Abstract:

Glyptodonts were giant (some of them up to ~2400 kg), heavily armoured relatives of living armadillos, which became extinct during the Late Pleistocene/early Holocene alongside much of the South American megafauna. Although glyptodonts were an important component of Cenozoic South American faunas, their early evolution and phylogenetic affinities within the order Cingulata (armoured New World placental mammals) remain controversial. In this study, we used hybridization enrichment and high‐throughput sequencing to obtain a partial mitochondrial genome from Doedicurus sp., the largest (1.5 m tall, and 4 m long) and one of the last surviving glyptodonts. Our molecular phylogenetic analyses revealed that glyptodonts fall within the diversity of living armadillos. Reanalysis of morphological data using a molecular ‘backbone constraint’ revealed several morphological characters that supported a close relationship between glyptodonts and the tiny extant fairy armadillos (Chlamyphorinae). This is surprising as these taxa are among the most derived cingulates: glyptodonts were generally large‐bodied and heavily armoured, while the fairy armadillos are tiny (~9–17 cm) and adapted for burrowing. Calibration of our phylogeny with the first appearance of glyptodonts in the Eocene resulted in a more precise timeline for xenarthran evolution. The osteological novelties of glyptodonts and their specialization for grazing appear to have evolved rapidly during the Late Eocene to Early Miocene, coincident with global temperature decreases and a shift from wet closed forest towards drier open woodland and grassland across much of South America. This environmental change may have driven the evolution of glyptodonts, culminating in the bizarre giant forms of the Pleistocene.

Author affiliation: Mitchell, Kieren J.. University of Adelaide; Australia

Author affiliation: Scanferla, Carlos Agustín. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Salta. Instituto de Bio y Geociencias del NOA. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales. Museo de Ciencias Naturales. Instituto de Bio y Geociencias del NOA; Argentina

Author affiliation: Soibelzon, Esteban. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Paleontología Vertebrados; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Author affiliation: Bonini, Ricardo Adolfo. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Author affiliation: Ochoa, Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Provincia de Córdoba. Museo Arqueológico e Histórico Regional ‘Florentino Ameghino’; Argentina

Author affiliation: Cooper, Alan. University of Adelaide; Australia

Abstract:

The exact timing, route, and process of the initial peopling of the Americas remains uncertain despite much research. Archaeological evidence indicates the presence of humans as far as southern Chile by 14.6 thousand years ago (ka), shortly after the Pleistocene ice sheets blocking access from eastern Beringia began to retreat. Genetic estimates of the timing and route of entry have been constrained by the lack of suitable calibration points and low genetic diversity of Native Americans. We sequenced 92wholemitochondrial genomes from pre-Columbian South American skeletons dating from 8.6 to 0.5 ka, allowing a detailed, temporally calibrated reconstruction of the peopling of the Americas in a Bayesian coalescent analysis. The data suggest that a small population entered the Americas via a coastal route around 16.0 ka, following previous isolation in eastern Beringia for ∼2.4 to 9 thousand years after separation from eastern Siberian populations. Following a rapid movement throughout the Americas, limited gene flow in South America resulted in a marked phylogeographic structure of populations, which persisted through time. All of the ancient mitochondrial lineages detected in this study were absent from modern data sets, suggesting a high extinction rate. To investigate this further, we applied a novel principal components multiple logistic regression test to Bayesian serial coalescent simulations. The analysis supported a scenario in which European colonization caused a substantial loss of pre-Columbian lineages.

