Primate diversity in the early Miocene Pinturas Formation, southern Patagonia, Argentina

Abstract

We report ten new dental specimens of primates from the early Miocene Pinturas Formation, Patagonia, Argentina. The new material includes: a left lower canine and a left upper canine whose affinities remain to be determined; a mandibular fragment preserving part of the symphysis; and right p3-4, practically indistinguishable from Soriacebus adrianae; and a lower molar, probably m2, attributable to S. ameghinorum. A lower molar, probably m3, a P4, and an upper molar resemble Carlocebus carmenensis. Three additional specimens, too damaged for an accurate taxonomic assignment, are tentatively assigned to S. ameghinorum. The specimens here described can be assigned to taxa already known from the Pinturas Formation (S. ameghinorum, S. adrianae, and C. carmenensis) and provide new morphological information.

Key words
Platyrrhine primates; Soriacebus; Carlocebus; early Miocene; Patagonia