Fossil penguins (Pygoscelis calderensis sp. nov.) in the Bahía Inglesa Formation (Middle Miocene-Pliocene), Chile

Abstract

Three new penguin skulls (Spheniscidae), assigned to the new species Pygoscelis calderensis sp. nov. from the Bahía Inglesa Formation of Middle Miocene-Pliocene age located south of Caldera on the coast of the III Región de Atacama, Chile (27°00′S, 70°45′W to 28°00′, 71°00′W), are described. This finding broadens the geographic and chronologic distribution of the genus, constituting its most northern record. Before the present work, the genus was known from the Late Pliocene of New Zealand. This record, together with other faunistic evidences, suggests the existence of periods or cold oceanic currents during the Neogene. © 2006 Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería.