Fossil Insect Evidence for Late Quaternary Climatic Change in the Big Bend Region, Chihuahuan Desert, Texas

Abstract

A series of 50 packrat midden assemblages from the Big Bend region of the Chihuahuan Desert, ranging in age from >36,000 yr B.P. to recent, yielded abundant, diverse arthropod faunas. The mesic nature of regional Wisconsin age climates is substantiated by the fauna from 30,000–12,000 yr B.P., especially during the middle Wisconsin (30,000–20,000 yr B.P.). Late Wisconsin faunas contained grassland species which are confined today to cooler, moister regions. Following 12,000 yr B.P., most of these temperate species were replaced either by desert species or by more cosmopolitan taxa, marking the climatic shift from late Wisconsin to postglacial time. Insects indicative of more severe aridity are first recorded at about 6000 yr B.P., but some temperate species persisted until about 2500 yr B.P. After this, only desert dwellers are recorded.

The Effect of Climate Chan Ge on the Population of Sycamore Lace Bug (Corythuca Ciliata, Say, Tingidae Heteroptera) Based on a Simulation Model With Phenological Response

“…In these regions the cold-adapted species assemblage was immediately replaced by temperate species [36], [37]. During the same time period most of temperate species of Chihuahuan Desert (Texas) were replaced either by desert species or more cosmopolitan taxa [12]. The above studies pointed out the dependency of the changes in climate and fauna.…”

Long-term climate variability at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, southeastern New Mexico, USA

“…Location map for paleoclimate data. Data from Bachman (1981), Markgraf and others (1983), Harris (1987), Pierce (1987), Van Devender and others (1987), Waters (1989), Bachhuber (1989), Holliday (1989a), Van Devender (1990), Allen (1991), Phillips and others (1992).…”

“…Data used to construct the more detailed climatic record for the latest Pleistocene and Holocene come from multiple lines of evidence dated primarily using carbon-14 techniques. Packrat middens examined at sites throughout the southeastern United States, including locations in southeastern New Mexico, preserve local plant communities and, in some cases, insect remains (Van Devender 1980, Van Devender and others 1984, Elias 1987, Elias and Van Devender 1990. Pollen assemblages have been analyzed from lacustrine deposits in western New Mexico, western Texas, and other locations in the southwestern United States (Martin and Mehringer 1965, Markgraf and others 1984, Bryant and Holloway 1985, Van Devender and others 1987.…”

Paleontology of leaf beetles

“…Insect assemblages, including chrysomelids, have been used to assess paleoenvironmental conditions and community structure Ashworth et aL, 1981;Bocher, 1989;Elias, 1982Elias, , 1985Elias, , 1991Elias & van Devender, 1990;Fujiyama, 1980;Kimoto, 1981;Nasarow, 1984;Nd, 1988;Schwert & Ashworth, 1988Schwert & Morgan, 1980;Whitehead, 1989; and many others. Dispersal allows insects to satisfy their ecological and physiological requirements Coope, 1970;Elias, t991;Schwert & Ashworth, 1988.…”