DOCSLIB.ORG

Paleobiogeography of Latest Cretaceous and Early Paleocene Mammals from North America

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Paleobiogeography of Latest Cretaceous and Early Paleocene Mammals from North America University of Calgary PRISM: University of Calgary's Digital Repository Graduate Studies The Vault: Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2015-06-25 Paleobiogeography of Latest Cretaceous and Early Paleocene Mammals from North America Rankin, Brian Rankin, B. (2015). Paleobiogeography of Latest Cretaceous and Early Paleocene Mammals from North America (Unpublished doctoral thesis). University of Calgary, Calgary, AB. doi:10.11575/PRISM/27248 http://hdl.handle.net/11023/2318 doctoral thesis University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission. Downloaded from PRISM: https://prism.ucalgary.ca UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY Paleobiogeography of Latest Cretaceous and Early Paleocene Mammals from North America by Brian Daniel Rankin A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES CALGARY, ALBERTA JUNE, 2015 © Brian Daniel Rankin 2015 Abstract Nearly all of what is known of the patterns of latest Cretaceous and early Paleogene mammalian evolution (from approximately 69 to 57 million years ago) is documented in stratigraphic sequences from the Western Interior of North America. Throughout much of the latest Cretaceous and early Paleogene this region was tectonically active, with the emergence of the Rocky Mountains and Western Interior foreland basin. Several major marine transgressions also occurred during this interval and, at times, the Western Interior epicontinental seaway bisected the continent. Moreover, the latest Cretaceous and early Paleogene is marked by episodes of rapid climatic warming and cooling, and intensive volcanism. That mammals were affected by these changes is without question; however, the extent to which these factors helped shape the evolutionary patterns of this group is less obvious. To better comprehend the evolutionary dynamics between mammals and their environments across this interval, this dissertation focuses on the paleobiogeography of latest Cretaceous through the early Paleogene mammals from the Western Interior of North America. A number of statistical analyses (e.g., ordination, clustering, linear regression) were employed to assess mammalian faunal provinciality within North America during this interval, differences in the relative abundances of fossil mammals during the latest Cretaceous assemblages, and, finally, the latitudinal diversity gradient in latest Cretaceous and early Paleogene mammals. Notable discoveries include the absence of faunal provinciality and little variation in mammalian taxonomic richness across latitude, but considerable differences in the relative abundance of mammals within assemblages from the latest Cretaceous, with eutherians more diverse and abundant in some of the i northerly assemblages. These findings suggest that the paleogeographic and climatic changes that characterized the latest Cretaceous and early Paleogene resulted in intricate biogeographic patterns among mammals from this interval. These studies additionally emphasize the importance of quantitatively assessing these patterns to understand the interactions between mammals and their environments. ii Acknowledgements I would first like to thank my advisor, Dr. Jessica M. Theodor, for her counseling throughout the course of my research and for the opportunity to pursue my interests. I would like to acknowledge and thank the other members of my supervisory committee, Drs. Jason Anderson and Robert Barclay, for their support and critical input throughout my studies. Drs. Alex R. Dutchak and Alison M. Murray kindly acted as members of my examination committee, and I am thankful for their comments and suggestions on the dissertation. This research would not have been possible without the advice and guidance of Dr. Patricia A. Holroyd (University of California Museum of Paleontology). I am truly indebted to her for all her generosity and support. Dr. Matthew J. Vavrek (Royal Ontario Museum) was also indispensable to the realization of this dissertation, and I extend my thanks to him for all the time and effort spent working on this topic. A special note of gratitude is additionally owed to Dr. Bill A. Clemens for hosting me for a semester at the University