Nohochichak
Appearance
Nohochichak | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Pilosa |
Family: | †Megalonychidae |
Genus: | †Nohochichak McDonald et al. 2017 |
Species: | †N. xibalbahkah
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Binomial name | |
†Nohochichak xibalbahkah McDonald et al. 2017
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Nohochichak is an extinct genus of megalonychid ground sloth from the Late Pleistocene (Rancholabrean) of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico.
Discovery and taxonomy
[edit]The only known specimens were discovered in the underwater cave system of Hoyo Negro in Quintana Roo, consisting of a partial skull, mandible and some postcranial remains.[1] It was found to be closer to other Mexican Sloth taxa, like Xibalbaonyx, Meizonyx and Zacatzontli than to the North American Megalonyx.[1]
Description
[edit]In life, it is estimated to have been around 987 kg in weight. It probably lived in a dry landscape.[2]
References
[edit]- ^ a b McDonald, H. Gregory; Chatters, James C.; Gaudin, Timothy J. (2017). "A new genus of megalonychid ground sloth (Mammalia, Xenarthra) from the late Pleistocene of Quintana Roo, Mexico". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 37 (3): e1307206. Bibcode:2017JVPal..37E7206M. doi:10.1080/02724634.2017.1307206. ISSN 0272-4634. S2CID 90414512.
- ^ McDonald, H. Gregory (2021-09-10). "Yukon to the Yucatan: Habitat partitioning in North American Late Pleistocene ground sloths (Xenarthra, Pilosa)". Journal of Palaeosciences. 70 ((1-2)): 237–252. doi:10.54991/jop.2021.17. ISSN 2583-4266.