Mammut pacificus sp. nov., a newly recognized species of mastodon from the Pleistocene of western North America
March 27, 2019
A new species of mastodon from the Pleistocene of western North America, Mammut pacificus sp. nov. is herein recognized, with specimens identified throughout California and from two localities in southern Idaho. This new taxon differs from the contemporaneous M. americanum in having narrower teeth, most prominently in M3/m3, as well as six sacral vertebrae, femur with a proportionally greater mid-shaft diameter, and no mandibular tusks at any growth stage. All known Pleistocene Mammut remains from California are consistent with our diagnosis of M. pacificus, which indicates that M. americanum was not present in California.
Citation Information
Publication Year | 2019 |
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Title | Mammut pacificus sp. nov., a newly recognized species of mastodon from the Pleistocene of western North America |
DOI | 10.7717/peerj.6614 |
Authors | Alton C Dooley Jr., Eric Scott, Jeremy Green, Kathleen B. Springer, Brett Dooley, Gregory J. Smith |
Publication Type | Article |
Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
Series Title | PeerJ |
Index ID | 70204940 |
Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
USGS Organization | Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center |