of California at Berkeley and sharing his thoughts on the patterns of mammalian evolution across the Late Cretaceous and early Paleogene of North America. I offer thanks to my fellow graduate students at the University of Calgary, both past and present, for their friendship, advice, and assistance. Thanks to Erin Baerwald, Christian Barron-Ortíz, Ben Borkovic, Tasha Cammidge, James Campbell, Robin Cuthbertson, Jane Fowler, Danielle Fraser, Brandon Klug, Magdalene Leung, Sabrina Lynn, Joshua Ludtke, Hillary Maddin, Jordan Mallon, Ramon Nagesan, Jason Pardo, Jessie Patterson, Larry Powell, Patricia Ralrick, Matt Stostakiwskyj, Alex Tinius, Sîan iii Wilson, Patrick Wise, and Chelsey Zurowski. Several undergraduates must also be recognized for their assistance with this dissertation, including Sarah Soroka, Conrad Wilson, and Janet Wong. I have been fortunate to work with several members of the University of California at Berkeley and I thank Lucy Chang, Elizabeth Ferrer, Kaitlin Maguire, Nick Matzke, Ashley Poust, Susumu Tomiya, and Sarah Werning for being good friends and excellent teachers. For over a decade, Dr. Richard C. Fox (University of Alberta) has acted as a helpful advisor, and has kindly offered assistance and constructive criticism. Dr. Craig S. Scott (Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology) has also provided helpful discussions throughout my studies and, at numerous times, has permitted me to join him for fieldwork within the province. Much of my dissertation research was completed while I was employed at Stantec Consulting Ltd. and I offer my thanks to Dr. Lisa L. Bohach and Emily K. Frampton for the opportunity to work within the industry and explore the diverse history of Alberta. Funding for my doctoral research was provided by an Alexander Graham Bell Canadian Graduate Scholarship and a Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplement from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Queen Elizabeth II scholarships from the Province of Alberta, a Global Open Doctoral Scholarship, Dean’s Entrance Scholarship, Dean’s Research Excellence Award, and Graduate Research scholarships from the University of Calgary, a Graduate Student Research Grant and travel grant from the Geological Society of America, grants from the Doris O. and Samuel P. Welles Research Fund (University of California Museum of Paleontology), a N. Gary Lane Award from the Palaeontological Society, a Jackson iv School of Geoscience Travel Award from the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, and a travel grant from the Canadian Society of Zoologists. Finally, I thank my friends and family. My parents, Larry and Brenda, and sisters, Lorelle and Donna, and their families (Nigel, Moya, Rankin, Brad, and Carter) have been a steady source of encouragement and enthusiasm throughout my studies. I am immensely grateful for their support, patience, and good advice. Helette Conradie has been a wonderful addition to my life and I am fortunate to have her love and support - thank you. v Dedication This dissertation is dedicated to my parents, Larry and Brenda. vi Table of Contents 1 General Introduction, Regional Setting, and Chapters and Objectives ................. 1 1.1 Introduction .................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Paleogeography and Climatic Setting of North America during the latest Cretaceous and early Paleogene ..................................................................... 2 1.2.1 Latest Cretaceous and early Paleogene Paleogeography of North America ................................................................................................. 2 1.2.2 Marine Transgressions and Epicontinental Seaways ........................... 4 1.2.3 Latest Cretaceous and Early Paleogene Climate of North America .... 5 1.3 Objectives ....................................................................................................... 6 1.4 Literature Cited .............................................................................................. 9 2 Faunal Provinciality within Latest Cretaceous and Earliest Paleocene Mammalian Assemblages from the Western Interior of North America ........... 16 2.1 Abstract ....................................................................................................... 16 2.2 Introduction ................................................................................................. 