DOCSLIB.ORG

The Ohio Pleistocene Mammal Database (Opmdb): Creation and Preliminary

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Ohio Pleistocene Mammal Database (Opmdb): Creation and Preliminary THE OHIO PLEISTOCENE MAMMAL DATABASE (OPMDB): CREATION AND PRELIMINARY TAPHONOMIC AND SPATIAL ANALYSES Ina M. Terry A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate College of Bowling Green State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE December 2013 Committee: Margaret M. Yacobucci, Advisor Peter V. Gorsevski Jeff Snyder © 2013 Ina M. Terry All Rights Reserved iii ABSTRACT Margaret M. Yacobucci, Advisor The Late Pleistocene-Early Holocene of Ohio was a period of dynamic changes in climate, flora, and fauna. Climate and flora studies have been greatly aided by palynology research in Ohio’s prevalent peat deposits but faunal dynamics, particularly for large (> 44 kg) mammals, are less certain. Available Pleistocene-aged fossils are limited and existing databases are largely incomplete. This study adds to the available data through the creation of the Ohio Pleistocene Mammal Database (OPMDB). The database is composed of fossil finds within Ohio of probable Pleistocene age that have been collected from historic sources, i.e., period newspapers, science journals, etc., and compiled into a geographically referenced database. Within this thesis, I describe the scope and breadth of the OPMDB and present preliminary taphonomic and geospatial analyses using the OPMDB. Initial results are consistent with those previously described in the scientific literature, supporting the view that historical reports can be reliable sources for information about fossil mammal occurrences. Clear differences in spatial distribution and preservational potential exist among Late Pleistocene-Early Holocene mammals. Analysis of the distributions of preserved species and individual skeletal elements by sedimentary context revealed that the greatest variety of taxa is preserved in peats. Mastodons dominate Ohio fossil localities, making up 56% of occurrences in the OPMDB, with sites spread throughout the state. Mastodons are found in a variety of depositional contexts, from peats and clays to gravels. In iv contrast, mammoths are relatively rare in peats and clays, and none are known from the lake plain of northwest Ohio. The peccary record is notably rich, with many complete skeletons; peccaries are most likely to be found in fluvial sands and silts. Other ungulates, including equids, cervids, and bovids, are most often represented in the OPMDB by isolated cranial material (teeth, horns/antlers, partial crania); a collecting bias against unremarkable postcranial material may be a factor for these taxa. Cluster and geospatial analyses delineate two mammal species associations in Ohio that have also been reported elsewhere, the Mastodon and Mammoth Faunas. Additional faunal associations derived from the OPMDB may be unique to the Great Lakes region. Integrating data on early human occupation sites in Ohio did not reveal a strong association between humans and any one potential prey species; rather, humans may have tracked suitable habitat space. While the OPMDB has proven to be a useful tool for investigating Late Quaternary faunal dynamics in Ohio, inclusion of additional data on depositional environments and evidence of human modification of skeletal material, as well as more radiocarbon dates, would increase its utility. In particular, future work should expand on taphofacies analysis, exploration of spatial relationships among mammal taxa and humans, and changes in faunal composition and spatial distribution throughout this interval. v No person exists in a vacuum. There are many people who have assisted me in my path. I would like to thank my children Michael, Caitlynn, and Nathan who supported me wholeheartedly, my brother Mike and his beautiful family for their encouragement, and my parents Mike and Linda Lambert who knew I would finish. To my sister and best friend Lynn, I made this. To my little granddaughter Lauren, Science is cool. To everyone else who ever assisted me in any manner possible, you know who you are, I thank you. Last, but most certainly not least, my husband Joseph who listened and believed I could complete this work even when I did not. vi ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to acknowledge the tremendous support of my advisor Dr. Peg Yacobucci. I cannot thank her enough. I would also like to thank my committee members Dr. Peter Gorsevski and Dr. Jeff Snyder for their help and constructive criticism. I would like to acknowledge and thank Bob Glotzhober, Senior Vertebrate Curator of the Ohio Historical Society, for his assistance. Many thanks go to Betsy Zunk who assisted me with GIS issues. Additionally, I thank the Department of Geology at Bowling Green State University for their support through the years. vii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES......................................................... 1 Objectives ............................................................................................................ 2 CHAPTER II. BACKGROUND ........................................................................................... 3 Glacial and Interglacial Intervals ............................................................................... 3 Beringia ............................................................................................................ 4 Refugia ............................................................................................................ 5 Dynamic Environment of the Ohio Late Pleistocene ................................................ 6 Fauna ............................................................................................................ 