Main research: Origin, evolution, paleobiogeography and paleobiology of mammals, particularly South American and Antarctic native ungulates, as well as their biostratigraphic and biochronological importance. The taxonomic groups included in these studies are the orders Notoungulata, Litopterna, Astrapotheria, Pyrotheria, Xenungulata and the "Condylarthra" of the families Diodolodontidae and Kollpaniinae.
Education: Lic. in Biology with orientation in Paleontology (2001) Faculty of Natural Sciences and Museum, National University of La Plata. Post-Title of Teacher Training (2002) (Res. No. 6485/00) (DIEGEP No. 3826). PhD. (2006) Faculty of Natural Sciences and Museum, National University of La Plata.
Work performance: Member of the Research career of CONICET. Assistant Researcher (2008), Adjunct Researcher (2011), Independent Researcher (2016), Principal Investigator (2022). Associate Professor of Fundamentals of Paleontology and Vertebrate Paleontology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Museum, National University of La Plata (2018).
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Adama Group: Impact evaluation, rescue, and salvage of archaeological and paleontological sites. An interdisciplinary team of professionals trained and experienced in the development of impact evaluation projects, management, and rescue of archaeological and paleontological sites.
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HIGHLIGHTS
Gelfo, J.N., Goin, F.J. & Vega, N.A. First unambiguous evidence of Multituberculata from the Late Cretaceous of South America. Scientific Reports 15, 41500 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-25255-2
Up: reconstruction of Notopolytheles joelis by Manuel Copello.
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Left: Left M1 of Notopolytheles joelis in different views.
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Full text + Supplementary material:
Gelfo, J.N., Goin, F.J. & Vega, N.A. First unambiguous evidence of Multituberculata from the Late Cretaceous of South America. Scientific Reports 15, 41500 (2025). PDF
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​Outreach notes, including a brief account of the discovery and its significance:
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​Kalthoff, D. C., Gelfo, J. N., & Mörs, T. (2025). Postcanine enamel microstructure of Eocene Sparnotheriodontidae (Mammalia: Litopterna) from Antarctica and southern South America compared to that of other South American Native Ungulates. Palaeobiodiversity and Palaeoenvironments, 1-13. PDF
Right: Dental enamel microstructure of Notiolofos arquinotiensis
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Dozo, M. T., Paulina-Carabajal, A., Macrini, T. E., & Walsh, S. (Eds.). (2022). Paleoneurology of Amniotes: New Directions in the Study of Fossil Endocasts. Springer Nature.
Chapter 20. Endocranial Morphology and Paleoneurology in Notoungulates: Braincast, Auditory Region and Adjacent Intracranial Spaces Gastón Martínez, Thomas E. Macrini, María Teresa Dozo, Bárbara Vera, Javier N. Gelfo Pages 761-807. PDF
Chapter 21. Paleoneurology of Litopterna: Digital and Natural Endocranial Casts of Macraucheniidae María Teresa Dozo, Gastón Martínez, Javier N. Gelfo Pages 809-836. PDF
Croft, D. A., Gelfo, J. N., & López, G. M. (2020). Splendid Innovation: The Extinct South American Native Ungulates. Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences, 48. . PDF
