A new species of <i>Neovenericor</i> (Bivalvia: Carditidae) from Patagonia (Gaiman Formation, Argentina) and an evaluation of the presence of <i>Neovenericor</i> in the Early Miocene

Among Patagonian Carditidae bivalves, the ‘planicostates’ or Venericorini are a group extensively studied from several points of view. All species of this group were included in the genus <i>Neovenericor</i>. New specimens from the Gaiman Formation (Early Miocene) allow us to describe a new <i>Neovenericor</i> species and to analyse the presence of the group in the Early Miocene of Patagonia within a systematic, phylogenetic, morphometric, and stratigraphic framework. A phylogenetic analysis using 65 terminals and 154 characters, adding to a detailed systematic description, allows us to describe the new species <i>Neovenericor camachoi</i>, based on the presence of large shells with 19–20 radial ribs and small nodules around the lunule, which is covered by the umbo. This species is distinguishable from other <i>Neovenericor</i>, such as <i>N. austroplata</i> and <i>N. paranensis</i>. The morphometric analysis shows a clear separation between <i>N. camachoi</i> and other species and confirms the assignment of the Gran Bajo del Gualicho specimens to <i>N. austroplata</i>. The temporal co-occurrence of two species of <i>Neovenericor</i> during the Early Miocene of Patagonia is determined from stratigraphic data, and a complex evolutionary scenario for the Venericorini lineage is proposed.