Lucas et al., eds., 2008, Neogene Mammals. New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science Bulletin 44.

141
LATE PLIOCENE (LATE BLANCAN) VERTEBRATE FAUNAS FROM PEARSON MESA,
DUNCAN BASIN, SOUTHWESTERN NEW MEXICO AND SOUTHEASTERN ARIZONA

GARY S. MORGAN, PAUL L. SEALEY AND SPENCER G. LUCAS

New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, 1801 Mountain Rd. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104

Abstract—Exposures at Pearson Mesa in the Duncan basin along the New Mexico-Arizona border have produced
a diverse assemblage of late Pliocene (late Blancan) vertebrates. The stratigraphic section at Pearson Mesa consists
of more than 60 m of sandstones, mudstones, and sedimentary breccias of the Gila Group. Two distinct vertebrate
faunas occur at Pearson Mesa: the early late Blancan Pearson Mesa Local Fauna (LF) is derived from the lower 15
m of the stratigraphic section and the latest Blancan Virden LF occurs in the upper 20 m of the section. The Pearson
Mesa fauna consists of 24 species: three land tortoises (Gopherus and two species of Hesperotestudo); box turtle
(Terrapene); colubrid snake; bird; and 19 mammals. Age-diagnostic mammals from the Pearson Mesa LF include:
the mylodont ground sloth Paramylodon cf. P. garbanii; the pocket gopher Geomys persimilis; the cotton rat
Sigmodon medius; the three-toed horse Nannippus peninsulatus; the one-toed horses Equus cf. E. cumminsii and
E. simplicidens; and the peccary Platygonus bicalcaratus. The Pearson Mesa LF has an impressive sample of
Nannippus peninsulatus, represented by at least 30 upper teeth, five lower jaws, and numerous postcranial
elements. Platygonus bicalcaratus is also represented by the largest sample known from the Blancan of New
Mexico. The association of Paramylodon and Nannippus defines a restricted interval of time in the Blancan
between the first appearance of South American immigrants (including Paramylodon) in the southwestern US at
about 3.0 Ma and the extinction of Nannippus at about 2.2 Ma. Magnetostratigraphy further constrains the age of
the Pearson Mesa LF, with five normally-magnetized samples from the lower part of the section indicating referral
of these strata to the uppermost Gauss Chron (Chron 2An.1n; 2.58-3.04 Ma). Southwestern early late Blancan
faunas (~2.6-3.0 Ma) correlative with Pearson Mesa include: Anapra, New Mexico; Wolf Ranch and 111 Ranch,
Arizona; and Cita Canyon and Hudspeth, Texas. A 10-m-thick sedimentary breccia between the Pearson Mesa LF
and the overlying Virden LF lacks fossils. The local extinction of Nannippus apparently occurred during this
unfossiliferous interval, as this genus is absent from the Virden LF in the uppermost portion of the Pearson Mesa
section. The Virden LF consists of 22 species: toad; large Hesperotestudo; Terrapene; colubrid snake; lizard; two
birds; and 15 mammals. There is very little overlap among mammal taxa between the Pearson Mesa and Virden LFs,
with the coyote-like canid Canis lepophagus and the large horse Equus scotti the only species shared by the two
faunas. Age-diagnostic mammals from the Virden LF include the large glyptodont Glyptotherium arizonae, Canis
lepophagus, the dwarf cotton rat Sigmodon minor, the small leporid Sylvilagus cf. S. hibbardi, and the small
camelid Hemiauchenia gracilis. A latest Blancan age (~1.8-2.2 Ma) for the Virden LF is indicated by the presence
of Sigmodon minor and Hemiauchenia gracilis, both restricted to latest Blancan faunas. Canis lepophagus is
restricted to the Blancan, while Glyptotherium arizonae occurs in both latest Blancan and early Irvingtonian
faunas; the only period of overlap between these two species is during the latest Blancan. Southwestern latest
Blancan faunas correlative with Virden include La Union, New Mexico, and Curtis Ranch and San Simon, Arizona.

INTRODUCTION
Morgan and Lucas (2003) reviewed the Blancan (Pliocene) verte-
brate faunas from New Mexico. The majority of these sites occur in
sediments of the Santa Fe Group in the Rio Grande Valley, whereas a
smaller number of Blancan sites occur in sediments of the Gila Group in
the Gila River Valley in Grant and Hidalgo counties in the southwestern
part of the state. The Gila River originates in the Mogollon Mountains in
southwestern New Mexico and flows southwestward, eventually cross-
ing into Arizona. Two concentrations of Blancan vertebrate sites occur in
sediments of the Gila Group in southwestern New Mexico, the early
Pliocene (early Blancan) Buckhorn Local Fauna (LF) from the vicinity of
Buckhorn in the Mangas basin in Grant County (Morgan et al., 1997)
and the late Pliocene (late Blancan) Pearson Mesa and Virden LFs from
the vicinity of Virden in the Duncan basin in Hidalgo County (Tomida,
1987; Morgan and Lucas, 2000a, 2003). Both Pearson Mesa and the
Duncan basin straddle the border between New Mexico and Arizona,
with strata containing the Pearson Mesa and Virden faunas extending
westward into Greenlee County in southeastern Arizona (Fig. 1). Tomida
(1987) presented a brief discussion of the vertebrate fauna from Pearson
Mesa, including five taxa of mammals, and also provided a measured
stratigraphic section with five paleomagnetic sites. Morgan and Lucas
(2000a, 2003) summarized the Blancan vertebrate faunas from Pearson
Mesa.
Field crews from the New Mexico Museum of Natural History
(NMMNH) first visited Pearson Mesa in January 1998. We found an
abundant and diverse sample of Pliocene vertebrate fossils, in particular,
land tortoises and horses, including a concentration of equid fossils named
the Pearson Mesa Horse Quarry (NMMNH site L-3659). We returned
to Pearson Mesa in February 1999 and made additional collections and
measured and described a stratigraphic section. Previous papers on
Pearson Mesa by Morgan and Lucas (2000a, 2003) included only fossils
from these two trips. Fossils collected on six subsequent NMMNH field
trips between March 2000 and April 2007 are summarized in this paper,
together with the material from the 1998 and 1999 collections. Except for
a skull and mandible that Tomida (1987) tentatively referred to the pocket
gopher Geomys persimilis, no microvertebrates were mentioned in pre-
vious publications on Pearson Mesa. In October 2004, we discovered a
rich concentration of microvertebrates high in the section in a fine-grained
unit referred to the Virden LF (NMMNH site L-6667). We have washed
142
about 500 kg of sediment from this site, which has produced at least 14
species of small vertebrates. A second microvertebrate site also occurs in
the Virden LF (NMMNH site L-7462). All species currently known
from this site are also found in L-6667. Two microvertebrate concentra-
tions lower in the section in the Pearson Mesa LF (NMMNH sites L-
6665, L-7457) have yielded three species of rodents and a lagomorph.
We have collected vertebrate fossils from 154 different sites on
Pearson Mesa (Fig. 1), which have produced 386 catalogued specimens
representing 38 taxa of vertebrates (Tables 1, 2); 24 species in the Pearson
Mesa LF and 22 species in the Virden LF. Surprisingly, considering their
geographic proximity, there is minimal taxonomic similarity between
these two local faunas, with fewer than 10 species in common, most of
which are small vertebrates. Previous papers on the Pearson Mesa and
Virden faunas were of a preliminary nature (Tomida, 1987; Morgan and
Lucas, 2000a, 2003). This report is intended to be a comprehensive
analysis of the large mammals from the Pearson Mesa and Virden LFs.
More detailed papers are planned on the land tortoises and small mam-
mals. We are still in the process of collecting sediment and screenwashing
several microvertebrate sites in both the Pearson Mesa and Virden LFs,
so the fauna of small vertebrates is certain to increase. Although further
field work will certainly yield additional fossils, we have surveyed most
of the exposures in this region, both laterally and vertically, and are
confident we have recovered the majority of larger vertebrate taxa that
occur in this area.
The vast majority of fossils from Pearson Mesa described in this
paper are housed in the New Mexico Museum of Natural History
FIGURE 1. Map showing the location of Pearson Mesa in southwestern
(NMMNH) in Albuquerque. Two geomyid specimens from Pearson
New Mexico and southeastern Arizona. The stippling outlines the outcrop
Mesa are in the University of Arizona Laboratory of Paleontology (UALP)
area of Gila Group sediments on Pearson Mesa. The locations of the measured
in Tucson, and several horse and camel specimens are housed in the stratigraphic sections in Fig. 2 are indicated. The sites comprising the late
American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) in New York. Other Blancan Pearson Mesa Local Fauna and latest Blancan Virden Local Fauna
abbreviations used in the paper are as follows: North American land are located within the stippled area in sections 7, 8, and 9, T19S, R21W in
mammal “age” (NALMA); Local Fauna (LF). Dental terminology is Hidalgo County, New Mexico and section 10, T9S, R32E, Greenlee County,
standard for mammals: upper teeth are indicated by upper case letters Arizona.
(e.g., M1 is the first upper molar) and lower teeth by lower case letters
(e.g., p4 is the fourth lower premolar). Four digit numbers preceded by Safford basin, the next basin west of the Duncan basin in Arizona (Seff,
an L (e.g., L-3659) designate NMMNH localities. Field notes, map coor- 1960; Galusha et al., 1984). We use the term Gila Group to refer to these
dinates, and other data for these localities are available in the archives of strata as a useful general term to refer to all of the basin fill sediments of
the NMMNH paleontology collection. All measurements are in millime- the extensional basins of the so-called San Augustin “rift” (Lucas and
ters (mm) unless otherwise noted. The biostratigraphy of the Blancan Ingersoll, 1981).
NALMA follows Bell et al. (2004) and the magnetic chron and subchron We measured two sections of Gila Group strata on the northern
boundaries from the Geomagnetic Polarity Time Scale (GPTS) are from edge of Pearson Mesa south of the Gila River. One stratigraphic section
Berggren et al. (1995). (Fig. 2, right side) is located about midway along the Pearson Mesa
exposures in western Hidalgo County, New Mexico in the western ½ of
STRATIGRAPHY
section 8, T19S R21W. Our second section (Fig. 2, left side) is at the
Pearson Mesa is located on the eastern flank of the Duncan basin westernmost extremity of Pearson Mesa in Greenlee County, Arizona in
in southwestern New Mexico and southeastern Arizona (Fig. 1). The the eastern ¼ of section 10, T9S, R32W. The strata are approximately 65
Duncan basin is a Late Cenozoic extensional basin filled with as much as m thick in the New Mexico section (somewhat less in the Arizona sec-
250 m of conglomerate, sandstone, siltstone, and mudstone referred to tion), and mostly consist of pale red sandy mudstone, grayish orange
the Gila Group. Knechtel (1936) first described the upper Cenozoic pink, massive calcareous sandstone, or volcanic-cobble conglomerate.
basin fill of the Duncan basin, assigning these sediments to the Gila Figure 3A shows an overview of the entire Pearson Mesa section looking
Conglomerate of Gilbert (1875). Subsequent authors have applied the west toward the westernmost end of Pearson Mesa in Greenlee County,
terms Gila Conglomerate or Gila Formation to these strata (e.g., Heindl, Arizona. Figure 3B shows a closer view of strata in the lower part of the
1958; Morrison, 1965). In an abstract, Smith and Mack (1999) referred Pearson Mesa section in Hidalgo County, New Mexico. Fossil verte-
to the strata at Pearson Mesa as the Pearson Mesa Member of the Gila brates occur in two distinct intervals; one in the lower 15 m of the
Conglomerate. The strata exposed at Pearson Mesa overlie with angular sections, the Pearson Mesa LF, and the other in the upper 20 m of the
unconformity, older conglomerates of the Gila Group that contain a sections, the Virden LF. Smith and Mack (1999) referred to these strata
basalt flow dated at 20.6 ± 1.5 Ma (Elston et al., 1973). as the “Pearson Mesa Member” of the Gila Conglomerate; however,
Morgan et al. (1997) recognized four unnamed formations (infor- they did not provide a type section or a detailed description of the
mally termed Formations A-D) in the Gila Group in the Mangas basin, lithology or stratigraphy of this member.
located near the villages of Buckhorn, Cliff, and Gila in the Gila River Tomida (1987) measured a stratigraphic section at Pearson Mesa
Valley about 50 km northeast of Pearson Mesa. Their Formation B about 40 m in thickness and also collected 5 paleomagnetic samples from
contained earliest Pliocene (latest Hemphillian) vertebrates and Forma- the lower 30 m of his section. He also measured a shorter section about
tions C and D contained late early Pliocene (early Blancan) vertebrates. 20 m thick near the town of Duncan on the western flank of the Duncan
The term “111 Ranch beds” has been applied to the basin fill sediments basin in Greenlee County, Arizona. The Duncan Fauna was collected
of the Gila Group containing the late Blancan 111 Ranch Fauna in the from the vicinity of Duncan, located about 8 km northwest of Pearson

