Order: XenarthraFamilies Mylodontidae &

Pampatheriidae

Excavating Vertebrate FossilsJeff Good

http://users.tamuk.edu/kfjab02/pdf%20jpg%20gif%20files/paramylodon.jpg http://www.fossil-treasures-of-florida.com/images/Holmesina.jpg

Xenarthra Modern examples: Sloths, Anteaters, Armadillos “Strange Joints” Refers to extra surfaces for articulation called xenapophyses in the vertebra Unique presence of osteoderms in most members Unique dentition to shear vegetation

http://www.utep.edu/leb/Pleistnm/taxaMamm/Cingulata.htm

Xenarthra in Mammalian Phylogeny

http://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0960982212008068-gr3.jpg

Xenarthra Phylogeny

http://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S1055790311004799-gr3.jpg

Mylodontidae - Classification Superorder: Xenarthra

Order: Pilosa Suborder: Folivora

Family: Mylodontidae

Genera: Acremylodon, Glossotheriopsis, Glossotherium, Lestodon, Lestodontidon, Megabradys, Mylodon, Mylodonopsis, Paramylodon, Pleurolestodon, Promylodon, Ranculcus, Simomylodon, Sphenoterus, Statsdon, Thinobadistes, Urumacoterium.

http://tanystropheus.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/ground-sloths.jpg?w=510

Genus: Paramylodon Ground Sloth Extinct 11 kya Three meters in length Roamed grasslands and woodlands of N. America Hairy body, massive jaws, massive three clawed limbs, blunt snout Lack of incisors and high crowned molars suggest herbivore Found at Millennium Site: osteoderms and teeth

http://www.fossil-treasures-of-florida.com/images/paramylodontooth2.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3080/3487489082_b8da5c678d.jpg

Pampatheriidae Classification Superorder: Xenarthra

Order: Cingulata

Family: Pamatheriidae

Genera: Holmesina, Kraglievichia, Machyldotherium, Pampatherium, Plaina, Scirrotherium, Vassallia

http://blog.hmns.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/armadillo-4x6.jpghttp://www.skullsunlimited.com/userfiles/image/category5_species_1543_large_3.jpg

Genus: Holmesina Giant Armadillo Extinct 12 kya 2.6 meters weighing up to 200kg (440 lbs) Armored carapace much like modern Armadillos Carapace flexible with three lateral bands of scutes Powerful jaws capable of more movement = Primarily herbivore (contrary to

modern omnivorous armadillos) Found at Millennium Site: Osteoderms and Phalanx

http://www.fossil-treasures-of-florida.com/images/GiantArmadilloScutes.jpghttp://www.avph.com.br/jpg/holmesina.jpg

Works Cited Hulbert, R. C. (Ed.). (2001). The Fossil Vertebrates of Florida. Gainesville, FL:

University Press of Florida. http://library.sandiegozoo.org/factsheets/_extinct/sloth_extinct/extinct_slo

th.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pampatheriidae http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mylodontidae http://carnivoraforum.com/topic/9428975/1/