Revista Chilena de Historia Natural 84 (4): 535-542, 2011
RESEARCH ARTICLE
A new record of Equus (Mammalia: Equidae) from the Late
Pleistocene of central south Chile
Fourteen dental and bone parts of a horse excavated from the Pilauco
paleontological site, Osorno (40º39’ S-73º07’ W) are analysed and interpreted. This site was formed in association with a
peat bog located on the banks of the old Damas River and has conserved abundant late Pleistocene mammalian fauna
and flora materials. A date of 11457 ± 140 14C yrs B.P. was obtained from a molar and agrees with our stratigraphic age
model. We have identified the fossils as pertaining to the species Equus (Amerhippus) andium, which confirms
its presence in central-south Chile. Furthermore, the recorded geographic location indicate that the metapodial adaptations
of the specimens previously described agree with the reconstructed late Pleistocene landscape of Pilauco, dominated by
soft volcanic soils and isolated forest patches over large extensions of grasslands.
Key words:
Equus, Equus (Amerhippus) andium, late Pleistocene, Pilauco