TABLE 1. Late Blancan vertebrates from the Pearson Mesa Local Fauna.
Mesa. The Gila Group outcrops in the vicinity of Duncan are from 12-
30 m lower in elevation than the lowest unit at Pearson Mesa (Tomida,
1987). Based on the difference in elevation, the Pearson Mesa outcrops
are higher in the Gila Group section than the outcrops near Duncan. Both
biostratigraphy and magnetostratigraphy support an early Blancan age
for the Duncan Fauna (Tomida, 1987).
FOSSIL LOCALITIES
Figure 1 is a map of Pearson Mesa showing the exposures of Gila
Group sediments (shaded) that have produced Pliocene vertebrate fos-
143
TABLE 2. Latest Blancan vertebrates from the Virden Local Fauna.
sils of the Pearson Mesa and Virden local faunas. The stratigraphic posi-
tions of the most important Pearson Mesa vertebrate sites are indicated
in the two sections in Figure 2. The Pearson Mesa LF is derived from
units 1-6 in the lowermost 15 m of the section and the Virden LF is
derived from units 19 and 20, an interval about 10 m thick between 45
and 55 m above the base of the section. All fossil sites are on the Duncan,
AZ/NM 7.5 minute USGS quadrangle. The sites in New Mexico are
located in sections 7, 8, and 9, T19S, R21W, in Hidalgo County, on land
under the jurisdiction of the U. S. Bureau of Land Management. The sites
in Arizona are located in section 10, T9S, R32E, in Greenlee County, on
State Trust Land under the jurisdiction of the State of Arizona.
The majority of localities at Pearson Mesa have produced only a
few fossils, but somewhat larger assemblages (three or more species) are
known from several of the Pearson Mesa sites, including the Pearson
Mesa Horse Quarry (NMMNH site L-3659) in the lower portion of the
section comprising the Pearson Mesa LF. The Pearson Mesa Horse
144
FIGURE 2. Measured stratigraphic sections of Gila Group sediments on the
northwestern flank of Pearson Mesa, Duncan basin, Duncan 7.5 minute
quadrangle. The section (left) is located in section 10, T9S, R32E, Greenlee
County, Arizona. The New Mexico section (right) is located in section 8,
T19S, R21W, Hidalgo County, New Mexico. The location of the two sections
is indicated on the map in Fig. 1.The stratigraphic position of selected
NMMNH vertebrate sites is indicated by arrows and four-digit site numbers.
Quarry is the most productive fossil locality at Pearson Mesa for large
and medium-sized mammals. More than 70 catalogued specimens, mostly
isolated horse teeth, have been collected from a calcareous sandy lime-
stone (unit 6). This is the highest stratigraphic unit containing fossils of
the Pearson Mesa LF, at about 15 m above the base of the section. The
vertebrate fauna from L-3659 includes three species of horses (Nannippus
peninsulatus, Equus cf. E. cumminsii, and E. scotti), the mylodont ground
sloth Paramylodon cf. P. garbanii, the peccary Platygonus bicalcaratus,
and the camel Hemiauchenia. There are two microvertebrate sites in the
Pearson Mesa LF (NMMNH sites L-6665, L-7457). Site L-6665 pro-
duced a Geomys jaw and leporid and rodent postcranials from a silty
sand (unit 4). Three Geomys jaws, a heteromyid jaw, and rodent
postcranials were found at site L-7457, consisting of a buff-colored sand
and gravel (unit 3). Neither of these sites have been screenwashed be-
cause of their remote location. The fossils mentioned above were found
by surface collecting. We plan to collect sediment from both sites for
screenwashing during the 2008 field season.
The most significant concentration of large mammals from the
Virden LF (site L-4142) consists of about 20 specimens of three species
collected from a calcareous sandstone (unit 19) high in the section, in-
cluding the glyptodont Glyptotherium arizonae, the small canid Canis
lepophagus, and the large horse Equus. A nearly complete shell of the
large land tortoise Hesperotestudo was collected from site L-6651, in a
reddish-brown silty mudstone high in the section (unit 19). Figures
3C-D are field photos of the collection of this tortoise, which was a
complicated undertaking considering the size of the shell (over 300 kg
including the weight of the plaster jacket) and its discovery on the side of
a fairly steep cliff. The shell was discovered by Paul Sealey with the
posterior portion of the carapace and plastron protruding from the cliff.
There are also two microvertebrate sites in the Virden LF (NMMNH
sites L-6667, L-7462). These two sites were both derived from a brown
silty sand (unit 19). We have screenwashed about 500 kg of sediment
from L-6667. This site has produced 14 species of microvertebrates,
including toads, lizards, snakes, birds, and at least 8 genera of small
mammals, including two lagomorphs and six rodents. The most signifi-
cant fossil from L-7462 is a partial skull, lower jaws, and partial skeleton
of the rabbit Sylvilagus. Screenwashing of a very small sample (several
kg) from this site has yielded an anuran and two rodents.
SYSTEMATIC PALEONTOLOGY
This section includes lists of referred specimens, morphological
descriptions, and taxonomic comments on the land tortoises and mam-
mals from the early late Blancan Pearson Mesa LF and the latest Blancan
Virden LF. The taxonomic accounts for the amphibians, small reptiles
(snakes and lizards), and birds are very general and do not provide spe-
cies-level identifications or lists of referred specimens. These accounts
primarily consist of remarks on the stratigraphic and geographic occur-
rence of the various taxa. We list a limited number of referred specimens
for the small mammals (lagomorphs and rodents); however, much larger
samples are available that are currently under study. Furthermore, we
continue to screenwash several of the microvertebrate sites from Pearson
Mesa, so the samples of small vertebrates will certainly increase. Under
Referred specimens, the specimens from the Pearson Mesa and Virden
LFs are listed separately to eliminate any confusion regarding which taxa
occur in which of the two faunas. For most of the taxa, we also include
Descriptions and Remarks.
Amphibia
Anura
Remarks. Specimens of anurans (frogs and toads) are uncommon
at Pearson Mesa, but have been identified from three microvertebrate
sites in the Virden LF. About 10 anuran postcranial elements, probably
toad (Bufonidae), have been identified from the richest microvertebrate
site at Pearson Mesa, L-6667. Anuran postcranial elements are also
present in L-6896 (urostyle) and L-7462 (radio-ulna). The only other
anurans reported from the Blancan of New Mexico consist of a large
sample of the frog Rana from the early Blancan Buckhorn LF in Grant
County (Morgan et al., 1997).
Reptilia
Testudines
Testudinidae
Hesperotestudo large species
Figs. 4, 5A-H
Referred specimens. Pearson Mesa LF. L-3661: NMMNH
27692, partial nuchal. L-4135: NMMNH 30111, posterior part of shell,
including the pygal, 3 other posterior peripherals, a complete bridge
peripheral, 2 neurals, a partial xiphiplastron, 5 caudal vertebrae, and over
100 osteoderms. L-4137: NMMNH 30114, partial hypoplastron and
other assorted shell fragments of a very large tortoise. L-4153: NMMNH
 145

