Seasonal Migration of Bison Antiquus from Rancho La Brea, California

1989 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
George T. Jefferson ◽  
Judith L. Goldin

AbstractEvidence for annual seasonal migration of extinct Bison antiquus in the late Pleistocene fossil assemblage from Rancho La Brea, California, is demonstrated for the first time. The maturation of individuals from the B. antiquus sample was analyzed using the cheek tooth eruption sequence and occlusal wear patterns in juvenile and young adult inferior dentitions. Individual age of the specimens was established by comparison with wear stages observed in modern B. bison dentitions of known age. Assuming that reproductive behavior was restricted to a specific annual cycle similar to modern B. bison, B. antiquus was seasonally present at Rancho La Brea during the late spring. An annual migratory pattern is indicated by the presence in the assemblage of yearly groups of young individuals of the same age.

Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4780 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
WILLIAM SUÁREZ

The Cuban fossil avifauna, prior to this study, included 30 extinct and extirpated valid taxa. In the present contribution, we review the fossil avifauna from Las Breas de San Felipe, and in so doing increase the diversity of Cuban fossil birds to 36 species with the description of a New World vulture, Coragyps seductus sp. nov., three accipitrids, Gigantohierax itchei sp. nov., Buteogallus royi sp. nov., and Buteo sanfelipensis sp. nov., a small caracara, Milvago diazfrancoi sp. nov., plus Buteogallus cf. B. fragilis (L. Miller, 1911), which is recorded for the first time in Cuba and the Antillean Subregion. Of the total of 34 bird species now registered from Las Breas de San Felipe, 21 (61.8 %) are extinct and 13 (38.2 %) correspond to species that still live in Cuba, other Antillean islands, or in the American continent. Raptors dominate the assemblage, with 26 (76.5 %) species. These are mostly from Accipitridae and Falconidae, and 19 (55.9 %) are diurnal and 7 (20.6 %) nocturnal. This abundance of raptors in Las Breas de San Felipe is similar to the composition from other asphalt deposits known from the American continent such as Rancho La Brea. The palaeoavifauna from this locality can be split, according to ecological preferences, into three groups or guilds. Radiocarbon (14C) dates indicate a late Pleistocene age for some of the recovered bird remains, including those of Antigone cubensis (Fischer & Stephan, 1971) comb. nov., Gymnogyps varonai (Arredondo, 1971) and Ornimegalonyx oteroi (Arredondo, 1958). 


PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e7161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaron L. Woodruff ◽  
Blaine W. Schubert

The late Pleistocene faunal assemblage from Bat Cave, central Ozarks, Missouri provides an opportunity to assess specific aspects of behavior, ecology, and ontogeny of the Rancholabrean species Platygonus compressus. All identifiable elements referable to this taxon were catalogued and examined, and a minimum number of individuals of 73 was determined for the sample. Evidence of seasonal behavioral patterns are reported for the first time in a fossil peccary. Maturation of individuals was assessed using the tooth eruption sequence and occlusal wear patterns for all tooth-bearing mandibular elements and isolated lower dentition. Approximate ages were established through comparison with the extant collared peccary. The presence of distinct, developmentally non-overlapping age groups suggests that P. compressus was seasonally present at the Bat Cave locality, with the cave functioning as seasonal shelter in which individuals would occasionally die. The study also suggests the peccaries engaged in synchronous, seasonal breeding behaviors. Demographic assessment of the Bat Cave peccary population suggests that younger individuals formed the bulk of the population at a given time with progressively older individuals becoming scarcer until the age of about 10 years, which matches the typical demographic patterns and life expectancy of extant peccaries.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua E. Cohen ◽  
◽  
Larisa R.G. DeSantis ◽  
Emily Lindsey ◽  
Julie Meachen ◽  
...  