18 2.3 Materials and Methods ................................................................................ 20 2.3.1 Stratigraphic Framework .................................................................. 20 2.3.2 Data ................................................................................................... 24 2.3.3 Assemblages ....................................................................................... 25 2.3.4 Taxonomic Issues ............................................................................... 28 2.3.5 Statistical Methods ............................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The World at the Time of Messel: Conference Volume
    T. Lehmann & S.F.K. Schaal (eds) The World at the Time of Messel - Conference Volume Time at the The World The World at the Time of Messel: Puzzles in Palaeobiology, Palaeoenvironment and the History of Early Primates 22nd International Senckenberg Conference 2011 Frankfurt am Main, 15th - 19th November 2011 ISBN 978-3-929907-86-5 Conference Volume SENCKENBERG Gesellschaft für Naturforschung THOMAS LEHMANN & STEPHAN F.K. SCHAAL (eds) The World at the Time of Messel: Puzzles in Palaeobiology, Palaeoenvironment, and the History of Early Primates 22nd International Senckenberg Conference Frankfurt am Main, 15th – 19th November 2011 Conference Volume Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung IMPRINT The World at the Time of Messel: Puzzles in Palaeobiology, Palaeoenvironment, and the History of Early Primates 22nd International Senckenberg Conference 15th – 19th November 2011, Frankfurt am Main, Germany Conference Volume Publisher PROF. DR. DR. H.C. VOLKER MOSBRUGGER Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany Editors DR. THOMAS LEHMANN & DR. STEPHAN F.K. SCHAAL Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany [email protected]; [email protected] Language editors JOSEPH E.B. HOGAN & DR. KRISTER T. SMITH Layout JULIANE EBERHARDT & ANIKA VOGEL Cover Illustration EVELINE JUNQUEIRA Print Rhein-Main-Geschäftsdrucke, Hofheim-Wallau, Germany Citation LEHMANN, T. & SCHAAL, S.F.K. (eds) (2011). The World at the Time of Messel: Puzzles in Palaeobiology, Palaeoenvironment, and the History of Early Primates. 22nd International Senckenberg Conference. 15th – 19th November 2011, Frankfurt am Main. Conference Volume. Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung, Frankfurt am Main. pp. 203.
    [Show full text]
  • Paleocene Mammalian Faunas of the Bison Basin in South-Central Wyoming
    SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS VOLUME 131, NUMBER 6 Cftarlesi ©, anb JHarp ^aux SKHalcott 3Res!earcf) Jf unb PALEOCENE MAMMALIAN FAUNAS OF THE BISON BASIN IN SOUTH-CENTRAL WYOMING (With 16 Plates) By C. LEWIS GAZIN Curator, Division of Vertebrate Paleontology United States National Museum Smithsonian Institution (Publication 4229) CITY OF WASHINGTON PUBLISHED BY THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION FEBRUARY 28, 1956 THE LORD BALTIMORE PRESS, INC. BALTIMORE, MD., U. S. A. CONTENTS Page Introduction i Acknowledgments 2 History of investigation 2 Occurrence and preservation of material 3 The Bison basin faunas 4 Environment and relationships between the Bison basin faunas 7 Age and correlation of the faunas lo Systematic description of vertebrate remains I2 Reptilia 12 Sauria 12 Anguidae 12 Mammalia 12 Multitubcrculata 12 Ptilodontidae 12 Marsupialia 14 Didelphidae 14 Insectivora 15 Leptictidae 15 Pantolestidae 17 Primates 19 Plesiadapidae 19 Carnivora 25 Arctocyonidae 25 Mesonychidae 35 Miacidae 35 Condylarthra 36 Hyopsodontidae 36 Phenacodontidae 42 Pantodonta 47 Coryphodontidae 47 References 51 Explanation of plates 54 ILLUSTRATIONS Plates (All plates following page 58.) 1. Mullituberculates and insectivores from the Bison basin Paleocene. 2. Primates and marsupials from the Bison basin Paleocene. 3. Pronothodcctes from the Bison basin Paleocene. 4. Plcsiadapis from the Bison basin Paleocene. 5. Triccntcs and Chriacus from the Bison basin Paleocene. 6. Thryptacodon from the Bison basin Paleocene. 7. Clacnodon from the Bison basin Paleocene. 8. Litomylus and Protoselcnc? from the Bison basin Paleocene. 9. Haplaletes and Gidleyina from the Bison basin Paleocene. 10. Phcnacodusl from the Bison basin Paleocene. 11. Condylarths and Titanoidcs from the Bison basin Paleocene. 12. Caenolambda from the Bison basin Paleocene.
