Species diversity map of fossil rodents in all known Oligocene-Pleistocene fossiliferous localities across South America.

<p>The number of valid species known for each region has been compiled and color coded. Blue colored regions represent the absence of rodent remains and warmer colors represent increasing number of species (taxonomic diversity) of fossil rodents. The red colored region highlights the highest species diversity of fossil rodents recorded in the “Pinturan”/Santacrucian fossiliferous localities of southern South America (Patagonia). Grey arrow indicates the rodent record of Laventan age in Colombia, where the oldest Caviidae (<i>P. pridiana</i>) is recorded.