A new vertebrate fossiliferous site from the Late Quaternary at San José on the north coast of Ecuador: preliminary note

A new fossiliferous site is described south of Manta on the north coast of Ecuador. Estuarine sediments overlying Quaternary terraced deposits contain abundant vertebrate remains belonging to the following taxa: Eremotherium cf. laurillardi or E. rusconii, Haplomastodon chimborazi, and Geochelone s.l. On the basis of geological context and the fossil assemblage, a probable Early Holocene age is suggested, although a latest Pleistocene age cannot be ruled out. This discovery will provide crucial new information to enhance knowledge of the geologic and faunistic evolution of the area.