    [Show full text]
  • Enamel Ultrastructure of Multituberculate Mammals: an Investigation of Variability
    CO?JTRIBI!TIONS FROM THE MUSEUM OF PALEOK.1-OLOCiY THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN VOL. 27. NO. 1, p. 1-50 April I, 1985 ENAMEL ULTRASTRUCTURE OF MULTITUBERCULATE MAMMALS: AN INVESTIGATION OF VARIABILITY BY SANDRA J. CARLSON and DAVID W. KRAUSE MUSEUM OF PALEONTOLOGY THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN ANN ARBOR CONTRlBUTlONS FROM THE MUSEUM OF PALEON I OLOGY Philip D. Gingerich, Director Gerald R. Smith. Editor This series of contributions from the Museum of Paleontology is a medium for the publication of papers based chiefly upon the collection in the Museum. When the number of pages issued is sufficient to make a volume, a title page and a table of contents will be sent to libraries on the mailing list, and to individuals upon request. A list of the separate papers may also be obtained. Correspondence should be directed to the Museum of Paleontology, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109. VOLS. 11-XXVI. Parts of volumes may be obtained if available. Price lists available upon inquiry. CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE MUSEUM OF PALEONTOLOGY THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN Vol . 27, no. 1, p. 1-50, pub1 ished April 1, 1985, Sandra J. Carlson and David W. Krause (Authors) ERRATA Page 11, Figure 4 caption, first line, should read "(1050X)," not "(750X)." ENAMEL ULTRASTRUCTURE OF MULTITUBERCULATE MAMMALS: AN INVESTIGATION OF VARIABILITY BY Sandra J. Carlsonl and David W. Krause' Abstract.-The nature and extent of enamel ultrastructural variation in mammals has not been thoroughly investigated. In this study we attempt to identify and evaluate the sources of variability in enamel ultrastructural patterns at a number of hierarchic levels within the extinct order Multituberculata.
    [Show full text]
  • (Mammalia) in the Early Eocene Ofeurope
    The presence of Taeniodonta (Mammalia) in the Early Eocene ofEurope Carmen ESTRAVIS* Donald E. RUSSELL** * Centro de Estratigrafia e Palcobiologia da UNL, Faculdade de Ciencias e Tecnologia, Quinta da Torre, P-2825 Monte de Caparica, Portugal. ** Institut de Paleontologic (URA 12, CNRS), 8 rue Buffon, 75005 Paris, France. pp.191-201 Ciencias da Terra (UNL) Lisboa NQ 11 1992 1 pI. RESUMO Palavras-chave: Eurodon- Taeniodonta- Eocenico-:-­ Silveirinha - Portugal. Eurodon silveirinhensis nov. gen., nov. sp., do Eocenico inferior de Silveirinha (portugal) econsiderado o primeiro representante, na Europa, da extinta ordem de mamiferosTaeniodonta.0 enigrnaticogeneroLessnessina Hooker, 1979, de Abbey Wood(lnglaterra), sensive1mente contcrnporaneo de Eurodon, e tambern atribufdo aos teniodontes. RESUME Mots-dis: Eurodon - Taeniodonta - Eocene­ Silveirinha - Portugal. Eurodon silveirinhensis nov. gen., nov. sp., de I'Eocene infericur de Silveirinha (portugal) est interpretee commeIapremiererepresentanteen Europedes Taeniodonta (ordre eteint de mammiferes). L'enigmatique genre Lessnessina Hooker, 1979, de Abbey Wood (Angleterre), apeu pres contemporainde Eurodon,estrapporteegalement aux Taeniodonta. ABSTRACT Key-words: Eurodon - Taeniodonta - Eocene ­ Silveirinha - Portugal. The first representative of the extinct mammalian order Taeniodonta in Europe is described, Eurodon silveirinhensis n. gen., n. sp., from the early Eocene local­ ity of Silveirinha, Portugal. A formerly enigmatic form, Lessnessina Hooker, 1979, from Abbey Wood, England, and approximately contemporary, is also referred to the Taeniodonta. 193 INTRODUCTION Type species - Eurodon silveirinhensis, new species. Study of the early Eocene mammalian fauna Diagnosis - Small mammal, smaller than any from Silveirinha, Portugal (ANTUNES, 1981; described taeniodont. M3 with large hypoconulid, ANTUNES & RUSSELL, 1981), is the subject of a apparently subequal hypoconid and slightly smaller, doctoral dissertation for one ofus (c.
