| Nohochichak | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Pilosa |
| Family: | † Megalonychidae |
| Genus: | †
Nohochichak McDonald et al. 2017 |
| Species: | †N. xibalbahkah
|
| Binomial name | |
| †Nohochichak xibalbahkah McDonald et al. 2017
| |
Nohochichak is an extinct genus of megalonychid ground sloth from the Late Pleistocene ( Rancholabrean) of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico.
Discovery and taxonomy
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
In life, it is estimated to have been around 987 kg in weight. It probably lived in a dry landscape. [2]
References
- ^ 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.
