-TAXONOMIC REVIEW OF THE PLEISTOCENE EQUIDS FROM MEXICO BASED ON DENTAL MORPHOLOGY.A quantitative and qualitative evaluation of the dental traits of five horse species from 15 fossiliferous areas from the Pleistocene of Mexico was performed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether Equus mexicanus, E. conversidens, E. excelsus, E. francisci (= E. tau) and E. cedralensis show particular dental morphologies (measurements and occlusal morphology of the molariform) that provide information of systematic significance. To this end, premolars and molars of adult individuals were used to evaluate a set of ten quantitative variables that were analyzed by bivariate and multivariate methods; also, 13 qualitative variables were used to estimate the frequency in the configuration and development degree of the enamel pattern on the occlusal surface for each species. Our results indicate that 60% of the quantitative variables and 40% of the qualitative provide information to distinguish dental morphologies. Based on measures and the enamel pattern the following specific characteristics were recognized: E. mexicanus: large-size occlusal area and relatively complex enamel pattern, E. conversidens: medium-size and moderately complex occlusal enamel and E. francisci: small-size and relatively simple enamel pattern on the occlusal surface. Concerning E. excelsus and E. cedralensis, their dental morphology is closely similar to those of E. conversidens and E. francisci respectively. The observed dental morphology of the Mexican specimens of E. excelsus indicates that part of those should be reconsidered as E. conversidens and part as E. mexicanus. Nevertheless, E. francisci and E. cedralensis are different species that can be recognized by limb characters rather than dental traits. Furthermore, the developing of particular dental patterns in these species is a factor that allowed their coexistence in Mexico during the Pleistocene.Key words: dental morphology, Equidae, Equus, taxonomy, Pleistocene, Mexico.RESUMO -No presente estudo foi realizada uma avaliação quantitativa e qualitativa das características dentárias de cinco espécies de cavalos de 15 áreas fossilíferas do Pleistoceno mexicano. Os objetivos do estudo foram de avaliar se Equus mexicanus, E. conversidens, E. excelsus, E. francisci (= E. tau) e E. cedralensis mostram morfologias dentárias particulares (medidas e morfologia oclusal de molariformes) que forneçam informações de importância sistemática. Para tal, pré-molares e molares de indivíduos adultos foram utilizados para avaliar um conjunto de dez variáveis quantitativas que foram analisadas por métodos bivariantes e multivariantes. Também foram utilizadas 13 variáveis qualitativas para estimar a frequência no grau de configuração e desenvolvimento do padrão de esmalte na superfície oclusal para cada espécie. Os resultados indicaram que 60% das variáveis quantitativas e 40% das qualitativas proveram informações para distinguir morfologias dentárias. De acordo com as medidas e o padrão do esmalte foram...

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-Dental and postcranial fossil material referable to camelids, which has been recovered from Quaternary deposits that outcrop in the Valsequillo Basin, Puebla State, central Mexico, is formally described. A comparative study indicates the presence of two species of camelids, including Hemiauchenia macrocephala and Camelops hesternus. The sample referable to H. macrocephala includes maxillary and mandibular fragments, isolated teeth, and several postcranial remains (astragalus, metapodials, and proximal phalanges), which show the following diagnostic features of the species: molariforms covered by a layer of cementum; a mandible increasing in depth from p4 to m3; p4 triangular in outline; long and slender metapodials; and proximal phalanges with a W-shaped suspensory ligament scar. The sample referable to C. hesternus is represented by maxillary and mandibular fragments, isolated teeth, and metapodials, sharing with the species its large size; P4 quadrate in outline; p4 triangular in outline and simply folded; and a mandible that is significantly deeper from p4 to m3. A microwear analysis was performed in order to characterize the diet of studied samples, indicating a browser and mixed feeding behavior in H. macrocephala and C. hesternus respectively. The differences in size and trophic regimes in these species should explained the resource partitioning between them. In the late Pleistocene these camelids were common in Mexican sites between the 19°-25° N, and the record from the Valsequillo Basin is one of the few sites where both species have been reported. Key words: Camelidae, taxonomy, diet, geographic distribution, Valsequillo Basin, Quaternary.RESUMO -Material fóssil dentário e pós-craniano atribuído a camelídeos, recuperados de depósitos quaternários aflorantes na Bacia Valsequillo, Estado de Puebla, México central, é descrito formalmente. Um estudo comparativo indica a presença de duas espécies de camelídeos, Hemiauchenia macrocephala e Camelops hesternus. A amostra atribuída a H. macrocephala inclui fragmentos maxilares e mandibulares, dentes isolados, e vários restos pós-cranianos (astrágalos, metapodiais e falanges proximais), que mostram os seguintes caracteres diagnósticos da espécie: molariformes coberto por uma camada de cemento; uma mandíbula aumentando em altura do p4 ao m3; p4 de aspecto triangular; metapodiais longos e finos; e falanges proximais com uma cicatriz no ligamento suspensório em forma de W. A amostra atribuída a C. hesternus é representada por fragmentos maxilares e mandibulares, dentes isolados, e metapodiais, compartilhando com a espécie seu grande tamanho; P4 com aspecto quadrangular; p4 de contorno triangular e simplesmente dobrado; e uma mandíbula que é significantemente mais alta de p4 a m3. Uma análise de micro-desgaste foi realizada a fim de caracterizar a dieta de amostras estudadas, indicando hábito ramoneador e a alimentação mista em H. macrocephala e C. hesternus respectivamente. As diferenças de tamanho e regimes tróficos nestas espécies deve explicar a partil...

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Abstract. Panthera atrox was a common large-sized cat in North America during the late Pleistocene. An isolated lower canine and a fifth metacarpal bone referable to this species were recovered from fluvial Quaternary deposits that outcrop in southeastern Hidalgo, central Mexico. Associated fossil material belonging to Bison indicates a Rancholabrean North American Land Mammal Age; the age assignment is corroborated by the presence of P. atrox. A comparative study with selected specimens of Panthera and Smilodon indicates that the Hidalgoan sample shares the following diagnostic features with P. atrox: a large, robust, and non-strongly curved lower canine; a large and relatively slender fifth metacarpal with a well-developed projection on the palmar side at the proximal end, narrow articulating surface for the unciform; a narrow notch on the articulating surface for the fourth metacarpal; and a diaphysis that at the middle is oval in cross section. The record supplements the evidence of P. atrox in central Mexico and represents the first reported occurrence of this cat species in the state of Hidalgo. By the same token, the known geographic distribution of P. atrox in the Mexican territory suggests that it was relatively common in temperate areas of central Mexico between 19 and 24 • N at an altitudinal range from 1500 to 2250 m a.s.l. The large size (mean body mass of 300 kg) and hypercarnivorous adaptations of the American lion suggest it was the top predator of the mammalian community recorded at southeastern Hidalgo, displacing other members of the carnivore guild at the mesopredator level, such as the dire wolf (Canis dirus ), which has been also reported in the area. The high diversity of large herbivores recorded at southeastern Hidalgo, which in turn could represent potential prey of P. atrox, suggests that some areas that now are part of central Mexico were suitable hunting sites for this large-sized cat.A review of the Pleistocene record of Felidae from Mexico revealed that it encompasses 87.5 and 73.3 % of generic and specific diversity known for North