PalZ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Consuelo Sendino ◽  
Martin M. Bochmann

AbstractA conulariid preserved in three dimensions from Ordovician fluvioglacial erratics of the Northern European Lowlands (North German Plain) is described under open nomenclature. It is assigned to the genus Conularia with similarities to Baltoscandian conulariids. The lithology of the erratic boulder and fauna contained in it provide important information on the origin and transport direction of the sediment preserved in a kame from the Saalian glaciation. This paper deals with the site of origin of the boulder in Baltoscandia analysing the comprised palaeofauna, from a palaeostratigraphic and palaeogeographic point of view, from its deposition in Ordovician times until its arrival at its current location in the Late Pleistocene. It also reveals for the first time the internal structure of the conulariid aperture.


1988 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 92-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
William A. Akersten ◽  
Theresea M. Foppe ◽  
George T. Jefferson

The teeth of many large herbivores contain “pockets” (fossettes, fossettids, etc.) which entrap impacted samples of food (dental boluses) during mastication. These do not preserve well in most fossil deposits, but at Rancho La Brea, paleobotanical remains survive essentially intact and dental boluses from late Pleistocene forms are amenable to microhistological analysis. Of the identifiable bolus contents, those from Bison antiquus averaged 87% nonmonocotyledons; from Camelops hesternus, 90% nonmonocotyledons; and from Equus occidentalis (one specimen), 56% nonmonocotyledons. A control study on modern Bison bison shows that the boluses contain somewhat lower percentages of monocotyledons than do alimentary samples from the same individuals. However, this accounts for only a part of the very high percentage of nonmonocotyledons in the boluses of the extinct Bison. We conclude that the populations of B. antiquus and C. hesternus represented at Rancho La Brea probably fed little on grasses and that there is enough indirect evidence to suggest that the same may be true for other populations of these taxa. The Equus data are not sufficient to do more than question the usual assumption that Pleistocene horses were always obligate grass eaters.


2016 ◽  
Vol 88 (2) ◽  
pp. 829-845 ◽  
Author(s):  
THAIS M.F. FERREIRA ◽  
ADRIANA ITATI OLIVARES ◽  
LEONARDO KERBER ◽  
RODRIGO P. DUTRA ◽  
LEONARDO S. AVILLA

ABSTRACT Echimyidae (spiny rats, tree rats and the coypu) is the most diverse family of extant South American hystricognath rodents (caviomorphs). Today, they live in tropical forests (Amazonian, coastal and Andean forests), occasionally in more open xeric habitats in the Cerrado and Caatinga of northern South America, and open areas across the southern portion of the continent (Myocastor). The Quaternary fossil record of this family remains poorly studied. Here, we describe the fossil echimyids found in karst deposits from southern Tocantins, northern Brazil. The analyzed specimens are assigned to Thrichomys sp., Makalata cf. didelphoides and Proechimys sp. This is the first time that a fossil of Makalata is reported. The Pleistocene record of echimyids from this area is represented by fragmentary remains, which hinders their determination at specific levels. The data reported here contributes to the understanding of the ancient diversity of rodents of this region, evidenced until now in other groups, such as the artiodactyls, cingulates, carnivores, marsupials, and squamate reptiles.


2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 103-123
Author(s):  
O. B. Kuzmina ◽  
I. V. Khazina ◽  
P. V. Smirnov ◽  
A. O. Konstantinov ◽  
A. R. Agatova