    [Show full text]
  • Mammalian Faunal Succession in the Cretaceous of the Kyzylkum Desert
    Journal of Mammalian Evolution, Vol. 12, Nos. 1/2,C 2005)June 2005 ( DOI: 10.1007/s10914-005-4867-3 A number of typographical errors were introduced during copyediting. All that were found were corrected in this version. Mammalian Faunal Succession in the Cretaceous of the Kyzylkum Desert J. David Archibald1,3 and Alexander O. Averian2 ov Both metatherians and eutherians are known from the Early Cretaceous (Barremian, 125 mya; million years ago) of China, while eutherian-dominated mammalian faunas appeared in Asia at least by the earliest Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian, 95 mya). The approximately 99–93 my old (Cenomanian) Sheikhdzheili l.f. from western Uzbekistan is a small sample of only eutherians, including three zhelestids and a possible zalambdalestoid. The much better-known 90 my old (Turonian) Bissekty l.f. at Dzharakuduk iin central Uzbekistan includes 15 named and un- named species, based on ongoing analyses. Of these, 12 are eutherians represented by at least the three groups—asioryctitheres, zalambdalestids, and zhelestids—plus an eutherian of uncertain position—Paranyctoides. Zalambdalestids and zhelestids have been argued to be related to the origin of the placental gliriforms (Euarchontoglires) and ferungulates (Laurasiatheria), respec- tively. Although there are four previously recognized metatherians, we believe three are referable to the deltatheroid Sulestes karakshi and the fourth, Sailestes quadrans, may belong to Paranyc- toides. There is one multituberculate and one symmetrodont in the Bissekty l.f. While comparably aged (Turonian) localities in North America have somewhat similar non-therians, they have more metatherians and no eutherians. The next younger localities (early Campanian, ∼80 mya) in North America have both a zhelestid and Paranyctoides, suggesting dispersal of eutherians from Asia.
    [Show full text]
  • New Large Leptictid Insectivore from the Late Paleogene of South Dakota, USA
    New large leptictid insectivore from the Late Paleogene of South Dakota, USA TJ MEEHAN and LARRY D. MARTIN Meehan, T.J. and Martin, L.D. 2012. New large leptictid insectivore from the Late Paleogene of South Dakota, USA. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 57 (3): 509–518. From a skull and mandible, we describe a new genus and species of a primitive insectivore (Mammalia: Insectivora: Leptictida: Leptictidae). Its large body size and higher−crowned teeth indicate a different feeding ecology from other leptictid insectivores. With evidence of some heavy, flat wear on the molariform teeth, its shift in diet was likely to greater herbivory. Unlike the narrow snout of Blacktops, this new leptictid retains a broad snout, suggesting that small verte− brates were still important dietary components. The specimen was collected from the floodplain deposits of the lower or middle White River Group of South Dakota, which represent the latest Eocene to earliest Oligocene (Chadronian and Orellan North American Land Mammal “Ages”). Key words: Mammalia, Leptictidae, Leptictis, Megaleptictis, Eocene, Oligocene, White River Group, South Dakota, North America. TJ Meehan [[email protected]], Research Associate, Section of Vertebrate Paleontology, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Larry D. Martin [[email protected]], Division of Vertebrate Paleontology, Natural History Museum and Biodiversity Re− search Center, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA. Received 4 April 2011, accepted 25 July 2011, available online 17 August 2011. Introduction molariform teeth. A fossa in this region at least suggests in− creased snout mobility, but no definitive anatomical argument Leptictida is a primitive order of placental, insectivorous has been made to support a highly mobile cartilaginous snout mammals convergent to extant sengis or elephant “shrews” tip, as in sengis.