FIGURE 3. Field photos of outcrops and vertebrate fossil sites at Pearson Mesa, Hidalgo County, New Mexico (B-D) and Greenlee County, Arizona (A).
A, View looking west of complete Pearson Mesa section; lower part of section in foreground, upper part of section below mesa top in background near
westernmost point of Pearson Mesa in Greenlee County, Arizona. B, Close-up view of lower portion of Pearson Mesa section (units 1-4), Hidalgo County,
New Mexico. A partial skeleton of Hemiauchenia (L-6894) and a palate of Equus (L-6895) from Pearson Mesa LF were found in this vicinity. C-D, Partial
giant land tortoise Hesperotestudo from Virden LF, collected from site L-6651 in upper part of section (unit 19). C, Paul Sealey (standing) and Gary
Morgan (kneeling) examine tortoise shell from L-6651. D, Closeup of Hesperotestudo carapace (NMMNH 55032) in place before plaster jacketing.

30160, nearly complete plastron lacking only epiplastra, complete bridge
on left side, 3 articulated peripherals, complete pectoral and pelvic girdles,
10 articulated caudal vertebrae, femur, and 7 osteoderms. L-6639:
NMMNH 55011, very large isolated osteoderm.
Virden LF. L-4581: NMMNH 33167, very large peripheral. L-
4592: NMMNH 33186, xiphiplastron and peripheral. L-4595: NMMNH
33193, partial shell, including 6 peripherals, 1 neural, and about 30 other
shell fragments. L-4606: NMMNH 33232, partial xiphiplastron. L-6651:
NMMNH 55032, complete plastron, anterior two-thirds of carapace,
right and left pectoral girdles, right and left pelvic girdles, cervical verte-
bra, 8 caudal vertebrae, and about 40 osteoderms of a very large indi-
vidual.
Description. The Pearson Mesa tortoise sample covers a wide
range of sizes and consists of three species: a medium to large-sized
species of Hesperotestudo, a small Hesperotestudo (discussed below),
and a large species of the genus Gopherus (discussed below). The re-
ferred specimens of large Hesperotestudo listed above do not represent
the entire sample, only the most diagnostic elements. The most complete
specimen of a large Hesperotestudo from Pearson Mesa is a nearly com-
plete shell of a very large individual from the Virden LF (NMMNH
55032), listed above.This specimen is still under preparation so we do
not have photographs of the entire shell, but we do illustrate the com-
plete plastron and selected postcranial elements (Fig. 4). The overall
shape of the carapace is somewhat flattened, almost twice as broad as
high, whereas some shells of giant tortoises are more highly domed. The
external surface of the carpace is rather smooth, not highly ornamented,
and lacks obvious concentric growth rings. The epiplastra are very broad
and thick, protruding well beyond the remainder of the plastron. The
xiphiplastra are acutely triangular in shape posteriorly and are separated
by a broadly V-shaped notch. The central portion of the plastron is
gently concave, suggesting this was a male. Portions of the shell are very
thick, especially the periperals, epiplastra, and xiphiplastra, whereas the
costals are rather thin for the size of the tortoise.
Measurements (in mm) of the large Hesperotestudo shell from the
Virden LF (NMMNH 55032) are as follows: maximum breadth of shell,
695; maximum height of shell, 375 (both measurements taken at the
bridge about midpoint between anterior and posterior edges of carapace);
total length of plastron along midline, 891; maximum length of plastron
from anterior tip of right epiplastron to posterior tip of right xiphiplastron,
942; width of plastron at anterior edge of bridge, 529; width of epiplastron
at posterior suture with hyoplastron, 395; anterior width of epiplastron,
225; anteroposterior length of epiplastron, 211; maximum thickness of
146

FIGURE 4. Giant land tortoise Hesperotestudo, associated shell and postcranial elements from the Virden LF, NMMNH 55032. A, plastron (anterior to
right), B-C, scapula, D-E, cervical vertebra, F-G, coracoid, H, four osteoderms, I-J, neural, K-L, caudal vertebrae. Scale bars are 1 cm unless noted
otherwise.

epiplastron, 49; width of xiphiplastron at anterior suture with
hypoplastron, 349; posterior width of xiphiplastron, 218; length of
xiphiplastron along midline, 165; maximum length to tip of xiphiplastron,
225.
The most complete tortoise specimen from the Pearson Mesa LF
(NMMNH 30160) consists of a nearly complete plastron, the bridge on
one side, several peripherals, both limb girdles, an articulated tail, and a
small sample of osteoderms (Figs. 5A-H). This is actually a compara-
tively small individual, with an estimated plastral length of 450 mm,
about half the size of the large individual from the Virden LF. Another
larger but less complete specimen of large Hesperotestudo from the
Pearson Mesa LF consists of the posterior portion of a shell, several
caudal vertebrae, and over 100 osteoderms of all sizes and shapes
(NMMNH 30111). The peripherals of this specimen are ornamented
with ridges and grooves and are quite thick, reaching a maximum thick-
ness of 45 mm. Another much less complete specimen (NMMNH 30114)
appears to represent an even larger tortoise, with a plastral fragment
having a thickness of 58 mm. Both of the large tortoises from the Pearson
Mesa LF (NMMNH 30111, 30114) are similar in size and morphology
to the nearly complete shell from theVirden LF (NMMNH 55032).
Remarks. Large land tortoises of the genus Hesperotestudo are
among the most common fossils in the Pearson Mesa and Virden LFs,
including two partial shells of very large individuals, several other partial
shells of smaller tortoises, and numerous isolated shell elements. There
do not appear to be any obvious differences between the Pearson Mesa
and Virden populations, and thus they probably belong to the same
 147

FIGURE 5. Tortoises and turtles from the Pearson Mesa and Virden local faunas. A-H, Large Hesperotestudo from the Pearson Mesa LF, associated shell
and postcranial elements, NMMNH 30160, A, ventral view and B, dorsal view of plastron and bridge on left side, C, pectoral girdle, D, pelvic girdle, E-G,
three views of femur, H, articulated caudal vertebrae. I-J, Small Hesperotestudo from the Pearson Mesa LF, partial shell, NMMNH 33196, I, three
articulated peripherals and J, two articulated coastals. K, Terrapene from the Virden LF, anterior half of plastron, NMMNH 30140. Scale bars are 1 cm
unless noted otherwise.

