The Deseado Formation of PatagoniaLoomis, Frederic Brewster
Science
The Deseado Formation of Patagonia
Loomis, Frederic Brewster
Paleontology -- Patagonia (Argentina and Chile)
Specimen 3083 preserves three of the deciduous premolars. Pm. 2 is
simple and could readily be taken for the corresponding permanent
premolar, except that it is, as are all the deciduous premolars,
rooted. Deciduous premolars 3 and 4, on the other hand, have a marked
inflexion on the inner side, giving them the appearance of permanent
molars. The series measures 31 mm. of which the deciduous premolars
occupy just half.
The mandible is deep, especially the posterior portion; has a very
slender coronoid process; and a slightly rounded articular condyle,
which is a little longer than wide, so that it would seem to allow a
forward and backward motion of the lower jaw.
[Illustration: Fig. 32. Left mandible—natural size.]
The vertebrae are considerably crushed, but have in each case the
characteristics of the corresponding vertebra of _Pachyrukhos_.
Of the humerus, the head and distal ends are preserved, indicating a
rather long and slender bone, very like that of _Pachyrukhos_. About
three-fourths of the ulna is present, and it is also long and slender,
with a wide articular facet for the radius, which is entirely separate
from that for the humerus. Two metacarpals show the same elongation of
the limb, and the two phalanges preserved indicate a small front foot.
[Illustration: Fig. 33. Left side of pelvis—natural size.]
[Illustration: Fig. 34. Left femur—natural size.]
[Illustration: Fig. 35. Patella—natural size.]
[Illustration: Fig. 36. Tibia and fibula—natural size.]
The pelvis is elongated, slender and lightly built, indicating the same
characteristics in the whole hind limb. The femur has a small rounded
head on a well marked neck. It is excessively long, longer than that
of _Pachyrukhos_, and also straighter. It is further distinguished by
the third trochanter being swung onto the back side of the bone. The
tibia and fibula are separate throughout their entire length, in which
this genus is in strong contrast to _Pachyrukhos_, where these two
bones are fused, both distally and proximally.
[Illustration: Fig. 37. Calcaneum, astragulus and cuboid, from upper
side—natural size.]
[Illustration: Fig. 38. Astragulus from below—natural size.]
The astragulus is also quite characteristic, the trochlear surface
being entirely on the dorsal surface, and the condylar ridges being
relatively low and flat. This trochlear surface is far from being
symmetrical, the inner ridge being much flatter and lower than the
outer. The head of the astragulus is rounded, on a long neck, and
directed obliquely inward. The fibular facet for the fibula is
crescent-shaped and vertical except that the small proximal end of the
crescent flares out. The outline of the sustentacular facet is that of
an acute ovoid, and is situated mostly on the neck of this bone. The
ectal facet is roughly rectangular in outline, strongly concave, and is
separated from the sustentacular facet by a deep groove.
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