The Deseado Formation of PatagoniaLoomis, Frederic Brewster
Science
The Deseado Formation of Patagonia
Loomis, Frederic Brewster
Paleontology -- Patagonia (Argentina and Chile)
The endocuneiform is a small scale-like bone with a narrow facet on the
navicular, and overlapping the inner side of Mt. II. The mesocuneiform
is small, with a flat facet above for the navicular, and a convex
one below for Mt. II, which is carried wholly on this bone. The
ectocuneiform is far the largest of these three bones, and carries a
broad facet above for the navicular, a similar one below for Mt. III, a
small facet on the internal side for the mesocuneiform and a second one
below that for the side of Mt. II, while externally there are facets
for the cuboid and for the side of Mt. IV.
The cuboid is large, the external side being longer than the internal.
The upper surface is entirely occupied by the facet for the calcaneum,
while the lower face is mostly devoted to the facet for Mt. IV, with
a narrow streak on the external margin for the vestige of Mt. V.
The internal face carries a boss beveled above by the facet for the
navicular, and below by the facet for the ectocuneiform.
All the metatarsals are short and heavy as compared with those of
_Theosodon_. Mt. II is compressed above, but enlarges below into a
subcylindrical bone, ending in an extensive articular trochlea for
the phalanx, the trochlea carrying a carina which extends into the
upper surface of the articular area. Proximally, it is so closely
approximated to the adjacent metatarsus that these could have had very
little independent movement. On the upper internal surface, there is
a roughened area, where the endocuneiform overlaps this bone. Mt. III
is slightly heavier than the others. On the distal end, its articular
trochlea extends well onto the dorsal surface, as does also the carina.
Mt. IV is a trifle shorter than the others and stouter. Mt. V is absent
but its former presence is indicated by the beveled facet on the
cuboid, and by the small roughened surface on Mt. IV.
The phalanges of the third digit are a trifle heavier than those of the
other two digits, but of approximately the same lengths. The ungual
phalanges were broad compressed hoofs, without traces of clefts.
MEASUREMENTS OF THE HIND LIMB
Femur, length from the head 177 mm.
greatest proximal width 70 mm.
greatest distal width 56 mm.
Tibia, total length 149 mm.
greatest proximal width 52 mm.
greatest distal width 56 mm.
Fibula diameter of shaft 9 mm.
Astragulus, length 23 mm.
width 24 mm.
Calcaneum, length 62 mm.
Metatarsus II, length 45 mm.
Metatarsus III, length 48 mm.
Metatarsus IV, length 42 mm.
Phalanx 1 of digit III, length 24 mm.
Phalanx 2 of digit III, length 16 mm.
Phalanx 3 of digit III, length 17 mm.
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