First record of Odocoileus virginianus (Artiodactyla: Cervidae) from the Blancan of Sonora, Northwestern Mexico

Blancan III or late early Blancan-early late Blancan (3.9-2.6 Ma, Pliocene) cervid remains are described from alluvial deposits of the locality Los Hornitos, northeastern Sonora, northwestern Mexico. These remains include antlers, teeth, a mandible fragment, and other several postcranial elements. These Sonoran Blancan fossil cervid elements constitute the second most abundant group of the mammalian assemblage after the equids in the studied area. The morphometric comparative study with Pliocene and Pleistocene cervid material from United States and Mexico together with statistical analyses (bivariate and multivariate), indicate that herein described material correspond to the species Odocoileus virginianus. This is the first record of this medium-sized deer from the Blancan of Sonora and the earliest unequivocal record to Mexico.