species, although we do not attempt to identify any of the tortoises from
Pearson Mesa to the species level. Richard Franz of the Florida Museum
of Natural History has studied the New Mexico Pliocene tortoises, in-
cluding the Pearson Mesa sample. He will describe the Blancan tortoises
from the southwestern United States elsewhere.
Although most Neogene land tortoise fossils from New Mexico
have been referred to the genus Geochelone (e.g., Lucas and Oakes, 1986;
Sena and Thomas, 1989; Harris, 1993), the more recent trend has been to
recognize North American tortoises formerly placed in Geochelone as a
distinct group comprising the genus Hesperotestudo (Meylan and Sterrer,
2000). Large land tortoises reported from other southwestern Blancan
sites include Hesperotestudo rexroadensis from the early Blancan Rexroad
Fauna, Kansas, and H. campester from the late Blancan Blanco LF, Texas
(Auffenberg, 1974). Morgan et al. (1998) reported a sample of large
Hesperotestudo from the early Blancan Tonuco Mountain LF from the
Camp Rice Formation in southern New Mexico, and a large
148
Hesperotestudo is also common in the latest Blancan La Union Fauna in
the Mesilla Basin in Doña Ana County (Vanderhill, 1986; GSM personal
observation).
Land tortoises of the genus Geochelone (=Hesperotestudo) have
long been used as indicators of Pleistocene climate. Living species of
giant land tortoises are restricted to tropical regions, so their presence in
North American Neogene sites is generally thought to indicate milder
winters (Hibbard, 1960). The presence of land tortoises at Pearson Mesa,
including species of both Hesperotestudo and Gopherus, suggests this
region was characterized by milder climatic conditions (i.e., frost-free
winters) than occur at present in southwestern New Mexico. Large spe-
cies of Hesperotestudo are last recorded in New Mexico from early
Pleistocene (early Irvingtonian) sites slightly younger than the Virden
LF. The disappearance of large land tortoises from New Mexico and
elsewhere in the Southwest in the Irvingtonian almost certainly reflects
the changes in climate that were affecting this region in the late Pliocene
and early Pleistocene (Thompson, 1991), with the transition to cooler
and drier conditions that characterized the remainder of the Pleistocene.
Hesperotestudo small species
Figs. 5I-J
Referred specimens. Pearson Mesa LF. L-3660: NMMNH
27687, peripheral. L-4148: NMMNH 30147, peripheral. L-4596:
NMMNH 33196, partial carapace, including 3 articulated periperals,
one additional peripheral, 2 articulated costals, about 5 additional costals,
and 1 neural.
Description. A small species of Hesperotestudo is represented in
the Pearson Mesa LF by specimens from three different localities. It has
not yet been recorded from the Virden LF. The most diagnostic speci-
mens of this species are a partial carapace with several associated pe-
ripherals and costals (NMMNH 33196; Figs. 5I-J) and a complete pe-
ripheral of a second individual (NMMNH 27687). The small size and
well-ossified bone, together with the prominent concentric growth rings
on the costals and peripherals, suggest these carapace elements represent
adult specimens of a small species of Hesperotestudo and not a small
individual of the larger Hesperotestudo. The carapace elements of the
small Hesperotestudo can be distinguished from Gopherus by the well-
developed surface ornamentation and deeply incised scute sulci lacking
raised edges.
Remarks. Among the three species of land tortoises identified
from Pearson Mesa, the small Hesperotestudo is much less common than
either the large Hesperotestudo or Gopherus. Two isolated peripherals
and a several associated carapacial elements from low in the section are
the only specimens clearly identifiable as this species.
A small species of Hesperotestudo is also known from several
other Blancan localities in New Mexico; as with Pearson Mesa, these
smaller tortoises are much rarer than the larger Hesperotestudo. Lucas
and Oakes (1986) referred a partial plastron of a small tortoise from the
early Blancan Cuchillo Negro Creek LF in Sierra County to the Geochelone
(=Hesperotestudo) turgida group. Several shell elements of small
Hesperotestudo also were reported from the early Blancan Tonuco Moun-
tain LF in Doña Ana County (Morgan et al., 1998). Small Blancan spe-
cies of Hesperotestudo include H. riggsi from the early Blancan Saw
Rock Canyon in Kansas and H. johnstoni from the late Blancan Cita
Canyon LF in Texas. These small tortoises are in the H. turgida evolu-
tionary line (Auffenberg, 1974), which also includes H. wilsoni, a species
known from New Mexico late Pleistocene cave sites (Harris, 1993).
Gopherus sp.
Referred specimens. Pearson Mesa LF. L-4129: NMMNH P-
30103, several associated peripherals and a xiphiplastron. L-4130:
NMMNH 30104, partial shell, with associated costals, peripherals, pel-
vic girdle, and 4 caudal vertebrae. L-4151: NMMNH 30154, associated
epiplastron and peripheral; L-6892, NMMNH 55090, peripheral. L-
7451: NMMNH 56774, right and left epiplastra, 3 peripherals, and
numerous costal fragments.
Description. The above list of referred specimens includes only
the most complete and diagnostic Gopherus specimens from Pearson
Mesa. There are at least 10 more specimens consisting of fragmentary
shell elements. At present Gopherus is known only from the Pearson
Mesa LF; no specimens have been identified from the Virden LF. The
most diagnostic specimens are a partial shell (NMMNH 30104), a right
and left epiplastron with associated peripherals and costals (NMMNH
56774), an epiplastron (NMMNH 30154), and several associated pe-
ripherals (NMMNH 30103). Based on their lack of growth rings or other
surface ornamentation on the carapace elements, scute sulci with raised
margins, and thin shells for their size, these specimens are referable to the
genus Gopherus, which includes the living desert and gopher tortoises. A
large costal from NMMNH 30104 is 118 mm wide but only 8 mm thick.
Some of the Pearson Mesa specimens are from tortoises far larger than
the extant desert tortoise (G. agassizi).
Remarks. Morgan et al. (1998) reported Gopherus from the early
Blancan Tonuco Mountain LF. Several extinct species of this genus are
known from late Blancan sites in Texas (Auffenberg, 1974), including G.
canyonensis from Cita Canyon, G. huecoensis from Hudspeth, and G.
pertenuis from Mount Blanco. Vanderhill (1986) tentatively identified
Gopherus from the Irvingtonian (early Pleistocene) of the Mesilla Basin
in southern New Mexico, and the extant desert tortoise, G. agassizi, has
been reported from late Pleistocene (Rancholabrean) sites in the south-
ern half of the state (Harris, 1993; Lucas and Morgan, 1996). G. agassizi
is now restricted to the Sonoran and Mojave deserts — which are char-
acterized by fairly mild winters — and is absent from New Mexico. The
presence of Gopherus in the Pearson Mesa fossil sites suggests this
region was characterized by milder climatic conditions in the Pliocene
than occur at present in southwestern New Mexico.
Emydidae
Terrapene sp.
Fig. 5K
Referred specimens. Pearson Mesa LF. L-3660: NMMNH
27688, peripheral. L-4145: NMMNH 30143, partial nuchal.
Virden LF. L-4143: NMMNH 30140, anterior half of plastron
and several associated costals and peripherals.
Description. Three specimens from Pearson Mesa represent a
small turtle that is not a testudinid (i.e., not Gopherus or Hesperotestudo).
The most complete specimen of this taxon (NMMNH 30140), from the
Virden LF, consists of the anterior half of a plastron (right and left
epiplastra, entoplastron, and right and left hyoplastra) that bears an
obvious hinge along its posterior edge (Fig. 5K). Box turtles of the genus
Terrapene and mud turtles of the genus Kinosternon are the only turtles
known from southwestern Blancan faunas that have a plastral hinge. The
plastron and associated costals and peripherals of NMMNH 30140, as
well as a nuchal (NMMNH 30143) and a peripheral (NMMNH 27688),
are similar in morphology to Terrapene and are unlike Kinosternon. The
individual bones in the anterior half of the plastron in NMMNH 30140
are not firmly sutured; instead, the bones are separated by a distinct gap
of several mm. This, together with the well-developed notch in the lateral
margins of the plastron at the suture between the epiplastra and hyoplastra,
strongly suggests this specimen represents a juvenile individual.
Remarks. Repenning and May (1986) tentatively identified the
extant ornate box turtle Terrapene ornata from the early Blancan Truth
or Consequences LF from the Palomas Formation in Sierra County in
south-central New Mexico.
Squamata
Sauria
Remarks. Lizards are represented by a few dentary and maxillary
fragments with teeth from L-6667 in the Virden LF.

