On the neotype of Panochthus tuberculatus (Owen, 1845) (Mammalia, Xenarthra, Glyptodontia)

Abstract

Glyptodon tuberculatus Owen was erected on two carapace fragments. Later, it was gave identity to that species through more detailed descriptions and established that it should pertain to the new genus Panochthus Burmeister. In this way, the descriptions, figures, and photographs published by Burmeister, mainly in 1870, were consistently followed by other authors when discussing or listing Panochthus tuberculatus (Owen). As the holotype of the latter species was lost, Zamorano and collaborators assigned a neotype for it, identified as MLP 16-29. For these authors, the elements included in MLP 16-29, are attributable to a single individual and comprise an exo and endoskeleton from Tapalqué (Buenos Aires Province, Argentina). However, a detailed historical study of these elements incorporated to the neotype and a detailed comparative anatomical study of them, shows that under the collection number MLP 16-29 more than one individual is represented. Finally, some of these same anatomical elements do not match the characteristics traditionally described for P. tuberculatus. Consequently, the neotype proposed is not available under the current rules of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. © 2013 by the Sociedade Brasileira de Paleontologia.