Author affiliation: Llamas, Bastien. University of Adelaide; Australia

Author affiliation: Fehren Schmitz, Lars. University of California; Estados Unidos

Author affiliation: Valverde, Guido. University of Adelaide; Australia

Author affiliation: Soubrier, Julien. University of Adelaide; Australia

Author affiliation: Mallick, Swapan. Harvard Medical School; Estados Unidos. Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT; Estados Unidos

Author affiliation: Rohland, Nadin. Harvard Medical School; Estados Unidos. Howard Hughes Medical Institute; Estados Unidos

Author affiliation: Nordenfelt, Susanne. Harvard Medical School; Estados Unidos. Howard Hughes Medical Institute; Estados Unidos

Author affiliation: Valdiosera, Cristina. La Trobe University; Australia

Author affiliation: Richards, Stephen M.. University of Adelaide; Australia

Author affiliation: Rohrlach, Adam. University of Adelaide; Australia

Author affiliation: Romero, Maria Inés Barreto. Museo de Sitio Huaca Pucllana; Perú

Author affiliation: Espinoza, Isabel Flores. Museo de Sitio Huaca Pucllana; Perú

Author affiliation: Cagigao, Elsa Tomasto. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Perú; Perú

Author affiliation: Jiménez, Lucía Watson. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Perú; Perú. Centro de Investigaciones Arqueológicas del Museo de Sitio de Ancón; Perú

Author affiliation: Makowski, Krzysztof. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Perú; Perú

Author affiliation: Reyna, Ilán Santiago Leboreiro. Instituto Nacional de Antropología E Historia; México

Author affiliation: Lory, Josefina Mansilla. Instituto Nacional de Antropología E Historia; México

Author affiliation: Torrez, Julio Alejandro Ballivián. Unidad de Arqueología y Museos; Bolivia

Author affiliation: Rivera, Mario A.. Universidad de Magallanes; Chile

Author affiliation: Burger, Richard L.. Harvard University; Estados Unidos

Author affiliation: Ceruti, Maria Constanza. Universidad Católica de Salta; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Author affiliation: Reinhard, Johan. National Geographic Society; Estados Unidos

Author affiliation: Wells, R. Spencer. National Geographic Society; Estados Unidos

Author affiliation: Politis, Gustavo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano; Argentina

Author affiliation: Santoro, Calogero M.. Universidad de Tarapacá; Chile

Author affiliation: Standen, Vivien G.. Universidad de Tarapacá; Chile

Author affiliation: Smith, Colin. La Trobe University; Australia

Author affiliation: Reich, David. Harvard Medical School; Estados Unidos. Howard Hughes Medical Institute; Estados Unidos

Author affiliation: Ho, Simon Y.W.. University of Sydney; Australia

Author affiliation: Cooper, Alan. University of Adelaide; Australia

Author affiliation: Haak, Wolfgang. University of Adelaide; Australia

Abstract:

The exact timing, route, and process of the initial peopling of the Americas remains uncertain despite much research. Archaeological evidence indicates the presence of humans as far as southern Chile by 14.6 thousand years ago (ka), shortly after the Pleistocene ice sheets blocking access from eastern Beringia began to retreat. Genetic estimates of the timing and route of entry have been constrained by the lack of suitable calibration points and low genetic diversity of Native Americans. We sequenced 92wholemitochondrial genomes from pre-Columbian South American skeletons dating from 8.6 to 0.5 ka, allowing a detailed, temporally calibrated reconstruction of the peopling of the Americas in a Bayesian coalescent analysis. The data suggest that a small population entered the Americas via a coastal route around 16.0 ka, following previous isolation in eastern Beringia for ∼2.4 to 9 thousand years after separation from eastern Siberian populations. Following a rapid movement throughout the Americas, limited gene flow in South America resulted in a marked phylogeographic structure of populations, which persisted through time. All of the ancient mitochondrial lineages detected in this study were absent from modern data sets, suggesting a high extinction rate. To investigate this further, we applied a novel principal components multiple logistic regression test to Bayesian serial coalescent simulations. The analysis supported a scenario in which European colonization caused a substantial loss of pre-Columbian lineages.