Serpentes
Remarks. Snakes are among the most common small vertebrates
in the microvertebrate assemblage from L-6667 in the Virden LF. Several
dozen vertebrae from this site appear to represent more than one species
of small to medium-sized colubrid snake. A single vertebra of a medium-
sized colubrid from L-6656, at about the same stratigraphic level as the
Pearson Mesa Horse Quarry, is the only evidence of snakes in the Pearson
Mesa LF.
Aves
Remarks. At least three species of birds are present in the two
Pearson Mesa faunas. Morgan and Lucas (2000a) reported, but did not
describe or illustrate, the distal tarsometatarsus of a small heron or egret
(NMMNH 30108) from the Pearson Mesa LF. At least two species of
birds occur in the rich microvertebrate site (L-6667) in the Virden LF.
Preliminary identifications of the birds from the Virden microsite indi-
cate the presence of a small galliform bird, probably a quail, and a small
passerine. The avifauna from Pearson Mesa is currently under study by
David Steadman at the Florida Museum of Natural History.
Mammalia
Xenarthra
Glyptodontidae
Glyptotherium arizonae Gidley, 1926
Fig. 6
Referred specimens. Virden LF. L-4142: NMMNH 30119, skull
fragment; NMMNH 30120-30125, 6 osteoderms; NMMNH 30131,
left distal humerus; NMMNH 30132, left distal tibio-fibula. L-4158:
NMMNH 30173, 10 associated caudal osteoderms. L: 4591: NMMNH
33185, 2 juvenile osteoderms. L-6630: NMMNH 55001, right distal
humerus. L-7462: NMMNH 56794, juvenile osteoderm.
Description. The glyptodont sample from the Virden LF prima-
rily consists of osteoderms, but also includes a cranial fragment and
several ends of limb bones. Six isolated osteoderms of a large adult
(NMMNH 30120-30125) were found in close proximity at L-4142 and
are probably from the same individual; however, they are catalogued
separately because we could not confirm their association. Three of
these are typical hexagonal/polygonal osteoderms with a rosette pattern
from the interior of the carapace (NMMNH 30120-30122; Figs. 6E-G),
the largest and thickest of the osteoderms is rectangular in shape and is
probably from the caudal aperture (NMMNH 30123; Figs. 6C-D), and
two rather sharply-pointed osteoderms are from the border of the cara-
pace (NMMNH 30124, 30125; Fig. 6H). The three interior carapacial
osteoderms have a relatively small central figure comprising about half
the diameter of the osteoderm or less. The surface of the central figure is
flat (NMMNH 30122) or slightly concave (NMMNH 30120, 30121).
Overall, the external surface of the interior carapacial osteoderms has a
flat profile. These three osteoderms have 9-10 small peripheral figures
surrounding the larger central figure. Each osteoderm has either three or
four prominent, deep hair follicles located on the boundary between the
circular groove surrounding the central figure and the radial grooves sepa-
rating the peripheral figures. The hair follicles are located between four or
five adjacent peripheral figures on one side of the osteoderm, which
according to Gillette and Ray (1981) is anterior. The numerous vascular
foramina on the external surface of the carapacial osteoderms give them a
punctate texture. The internal surfaces of the osteoderms are flat and
relatively smooth, with one large, deep, centrally-located vascular fora-
men. Measurements of the three interior carapacial osteoderms (NMMNH
30120-30122) range from 47 to 69 mm in maximum diameter (mean 59)
and from 21 to 23 mm in maximum thickness (mean 22). The morphol-
ogy and size of these carapacial osteoderms are very similar to those of
G. arizonae from the type locality, the latest Blancan Curtis Ranch LF in
southeastern Arizona (Gidley, 1926; Gillette and Ray, 1981) and several
149
other sites of similar age, including the latest Blancan La Union Fauna
from southern New Mexico (Vanderhill, 1986; Morgan and Lucas, 2003).
The Virden osteoderms differ from those of the late Blancan species G.
texanum, which are smaller (40 to 45 mm in maximum diameter) and have
a convex central figure that constitutes greater than half the diameter of
the osteoderm (Gillette and Ray, 1981).
The largest osteoderm from the Virden LF is rectangular or quad-
rilateral in shape, and is from the caudal notch or aperture (NMMNH
30123; Figs. 6C-D). This large osteoderm differs significantly in size and
figure pattern from the three interior carapacial osteoderms decribed
above. NMMNH 30123 has sutures on all four sides, indicating its
placement in the second row just interior to the border of the caudal
aperture. A large elliptical central figure with a prominent conical protu-
berance or boss near the posterior edge occupies about 80% of the length
of the osteoderm. There are 10 small peripheral figures on the anterior
edge of the osteoderm arranged in two curving parallel rows, six periph-
eral figures in the row adjacent to the central figure and four smaller
peripherals in the external row. There are eight hair follicles arranged in
two rows of four, four located in the circular groove between the central
figure and the first row of peripherals at the midpoint of the four
centralmost peripherals (i.e., not at the intersection between the circular
and radial grooves as in the interior carapacial osteoderms), and four
follicles in the radial groove between the two rows of peripherals at the
midpoint of the four peripherals in the external row. The two rows of
hair follicles are offset from one another because the two rows of periph-
erals are also offset. Like the interior carapacial osteoderms, the large
osteoderm from the caudal aperture has a coarse, punctate external sculp-
ture due to the innumerable vascular foramina. The internal surface of
this osteoderm is fairly smooth, except for the presence of two large
vascular foramina near the anterior edge and about 10 smaller foramina
concentrated toward the posterior edge. NMMNH 30123 is very large,
measuring 82 mm long, 69 mm wide, and a maximum of 43 mm thick. Its
large size indicates that this specimen belongs to the large species
Glyptotherium arizonae (Gillette and Ray, 1981).
One complete osteoderm (NMMNH 30124; Fig. 6H) and one
partial osteoderm (NMMNH 30125) are from the border of the cara-
pace. The following description is based on the complete border
osteoderm, although the two are very similar. The osteoderm has sutures
on three sides where it was connected to other osteoderms; on the ante-
rior and posterior surfaces it was sutured to other border osteoderms,
whereas a longer internal suture connected it to the externalmost row of
internal carapacial osteoderms. Most of the border osteoderm, about
80% of its total length, consists of the central figure with the lateral
portion elongated into a slightly rounded, triangular-shaped point. The
external surface of the central figure is flat. Four small periperal figures
are located on the medial edge and are separated from the pointed central
figure by a rather deeply incised curved groove. Three hair follicles are
located in this groove at the intersection with short radial grooves that
separate the peripheral figures. The external surface of the border
osteoderm and the internal surface of the central figure have a punctate
texture from the numerous vascular foramina. Only the internal surface
ventral to the peripheral figures has the smooth texture that is typical of
the internal surface of most glyptodont osteoderms. Measurements of
NMMNH 30124 are: total length, 64; maximum width, 51; maximum
thickness, 30.
A series of 10 associated osteoderms (NMMNH 30173; Figs.
6A-B) from L-4158 appear to represent a portion of a single caudal ring,
probably one of the more distal or posterior rings (e.g., caudal ring 6 or
7). NMMNH 30173 consists of five osteoderms from the anterior or
proximal row (Fig. 6B) and five osteoderms from the posterior or distal
row (Fig. 6A). Each caudal ring consists of two rows of osteoderms
sutured together in a circular arrangement around the caudal vertebra and
chevron that are located internal to the osteoderms. The anterior caudal
osteoderms are slightly longer in the anteroposterior dimension than
wide. The anterior margin of the anterior osteoderms is straight or slightly
150

FIGURE 6. Osteoderms and postcranial elements of the glyptodont Glyptotherium arizonae from the Virden LF. A-B, Ten associated osteoderms from the
6th or 7th caudal ring, NMMNH 30173, A, 5 osteoderms from the posterior row of the caudal ring, B, 5 osteoderms from the anterior row of the caudal ring.
C, Dorsal view and D, lateral view of osteoderm from caudal aperture, NMMNH 30123. E, Interior carapacial osteoderm, NMMNH 30120. F, Interior
carapacial osteoderm, NMMNH 30121. G, Interior carapacial osteoderm, NMMNH 30122. H, Osteoderm from edge of shell, NMMNH 30124. I,
Posterior view and J, anterior view of left distal humerus, NMMNH 30131. K, Anterior view and L, posterior view of right distal humerus, NMMNH
55001. Scale bars are 1 cm unless noted otherwise.

