The New Glyptodont: Glyptotherium deuterophractum

Publication Info:

Transcript:

É.V. Oliveira et al. 2026. The neglected Reinhardt’s glyptodontine from Lagoa Santa, Brazil: a reassessment of taxonomic status and description of a new species of Glyptotherium. J. Mamm. Evol 33, 41; doi: 10.1007/s10914-026-09836-0

Nature's "Volkswagen Beetle" has a new species. Meet Glyptotherium deuterophractum. These "giant armadillos" roamed the Americas 60,000 to 17,000 years ago.

Episode 338

Notes:

Nature's attempt at a Volkswagen Beetle just got another species. In case you don't know what this is, it's a piece of armor from a glyptodont, specifically Glyptotherium. Glyptotherium in general has a range that extends through Mexico, Central America, and a few patches in South America. And because of that, the genus that the group's named after, glyptodont, uh isn't probably the one you're immediately thinking of when you think of a glyptodont. They're called giant armadillos a lot. They're not armadillos, they are xenarthrans, which are related to sloths and armadillos, but they're a different animal. That said, armadillos are probably the best modern analog, so take an armadillo, give it a club tail, and blow it up to the size of a small car, and you've pretty much got a glyptodont. Anyway, in addition to the two previously known species of Glyptotherium, which are Glyptotherium texanum and cylindricum, meet the third species, Glyptotherium deuterophractum, which lived from Venezuela to Brazil 60 to 17,000 years ago. The holotype specimen for this species was actually originally discovered in 1875, and identified as Schizopleurum fractum, an entirely different genus. But, after a recent reevaluation, researchers were able to find enough similarities to make it a true Glyptotherium, but still not one of the previously named species, making it its own species that lived in this special territory at this time. As usual, if you want more information, here's the source.