New material of Equus (Amerhippus) neogeus (Mammalia, Perissodactyla) from the late Pleistocene of Olavarría (Argentina)

The fossil mammal locality from the El Polvorín limestone Quarry in Calera Avellaneda (Olavarría, Argentina) is known for its Quaternary mammals. This paper describes new specimens of equids. The comparative study with other horses, from different localities of South America, mostly Argentina and Brazil, allowed identifying the specimen as Equus (Amerhippus) neogeus Lund. This represents a new locality for this species, assigned to the late Pleistocene (Lujanian Stage/Age, c. 130-12 ka BP). The fauna associated with this stratigraphic level is consistent with a lapse of time dominated by fauna adapted to arid and cold conditions.This work has been made possible thanks to Research Project DGICYT CGL2010-19116/BOS and AECID Projects A/023681/09 and A/030111/10, Spain; and the Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, CONICET and projects ANPCYT PICT 07-01563 and PICT 11-0561.N