inclined posteriorly, much thinner than the posterior margin, generally
smooth (i.e., not sutured) and has a narrow but rather deep groove that
extends transversely just internal to the anterior margin. This groove
represents the area of articulation or underlap with the posterior row of
osteoderms from the next most anterior caudal ring. The posterior edges
of the anterior row of osteoderms are about twice as thick as their ante-
rior edges and are broadly V-shaped where they are sutured to the poste-
rior row of osteoderms from the caudal ring. The osteoderms from the
posterior row are also generally rectangular in shape, slightly longer
anteroposteriorly than wide. Three of the posterior osteoderms have a
prominent conical projection or boss located centrally in the transverse
dimension and along the posterior edge in the anteroposterior direction.
The other two posterior osteoderms are flat, with only a slight indication
of a conical projection in the same position. The anterior edges of the
posterior-row caudal osteoderms are thick and gently v-shaped where
they are sutured to the anterior row of caudal osteoderms. Sutures are
lacking on the posterior edge of the posterior-row osteoderms where
they overlap or articulate with the anterior row from the next most
posterior caudal ring. The caudal osteoderms lack the extensive pattern
of grooves found on the carapacial osteoderms, with the only exception
being the transverse groove on the anterior row. The surface of the caudal
osteoderms (NMMNH 30173) is punctate due to the numerous vascular
foramina. The caudal osteoderms from the Virden LF compare closely in
morphology with the caudal ostederms from either the sixth or seventh
tail ring from the paratype of Glyptotherium arizonae from Curtis Ranch
(Gidley, 1926, pl. 44, figs. 2-3).
A cranial fragment (NMMNH 30119), partial distal humerus
(NMMNH 30131), and partial distal tibio-fibula (NMMNH 30132)
from L-4142 and a distal humerus from L-6630 are clearly glyptodont.
The cranial fragment consists of parts of the frontal, lacrimal, and maxilla
from the left side, including a small portion of the skull roof, the anterior
edge of the orbit, the base of the zygomatic arch, the infraorbital canal,
and partial alveoli for the two anteriormost teeth in the maxilla (N1 and
N2 using the tooth designations of Gillette and Ray, 1981). This skull
fragment is too incomplete to provide much useful information on its
taxonomic identity, other than to confirm that it is definitely from a
glyptodont. The alveoli for N1 and N2 accurately reflect the overall
shape of these teeth, which correspond with the general shape of N1 and
N2 in Glyptotherium (Gillette and Ray, 1981, fig. 18). N1 is smaller and
elliptical in outline, whereas N2 exhibits the characteristic trilobate shape
of glyptodont teeth. The alveolus of N1 has an anteroposterior length of
about 21 mm. One of the most characteristic features of this cranial
fragment is the presence of the complete infraorbital canal that passes
through the base of the zygomatic process of the maxilla. The infraorbital
canal is large, elliptical in shape, elongated dorsoventrally, and is notice-
ably larger anteriorly than posteriorly where it opens into the orbit.
Measurements of the infraorbital canal (in mm) are: length, 33; dorsoven-
tral height, 19, and transverse breadth, 9, at anterior edge of zygomatic
process; and dorsoventral height, 12, and transverse breadth, 8, at poste-
rior edge of zygomatic process. The enlarged infraorbital canal, dors-
oventrally-elongated elliptical shape, and larger anterior diameter are all
features described for Glyptotherium (Gillette and Ray, 1981, p. 40). At
the anterodorsal corner of the orbit in the lacrimal bone, where the skull
roof and dorsalmost extension of the zygomatic arch meet, the cranial
fragment bears a prominent, deep elliptical foramen that apparently is
the nasolacrimal duct (Gillette and Ray, 1981). The foramen is 7 mm in
diameter and continues ventrally as a canal about 35 mm in length (as
preserved) that opens as a round foramen 4 mm in diameter on the
ventral portion of the fragment just medial to the alveolus for N2. A
foramen of similar size and shape, presumably the nasolacrimal duct as
well, occurs in this same position on a partial skull of G. floridanum from
Texas (Gillette and Ray, 1981, fig. 11a).
The distal ends of two glyptodont humeri have been identified
from Pearson Mesa. A right distal humerus from L-6630 (NMMNH
55001; Figs. 6K-L) preserves all features of the distal end, whereas a
151
partial left distal humerus from L-4142 (NMMNH 30131, Figs. 6I-J)
consists only of the articular surface. The medial epicondyle forms a
very large, broadly rounded process on the medial surface of the distal
humerus, projecting distally to the same level as the capitular facet. The
lateral epicondyle also forms a rounded process but is much smaller than
the medial epicondyle, and terminates at the proximolateral margin of the
capitulum. The lateral epicondyle is continuous with the lateral supra-
condylar ridge that forms the edge of a broad, flange-like, gently concave
supinator plate along the distolateral portion of the shaft dorsal to the
articular surface. The trochlear facet comprises about one-third the breadth
of the distal articular surface. The triangular-shaped distomedial process
of the trochlea is the distalmost extension of the humerus. The capitulum
is essentially flat distally and is much broader than the trochlea, compris-
ing two-thirds the width of the distal articulation. Both the capitulum
and trochlea are circular in outline in lateral and medial aspects. The
intercondylar groove between the capitular and trochlear facets is broad
and shallow. The triangular-shaped coronoid fossa, located on the ante-
rior surface dorsal to the distal articular facet, is large and deeply exca-
vated. The coronoid fossa is especially deep along its medial margin,
forming two deep concave pits, one at its proximalmost extension and a
second located slightly distally along the medial margin. Penetrating the
center of the coronoid fossa is a large, rounded supratrochlear foramen,
measuring 11 mm in width and 15 mm in height. The olecranon fossa,
located on the posterior surface of the humerus just proximal to the
articular facet, is also large and strongly concave. It is elliptical in shape,
with its long axis oriented transversely. Measurements of the distal hu-
meri of Glyptotherium arizonae from the Virden LF are as follows:
NMMNH 55001, NMMNH 30131, respectively: maximum width of
distal end, 104, damaged; width of distal articular surface, 66, 68; antero-
posterior diameter of capitulum, 36, 39; anteroposterior diameter of
trochlea, 46, 46.
As noted by Gillette and Ray (1981), there are several differences
in the distal end of the humerus between Glyptotherium texanum, G.
arizonae, and G. floridanum. Overall, the humerus of G. arizonae is
larger and more robust. Among the three species, only G. arizonae pos-
sesses a supratrochlear foramen, and also has larger and more strongly
concave coronoid and olecranon fossae. The more complete humerus
from Virden agrees in size and morphological features with the distal
humerus of G. arizonae, especially the presence of a deeply-excavated
coronoid fossa with a supratrochlear foramen.
A partial distal end of a left tibio-fibula from L-4142 (NMMNH
30132) is the only hind limb element of a glyptodont in the Virden
sample. The tibia and fibula of Glyptotherium are firmly fused both
proximally and distally, but their shafts are separate (Gillette and Ray,
1981). The Virden specimen consists primarily of the distal end of the
left tibia and is broken laterally where it was fused with the distal fibula.
In distal aspect, this specimen preserves about two-thirds of the distal
articular surface with the astragalus, indicating that at least a small por-
tion of the distal fibula is also present. The only useful measurement that
can be taken is the maximum anteroposterior depth of the distal tibia, 65
mm. This measurement is much larger than in G. texanum and G.
floridanum, and is similar to measurements of the distal tibia of G.
arizonae (Gillete and Ray, 1981, table 41).
Remarks. The morphological features and large size of the
glyptodont fossils from the Virden LF agree with descriptions, illustra-
tions, and measurements of the large species Glyptotherium arizonae,
originally described from the latest Blancan Curtis Ranch Fauna (Gidley,
1926; Gillette and Ray, 1981). Four sites have produced G. arizonae on
Pearson Mesa, all of which are in the uppermost units (unit 19 and
above) comprising the Virden LF, from about 45-60 m above the base of
the stratigraphic section (Fig. 2). A glyptodont distal humerus from L-
6630 was collected from the top of Pearson Mesa, above the highest
measured stratigraphic unit in the section (unit 25), a calichified con-
glomerate up to 1 m in thickness. The humerus was found as float but
was the only fossil from Pearson Mesa collected above unit 20. We could
152
not determine if the humerus was derived from the immediately underly-
ing calcrete bed (unit 25), from an overlying unit that is now eroded
away, or possibly was collected by someone lower in the section and
discarded on the top of the mesa.
All of the glyptodont sites on Pearson Mesa are in the latest
Blancan Virden LF. No fossils of Glyptotherium have yet been found in
the early late Blancan Pearson Mesa LF in the lower 15 m of the strati-
graphic section, even though glyptodonts do occur in sites of similar age
in southeastern Arizona and western Texas. At L-4142, a half dozen
osteoderms, a cranial fragment, and several postcranial elements of G.
arizonae occur in close association with a microvertebrate sample (L-
6667), including the cotton rat Sigmodon minor. At L-4591, two G.
arizonae osteoderms occur with a pair of lower jaws of the Blancan
coyote-like canid Canis lepophagus. Other age-diagnostic taxa from the
Virden LF, in particular the small lamine camelid, Hemiauchenia gracilis,
confirm a latest Blancan age (1.8-2.2 Ma) for the G. arizonae sample.
Gillette and Ray (1981) regarded the age of Glyptotherium arizonae
to be primarily early Irvingtonian, although they tentatively referred a
late Blancan sample from the Santa Fe River in Florida to this species.
Subsequent biostratigraphic work has established that the type locality
of G. arizonae, the Curtis Ranch Fauna from the San Pedro Valley in
southeastern Arizona, is latest Blancan in age (Lindsay et al., 1990;
Morgan and White, 2005), not early Irvingtonian as previously thought
(Gillette and Ray, 1981). Three records of G. arizonae from southern
New Mexico are also latest Blancan in age, including the Virden LF, as
well as the La Union and Chamberino faunas from the Camp Rice Forma-
tion in Doña Ana County in the southernmost part of the state (Vanderhill,
1986; Morgan and Lucas, 2003). Three additional localities for G. arizonae
in New Mexico are early Irvingtonian: Tijeras Arroyo in Bernalillo County
and the Western Mobile gravel pit in Sandoval County, both from the
Sierra Ladrones Formation in the Albuquerque basin in the north-central
part of the state (Lucas et al., 1993; Morgan and Lucas, 2000b) and the
Adobe Ranch Fauna from the Camp Rice Formation in the Mesilla basin
in Doña Ana County (Vanderhill, 1986; Morgan and Lucas, 2003). Other
early Irvingtonian records of G. arizonae from the southwestern United
States include Gilliland and Rock Creek in Texas and Holloman in Okla-
homa (Gillette and Ray, 1981). G. arizonae also is known from several
early Irvingtonian sites and five late Blancan sites in Florida (Morgan,
2005). Glyptodonts are absent from the southwestern United States
after the early Irvingtonian (Gillette and Ray, 1981; Morgan, this vol-
ume). Most southwestern Blancan glyptodonts represent the smaller
species G. texanum, and occur in sites of early late Blancan age (2.2-2.7
Ma) that are slightly older than Virden and Curtis Ranch, including Blanco
(type locality), Cita Canyon, Hudspeth, and Red Light in Texas and 111
Ranch in Arizona (Gillette and Ray, 1981).
Family Mylodontidae
Paramylodon cf. P. garbanii (Montellano-Ballesteros
and Carranza-Castañeda, 1986)
Figs. 7I-J
Referred specimen. Pearson Mesa LF. L-3659 (Pearson Mesa
Horse Quarry): NMMNH 27639, distal two-thirds of left femur.
Description. The single specimen of a ground sloth from the
Pearson Mesa LF (NMMNH 27639) consists of the distal two-thirds of
a left femur lacking the head and greater trochanter and the anterior
portion of the medial condyle on the distal end (Figs. 7I-J). The shaft of
the femur is very broad and noticeably flattened in the anteroposterior
dimension. This femur differs from the other Blancan ground sloth of
similar size, Megalonyx leptostomus, by the continuity of the patellar
groove and distal condyles and by the rather straight profile of the lateral
edge of the shaft. The patellar groove has a distinct separation from the
distal condyles in Megalonyx, and the lateral edge of the shaft is not
straight but curves noticeably medially just proximal to the distal condyles.
Overall, the shaft of the femur in the Pearson Mesa sloth is broader than
in Megalonyx. The Pearson Mesa specimen is similar in size and mor-
phological features to a complete left femur referred to Glossotherium
chapadmalense from the late Blancan Haile 15A LF in Florida (Robertson,
1976). Comparative measurements of the Pearson Mesa femur (NMMNH
27639) and the Haile 15A femur (measurements from Robertson, 1976),
respectively, are: greatest distal width, 140+ (slightly damaged), 140;
width of distal condyles, 122, 111; width of internal condyle, 53, 47;
width of intercondyloid space, 32, 27; minimum shaft width, 109, 100.
Remarks. The partial femur was excavated in-place from the
Pearson Mesa Horse Quarry (L-3659), in direct association with numer-
ous isolated teeth of Nannippus peninsulatus. A small mylodont was one
of the earliest South American immigrants to reach temperate North
America in the late Blancan following the connection of the two conti-
nents and the beginning of the Great American Biotic Interchange
(Robertson, 1976; Morgan, 2005, this volume). Beginning with
Robertson’s (1976) review of the Haile 15A LF in Florida, which in-
cluded a partial mylodont skeleton, most small North American Blancan
mylodonts have been referred to Glossotherium chapadmalense, a spe-
cies originally described from the Pliocene of Argentina. On the basis of
several cranial characters, McAfee (2006) proposed that the small North
American Blancan mylodont previously referred to Glossotherium be-
longs in Paramylodon, together with the latest Blancan through
Rancholabrean members of the genus referred to the larger species
Paramylodon harlani. If the North American Blancan mylodont is not
referable to the South American genus Glossotherium, then it seems
highly unlikely that the North American form is correctly placed in the
South American Pliocene species chapadmalense. There is an available
species name for a small North American Blancan mylodont,
Glossotherium garbanii, described from the early Blancan Arroyo El
Tanque site in the state of Guanajuato, central Mexico (Montellano-
Ballesteros and Carranza-Castañeda, 1986). These authors stressed the
small size of G. garbanii compared to late Pleistocene P. harlani from
Rancho La Brea. Morgan (this volume) refers the small mylodonts from
North American late Blancan sites to Paramylodon, and further suggests
the new name combination Paramylodon garbanii for the sample from
Arroyo El Tanque in Mexico. We here tentatively refer the femur from
Pearson Mesa to P. garbanii, pending further study.
Besides Pearson Mesa, other late Blancan mylodont records from
the southwestern United States previously referred to Glossotherium
(=Paramylodon, as used in this paper) include specimens from La Union
in the Mesilla basin in southern New Mexico (Vanderhill, 1986), 111
Ranch in Arizona (Galusha et al., 1984), Blanco, Cita Canyon, and Red
Light in Texas (Akersten, 1972; Dalquest, 1975), Donnelly Ranch in
Colorado (Hager, 1974) and the Anza-Borrego Desert in southern Cali-
fornia (Cassiliano, 1999; McDonald, 2006). The oldest well documented
records of Paramylodon appear to be from Pearson Mesa and Donnelly
Ranch, both of which occur in the upper Gauss Chron between 2.58 and
3.04 Ma (Hager, 1974; Tomida, 1987). The 111 Ranch Paramylodon
was collected very near the Gauss/Matuyma boundary (Galusha et al.,
1984). Paramylodon specimens from Blanco (Lindsay et al., 1976), La
Union, (Vanderhill, 1986), and the Anza-Borrego Desert (Cassiliano,
1999), are from the lower Matuyama Chron (2.15-2.58 Ma). Two other
southwestern Blancan records of Paramylodon, a claw from Williamsburg
in Sierra County, New Mexico (new record) and a skull and partial
skeleton from 11 Mile Wash in southeastern Arizona (Tedford, 1981;
Tomida, 1987; Morgan and White, 2005), may be early Blancan in age,
but require further stratigraphic study.
Order Carnivora
Family Canidae
Canis lepophagus Johnston, 1938
Figs. 7A-E
Referred specimens. Pearson Mesa LF. L-4604: NMMNH
33227, proximal ulna. L-6639: NMMNH 55012, left dentary fragment
 153

