Revista Chilena de Historia Natural 83 (2): 299-307, 2010
RESEARCH ARTICLE
New evidence of the sabertooth cat Smilodon (Carnivora: Machairodontinae) in
the late Pleistocene of southern Chilean Patagonia
Southern Patagonia is rich in late Pleistocene mammals, especially herbivores such as
Camelids, Equids and Xenarthrans. Carnivores, on the other hand, are not commonly found in the paleontological record. One genus,
Smilodon, is of particular interest because its presence in the region has not been demonstrated. In this paper, we present
new fossil dental evidence that supports the presence of Smilodon populator (Lund) in the region. This evidence
corresponds to the most southern record of the genus in the world, and the final step in the colonization of South America after the
Great American Biotic Interchange. An AMS radiocarbon date on teeth indicates that the remains from Southern Chilean Patagonia are
the most recent record for the genus in South America.
Key words:
late Pleistocene,
Smilodon, southern Patagonia, taxonomy
