Patagonia paleontologists discover new prehistoric mammal and plant species

Recent paleontological discoveries in Patagonia have provided new insights into the region's prehistoric ecosystems. Researchers have identified a previously unknown prehistoric mammal, Patagomaia chainko, from the Chorrillo Formation in Santa Cruz province. This specimen, described in 2024, is notable for its estimated body mass of approximately 14 kilograms, which is significantly larger than many other mammals from the Cretaceous period.

Additionally, scientists have identified two new species of the plant genus Eucryphia from the Ñirihuauy Formation. Found near Bariloche, these fossils of fruits and leaves date back approximately 20 million years to the early Miocene. The discovery, published in the International Journal of Plant Sciences, suggests that the Patagonia region once hosted much wetter, forested environments than the arid landscapes seen today.