The Pleistocene Gomphotheriidae (Proboscidea) from South America

Gomphotheres arrived in South America during the “Great American Biotic Interchange” and occurred in South America from the early middle Pleistocene (Ensenadan Land-mammal Age) to the late Pleistocene (Lujanian Land-mammal Age). Only two genera are recognized: (1) Cuvieronius, which has only one species, Cuvieronius hyodon; and (2) Stegomastodon, which has two species, Stegomastodon waringi and Stegomastodon platensis. The small Cuvieronius utilized the Andean corridor and was almost exclusively a mixed-feeder. The large Stegomastodon dispersed through the East route and the coastal area. Stegomastodon waringi showed an adaptive trend from mixed-feeder to grazer, while Stegomastodon platensis showed a trend from mixed to browser feeding. Cuvieronius seems to have been adapted to temperate-cold climate conditions, while Stegomastodon appears to have predominated in lower latitudes, and was better adapted to warm or temperate climatic conditions.