Macroeuphractus
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Macroeuphractus Temporal range: 9–3 Ma |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Superorder: | Xenarthra |
| Order: | Cingulata |
| Family: | Chlamyphoridae |
| Subfamily: | Euphractinae |
| Genus: |
Macroeuphractus Moreno 1889 |
Macroeuphractus is a genus of extinct armadillo from the Late Miocene and Pliocene of South America. The genus is noted for its large size, with Macroeuphractus outesi being the largest non-pampathere or glyptodont armadillo discovered, as well as its specializations for carnivory, unique among all xenarthrans.
There are three currently recognised species of Macroeuphractus: M. outesi, M. retusus and M. moreni.
The former, the type species, is known from one specimen from the Late Pliocene of Buenos Aires, Argentina. This specimen is composed of a fairly well preserved skull as well as numerous post-cranial elements. It represented a considerably large species at around 100 kg.
M. retusus is known from a single lower jaw from the Cerro Azul Formation, central Argentina.
M. moreni is known from various Late Miocene and Pliocene sites in Argentina and Bolivia.
Macroeuphractus is traditionally grouped with euphractines; it was named after its similarity with Euphractus itself. The most recent phylogenetic examinations confirm its status as at least a sister group to euphractines, along with Paleuphractus, Doellotatus and Proeuphractus.
Macroeuphractus is one of the few known xenarthrans to have specialised extensively for a carnivorous lifestyle. Modern euphractine armadillos (such as the modern six-banded armadillo) are fairly dedicated animalivores, but Macroeuphractus shows several features that indicate hypercarnivory:
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