'Muknalia minima' from the Yucatán of Mexico is synonymous with the collared peccary, 'Pecari tajacu' (Artiodactyla: Tayassuidae)

Abstract

Ongoing investigation of peccary remains from fossiliferous deposits in the Yucatán resulted in re-examination of previously identified tayassuid fossils from the region. This included the recently described new genus and species of peccary, 'Muknalia minima', which is based on a dentary from Muknal Cave near Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico. Diagnostic characters of this taxon include a concave notch along the caudal edge of the ascending ramus and a ventrally directed angular process. Our assessment of the holotype indicates that these characteristics are not a reflection of the original morphology, but are instead the result of breakage and polishing of the posterior aspect of the dentary. Measurements and intact morphological features indicate the Muknal Cave specimen belongs to the extant collared peccary, 'Pecari tajacu'.

Keywords

• pleistocene
• quintana roo
• tayassuids
• submerged caves