Presenter(s): Megan Wyatt − Biology, Earth Sciences
Faculty Mentor(s): Samantha Hopkins
Poster 7
Research Area: Natural Science
Oregon contains a rich fossil record of Miocene flora and fauna, giving us a glimpse into complex ecological interactions in deep time. The Mascall Formation of central Oregon is one of the best-preserved middle Miocene mammal assemblages in the Northwest. Past work on the Mascall fauna has found a rich carnivore and large herbivore fauna, but studies have yet to reveal which small mammals lived there during the Miocene. Recent screen washing efforts by the vertebrate paleontology lab at the University of Oregon have discovered a large small mammal assemblage in the Cave Basin region of central Oregon, which, when identified, will reveal a previously unknown part of the intricate ecosystem that existed in Oregon 17.5 to 15 million years ago. In studying the geomyoids (gophers and pocket mice), I have identified three different genera of rodents including Perognathus, Harrymys, and Mojavemys, and there are likely other genera within the superfamily Geomyoidea in this collection. I can use measurements and variations of molar enamel cusp patterns to identify them to a species level. However, observation and two-dimensional measurements are often inadequate for distinguishing Perognathus interspecies variation. Researchers have quantified species variation in other rodent lineages including voles and pocket gophers, using geometric morphometrics. I propose to use this method to identify these geomyoid molars. Species identification for these teeth will provide a baseline for future research of Oregon Miocene faunal ecology and be one step closer to understanding these ecological interactions.