Plaxhaplous was a genus of glyptodont, an extinct relative of the modern armadillo. It lived in the Pleistocene epoch.[1] The type species is Plaxhaplous canaliculatus.[2] Plaxhaplous canaliculatus fossils were found in Argentina, near Luján in Buenos Aires Province.[2] Plaxhaplous fossils have also been found in Uruguay.[1] and in the Charana Formation of Bolivia.[3]

Plaxhaplous
Temporal range: Early-Mid Pleistocene (Uquian-Ensenadan)
~2.588–0.781 Ma
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Cingulata
Family: Chlamyphoridae
Subfamily: Glyptodontinae
Genus: Plaxhaplous
Ameghino, 1884
Species:
P. canaliculatus
Binomial name
Plaxhaplous canaliculatus
Ameghino, 1884

Description edit

Like all glyptodonts, Plaxhaplous was endowed with a carapace. This carapace was formed by bony osteoderms, which formed a rigid and robust structure which protected the animal from predators.[2]

Etymology edit

The name Plaxhaplous means simple, flat surface.[2]

References edit

  1. ^ a b Rinderknecht, A. (1999). "Estudios Sobre la Familia Glyptodontidae" (PDF). Comunicaciones Paleantologicas del Museo Historia Natural de Montervideo. 2 (31). Retrieved 2015-04-07.
  2. ^ a b c d North America Fauna. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1904. pp. 546, 817. Retrieved 2015-04-07.
  3. ^ Plaxhaplous at Fossilworks.org