The Deseado Formation of PatagoniaLoomis, Frederic Brewster
Science
The Deseado Formation of Patagonia
Loomis, Frederic Brewster
Paleontology -- Patagonia (Argentina and Chile)
Ameghino briefly describes, without a figure, a species in which
premolar 4 and molar 3 together measure 14 mm. I have assigned to this
two specimens, the one with pm. 2 incomplete, pm. 3 complete, and m. 2
also complete. These teeth measure the same as Ameghino’s and I think
are the same. There is also a fragment of the upper jaw with molars 2
and 3, though imperfect. From these it appears that we have to do with
an animal not only smaller than the preceding, but on much slenderer
lines. The following are the measurements of the two specimens.
SPECIMEN 3117
Upper dentition, molar 2, length 8 mm., width 6 mm.
Upper dentition, molar 3, length 2 mm., width 6 mm.
SPECIMEN 3060
Lower dentition, premolar 3, length 6 mm., width 2.5 mm.
Lower dentition, molar 2, length 7 mm., width 4 mm.
[Illustration: Fig. 143. Left mandible—natural size.]
=Notogale tenuis= Ameghino
? Pharsophorus tenuis Amegh., 1897, Bol. Inst. Geog., Argen., t. 18, p.
504.
This species was founded by Ameghino on a single lower premolar 3 which
is 3 mm. in length. No further description is given and no figure.
=Proborhyaena= Ameghino
Proborhyaena Amegh., 1897, Bol. Inst. Geog. Argen., t. 18, p. 501.
The genus is founded on a large lower jaw carrying the canine and
premolars 3 and 4 and roots or alveoli for the other teeth. It is the
largest carnivore recorded from Patagonia, and as large as a small
bear. It is not possible to place its exact relationships, for the most
essential teeth are wanting, but it is certainly a distinct genus as
indicated by the reduced size of premolar 4 and the plump character of
the teeth.
=Proborhyaena gigantea= Ameghino
P. gigantea Amegh., 1897, Bol. Inst. Geog. Argen., t. 18, p. 501.
We found no specimens of this great carnivore, so I am reproducing
Ameghino’s figure and measurements. The heavy canine is channeled on
the sides and much worn on the posterior face. Premolar 3 is a plump
tooth, its crown consisting mostly of a single median cusp, but with a
small heel behind, and, strikingly enough, premolar 4 is a smaller and
simpler tooth with a single cusp.
[Illustration: Fig. 144. Right mandible—½ natural size, after Ameghino.]
MEASUREMENTS
Lower dentition, canine, antero-posterior diameter 30 mm.
Lower dentition, canine, transverse diameter 20 mm.
Lower dentition, premolar 1 to molar 3 145 mm.
Lower dentition, height of mandible under pm. 4 60 mm.
=Proborhyaena antiqua= Ameghino
? Borhyaena antiqua Amegh., 1895, Bol. Inst. Geog. Argen., t. 15, p.
655.
Proborhyaena antiqua Amegh., 1897, Bol. Inst. Geog. Argen., t. 18, p.
502.
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