7 North American People.............................................................................................. 10 CHAPTER III. METHODS .................................................................................................. 12 Database ............................................................................................................ 12 Database Statistics ..................................................................................................... 15 Temporal Difficulties ..................................................................................... 15 NISP vs. MNI ................................................................................................. 16 Richness and Dominance ............................................................................... 17 Skeletal Element Analyses ......................................................................................... 19 Skeletal Element vs. Taxa .............................................................................. 19 Herding vs. Non-Herding Groups.................................................................. 20 Skeletal Element vs. Sedimentology ............................................................... 20 Geographic Information Systems .............................................................................. 20 Paleohuman Data .......................................................................................... 23 viii Raup-Crick Cluster Analyses ......................................................................... 24 Paleohuman-Mammal Associations............................................................... 26 Sedimentological Analyses ........................................................................................ 28 Sedimentology vs. Taxa .................................................................................. 28 Sedimentology vs. Skeletal Element ............................................................... 28 Taphonomy ............................................................................................................ 28 Voorhies Groups ............................................................................................ 28 Taphofacies .................................................................................................... 29 CHAPTER IV. RESULTS .................................................................................................... 32 Database Statistics ..................................................................................................... 32 Skeletal Element Analyses ......................................................................................... 33 Skeletal Elements by Taxon ........................................................................... 33 Herding vs. Non-Herding Skeletal Element Analyses.................................... 36 Sedimentological Context of Skeletal Elements ............................................. 37 GIS Analyses ............................................................................................................ 39 Spatial Distribution of Mammal Taxa ........................................................... 39 Spatial Distribution of Paleohumans ............................................................. 43 Spatial Distribution of Faunal Associations .................................................. 45 Raup-Crick Cluster Analyses ......................................................................... 46 Paleohuman-Mammal Associations............................................................... 49 Sedimentological Analyses ........................................................................................ 54 Sedimentology vs. Taxa .................................................................................. 54 Sedimentology vs. Skeletal Element ..............................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Robinson, G.S., L.P. Burney, and D.A. Burney, 2005. Landscape
    Ecological Monographs, 75(3), 2005, pp. 295±315 q 2005 by the Ecological Society of America LANDSCAPE PALEOECOLOGY AND MEGAFAUNAL EXTINCTION IN SOUTHEASTERN NEW YORK STATE GUY S. ROBINSON,1,4 LIDA PIGOTT BURNEY,2 AND DAVID A. BURNEY3 1Department of Natural Sciences, Fordham College at Lincoln Center, 113 West 60th Street, New York, New York 10023 USA 2The Louis Calder Biological Station, Fordham University, P.O. Box K, Armonk, New York 10504 USA 3Department of Biological Sciences, Fordham University, 441 East Fordham Road, Bronx, New York 10458 USA Abstract. Stratigraphic palynological analyses of four late Quaternary deposits com- prise a landscape-level study of the patterns and processes of megafaunal extinction in southeastern New York State. Distinctive spores of the dung fungus Sporormiella are used as a proxy for megafaunal biomass, and charcoal particle analysis as a proxy for ®re history. A decline in spore values at all sites is closely followed by a stratigraphic charcoal rise. It is inferred that the regional collapse of a megaherbivory regime was followed by landscape transformation by humans. Correlation with the pollen stratigraphy indicates these devel- opments began many centuries in advance of the Younger Dryas climatic reversal at the end of the Pleistocene. However, throughout the region, the latest bone collagen dates for Mammut are considerably later, suggesting that megaherbivores lasted until the beginning of the Younger Dryas, well after initial population collapse. This evidence is consistent with the interpretation that rapid overkill on the part of humans initiated the extinction process. Landscape transformation and climate change then may have contributed to a cascade of effects that culminated in the demise of all the largest members of North America's mammal fauna.
