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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

GCAGS Transactions

Abstract


Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies Transactions
Vol. 53 (2003), Pages 78-85

How Many Species of the Fossil Rodent Copemys Occur at a Single Prolific Screening Site in the Miocene, Fleming Formation at Fort Polk, Louisiana?

Grant S. Boardman, Judith A. Schiebout, John Wrenn

ABSTRACT

Isolated teeth of Copemys from the Stonehenge site of Fort Polk, Louisiana, appear to represent a new species of Copemys, but the presence of more than one species cannot be documented. Specimens were recovered by acid dissolution of rock rich in soilformed nodules and by screening of the residue. This method produces numbers of specimens high in comparison to those of many Miocene vertebrate sites. Species identification of loose teeth is difficult in these animals, but preliminary results support the presence of a new species of Copemys at the Stonehenge site. Relative tooth size is smaller than other published Copemys, which may be a result of their being from an environment previously not sampled. Geological and paleobotanical evidence points to a wet, wooded environment. The first upper molar appeared to offer distinctive features for differentiation of subgroups within the specimens, but these teeth still form a single size cluster.


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