of Peru and Chile. Here we present the first record of Thalassocnus from Argentina, which in turn represents the first finding of the genus in a continental sequence. The materials (JUY-P-0180, radius, ulna and part of the articulated left manus) were exhumed from the upper member of the Tafna Formation (Late Miocene-Pliocene) in the eastern Puna (Jujuy Province), Argentina. In agreement with our comparative study, the cladistic analysis corroborates its identification as belonging to the genus Thalassocnus, being placed in a relatively basal location. This finding is of paleobiogeographic and paleoenvironmental significance, due to its location, more than 1171 km away from the Peruvian locality (Sacaco) and more than 750 km from the nearest ones in Chile (Caldera). This extends the geographic range from 76 degrees W to 65 degrees 53 ' W, and from typical littoral environments, to clearly more terrestrial ones. The evolutionary and paleobiogeographic history of Thalassocnus is more complex than previously interpreted.

Automated summary

Xenarthra is likely the most primitive clade among Placentalia and its formation is the result of the Splendid Isolation in South America. Despite being the only endemic clade with living representatives, the current diversity of Xenarthra is significantly less rich compared to the majority of the Cenozoic era. Thalassocnus, a particular clade within Folivora (sloths), is an enigmatic animal with previous records limited to coastal areas of Miocene and Pliocene in Peru and Chile. This study presents the first record of Thalassocnus in Argentina, indicating a more complex evolutionary and paleobiogeographic history than previously interpreted.