    [Show full text]
  • In Search of the Indiana Lenape
    IN SEARCH OF THE INDIANA LENAPE: A PREDICTIVE SUMMARY OF THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL IMPACT OF THE LENAPE LIVING ALONG THE WHITE RIVER IN INDIANA FROM 1790 - 1821 A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE GRADUATE SCHOOL IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS BY JESSICA L. YANN DR. RONALD HICKS, CHAIR BALL STATE UNIVERSITY MUNCIE, INDIANA DECEMBER 2009 Table of Contents Figures and Tables ........................................................................................................................ iii Chapter 1: Introduction ................................................................................................................ 1 Research Goals ............................................................................................................................ 1 Background .................................................................................................................................. 2 Chapter 2: Theory and Methods ................................................................................................. 6 Explaining Contact and Its Material Remains ............................................................................. 6 Predicting the Intensity of Change and its Effects on Identity................................................... 14 Change and the Lenape .............................................................................................................. 16 Methods ....................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • RTD-Earthquake-Fact
    The California Water Fix Delta Tunnels don’t eliminate earthquake threats to water supply. Earthquake risk mythmaking serves water exporters’ interests. Water exporters misrepresent the risk of earthquakes to generate support for the Delta Tunnels. Fattening the levees is a more effective solution. Californians should work together to build a more seismically resistant Delta that will protect water exports, other critical infrastructure, and save lives -- all at a lower cost than the CA Water Fix. Developing regional water supplies provides a more reliable water supply. The best way to prevent earthquake disruption is to invest in local water solutions, including increased comprehensive water conservation and technology, maximizing wastewater reuse and groundwater recharge, while capturing storm water and rainwater, graywater, and fixing local leaky pipes. Cleaning up local aquifers and providing local jobs for local water makes economic sense. Rather than a huge investment in faraway tunnels let's instead make the levees in the Delta more resilient and prepare all California communities to be less reliant on imported water. MYTH #1: The Delta tunnels will protect California’s water supply from earthquakes. FACT: Earthquakes would hit the existing water transfer conveyance in other parts of California harder than they would hit the Delta. The earthquake threat to the Delta is minimal. The Hayward Fault is 40 miles from the Delta’s center. But the State Water Project (SWP) and federal Central Valley Project (CVP) cross right over high-risk fault areas, from Coalinga south to LA, including the San Andreas Fault. Cement canals in the southern part of the state are more vulnerable to earthquakes than Delta levees.
    [Show full text]
  • Regional Patterns of Postglacial Changes in the Palearctic
    www.nature.com/scientificreports OPEN Regional patterns of postglacial changes in the Palearctic mammalian diversity indicate Received: 14 November 2014 Accepted: 06 July 2015 retreat to Siberian steppes rather Published: 06 August 2015 than extinction Věra Pavelková Řičánková, Jan Robovský, Jan Riegert & Jan Zrzavý We examined the presence of possible Recent refugia of Pleistocene mammalian faunas in Eurasia by analysing regional differences in the mammalian species composition, occurrence and extinction rates between Recent and Last Glacial faunas. Our analyses revealed that most of the widespread Last Glacial species have survived in the central Palearctic continental regions, most prominently in Altai–Sayan (followed by Kazakhstan and East European Plain). The Recent Altai–Sayan and Kazakhstan regions show species compositions very similar to their Pleistocene counterparts. The Palearctic regions have lost 12% of their mammalian species during the last 109,000 years. The major patterns of the postglacial changes in Palearctic mammalian diversity were not extinctions but rather radical shifts of species distribution ranges. Most of the Pleistocene mammalian fauna retreated eastwards, to the central Eurasian steppes, instead of northwards to the Arctic regions, considered Holocene refugia of Pleistocene megafauna. The central Eurasian Altai and Sayan mountains could thus be considered a present-day refugium of the Last Glacial biota, including mammals. Last Glacial landscape supported a unique mix of large species, now extinct or living in non-overlapping biomes, including rhino, bison, lion, reindeer, horse, muskox and mammoth1. The so called “mammoth steppe”2–4 community thrived for approximately 100,000 years without major changes, and then became extinct by the end of Pleistocene, around 12,000 years BP5,6.