FIGURE 7. Carnivores and ground sloth from the Pearson Mesa and Virden local faunas. A-E, Associated right and left dentaries of Canis lepophagus from
the Virden LF, NMMNH 33184. A, lateral view, B, medial view, and C, occlusal view of left dentary with m1, D, occlusal view and E, lateral view of right
dentary with p1, p3-p4. F, Anterior view, G, posterior view, and H, dorsal view of proximal three-fourths of left metacarpal 2 of a machairodontine felid
from Pearson Mesa LF, NMMNH 30110. I, Posterior view and J, anterior view of distal two-thirds of left femur of Paramylodon cf. P. garbanii from
Pearson Mesa LF, NMMNH 27639. Scale bars are 1 cm unless noted otherwise.

with alveoli for c-p3.
Virden LF. L-4142: NMMNH 30133, fragment of a left dentary
with alveolus for p3 and roots of p4; NMMNH P-30134, partial right
astragalus. L-4591: NMMNH 33184, associated right dentary with p1,
p3-p4 and roots of p2 and left dentary with m1 and roots of p4 and m2.
Description. The most complete specimen of the coyote-sized
canid Canis lepophagus from Pearson Mesa consists of associated right
and left dentaries from the Virden LF (NMMNH 33184). The left dentary
preserves a complete m1 and the roots of p4 and m2 (Figs. 7A-C),
whereas the right dentary has p1 and p3-p4 and the roots of p2 (Figs.
7D-E). Measurements of the teeth of NMMNH 33184 are presented in
Table 3. The teeth are from an adult individual but are almost unworn.
The m1 is rather long and narrow, with the maximum width of the trigo-
nid and talonid about equal. The well developed conical metaconid on the
lingual margin of the tooth is located slightly posterior to the much larger
protoconid. The entoconid and hypoconid are parallel to one another on
the lingual and labial margins of the talonid, respectively. The hypoconid
is slightly larger, especially in posterior view. The entoconid and hypo-
conid are separated by a V-shaped valley, but with wear would probably
have become joined by a narrow crest. A weak posterior cingulum is
present on the posterior margin of m1. The small p1 has a low, conical
primary cusp connected to a weak ridge extending to the posterior edge
154
TABLE 3. Measurements (in mm) of the lower dentition of the Blancan canids Canis lepophagus and C. edwardii from the New Mexico, Texas, and
Arizona. Measurements of the Cita Canyon C. lepophagus are fom Kurtén (1974), Curtis Ranch C. edwardii from Gazin (1942), and Inglis C. edwardii
were taken by Richard Hulbert. The length and width of the individual teeth are maximum measurements, except the width of m1 for which both the width
of the trigonid and talonid are given. The abbreviation “alv.” in parentheses indicates the measurement was taken on the alveolus rather than the tooth.
Missing measurements indicated by “-”. Museum acronyms for catalogued specimens are: New Mexico Museum of Natural History (NMMNH), U. S.
National Museum of Natural History (USNM), University of Arizona Laboratory of Paleontology (UALP), and Florida Museum of Natural History,
University of Florida (UF).

of the tooth. The p2 is represented only by the roots on the right dentary.
The p3 is narrow, has a tall, sharp primary cusp and a much smaller
posterior cusp connected by a ridge to the posterior margin of the tooth.
The p4 is broader than p3, especially posteriorly, the secondary cusp is
somewhat larger and located closer to the primary cusp, and there is a
small cuspid on the posterior margin that is absent on p3. The four lower
premolars of NMMNH 33184 are tightly crowded together with almost
no space or diastemata between the teeth. There is a very short diastema
of about 3 mm between p1 and the canine. Although the canine is not
preserved, the posterior margin of the alveolus for the lower canine is
clearly present on the right dentary. The ventral margin of the horizontal
ramus is mostly missing from both the right and left dentaries, but a small
segment of the ventral margin is present on the right dentary allowing for
a measurement of the depth of the ramus below p4 of 20.2 mm. On the
lateral surface of the right dentary there is a large, deep mental foramen
ventral to p1, about halfway between the toothrow and ventral margin,
and two much smaller mental foramina farther posteriorly, one below the
posterior root of p2 and another below the posterior root of p3.
Measurements of the Canis jaws (NMMNH 33184) from the
Virden LF, two other C. lepophagus specimens from New Mexico, and
the type sample from Cita Canyon, Texas are provided in Table 3. This
table also includes measurements of the type mandible of C. edwardii
from Curtis Ranch, Arizona and mandibles of C. edwardii from two
other latest Blancan sites, the San Simon fauna in Arizona and the Inglis
1A LF from Florida. The jaws from Virden compare most closely in size
and morphology to the sample of C. lepophagus from the late Blancan
Cita Canyon fauna and to jaws from the early Blancan Tonuco Mountain
and Buckhorn LFs from New Mexico, and are noticeably smaller in most
dental dimensions than C. edwardii. Based on their similarity in size and
dental characters to the Cita Canyon sample, we refer the jaws from
Virden to C. lepophagus.
Remarks. A pair of associated lower jaws from a site in the Virden
LF high in the section, at the extreme western end of Pearson Mesa in
Greenlee County, Arizona, are from a medium-sized canid here identified
as the coyote-like species Canis lepophagus. The Pearson Mesa fossils
are considerably larger than comparable specimens of fox-sized canids
and are smaller than the contemporary borophagine canid Borophagus.
Southwestern late Blancan sites contain two species of Canis in the
general size range of the Virden jaws, C. lepophagus, described from the
late Blancan Cita Canyon LF in the Texas Panhandle (Johnston, 1938),
and C. edwardii, described from the latest Blancan Curtis Ranch Fauna in
the San Pedro Valley of southeastern Arizona (Gazin, 1942). The Virden
jaws compare favorably in size and morphology to C. lepophagus from
Cita Canyon and are smaller than C. edwardii from Curtis Ranch.
The Virden LF is the third New Mexico Blancan record of Canis
lepophagus. Morgan et al. (1998) identified a complete mandible of C.
lepophagus from the early Blancan Tonuco Mountain LF from Doña
Ana County and we recently identified an associated maxilla, dentary,
and partial postcranial skeleton of C. lepophagus from the early Blancan
Buckhorn Fauna in Grant County. Other southwestern records of C.
lepophagus include the early Blancan Bear Springs and the late Blancan
111 Ranch faunas, both from southeastern Arizona (Morgan and White,
2005), and the late Blancan Blanco, Cita Canyon, Red Corral, and Red
Light LFs in Texas (Johnston, 1938; Akersten, 1972; Kurtén, 1974;
Dalquest, 1975). C. lepophagus also is widely distributed in Blancan
faunas elsewhere in North America (Kurtén and Anderson, 1980). The
latest Blancan Virden LF is one of the youngest records of C. lepophagus.
Felidae
Felinae
cf. Lynx sp.
Referred specimen. Virden LF. L-6667: NMMNH 56800, right
distal humerus.
Description. A partial distal humerus from L-6667 in the Virden
LF is the only fossil of a small felid from either of the Pearson Mesa
faunas. The specimen is rather fragmentary, retaining the distal third of
the shaft and the complete entepicondylar foramen but lacking the distal
articular condyles. Except for its somewhat larger size, the Virden hu-
merus agrees in morphology with the humerus of the extant bobcat, Lynx

