Nohochichak

Nohochichak
Temporal range: Late Pleistocene (Rancholabrean)
~0.036–0.012 Ma
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Scientific classification Edit this 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

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ 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.