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Protoglyptodon

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Protoglyptodon
Temporal range: Late Miocene
~9–7 Ma
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Cingulata
Family: Chlamyphoridae
Subfamily: Glyptodontinae
Genus: Protoglyptodon
Ameghino, 1885
Type species
Protoglyptodon primiformis
Ameghino, 1885
Species
  • P. primiformis Ameghino, 1885
  • P. sagradoi Calcaterra, 1978
  • P. sanpedroi Calcaterra, 1978
  • P. solidus Ameghino, 1891

Protoglyptodon is an extinct genus of glyptodont. It lived during the Late Miocene, and its fossilized remains were found in South America.

Description

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This animal, like all glyptodonts, had a dorsal armor protecting a large part of the body, consisting of well-fused polygonal osteoderms. The osteoderms were quite similar to those of Palaeohoplophorus, with a medium-sized, depressed central figure, and with wrinkled and irregular peripheral areas. Its carapace appearance was more irregular in Protoglyptodon. Its caudal tube bore osteoderms whose main figures were surrounded by a crown of perforations, but separated by peripheral areas decorated in a very irregular way.

Classification

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Protoglyptodon primiformis was first described in 1885 by Florentino Ameghino, based on incomplete fossil remains coming from Late Miocene terrains of Argentina, first erroneously attributed to the Oligocene. Protoglyptodon was a member of the tribe Hoplophorini, a diverse and long-lived group of glyptodonts ; Protoglyptodon was closely related to the better known genus Palaehoplophorus.

Bibliography

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  • F. Ameghino. 1885. Nuevos restos de mamíferos fósiles Oligocenos recogidos por el Profesor Pedro Scalabrini y pertenecientes al Museo Provincial de la ciudad del Parana [New remains of Oligocene fossil mammals collected by Professor Pedro Scalabrini and belonging to the Provincial Museum of the city of Parana]. Boletín de la Academia Nacional de Ciencias 8:1-205
  • A. L. Cione, M. M. Azpelicueta, M. Bond, A. A. Carlini, J. R. Casciotta, M. A. Cozzuol, M. Fuente, Z. Gasparini, F. J. Goin, J. Noriega, G. J. Scillato-Yane, L. Soibelzon, E. P. Tonni, D. Verzi, and M. G. Vucetich. 2000. Miocene vertebrates from Entre Rios province, eastern Argentina. Serie Correlacion Geologica 14:191-237