The Mammals of the Duck Creek Local Fauna, Late Pleistocene of Kansas

Author

Terrance L. McMullen, Fort Hays Kansas State College

Document Type

Thesis - campus only access

DOI

10.58809/YIYY3127

Date of Award

Spring 1974

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Geosciences

Advisor

Michael E. Nelson

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.

Comments

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Recommended Citation

McMullen, Terrance L., "The Mammals of the Duck Creek Local Fauna, Late Pleistocene of Kansas" (1974). Master's Theses. 1523.
DOI: 10.58809/YIYY3127
Available at: https://scholars.fhsu.edu/theses/1523

Rights

© 1974 Terrance L. McMullen