AMS 14C analysis of Late Pleistocene non-analog faunal components from 21 cave deposits in southeastern North America

Semken, Holmes A.; Graham, Russell W.; Stafford, Thomas W.

doi:10.1016/j.quaint.2009.11.031

Cited by 74 publications

(38 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…The osteoderm was part of a non‐analogue faunal assemblage (Semken et al . ), comprising boreal animals such as stag‐moose ( Cervalces ), woodland muskox ( Bootherium ) and red‐backed vole ( Myodes ), and temperate species such as ground squirrel ( Spermophilis ), badger ( Taxidea ), gopher ( Geomys ), peccary ( Platygonus ) and pronghorn ( Antilocapra ) in addition to the armadillo (Parmalee & Oesch ; Semken et al . ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A revised evolutionary history of armadillos (Dasypus) in North America based on ancient mitochondrial DNA

Shapiro

Graham

Letts

2014

Boreas

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The large, beautiful armadillo, Dasypus bellus, first appeared in North America about 2.5 million years ago, and was extinct across its southeastern US range by 11 thousand years ago (ka). Within the last 150 years, the much smaller nine‐banded armadillo, D. novemcinctus, has expanded rapidly out of Mexico and colonized much of the former range of the beautiful armadillo. The high degree of morphological similarity between these two species has led to speculation that they might be a single, highly adaptable species with phenotypical responses and geographical range fluctuations resulting from environmental changes. If this is correct, then the biology and tolerance limits for D. novemcinctus could be directly applied to the Pleistocene species, D. bellus. To investigate this, we isolated ancient mitochondrial DNA from late Pleistocene‐age specimens of Dasypus from Missouri and Florida. We identified two genetically distinct mitochondrial lineages, which most likely correspond to D. bellus (Missouri) and D. novemcinctus (Florida). Surprisingly, both lineages were isolated from large specimens that were identified previously as D. bellus. Our results suggest that D. novemcinctus, which is currently classified as an invasive species, was already present in central Florida around 10 ka, significantly earlier than previously believed.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Furthermore, studies of Pleistocene deposits in caves, even those carefully excavated in 5–10 cm levels, can be time‐averaged by thousands of years (Semken et al . ). A radiocarbon date on the actual specimen itself, if it contains enough collagen, would be the best test of its age.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

A revised evolutionary history of armadillos (Dasypus) in North America based on ancient mitochondrial DNA

Shapiro

Graham

Letts

2014

Boreas

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“…Our analysis of climates and habitats associated with five of these species supports the notion that they would have found climatic conditions in the Bahamas somewhat more suitable in the LGM Pleistocene than currently, and/or that they prefer open habitats that probably were more widespread. The climate‐based models do not consider plasticity in habitat preferences, or species interactions, which can be important in shaping distributions independent of climate (Cole, ; Stafford et al ., ; Semken et al ., ). Based on the evidence presented here, we can demonstrate that a taxonomically and ecologically diverse set of species did persist through the PHT, but did not survive the past millennium of human activities.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in a West Indian bird community since the late Pleistocene

Steadman

Franklin

2014

Journal of Biogeography

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Aim To establish a chronology for late Quaternary avian extinction, extirpation and persistence in the Bahamas, thereby testing the relative roles of climate change and human impact as causes of extinction. Location Great Abaco Island (Abaco), Bahamas, West Indies. Methods We analysed the resident bird community as sampled by Pleistocene (> 11.7 ka) and Holocene (< 11.7 ka) fossils. Each species was classified as extinct (lost globally), extirpated (gone from Abaco but persists elsewhere), or extant (still resident on Abaco). We compared patterns of extinction, extirpation and persistence to independent estimates of climate and sea level for glacial (late Pleistocene) and interglacial (Holocene) times. Results Of 45 bird species identified in Pleistocene fossils, 25 (56%) no longer occur on Abaco (21 extirpated, 4 extinct). Of 37 species recorded in Holocene deposits, 15 (14 extirpated, 1 extinct; total 41%) no longer exist on Abaco. Of the 30 extant species, 12 were recovered as both Pleistocene and Holocene fossils, as were 9 of the 30 extirpated or extinct species. Most of the extinct or extirpated species that were only recorded from Pleistocene contexts are characteristic of open habitats (pine woodlands or grasslands); several of the extirpated species are currently found only where winters are cooler than in the modern or Pleistocene Bahamas. In contrast, most of the extinct or extirpated species recorded from Holocene contexts are habitat generalists. Main conclusions The fossil evidence suggests two main times of late Quaternary avian extirpation and extinction in the Bahamas. The first was during the PleistoceneHolocene transition (PHT; 15-9 ka) and was fuelled by climate change and associated changes in sea level and island area. The second took place during the late Holocene (< 4 ka, perhaps primarily < 1 ka) and can be attributed to human impact. Although some species lost during the PHT are currently found where climates are cooler and drier than in the Bahamas today, a taxonomically and ecologically diverse set of species persisted through that major climate change but did not survive the past millennium of human presence.

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“…It also begs the question, if synchronous, then synchronous with what? Extinctions were, as Marlon and Bartlein, Whitlock, and others note, part of a vast suite of changes taking place at the end of the Pleistocene, which affected not just large mammals but also smaller ones, other large mammal species, nonmammals, and plants (e.g., Scott 2010;Semken et al 2010). Of course, even people arrived in North America around this time.…”

Section: Replymentioning

confidence: 99%