Master's Theses

Department

Geosciences

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Abstract

The Duck Creek local fauna was discovered in a gravel pit near the Smoky Hill River in southeastern Ellis County, Kansas. Mammalian remains in the fauna include four species of the family Soricidae, two of the Leporidae, two of the Sciuridae, two of the Geomydae, six of the Muridae, and one of the Mustelidae. Based on habitat requirements of extant species in the fauna, the Duck Creek local fauna is presumed to consist of elements of two biotic communities: moist-riparian, and upland. A late Pleistocene age for the fauna is suggested by the stage of evolution and preferred habitats and geologic ranges of extant species. More specifically, both the stratigraphic position of the fauna and a faunal comparison with other late Pleistocene Great Plains faunas indicate that the Duck Creek local fauna is Illinoian in age.

Keywords

Earth Science

Advisor

Dr. Michael E. Nelson

Date of Award

Spring 1974

Document Type

Thesis - campus only access

Rights

© The Author(s)

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