For the first time some outcrops of the Upper Miocene Ishim Formation on the south of Tyumen Area near Pyatkovo, Masali and Bigila villages are studied by palynological method in detail. A series of mineralogical analyzes of these sediments and radiocarbon analysis of the Quaternary sediments overlying the Ishim Formation are done. Four palynocomplexes (PC) are established in the Ishim Formation: PC1 with Botryococcus; PC2 with Botryococcus, Sigmopollis; PC3 with Alnus, Polypodiaceae, Botryococcus, Sigmopollis; PC4 with Betula, Alnus, Corylus. The layers with PC1, PC2 и PC3 are traced in two outcrops near Masali and Bigila Villages. PC4 is revealed from the sands and aleuropelits of the outcrop near Pyatkovo Village, it is characterized by a significant content of diverse pollen of temperate termophylic broad-leafed taxa and by the presence of rare typical Miocene elements (Таxodiaceae, Nyssa, Tsuga). The PC3 and PC4 are compared with the complexes well known from the Neogene sediments of Western Siberia. PC5 with Betula, Herbae, Fungi is revealed from the bedded silts overlying the Ishim Formation in Masali outcrop. Previously, these sediments were attributed to the Late Miocene Pavlodar Formation. The composition and the structure of PC5 allowed making an assumption about Quaternary age of the enclosing sediments. Radiocarbon analysis of the organic substance from the silts showed, that these sediments were accumulated in the Late Pleistocene (Sartan Ice Age). For the first time the information about microphytoplankton (Botryococcus, Pediastrum, Zygnemataceae, Sigmopollis) and other nonpollen palynomorphs, contained in Ishim Formation (Upper Miocene) and in Pleistocene sediments, is given. On palynological data, some stages of development of the Late Miocene Ishim Basin and the type of vegetation surrounding this basin are considered. The depositional environment of Pleistocene sediments (Masali outcrop) is reconstructed.


2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Debbie Feisst

Hatanaka, Kellen. Work: An Occupational ABC. Toronto: Groundwood Books, 2014. Print.At first glance, you may look at this book and think it just like the myriad of other ABC books for young children and preschoolers, but you would be delightfully wrong!  Yes, of course, each letter from A to Z is represented and indeed each letter is accompanied by an image that characterizes the letter.  But that is where the similarities end. Toronto-based designer, illustrator and artist Kellen Hatanaka, who can now also call himself a first time author, has created a beautiful and unexpected piece of art for the youngest readers and it is as much a delight to read as it is to behold.  With creamy paper and softly-coloured images, created digitally after first creating ‘hand-drawn patterns and images’, it is reminiscent of a small person’s version of a coffee table book, if said coffee table were in a nursery.It starts out simple enough, with A for Aviator and a full page spread with a boldly-coloured A as well as mountain tops that echo the A’s shape.  The next page, however, alerts the reader to the fun in store – B is for Butcher, shown chasing after a group of raccoons who have absconded with a string of sausages. Yes, there are occupations like Grocer and Tailor but there are also the Ice Cream Vendor, K-9 Officer and the Wedding Singer! What’s wonderful to note are the many alternative occupations, some that you may have not have heard of, and that there is a nice mix of women, men, and cultures taking part. For the curious reader, there is a section of funny ‘Want Ads’ which provides a short description of the occupation.This would make a wonderful new baby gift and is an excellent addition to a home or public library.Highly recommended: 4 stars out of 4 Reviewer: Debbie FeisstDebbie is a Public Services Librarian at the H.T. Coutts Education Library at the University of Alberta.  When not renovating, she enjoys travel, fitness and young adult fiction.


2020 ◽  
Vol 324 (1) ◽  
pp. 124-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
V.E. Omelko ◽  
Y.V. Kuzmin ◽  
M.P. Tiunov ◽  
L.L. Voyta ◽  
G.S. Burr

Late Pleistocene-Holocene faunal complexes of small mammals (Lipotyphla, Rodentia, and Lagomorpha) from the Russian Far East are described for the first time. We used material from the Medvezhyi Klyk Cave, located in Southern Sikhote-Alin. The numerous fossil findings from the cave display a remarkable taxonomic diversity and high degree of preservation. AMS 14C dating used for determination of deposits age. The Holocene sediments were divided into three periods: Early, Middle, and Late. The Pleistocene deposits age was not exactly determined, but under approximately estimation it can reach 50–60 ka. Thirty-nine species were found, including one member of the extinct genus of arvicolins. There are six faunal complexes identified from the studied Late Pleistocene and Holocene deposits. In general, the faunal complexes characterized by the dominance of Craseomys rufocanus within rodents, Sorex caecutiens within lipotyphlans; and relatively stability composition of most number of the dominant, codominant and subdominant species. Accordingly, the faunal complexes were described by means of two determining criteria only: relative number of species; and presence or absence of certain species. The dominant species are eurytopic and so they cannot use for reconstruction of the paleoenvironment.


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