Mammals of the Coffee Ranch Local Fauna Hemphilian of Texas

Contents: Abstract -- Introduction -- Acknowledgements -- Historical -- Age and Correlation -- Systematic List of Species -- Accounts of SpeciesThe Coffee Ranch local fauna is the type of the Hemphillian Land Mammal Age. Fossils from the Coffee Ranch quarry have been known since 1930 and have been the basis for numerous publications, but no complete account of the fauna has been given. The present report is based on more than one thousand specimens gathered over twenty-two years, including both microvertebrates and large mammals. Thirty-eight taxa are listed, of which the following are described as new: Scalopus (Hesperoscalops) ruficervus, Eptesicus hemphillensis, Ccmancheomys n. gen., Comancheomys rogersi, Progeomys n. gen., Progeomys sulcatus, Calomys (Bensonomys) coffeyi, Neotoma (Paraneotoma) minutus. The Coffee Ranch local fauna is thought to be of middle Hemphillian age, younger than the Higgins and similarly aged local faunas but older than the Yepomera and Ocote local faunas of Mexico.Texas Memorial Museu

Diurnal Retreats of Bats

The forelimbs of bats are so highly modified for flight that they are of little value for terrestrial locomotion. Deprived of all but limited use of the front feet in terrestrial activity, roosts or resting sites are also limited. All bats are primarily nocturnal and most of them spend the day in elevated, secluded retreats. Elevation is critical, for some bats show limited ability to take flight from flat, horizontal surfaces. Many bats, however, do show marked agility on the ground, and are quite capable of gaining flight from flat, horizontal surfaces. There is little correlation between taxonomy and roosting habits, although utilization of vegetation as roosts appears to be the general rule in the Megachiroptera and rather uncommon in the Microchiroptera

Proneofiber, a new genus of vole (Cricetidae: Rodentia) from the Pleistocene Seymour Formation of Texas, and its evolutionary and stratigraphic significance

A new genus and species of a microtine rodent, Proneofiber guildayi, is named on the basis of rooted teeth with cement from the warm Gilliland local fauna, Seymour Formation of Pleistocene age, Knox County, Texas. Proneofiber guildayi is considered to be ancestral to Neofiber, the round-tailed water rat, now living in the extreme southeastern United States. The presence of Pleistocene faunas prior to the first continental glaciation and the existence of three Pearlette-like volcanic ashes in the Plains Region suggest a revision of the age assignment of Pleistocene deposits from the nonglaciated region.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/33838/1/0000096.pd

Fossils from the Seymour Formation of Knox and Baylor Counties, Texas, and Their Bearing on the Late Kansan Climate of that Region

1-66http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/48406/2/ID253.pd

Carnivore Translocations and Conservation: Insights from Population Models and Field Data for Fishers (Martes pennanti)

Translocations are frequently used to restore extirpated carnivore populations. Understanding the factors that influence translocation success is important because carnivore translocations can be time consuming, expensive, and controversial. Using population viability software, we modeled reintroductions of the fisher, a candidate for endangered or threatened status in the Pacific states of the US. Our model predicts that the most important factor influencing successful re-establishment of a fisher population is the number of adult females reintroduced (provided some males are also released). Data from 38 translocations of fishers in North America, including 30 reintroductions, 5 augmentations and 3 introductions, show that the number of females released was, indeed, a good predictor of success but that the number of males released, geographic region and proximity of the source population to the release site were also important predictors. The contradiction between model and data regarding males may relate to the assumption in the model that all males are equally good breeders. We hypothesize that many males may need to be released to insure a sufficient number of good breeders are included, probably large males. Seventy-seven percent of reintroductions with known outcomes (success or failure) succeeded; all 5 augmentations succeeded; but none of the 3 introductions succeeded. Reintroductions were instrumental in reestablishing fisher populations within their historical range and expanding the range from its most-contracted state (43% of the historical range) to its current state (68% of the historical range). To increase the likelihood of translocation success, we recommend that managers: 1) release as many fishers as possible, 2) release more females than males (55–60% females) when possible, 3) release as many adults as possible, especially large males, 4) release fishers from a nearby source population, 5) conduct a formal feasibility assessment, and 6) develop a comprehensive implementation plan that includes an active monitoring program

Miocene Vertebrates from Aguascalientes, Mexico

Texas Memorial Museu

Pliocene Carnivores of The Coffee Ranch

Contents: Abstract -- Introduction -- Acknowledgments -- Geology, Occurrence, and Taphonomy -- Taxonomic Synopsis -- Accounts of Species -- Speculation as to Faunal Relationships of the Carnivores -- Literature CitedNew material collected in the Coffee Ranch quarry, Hemphill County, Texas, represents eight species of Carnivora. Included in the fauna is an apparently new species of Pseudaelurus. Abundant material makes possible a detailed description of the bone-eating dog, Osteohorus cyonoides. The sabertoothed cat, Machairodus catocopis, is described from a largely complete skeleton. Specimens include teeth, previously unknown, of the rare wolverine, Plesiogulo marshalli and a very large bear, Indarctos oregonensis.Texas Memorial Museu

Diurnal Retreats of Bats

The forelimbs of bats are so highly modified for flight that they are of little value for terrestrial locomotion. Deprived of all but limited use of the front feet in terrestrial activity, roosts or resting sites are also limited. All bats are primarily nocturnal and most of them spend the day in elevated, secluded retreats. Elevation is critical, for some bats show limited ability to take flight from flat, horizontal surfaces. Many bats, however, do show marked agility on the ground, and are quite capable of gaining flight from flat, horizontal surfaces. There is little correlation between taxonomy and roosting habits, although utilization of vegetation as roosts appears to be the general rule in the Megachiroptera and rather uncommon in the Microchiroptera