    [Show full text]
  • Aptian–Albian) of Texas and Oklahoma
    Reappraisal of the tribosphenidan mammals from the Trinity Group (Aptian–Albian) of Texas and Oklahoma BRIAN M. DAVIS and RICHARD L. CIFELLI Davis, B.M. and Cifelli, R.L. 2011. Reappraisal of the tribosphenidan mammals from the Trinity Group (Aptian–Albian) of Texas and Oklahoma. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 56 (3): 441–462. The Trinity therians have long been the focus of attempts to reconstruct the evolutionary history of higher mammals, es− pecially in the context of the development of tribospheny. In this paper, we update the taxonomy of the tribosphenidan taxa known from the Trinity Group and establish with more confidence the premolar/molar count in each. Many isolated specimens can be referred to a specific tooth locus. Additional diversity is revealed within the Deltatheroida, with the de− scription of an additional species of Oklatheridium; Pappotherium is here considered a likely metatherian based on the in− ferred presence of four molars, while Holoclemensia is a basal eutherian (the opposite of some traditional interpretations). The remainder of the genera, Kermackia and Slaughteria, cannot be allied with either of the living groups of tribo− sphenidan mammals using the available data. We identify strong morphological diversity within this assemblage of stem taxa, including modifications to the traditional tribosphenic occlusal pattern in Kermackia. Mammalian evolution at the base of the tribosphenidan radiation was complex, and this underscores the need for caution when interpreting the mor− phology and relationships of taxa known by incomplete material. Key words: Tribosphenida, Metatheria, Eutheria, Deltatheroida, Trinity Group, Early Cretaceous. Brian M. Davis [[email protected]] and Richard L. Cifelli [[email protected]], Department of Zoology and Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, University of Oklahoma, 2401 Chautauqua Ave, Norman, OK, 73072, USA.
    [Show full text]
  • Diagnosis and Differentiation of the Order Primates
    YEARBOOK OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 30:75-105 (1987) Diagnosis and Differentiation of the Order Primates FREDERICK S. SZALAY, ALFRED L. ROSENBERGER, AND MARIAN DAGOSTO Department of Anthropolog* Hunter College, City University of New York, New York, New York 10021 (F.S.S.); University of Illinois, Urbanq Illinois 61801 (A.L. R.1; School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University/ Baltimore, h4D 21218 (M.B.) KEY WORDS Semiorders Paromomyiformes and Euprimates, Suborders Strepsirhini and Haplorhini, Semisuborder Anthropoidea, Cranioskeletal morphology, Adapidae, Omomyidae, Grades vs. monophyletic (paraphyletic or holophyletic) taxa ABSTRACT We contrast our approach to a phylogenetic diagnosis of the order Primates, and its various supraspecific taxa, with definitional proce- dures. The order, which we divide into the semiorders Paromomyiformes and Euprimates, is clearly diagnosable on the basis of well-corroborated informa- tion from the fossil record. Lists of derived features which we hypothesize to have been fixed in the first representative species of the Primates, Eupri- mates, Strepsirhini, Haplorhini, and Anthropoidea, are presented. Our clas- sification of the order includes both holophyletic and paraphyletic groups, depending on the nature of the available evidence. We discuss in detail the problematic evidence of the basicranium in Paleo- gene primates and present new evidence for the resolution of previously controversial interpretations. We renew and expand our emphasis on postcra- nial analysis of fossil and living primates to show the importance of under- standing their evolutionary morphology and subsequent to this their use for understanding taxon phylogeny. We reject the much advocated %ladograms first, phylogeny next, and scenario third” approach which maintains that biologically founded character analysis, i.e., functional-adaptive analysis and paleontology, is irrelevant to genealogy hypotheses.
