A group of specialists in paleontology has discovered fossil remains of giant capybaras in Chilean territory, which are over 4.5 million years old.
The discovery of these bone pieces occurred in the region of La Araucanía, providing unprecedented information about the animals that inhabited the southern part of the country in the past.
For millions of years, the geographical environment of central-southern Chile sheltered the existence of an inhabitant that was not expected to be found. The lands of La Araucanía, currently used for agricultural work, were in ancient times the home of colossal rodents, ancestors of the well-known capybara.
The recent discovery in the commune of Renaico has not only impacted scientists but also redefines the natural history of the nation: 4.5 million years ago, these large specimens lived on Chilean soil, as detailed in a study in the Journal of South American Earth Sciences.
Giant Capybaras in Chile
The research originated when the consultancy THERIUM was conducting excavations for the construction of a wind farm.
In the midst of the tasks, a fossil molar stood out for its dimensions. Karina Buldrini, the main person responsible for the research, explained that the morphology of the dental piece clearly indicated that it was a large rodent.
The set of fossils recovered includes the molar, incisors, parts of the femur, and a section of the pelvis.
These remains belong to the genus Phugatherium, an already extinct relative of the modern capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris). Although this animal is now a phenomenon on digital platforms, it is not part of Chile’s current wildlife.
Giant Capybara in Chile
These findings represent the first anatomical evidence of the existence of capybaras in the country and the first fossil record of continental mammals from the Neogene in the Central Depression.
The project was led by Martín Chávez and Karina Buldrini, in collaboration with experts from the National Museum of Natural History and Ciahn Atacama.
Scientists determined that the remains date back to the Early Pliocene, a time with a very different climate and environment.
The discovery suggests that Renaico was a heterogeneous landscape composed of wetlands and open areas. Analyses suggest that these capybaras could reach two meters in length and weigh up to 300 kg, dimensions comparable to those of a tapir.
The existence of such animals implies that there were once large bodies of water, now extinct. The disappearance of these rodents in Chile is associated with climatic changes and the loss of the aquatic ecosystems they needed to live.
A Connection with South America’s Past
This discovery extends the geographical presence of the genus Phugatherium to the west of the Andes Mountain Range.
The fossils allow for the study of animal distribution before the mountain range was definitively formed. In addition to the capybaras, remains of litopterns (extinct herbivores) were found, which helps reconstruct the ancient local ecosystem.
Currently, the capybara is extremely popular for its docile nature, being a cultural icon on social networks and in other countries, which contrasts with its absence in Chile today.
Nevertheless, this scientific advancement confirms that the country was a key piece in the evolutionary path of this animal.
For the authors, these remains are the definitive proof of their historical presence in the region and open new avenues to investigate the climate and fauna of the Pliocene on the continent, leaving questions about the fate of the species that once inhabited the ancient wetlands of La Araucanía.