Author affiliation: Llamas, Bastien. University of Adelaide; Australia

Author affiliation: Fehren Schmitz, Lars. University of California; Estados Unidos

Author affiliation: Valverde, Guido. University of Adelaide; Australia

Author affiliation: Soubrier, Julien. University of Adelaide; Australia

Author affiliation: Mallick, Swapan. Harvard Medical School; Estados Unidos

Author affiliation: Rohland, Nadin. Harvard Medical School; Estados Unidos

Author affiliation: Nordenfelt, Susanne. Harvard Medical School; Estados Unidos

Author affiliation: Valdiosera, Cristina. La Trobe University; Australia

Author affiliation: Richards, Stephen M.. University of Adelaide; Australia

Author affiliation: Rohrlach, Adam. University of Adelaide; Australia

Author affiliation: Barreto Romero, Maria Inés. Museo de Sitio Huaca Pucllana; Perú

Author affiliation: Flores Espinoza, Isabel. Museo de Sitio Huaca Pucllana; Perú

Author affiliation: Tomasto Cagigao, Elsa. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Perú; Perú

Author affiliation: Watson Jiménez, Lucía. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Perú; Perú. Centro de Investigaciones Arqueológicas del Museo de Sitio de Ancón; Perú

Author affiliation: Makowski, Krzysztof. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Perú; Perú

Author affiliation: Leboreiro Reyna, Ilán Santiago. Instituto Nacional de Antropologia E Historia, Mexico; México

Author affiliation: Mansilla Lory, Josefina. Instituto Nacional de Antropologia E Historia, Mexico; México

Author affiliation: Ballivián Torrez, Julio Alejandro. Unidad de Arqueología y Museos; Bolivia

Author affiliation: Rivera, Mario A.. Universidad de Magallanes; Chile

Author affiliation: Burger, Richard L.. Harvard University; Estados Unidos

Author affiliation: Ceruti, Maria Constanza. Universidad Católica de Salta; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Author affiliation: Reinhard, Johan. National Geographic Society;

Author affiliation: Wells, R. Spencer. University of Texas at Austin; Estados Unidos. National Geographic Society;

Author affiliation: Politis, Gustavo Gabriel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano; Argentina

Author affiliation: Santoro Vargas, Calogero Mauricio. Universidad de Tarapacá de Arica; Chile

Author affiliation: Standen, Vivien G.. Universidad de Tarapacá de Arica; Chile

Author affiliation: Smith, Colin. La Trobe University; Australia

Author affiliation: Reich, David. Harvard Medical School; Estados Unidos

Author affiliation: Ho, Simon Y. W.. The University Of Sydney; Australia

Author affiliation: Cooper, Alan. University of Adelaide; Australia

Author affiliation: Haak, Wolfgang. University of Adelaide; Australia

Abstract:

The Tremarctinae are a subfamily of bears endemic to the New World,including two of the largest terrestrial mammalian carnivores that haveever lived: the giant, short-faced bears Arctodus simus from North Americaand Arctotherium angustidens from South America (greater than or equal to1000 kg). Arctotherium angustidens became extinct during the EarlyPleistocene, whereas Arctodus simus went extinct at the very end of thePleistocene. The only living tremarctine is the spectacled bear (Tremarctosornatus), a largely herbivorous bear that is today only found in SouthAmerica. The relationships among the spectacled bears (Tremarctos), SouthAmerican short-faced bears (Arctotherium) and North American shortfacedbears (Arctodus) remain uncertain. In this study, we sequenced amitochondrial genome from an Arctotherium femur preserved in a Chileancave. Our molecular phylogenetic analyses revealed that the SouthAmerican short-faced bears were more closely related to the extant SouthAmerican spectacled bear than to the North American short-faced bears.This result suggests striking convergent evolution of giant forms in thetwo groups of short-faced bears (Arctodus and Arctotherium), potentially asan adaptation to dominate competition for megafaunal carcasses.