    [Show full text]
  • Mammal Extinction Facilitated Biome Shift and Human Population Change During the Last Glacial Termination in East-Central Europeenikő
    Mammal Extinction Facilitated Biome Shift and Human Population Change During the Last Glacial Termination in East-Central EuropeEnikő Enikő Magyari ( [email protected] ) Eötvös Loránd University Mihály Gasparik Hungarian Natural History Museum István Major Hungarian Academy of Science György Lengyel University of Miskolc Ilona Pál Hungarian Academy of Science Attila Virág MTA-MTM-ELTE Research Group for Palaeontology János Korponai University of Public Service Zoltán Szabó Eötvös Loránd University Piroska Pazonyi MTA-MTM-ELTE Research Group for Palaeontology Research Article Keywords: megafauna, extinction, vegetation dynamics, biome, climate change, biodiversity change, Epigravettian, late glacial Posted Date: August 11th, 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-778658/v1 License: This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Read Full License Page 1/27 Abstract Studying local extinction times, associated environmental and human population changes during the last glacial termination provides insights into the causes of mega- and microfauna extinctions. In East-Central (EC) Europe, Palaeolithic human groups were present throughout the last glacial maximum (LGM), but disappeared suddenly around 15 200 cal yr BP. In this study we use radiocarbon dated cave sediment proles and a large set of direct AMS 14C dates on mammal bones to determine local extinction times that are compared with the Epigravettian population decline, quantitative climate models, pollen and plant macrofossil inferred climate and biome reconstructions and coprophilous fungi derived total megafauna change for EC Europe. Our results suggest that the population size of large herbivores decreased in the area after 17 700 cal yr BP, when temperate tree abundance and warm continental steppe cover both increased in the lowlands Boreal forest expansion took place around 16 200 cal yr BP.
    [Show full text]
  • Bibliography
    Bibliography Many books were read and researched in the compilation of Binford, L. R, 1983, Working at Archaeology. Academic Press, The Encyclopedic Dictionary of Archaeology: New York. Binford, L. R, and Binford, S. R (eds.), 1968, New Perspectives in American Museum of Natural History, 1993, The First Humans. Archaeology. Aldine, Chicago. HarperSanFrancisco, San Francisco. Braidwood, R 1.,1960, Archaeologists and What They Do. Franklin American Museum of Natural History, 1993, People of the Stone Watts, New York. Age. HarperSanFrancisco, San Francisco. Branigan, Keith (ed.), 1982, The Atlas ofArchaeology. St. Martin's, American Museum of Natural History, 1994, New World and Pacific New York. Civilizations. HarperSanFrancisco, San Francisco. Bray, w., and Tump, D., 1972, Penguin Dictionary ofArchaeology. American Museum of Natural History, 1994, Old World Civiliza­ Penguin, New York. tions. HarperSanFrancisco, San Francisco. Brennan, L., 1973, Beginner's Guide to Archaeology. Stackpole Ashmore, w., and Sharer, R. J., 1988, Discovering Our Past: A Brief Books, Harrisburg, PA. Introduction to Archaeology. Mayfield, Mountain View, CA. Broderick, M., and Morton, A. A., 1924, A Concise Dictionary of Atkinson, R J. C., 1985, Field Archaeology, 2d ed. Hyperion, New Egyptian Archaeology. Ares Publishers, Chicago. York. Brothwell, D., 1963, Digging Up Bones: The Excavation, Treatment Bacon, E. (ed.), 1976, The Great Archaeologists. Bobbs-Merrill, and Study ofHuman Skeletal Remains. British Museum, London. New York. Brothwell, D., and Higgs, E. (eds.), 1969, Science in Archaeology, Bahn, P., 1993, Collins Dictionary of Archaeology. ABC-CLIO, 2d ed. Thames and Hudson, London. Santa Barbara, CA. Budge, E. A. Wallis, 1929, The Rosetta Stone. Dover, New York. Bahn, P.
