First record of the extinct ground sloth, Megalonyx jeffersonii, (Xenarthra, Megalonychidae) from New York and contributions to its paleoecology
| Title | First record of the extinct ground sloth, Megalonyx jeffersonii, (Xenarthra, Megalonychidae) from New York and contributions to its paleoecology |
| Publication Type | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication | 2019 |
| Authors | McDonald, HG, Feranec, RS, Miller, N |
| Journal | Quaternary International |
| Volume | 530-531 |
| Pagination | 42-46 |
| ISSN | 10406182 |
| Keywords | Megalonyx jeffersonii, New York, Stable isotopes, Synsacrum |
| Abstract | The first record of the Jefferson ground sloth, Megalonyx jeffersonii, in New York is reported. The specimen consists of a partial synsacrum recovered from a peat deposit near Newburgh, Orange County. Compared to other synsacra of Megalonyx, the number of vertebrae is anomalous with one less caudal vertebra than expected. Stable isotope analysis of the bone shows a δ13C value of 20.5‰ and implies a diet of only C3 plants. The specimen has a radiocarbon date of 11,450 ± 55 BP indicating the presence of this taxon in the region immediately prior to the extinction of the North American Pleistocene megafauna. |
| URL | https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1040618218303252 |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.quaint.2018.11.021 |
| Short Title | Quaternary International |
