Extinct giant mammals in South America
Darwin was impressed by the fact that there
were no large mammals in South America, as there were in
Africa and Asia. His discovery of extinct, large mammals such
as the Giant Ground Sloth Mylodon and the
armadillo-like Toxodon caused him to wonder what
could have caused their extinction. He came to understand this
as a replacement over time of one related form for another,
that is, Descent with Modification.
Text material © 2017 by Steven M. Carr