    [Show full text]
  • NENHC 2008 Abstracts
    Abstracts APRIL 17 – APRIL 18, 2008 A FORUM FOR CURRENT RESEARCH The Northeastern Naturalist The New York State Museum is a program of The University of the State of New York/The State Education Department APRIL 17 – APRIL 18, 2008 A FORUM FOR CURRENT RESEARCH SUGGESTED FORMAT FOR CITING ABSTRACTS: Abstracts Northeast Natural History Conference X. N.Y. State Mus. Circ. 71: page number(s). 2008. ISBN: 1-55557-246-4 The University of the State of New York THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ALBANY, NY 12230 THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK Regents of The University ROBERT M. BENNETT, Chancellor, B.A., M.S. ................................................................. Tonawanda MERRYL H. TISCH, Vice Chancellor, B.A., M.A., Ed.D. ................................................. New York SAUL B. COHEN, B.A., M.A., Ph.D.................................................................................. New Rochelle JAMES C. DAWSON, A.A., B.A., M.S., Ph.D. .................................................................. Peru ANTHONY S. BOTTAR, B.A., J.D. ..................................................................................... Syracuse GERALDINE D. CHAPEY, B.A., M.A., Ed.D. ................................................................... Belle Harbor ARNOLD B. GARDNER, B.A., LL.B. .................................................................................. Buffalo HARRY PHILLIPS, 3rd, B.A., M.S.F.S. ............................................................................. Hartsdale JOSEPH E. BOWMAN, JR., B.A.,
    [Show full text]
  • David K. Clark, PE
    AFC15 David K. Clark, PE THE METROPOLITAN WATER DISTRICT OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LAKE SHASTA LAKE OROVILLE Bay-Delta LOS ANGELES AQUEDUCTS (City of Los Angeles) COLORADO CALIFORNIA RIVER AQUEDUCT AQUEDUCT (State of Calif.) (Metropolitan) LOCAL SUPPLIES, RECYCLING, GROUNDWATER & CONSERVATION Background Seismic Preparedness Seismic upgrade of facilities Seismic vulnerability assessments Emergency response Collaboration with External Agencies Conclusions 1.7 billion gallons/day average 6 counties, 18 million residents Comprised of 26 member public agencies Imports Colorado River & State Water Project supplies Operates 5 water treatment & 16 hydroelectric plants Maintains 830 miles of pipeline & 9 reservoirs Biennial budget for FY 2014-16 is approximately $3 billion Comprehensive Reliability Strategy Water System InfrastructureInfrastructure System EmergencyEmergency Supply Capacity ReliabilityReliability FlexibilityFlexibility ResponseResponse Seismic Preparedness 1. Seismic Upgrade of Facilities 2. Vulnerability Assessments 3. Emergency Response 4. Collaboration w/External Agencies Scope: Buildings & Structures Dams & Reservoirs Geotechnical Hazards Drivers: Code Changes Increased Knowledge Approach: Re-assess as necessary Upgrade as required Use latest codes Use site-specific data Expect same performance as for new facilities Example of Code Changes (Weymouth Water Treatment Plant) Year Design Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA) UBC 1933 0.1g UBC 1958 0.1g* UBC 1991 0.4g IBC 2009 0.52g IBC 2012 0.71g *Estimated value, PGA was not specifically
    [Show full text]
  • The Mesa Site: Paleoindians Above the Arctic Circle
    U. S. Department of the Interior BLM-Alaska Open File Report 86 Bureau of Land Management BLM/AK/ST-03/001+8100+020 April 2003 Alaska State Office 222 West 7th Avenue Anchorage Alaska 99513 The Mesa Site: Paleoindians above the Arctic Circle Michael Kunz, Michael Bever, Constance Adkins Cover Photo View of Mesa from west with Iteriak Creek in foreground. Photo: Dan Gullickson Disclaimer The mention of trade names or commercial products in this report does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use by the federal government. Authors Michael Kunz is an Archaeologist, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Northern Field Office, 1150 University Avenue, Fairbanks, Alaska 99709. Michael Bever is a project supervisor for Pacific Legacy Inc., 3081 Alhambra Drive, Suite 208, Cameron Park, CA 95682. Constance Adkins is an Archaeologist, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Northern Field Office, 1150 University Avenue, Fairbanks, Alaska 99709. Open File Reports Open File Reports issued by the Bureau of Land Management-Alaska present the results of invento- ries or other investigations on a variety of scientific and technical subjects that are made available to the public outside the formal BLM-Alaska technical publication series. These reports can include preliminary or incomplete data and are not published and distributed in quantity. The reports are available while supplies last from BLM External Affairs, 222 West 7th Avenue #13, Anchorage, Alaska 99513 and from the Juneau Minerals Information Center, 100 Savikko Road, Mayflower Island, Douglas, AK 99824, (907) 364-1553. Copies are also available for inspection at the Alaska Resource Library and Information Service (Anchorage), the USDI Resources Library in Washington, D.
