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Diachronic variation in insectivores from Cheek Bend Cave and environmental change in the Midsouth

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 April 2016

Walter E. Klippel  and
Paul W. Parmalee
Walter E. Klippel
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology. The University of Tennessee, South Stadium Hall, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996
Paul W. Parmalee
Affiliation:
McClung Museum. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996
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Abstract

Diachronic variation in insectivore remains from a deeply stratified cave deposit in southeastern North America is described. The paleobotanical record for the region is congruent with variation in the soricid (shrew) and talpid (mole) faunal assemblages. Both faunal and floral records reflect considerable climatic change since the full Wisconsinan in this unglaciated portion of eastern North America. Variations in the insectivore assemblages indicate the presence of a more equable climate during the late Pleistocene. Continental climates ushered in at the end of the Pleistocene resulted in a marked decrease in insectivore diversity. Relative frequency changes in taxa throughout the Holocene reflect the mid-Holocene Climatic Optimum.

Type
Articles
Information
Paleobiology , Volume 8 , Issue 4 , Fall 1982 , pp. 447 - 458
Copyright
Copyright © The Paleontological Society 

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