Abstract

CARBOT-CHANONA, Gerardo; LAGUNAS-RODRIGUEZ, Zaid; JIMENEZ-MORENO, Francisco Javier  and  SUAREZ, Sergio. Paleobiological appraisal of two specimens of Pleistocene Mammuthus columbi (Mammalia, Proboscidea, Elephantidae) in Puebla, central Mexico. Bol. Soc. Geol. Mex [online]. 2017, vol.69, n.3, pp.591-609. ISSN 1405-3322.  https://doi.org/10.18268/bsgm2017v69n3a5.

Two specimens of Mammuthus columbi from two Pleistocene localities in the central-eastern of Puebla are formally described (CRINAH-2274 and CRINAH-2275), based on cranial, appendicular elements and isolated molar, and some paleobiological aspects are discussed. The specific assignment of the specimens is based mainly on the characteristics of the M3, which exhibit a lamellar frequency of 5 to 7, strongly crenulated enamel with a thickness of 1.5 to 3.8 mm and has 20 to 22 plates. The age of both individuals was estimated; the CRINAH-2274 specimen has 34 AEY, while the estimated age for CRINAH-2275 was 37 to 41 AEY. Only the sex of CRINAH-2274 could be established, which is a male. Lastly, mesowear angle analysis was carried out to characterize the diet and habitat; this method is used for the firts time in Mexico. Our results show that both specimens were strictly grazers (> 130°) with a diet based mainly on grasses. This suggests the existence of open habitats in the central-eastern region of Puebla in the Pleistocene.

Keywords : Mamooths; paleobiology; mesowear angle; habitat preference; Puebla.

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