    [Show full text]
  • SMC 136 Gazin 1958 1 1-112.Pdf
    SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS VOLUME 136, NUMBER 1 Cftarlesi 3B, anb JKarp "^aux OTalcott 3^es(earcf) Jf unb A REVIEW OF THE MIDDLE AND UPPER EOCENE PRIMATES OF NORTH AMERICA (With 14 Plates) By C. LEWIS GAZIN Curator, Division of Vertebrate Paleontology United States National Museum Smithsonian Institution (Publication 4340) CITY OF WASHINGTON PUBLISHED BY THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION JULY 7, 1958 THE LORD BALTIMORE PRESS, INC. BALTIMORE, MD., U. S. A. CONTENTS Page Introduction i Acknowledgments 2 History of investigation 4 Geographic and geologic occurrence 14 Environment I7 Revision of certain lower Eocene primates and description of three new upper Wasatchian genera 24 Classification of middle and upper Eocene forms 30 Systematic revision of middle and upper Eocene primates 31 Notharctidae 31 Comparison of the skulls of Notharctus and Smilodectcs z:^ Omomyidae 47 Anaptomorphidae 7Z Apatemyidae 86 Summary of relationships of North American fossil primates 91 Discussion of platyrrhine relationships 98 References 100 Explanation of plates 108 ILLUSTRATIONS Plates (All plates follow page 112) 1. Notharctus and Smilodectes from the Bridger middle Eocene. 2. Notharctus and Smilodectes from the Bridger middle Eocene. 3. Notharctus and Smilodectcs from the Bridger middle Eocene. 4. Notharctus and Hemiacodon from the Bridger middle Eocene. 5. Notharctus and Smilodectcs from the Bridger middle Eocene. 6. Omomys from the middle and lower Eocene. 7. Omomys from the middle and lower Eocene. 8. Hemiacodon from the Bridger middle Eocene. 9. Washakius from the Bridger middle Eocene. 10. Anaptomorphus and Uintanius from the Bridger middle Eocene. 11. Trogolemur, Uintasorex, and Apatcmys from the Bridger middle Eocene. 12. Apatemys from the Bridger middle Eocene.
    [Show full text]
  • 71St Annual Meeting Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Paris Las Vegas Las Vegas, Nevada, USA November 2 – 5, 2011 SESSION CONCURRENT SESSION CONCURRENT
    ISSN 1937-2809 online Journal of Supplement to the November 2011 Vertebrate Paleontology Vertebrate Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Society of Vertebrate 71st Annual Meeting Paleontology Society of Vertebrate Las Vegas Paris Nevada, USA Las Vegas, November 2 – 5, 2011 Program and Abstracts Society of Vertebrate Paleontology 71st Annual Meeting Program and Abstracts COMMITTEE MEETING ROOM POSTER SESSION/ CONCURRENT CONCURRENT SESSION EXHIBITS SESSION COMMITTEE MEETING ROOMS AUCTION EVENT REGISTRATION, CONCURRENT MERCHANDISE SESSION LOUNGE, EDUCATION & OUTREACH SPEAKER READY COMMITTEE MEETING POSTER SESSION ROOM ROOM SOCIETY OF VERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS SEVENTY-FIRST ANNUAL MEETING PARIS LAS VEGAS HOTEL LAS VEGAS, NV, USA NOVEMBER 2–5, 2011 HOST COMMITTEE Stephen Rowland, Co-Chair; Aubrey Bonde, Co-Chair; Joshua Bonde; David Elliott; Lee Hall; Jerry Harris; Andrew Milner; Eric Roberts EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Philip Currie, President; Blaire Van Valkenburgh, Past President; Catherine Forster, Vice President; Christopher Bell, Secretary; Ted Vlamis, Treasurer; Julia Clarke, Member at Large; Kristina Curry Rogers, Member at Large; Lars Werdelin, Member at Large SYMPOSIUM CONVENORS Roger B.J. Benson, Richard J. Butler, Nadia B. Fröbisch, Hans C.E. Larsson, Mark A. Loewen, Philip D. Mannion, Jim I. Mead, Eric M. Roberts, Scott D. Sampson, Eric D. Scott, Kathleen Springer PROGRAM COMMITTEE Jonathan Bloch, Co-Chair; Anjali Goswami, Co-Chair; Jason Anderson; Paul Barrett; Brian Beatty; Kerin Claeson; Kristina Curry Rogers; Ted Daeschler; David Evans; David Fox; Nadia B. Fröbisch; Christian Kammerer; Johannes Müller; Emily Rayfield; William Sanders; Bruce Shockey; Mary Silcox; Michelle Stocker; Rebecca Terry November 2011—PROGRAM AND ABSTRACTS 1 Members and Friends of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, The Host Committee cordially welcomes you to the 71st Annual Meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology in Las Vegas.
