Reassessing the phylogeny and divergence times of sloths (Mammalia: Pilosa: Folivora), exploring alternative morphological partitioning and dating models Author Casali, Daniel M Author Boscaini, Alberto Author Gaudin, Timothy J Author Perini, Fernando A text Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 2022 2022-12-01 196 4 1505 1551 https://academic.oup.com/zoolinnean/article/196/4/1505/6617197 journal article 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlac041 0024-4082 7381236 Megatheriidae minus Analcimorphus PP = 100, age = 18.47 Mya (16.97–20.24). This clade is composed of the clades Prepotheriinae , Nothrotheriinae and Megatheriinae , which were recovered in two alternative arrangements: ( Prepotheriinae , ( Nothrotheriinae , Megatheriinae )) for H models, par_IW10 and par IW5, and ( Megatheriinae , ( Nothrotheriinae , Prepotheriinae)) for par_EW and par_IW_100. For A models that contain the clade, both arrangements were observed. The clade was supported by 17 synapomorphies (ten for both methods and seven exclusively for BI): Cf1 closer to Mf1 than to anterior edge of maxilla (BI); deep zygomatic process almost covers the entire squamosal exposure; occiput vertical or slightly inclined posterodorsally; sessile occipital condyles (BI); median fusion of posterior alae of vomer; medial expansion of entotympanic dorsal to basicranium; occipital artery passes through a closed canal in mastoid; absence of intertrochanteric ridge; moderately developed lesser trochanter of femur, with a laminar projection (BI); distal epiphyses of femur twisted with respect to the main axis (BI); lateral facet of anterior border of tibial proximal epiphysis located posterior to medial facet (BI); distal fibular articulation for tibia posterolaterally positioned; odontoid process well defined only on distal half of proximodistal length of tibial surface (BI); slightly obtuse (around 120°) angle formed by discoid and odontoid facets of astragalus, in distal view; process for navicular on astragalus at the level of the odontoid facet; transverse diameter of discoid facet of astragalus smaller than that of odontoid facet (BI); and obtuse (around 120°) angle formed by facets for cuboid and metatarsal IV, in metatarsal V.