Author affiliation: Mitchell, Kieren J.. University of Adelaide; Australia

Author affiliation: Bray, Sarah C.. University of Adelaide; Australia. University of South Australia; Australia

Author affiliation: Bover, Pere. University of Adelaide; Australia. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; España. Universidad de las Islas Baleares. Institut Mediterrani d'Estudis Avançats; España

Author affiliation: Soibelzon, Leopoldo Héctor. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Departamento Científico de Paleontología de Vertebrados; Argentina

Author affiliation: Schubert, Blaine W.. East Tennessee State University; Estados Unidos

Author affiliation: Prevosti, Francisco Juan. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Universidad Nacional de La Rioja. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Universidad Nacional de Catamarca. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Secretaría de Industria y Minería. Servicio Geológico Minero Argentino. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Provincia de La Rioja. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja; Argentina

Author affiliation: Prieto, Alfredo. Universidad de Magallanes. Instituto de la Patagonia. Centro de Estudios del Hombre Austral; Chile

Author affiliation: Martin, Fabiana Maria. Universidad de Magallanes. Instituto de la Patagonia. Centro de Estudios del Hombre Austral; Chile

Author affiliation: Austin, Jeremy J.. University of Adelaide; Australia

Author affiliation: Cooper, Alan. University of Adelaide; Australia

Abstract:

Fatty acid and retinol-binding proteins (FARs) comprise a family of unusual α-helix rich lipid-binding proteins found exclusively in nematodes. They are secreted into host tissues by parasites of plants, animals and humans. The structure of a FAR protein from the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is available, but this protein [C. elegans FAR-7 (Ce-FAR-7)] is from a subfamily of FARs that does not appear to be important at the host/parasite interface. We have therefore examined [Necator americanus FAR-1 (Na-FAR-1)] from the blood-feeding intestinal parasite of humans, N. americanus. The 3D structure of Na-FAR-1 in its ligand-free and ligand-bound forms, determined by NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography respectively, reveals an α-helical fold similar to Ce-FAR-7, but Na-FAR-1 possesses a larger and more complex internal ligand-binding cavity and an additional C-terminal α-helix. Titration of apo-Na-FAR-1 with oleic acid, analysed by NMR chemical shift perturbation, reveals that at least four distinct protein-ligand complexes can be formed. Na-FAR-1 and possibly other FARs may have a wider repertoire for hydrophobic ligand binding, as confirmed in the present study by our finding that a range of neutral and polar lipids co-purify with the bacterially expressed recombinant protein. Finally, we show by immunohistochemistry that Na-FAR-1 is present in adult worms with a tissue distribution indicative of possible roles in nutrient acquisition by the parasite and in reproduction in the male.

Author affiliation: Rey, María Florencia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata ; Argentina

Author affiliation: Ibáñez, Marina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata ; Argentina

Author affiliation: Gabrielsen, Mads. University of Glasgow; Reino Unido

Author affiliation: Franchini, Gisela Raquel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata ; Argentina

Author affiliation: Roe, Andrew J.. University of Glasgow; Reino Unido

Author affiliation: Griffiths, Kate. University of Glasgow; Reino Unido

Author affiliation: Zhan, Bin. Baylor College of Medicine; Estados Unidos

Author affiliation: Cooper, Alan. University of Glasgow; Reino Unido

Author affiliation: Kennedy, Malcolm W.. University of Glasgow; Reino Unido

Author affiliation: Córsico, Betina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata ; Argentina

Author affiliation: Smith, Brian O.. University of Glasgow; Reino Unido

Abstract:

The rich fossil record of horses has made them a classic example of evolutionary processes. However, while the overall picture of equid evolution is well known, the details are surprisingly poorly understood, especially for the later Pliocene and Pleistocene, c. 3 million to 0.01 million years (Ma) ago, and nowhere more so than in the Americas. There is no consensus on the number of equid species or even the number of lineages that existed in these continents. Likewise, the origin of the endemic South American genus <i>Hippidion</i> is unresolved, as is the phylogenetic position of the "stilt-legged" horses of North America. Using ancient DNA sequences, we show that, in contrast to current models based on morphology and a recent genetic study, <i>Hippidion</i> was phylogenetically close to the caballine (true) horses, with origins considerably more recent than the currently accepted date of c. 10 Ma. Furthermore, we show that stilt-legged horses, commonly regarded as Old World migrants related to the hemionid asses of Asia, were in fact an endemic North American lineage. Finally, our data suggest that there were fewer horse species in late Pleistocene North America than have been named on morphological grounds. Both caballine and stilt-legged lineages may each have comprised a single, wide-ranging species.

Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celular

Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo

Abstract:

Background. Despite being one of the most studied families within the Carnivora, the phylogenetic relationships among the members of the bear family (Ursidae) have long remained unclear. Widely divergent topologies have been suggested based on various data sets and methods. Results. We present a fully resolved phylogeny for ursids based on ten complete mitochondrial genome sequences from all eight living and two recently extinct bear species, the European cave bear (<i>Ursus spelaeus</i>) and the American giant short-faced bear (<i>Arctodus simus</i>). The mitogenomic data yield a well-resolved topology for ursids, with the sloth bear at the basal position within the genus Ursus. The sun bear is the sister taxon to both the American and Asian black bears, and this clade is the sister clade of cave bear, brown bear and polar bear confirming a recent study on bear mitochondrial genomes. Conclusion. Sequences from extinct bears represent the third and fourth Pleistocene species for which complete mitochondrial genomes have been sequenced. Moreover, the cave bear specimen demonstrates that mitogenomic studies can be applied to Pleistocene fossils that have not been preserved in permafrost, and therefore have a broad application within ancient DNA research. Molecular dating of the mtDNA divergence times suggests a rapid radiation of bears in both the Old and New Worlds around 5 million years ago, at the Miocene-Pliocene boundary. This coincides with major global changes, such as the Messinian crisis and the first opening of the Bering Strait, and suggests a global influence of such events on species radiations.

Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo

Abstract:

Despite being one of the most studied families within the Carnivora, the phylogenetic relationships among the members of the bear family (Ursidae) have long remained unclear. Widely divergent topologies have been suggested based on various data sets and methods.

Museo de La Plata

Abstract:

As-p18 is produced and secreted by larvae of the parasitic nematode Ascaris suum as they develop within their eggs. The protein is a member of the fatty acid binding protein (FABP) family found in a wide range of eukaryotes, but is distinctive in that it is secreted from the synthesizing cell and has predicted additional structural features not previously seen in other FABPs. As-p18 and similar proteins found only in nematodes have therefore been designated 'nemFABPs'. Sequence-specific 1H, 13C and 15N resonance assignments were established for the 155 amino acid recombinant protein (18.3 kDa) in complex with oleic acid, using a series of three-dimensional triple-resonance heteronuclear NMR experiments. The secondary structure of As-p18 is predicted to be very similar to other FABPs, but the protein has extended loops that have not been observed in other FABPs whose structures have so far been solved. © 2012 The Author(s).

Author affiliation: Ibáñez, Marina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata "Prof. Dr. Rodolfo R. Brenner". Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata "Prof. Dr. Rodolfo R. Brenner"; Argentina

Author affiliation: Rey, María Florencia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata "Prof. Dr. Rodolfo R. Brenner". Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata "Prof. Dr. Rodolfo R. Brenner"; Argentina

Author affiliation: Cooper, Alan. University of Glasgow; Reino Unido

Author affiliation: Kennedy, Malcolm W.. University of Glasgow; Reino Unido

Author affiliation: Córsico, Betina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata "Prof. Dr. Rodolfo R. Brenner". Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata "Prof. Dr. Rodolfo R. Brenner"; Argentina

Author affiliation: Smith, Brian O.. University of Glasgow; Reino Unido

Abstract:

The causes of Late Pleistocene megafaunal extinctions (60,000 to 11,650 years ago, hereafter 60 to 11.65 ka) remain contentious, with major phases coinciding with both human arrival and climate change around the world. The Americas provide a unique opportunity to disentangle these factors as human colonization took place over a narrow time frame (~15 to 14.6 ka) but during contrasting temperature trends across each continent. Unfortunately, limited data sets in South America have so far precluded detailed comparison. We analyze genetic and radiocarbon data from 89 and 71 Patagonian megafaunal bones, respectively, more than doubling the high-quality Pleistocene megafaunal radiocarbon data sets from the region.We identify a narrowmegafaunal extinction phase 12,280 ± 110 years ago, some 1 to 3 thousand years after initial human presence in the area. Although humans arrived immediately prior to a cold phase, the Antarctic Cold Reversal stadial, megafaunal extinctions did not occur until the stadial finished and the subsequent warming phase commenced some 1 to 3 thousand years later. The increased resolution provided by the Patagonian material reveals that the sequence of climate and extinction events in North and South America were temporally inverted, but in both cases, megafaunal extinctions did not occur until human presence and climate warming coincided. Overall, metapopulation processes involving subpopulation connectivity on a continental scale appear to have been critical for megafaunal species survival of both climate change and human impacts.

