Prehistoric Mountain Beaver Identification From Eastern Oregon

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Date

2021

Authors

Lawson, Amelia

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

University of Oregon

Abstract

Aplodontiid fossils from the Turtle Cove Member of the John Day Formation are relatively abundant. Today there is only one remaining species of the Aplodontiidae family, the mountain beaver, Aplodontia rufa, which can be found in western regions of North America (Vianey-Liaud et al). The Aplodontiidae family falls between the Sciuridae family and led to the Mylagaulidae rodent family of horned gophers. Overall, the order that this paper will be focusing on, Prosciurinae, is relatively low on the Aplodontiidae evolutionary tree (Samantha Hopkins 2012 ). Prehistoric lower classifications of Aplodontiidae can be identified based on their detention and time period in which they were found. Similarly, other information such as diet, terrain, and environment can be examined through detention. This paper analyzes the dentition and habitat of Prosciurinae relictus, an Aplodontiid which dates back to the Arikareean, also known as the late Oligocene.

Description

1 page.

Keywords

Paleontology, Rodent, Geology, Earth Science

Citation