New postcranial remains of Smilodon populator Lund, 1842 from southeastern Brazil

Abstract

The postcranial remains of the saber-toothed cat Smilodon populator dealt with here corresponds to the first occurrence of the taxon in the State of São Paulo, filling a gap in its geographical distribution. The fossils were collected in Abismo Iguatemi, a karstic fissure located in the municipality of Apiaí, upper Ribeira River valley. Given that the described specimens share equivalent size, similar preservation, and were found relatively close to one another, without duplicated elements, it is suggested that these belong to a single individual. Concerning the accumulation, this animal might have entered the fissure partially or completely articulated, either trapped or dragged by pluvial flood as a carcass. In this context, the fragmentation and weathering of the fossils seem related to reworking inside the cave. Comparative measurements show that the studied material dimension is, on average, larger than North American forms and approximate to other South American specimens, that are admittedly larger and more robust.