Author affiliation: Metcalf, Jessica L.. University of Adelaide; Australia. State University of Colorado Boulder; Estados Unidos

Author affiliation: Turney, Chris. University of New South Wales; Australia

Author affiliation: Barnett, Ross. University of Oxford; Reino Unido. Universidad de Copenhagen; Dinamarca

Author affiliation: Martin, Fabiana. Universidad de Magallanes. Instituto de la Patagonia. Centro de Estudios del Hombre Austral; Chile

Author affiliation: Bray, Sarah C.. University of Adelaide; Australia. University of South Australia; Australia

Author affiliation: Vilstrup, Julia T.. Universidad de Copenhagen; Dinamarca

Author affiliation: Orlando, Ludovic. Universidad de Copenhagen; Dinamarca

Author affiliation: Salas-Gismondi, Rodolfo. Université de Montpellier. Institut des Sciences de l’Evolution; Francia. Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos; Perú

Author affiliation: Loponte, Daniel Marcelo. Secretaría de Cultura de la Nación. Dirección Nacional de Cultura y Museos. Instituto Nacional de Antropología y Pensamiento Latinoamericano; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Author affiliation: Medina, Matias Eduardo. Centro de Estudios Históricos ; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Author affiliation: de Nigris, Mariana Eleonor. Secretaría de Cultura de la Nación. Dirección Nacional de Cultura y Museos. Instituto Nacional de Antropología y Pensamiento Latinoamericano; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Author affiliation: Civalero, Maria Teresa. Secretaría de Cultura de la Nación. Dirección Nacional de Cultura y Museos. Instituto Nacional de Antropología y Pensamiento Latinoamericano; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Author affiliation: Fernández, Pablo Marcelo. Secretaría de Cultura de la Nación. Dirección Nacional de Cultura y Museos. Instituto Nacional de Antropología y Pensamiento Latinoamericano; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Author affiliation: Gasco, Alejandra Valeria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Laboratorio de Paleoecología Humana; Argentina

Author affiliation: Duran, Victor Alberto. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Laboratorio de Paleoecología Humana; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Author affiliation: Seymour, Kevin L.. Royal Ontario Museum. Department of Natural History; Canadá

Author affiliation: Otaola, Clara. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Saavedra 15. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Historia y Ciencias Humanas; Argentina

Author affiliation: Gil, Adolfo Fabian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Museo de Historia Natural de San Rafael - Ianigla | Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Museo de Historia Natural de San Rafael - Ianigla | Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Museo de Historia Natural de San Rafael - Ianigla; Argentina

Author affiliation: Paunero, Rafael. Universidad Nacional de La Plata; Argentina

Author affiliation: Prevosti, Francisco Juan. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Universidad Nacional de La Rioja. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Universidad Nacional de Catamarca. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Secretaría de Industria y Minería. Servicio Geológico Minero Argentino. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Provincia de La Rioja. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja; Argentina

Author affiliation: Bradshaw, Corey J. A.. University of Adelaide; Australia

Author affiliation: Wheeler, Jane C.. Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo de Camélidos Sudamericanos; Perú

Author affiliation: Borrero, Luis Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Saavedra 15. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Historia y Ciencias Humanas; Argentina

Author affiliation: Austin, Jeremy J.. University of Adelaide; Australia

Author affiliation: Cooper, Alan. University of Adelaide; Australia. University of Oxford; Reino Unido