    [Show full text]
  • Functional Morphology of the Vertebral Column in Remingtonocetus (Mammalia, Cetacea) and the Evolution of Aquatic Locomotion in Early Archaeocetes
    Functional Morphology of the Vertebral Column in Remingtonocetus (Mammalia, Cetacea) and the Evolution of Aquatic Locomotion in Early Archaeocetes by Ryan Matthew Bebej A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology) in The University of Michigan 2011 Doctoral Committee: Professor Philip D. Gingerich, Co-Chair Professor Philip Myers, Co-Chair Professor Daniel C. Fisher Professor Paul W. Webb © Ryan Matthew Bebej 2011 To my wonderful wife Melissa, for her infinite love and support ii Acknowledgments First, I would like to thank each of my committee members. I will be forever grateful to my primary mentor, Philip D. Gingerich, for providing me the opportunity of a lifetime, studying the very organisms that sparked my interest in evolution and paleontology in the first place. His encouragement, patience, instruction, and advice have been instrumental in my development as a scholar, and his dedication to his craft has instilled in me the importance of doing careful and solid research. I am extremely grateful to Philip Myers, who graciously consented to be my co-advisor and co-chair early in my career and guided me through some of the most stressful aspects of life as a Ph.D. student (e.g., preliminary examinations). I also thank Paul W. Webb, for his novel thoughts about living in and moving through water, and Daniel C. Fisher, for his insights into functional morphology, 3D modeling, and mammalian paleobiology. My research was almost entirely predicated on cetacean fossils collected through a collaboration of the University of Michigan and the Geological Survey of Pakistan before my arrival in Ann Arbor.
    [Show full text]
  • The Fauna from the Tyrannosaurus Rex Excavation, Frenchman Formation (Late Maastrichtian), Saskatchewan
    The Fauna from the Tyrannosaurus rex Excavation, Frenchman Formation (Late Maastrichtian), Saskatchewan Tim T. Tokaryk 1 and Harold N. Bryant 2 Tokaryk, T.T. and Bryant, H.N. (2004): The fauna from the Tyrannosaurus rex excavation, Frenchman Formation (Late Maastrichtian), Saskatchewan; in Summary of Investigations 2004, Volume 1, Saskatchewan Geological Survey, Sask. Industry Resources, Misc. Rep. 2004-4.1, CD-ROM, Paper A-18, 12p. Abstract The quarry that contained the partial skeleton of the Tyrannosaurus rex, familiarly known as “Scotty,” has yielded a diverse faunal and floral assemblage. The site is located in the Frenchman River valley in southwestern Saskatchewan and dates from approximately 65 million years, at the end of the Cretaceous Period. The faunal assemblage from the quarry is reviewed and the floral assemblage is summarized. Together, these assemblages provide some insight into the biological community that lived in southwestern Saskatchewan during the latest Cretaceous. Keywords: Frenchman Formation, Maastrichtian, Late Cretaceous, southwestern Saskatchewan, Tyrannosaurus rex. 1. Introduction a) Geological Setting The Frenchman Formation, of latest Maastrichtian age, is extensively exposed in southwestern Saskatchewan (Figure 1; Fraser et al., 1935; Furnival, 1950). The lithostratigraphic units in the formation consist largely of fluvial sandstones and greenish grey to green claystones. Outcrops of the Frenchman Formation are widely distributed in the Frenchman River valley, southeast of Eastend. Chambery Coulee, on the north side of the valley, includes Royal Saskatchewan Museum (RSM) locality 72F07-0022 (precise locality data on file with the RSM), the site that contained the disarticulated skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus rex. McIver (2002) subdivided the stratigraphic sequence at this locality into “lower” and “upper” beds.
    [Show full text]