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M3#14

This model corresponds to a virtually reconstructed bony labyrinth of the right inner ear of the skull MNHN-F-PAM 276, attributed to the extinct giant ground sloth Megatherium americanum. The fossil comes from Pleistocene deposits at Rio Salado (Prov. Buenos Aires, Argentina). The bony labyrinth of Megatherium shows semicircular canals that are proportionally much larger than in the modern two-toed and three-toed sloths. The cochlea in Megatherium shows 2.5 turns, which is a rather high value within Xenarthra. Overall, the shape of the bony labyrinth of Megatherium resembles more that of extant armadillos than that of its extant sloth relatives.

Data citation: Guillaume Billet Logo, Damien Germain Logo, Irina Ruf Logo, Christian de Muizon Logo and Lionel Hautier Logo, 2015. M3#14. doi: 10.18563/m3.sf14

Model solid/transparent

Specimen infos
Collection

Information
Sex : indet

Age group : Adult

Age (if applicable) : Pleistocene

Material Type : Skull

Origin : Argentina

Taxonomy
Class : Mammalia

Order : Pilosa

Family : Megatheriidae

Genus : Megatherium

Species :americanum


Description
The specimen is a skull attributed to the extinct giant ground sloth Megatherium americanum. The fossil comes from Pleistocene deposits at Rio Salado (Prov. Buenos Aires, Argentina).

Related article
3D model related to the publication: The inner ear of Megatherium and the evolution of the vestibular system in sloths.
Guillaume Billet, Damien Germain, Irina Ruf, Christian de Muizon and Lionel Hautier
Published online: 24/02/2015

Keywords: bony labyrinth; inner ear; Megatherium; Sloth

https://doi.org/10.18563/m3.1.2.e3

  Abstract

    This contribution contains the 3D model described and figured in the following publication: Billet G., Germain D., Ruf I., Muizon C. de, Hautier L. 2013. The inner ear of Megatherium and the evolution of the vestibular system in sloths. Journal of Anatomy 123:557-567, DOI: 10.1111/joa.12114


  See original publication
  M3 article infos

Published in Vol. 01, Issue 02 (2015)

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