    [Show full text]
  • Additions to the Late Pleistocene Vertebrate Paleontology of the Las
    Additions to the Late Pleistocene Vertebrate Paleontology of ABSTRACT the Las Vegas Formation, Clark County, Nevada DISCUSSION Studies from the 1930s through the 1960s documented one of the most significant late The detailed mapping of over 500 vertebrate paleontologic localities Pleistocene faunas from the Mojave Desert in the Tule Springs area of North Las Vegas. in the upper Las Vegas Wash proved to be an interesting challenge in Recent field investigations in North Las Vegas by the San Bernardino County Museum Kathleen Springer, J. Christopher Sagebiel, Eric Scott, Craig Manker and Chris Austin terms of discerning the stratigraphy. Very little geologic have broadened our knowledge of this fauna across the Las Vegas Wash.Seven units, investigation had been performed in this region since the 1967 work designated A through G, have been defined in the section of the Las Vegas Wash near Division of Geological Sciences, San Bernardino County Museum, Redlands, California of Haynes. That very detailed study was geographically limited to Tule Springs State Park. Units B, D, and E have proven fossiliferous in the area of the the Tule Springs archaeologic investigation and the very near Tule Springs State Park, and date to>40,000 ybp, approximately 25,500 ybp, and about environs at a reconnaissance level. Our study area, falling mostly 14,500 to 9,300 ybp,respectively. Research across the Las Vegas Wash has resulted in within the Gass Peak S.W. 7.5’ U.S.G.S. topographic sheet, had not the discovery of several hundred new fossil localities. In describing the geology at these BACKGROUND been mapped.
    [Show full text]
  • Upper Las Vegas Wash/ Tule Springs, Nevada Reconnaissance Report
    (J Æ NATIONAL PARK National Park Service SERVICE June 2010 U. S. Department of the Interior S y A 36// 3^ 39?. Upper Las Vegas Wash/ Tule Springs, Nevada Reconnaissance Report Prepared by: U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service Denver Service Center June 2010 Acronyms BLM Bureau of Land Management NPS National Park Service SBCM San Bernardino County Museum Much of the background data for this report has been taken from the Bureau of Land Management's Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement Upper Las Vegas Wash Conservation Transfer Area Las Vegas, Nevada, which was prepared in January 2010. This report has been prepared at the request of Senator Harry Reid and Representatives Shelley Berkley and Dina Titus to explore specific resources and advise on whether these resources merit further consideration as a potential new national park system unit. Publication and transmittal of this report should not be considered an endorsement or a commitment by the National Park Service to seek or support specific legislative authorization for the project or its implementation. This report was prepared by the U. S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Denver Service Center. Table of Contents 1 SUMMARY............................................................................................................................................... 1 2 BACKGROUND......................................................................................................................................... 2 2.1 Background of the
    [Show full text]
  • Paleoecology and Land-Use of Quaternary Megafauna from Saltville, Virginia Emily Simpson East Tennessee State University
    East Tennessee State University Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University Electronic Theses and Dissertations Student Works 5-2019 Paleoecology and Land-Use of Quaternary Megafauna from Saltville, Virginia Emily Simpson East Tennessee State University Follow this and additional works at: https://dc.etsu.edu/etd Part of the Paleontology Commons Recommended Citation Simpson, Emily, "Paleoecology and Land-Use of Quaternary Megafauna from Saltville, Virginia" (2019). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 3590. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/3590 This Thesis - Open Access is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Works at Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Paleoecology and Land-Use of Quaternary Megafauna from Saltville, Virginia ________________________________ A thesis presented to the faculty of the Department of Geosciences East Tennessee State University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Science in Geosciences with a concentration in Paleontology _______________________________ by Emily Michelle Bruff Simpson May 2019 ________________________________ Dr. Chris Widga, Chair Dr. Blaine W. Schubert Dr. Andrew Joyner Key Words: Paleoecology, land-use, grassy balds, stable isotope ecology, Whitetop Mountain ABSTRACT Paleoecology and Land-Use of Quaternary Megafauna from Saltville, Virginia by Emily Michelle Bruff Simpson Land-use, feeding habits, and response to seasonality by Quaternary megaherbivores in Saltville, Virginia, is poorly understood. Stable isotope analyses of serially sampled Bootherium and Equus enamel from Saltville were used to explore seasonally calibrated (δ18O) patterns in megaherbivore diet (δ13C) and land-use (87Sr/86Sr).
    [Show full text]