rufus. Key features of the small Virden cat include the well-developed,
elongated entepicondylar foramen (about 14 mm long), flattened shaft
and shallow coronoid fossa on the anterior surface just proximal to the
distal articulation, and rather strong supracondylar ridge that begins at
about the same point on the humeral shaft as the proximal end of the
entepicondylar foramen on the medial edge of the shaft. The olecranon
fossa just proximal to the distal articular surface is well developed, and
the posterior surface of the shaft proximal to the olecranon fossa is
strongly concave. This specimen shows several interesting taphonomic
features. Both the anterior and posterior surfaces of the distal humerus
possess small conical bite marks that appear to have been made by a
carnivore smaller than a cat. Along the anterior portion of the supra-
condylar ridge on the posterior surface of the shaft are a series of small
parallel grooves that appear to have been made by the incisors of a small
rodent.
Remarks. A distal humerus from the Virden LF represents a small
felid. The fossil was collected from the immediate vicinity of the Virden
microsite (L-6667). This fragmentary humerus is not of much use for
taxonomic purposes, other than to indicate the presence of a small cat in
the Virden LF. We tentatively refer this humerus to the genus Lynx,
primarily because most small cats in North American Blancan faunas
have been referred to Lynx (Martin, 1998). Other small felid fossils from
New Mexico Blancan faunas probably referable to Lynx include a partial
tibia and proximal phalanx from the early Blancan Buckhorn LF (Morgan
et al., 1997), a partial maxilla from the early Blancan Hatch LF (Morgan
and Lucas, 2003), and a lower jaw from the latest Blancan La Union
Fauna (Vanderhill, 1986). Vanderhill (1986) noted that the jaw from La
Union was larger than L. rufus, which suggests it might belong to the
larger Blancan species L. rexroadensis, originally described from the
early Blancan Rexroad fauna (Stephens, 1959). Other Blancan records of
L. rexroadensis are from Hagerman and Grand View in Idaho and Curtis
Ranch in Arizona (Werdelin, 1985).
Machairodontinae?
genus and species indeterminate
Figs. 7F-H
Referred specimen. Pearson Mesa LF. L-4134: NMMNH 30110,
proximal three-fourths of left metacarpal 2.
Description. The only specimen of a large felid in the Pearson
Mesa LF is the proximal three-fourths of a metacarpal 2, missing only
the distal articular surface (NMMNH 30110; Figs. 7F-H). The proximal
surface of the metacarpal 2, where it articulates with the trapezoid, is not
strongly triangular. Distal to the proximal articulation is a well-devel-
oped oblique groove for the radial artery that crosses the shaft angling
distally from the medial to the lateral edge of the shaft. Distal to this
groove on the medial edge of the shaft is an oblong swelling for a tendonal
insertion. Measurements of NMMNH 30110 are: proximal width, 16.1;
proximal depth, 22.3; midshaft width, 10.8; midshaft depth, 12.8; length
as preserved (missing distal articular surface), 77.0; estimated total length,
~85.
The metacarpal 2 from the Pearson Mesa LF is from a large felid.
Comparisons with the description and measurements of the small sabercat
Smilodon gracilis from the late Blancan and early Irvingtonian of Florida
(Berta, 1987), show that the Pearson Mesa metacarpal is similar in
morphology but somewhat longer and more gracile. Berta (1987) de-
scribed the metacarpals of S. gracilis as short and robust. The total
length of two metacarpal 2s from the late Blancan of Florida are: Haile
15A, 74.9; Inglis 1A, 75.0 (Berta, 1987). The preserved portion of the
metacarpal 2 from the Pearson Mesa LF (NMMNH 30110) is 77, longer
than either of the Florida S. gracilis metacarpal 2s, and about 10 mm of
the New Mexico specimen is missing. The measurements of the proximal
width and shaft width of the Florida metacarpals are broader than in the
New Mexico specimen; thus, the Pearson Mesa metacarpal is somewhat
longer but also more slender. The sabercat Megantereon hesperus occurs
155
in several North American Blancan sites (Berta and Galiano, 1983), but is
distinctly smaller than Smilodon gracilis, so it is unlikely that the metac-
arpal from the Pearson Mesa LF belongs to Megantereon. Metacarpals
of the sabercat Homotherium are more gracile than those of Smilodon
(Bjork, 1970; Werdelin and Lewis, 2001), as is the metacarpal from
Pearson Mesa. Dinofelis paleoonca is about the size of a jaguar, so is in
the same general size range as the felid from Pearson Mesa, but is only
known by cranial material (Meade, 1945; Kurtén and Anderson, 1980).
Comparison of the Pearson Mesa fossil with a metacarpal 2 of the
cheetah-like cat Miracinonyx inexpectatus, another large late Blancan
felid, also reveals morphological similarities but proportional differences.
The metacarpal 2 of M. inexpectatus is more slender in proximal and shaft
widths but longer than NMMNH 30110 from Pearson Mesa (Van
Valkenburgh et al., 1990; Morgan and Seymour, 1997). Measurements of
the proximal width and depth of the metacarpal 2 of the Blancan puma
Puma lacustris from Hagerman, Idaho (Bjork, 1970) are much smaller
than comparable measurements of the specimen from Pearson Mesa.
Measurements of the proximal width and depth and shaft width of
metacarpal 2 in the living mountain lion P. concolor (Morgan and Seymour,
1997) are also considerably narrower than in NMMNH 30110, giving P.
concolor a more gracile appearance. In summary, the metacarpal 2 from
Pearson Mesa is larger than the comparable element in Megantereon
hesperus and Puma lacustris, longer and more gracile than in Smilodon
gracilis, and shorter and more robust than in Miracinonyx inexpectatus.
By process of elimination, the large felid metacarpal from Pearson Mesa
appears to be most similar to the sabercat Homotherium, but a definitive
identification must await more thorough comparisons.
Remarks. The Pearson Mesa specimen may not be identifiable
beyond the subfamily Machairodontinae; however, it does indicate the
presence of a large sabercat in this fauna, most likely Homotherium.
Morgan et al. (1997) identified a large machairodontine distal tibia from
the early Blancan Buckhorn LF, also from strata of the Gila Group, in the
Mangas basin about 60 km northeast of Pearson Mesa. Homotherium
(including species formerly placed in the genus Ischyrosmilus) is known
from a number of North American Blancan sites, including Cita Canyon,
Texas, and 111 Ranch, Arizona (Kurtén and Anderson, 1980; Morgan
and White, 2005).
Lagomorpha
Leporidae
Sylvilagus cf. S. hibbardi White, 1984
Referred specimens. Virden LF. L-6667: NMMNH 56808, right
p3;. L-7462: NMMNH 56793, associated upper dentition, lower denti-
tion, and partial postcranial skeleton.
Description. There is a fairly large sample of isolated rabbit teeth
and postcranial elements from the Virden microsite (L-6667) and a par-
tial associated skeleton from L-7462, also in the Virden LF. The tax-
onomy of late Neogene North American fossil lagomorphs is based pri-
marily on the dental morphology of the lower p3 (White, 1991). Fortu-
nately, there are well-preserved p3s from each of the two microvertebrate
sites in the Virden LF, an isolated right p3 (NMMNH 56808) from L-
6667 and an associated right and left p3 (NMMNH 56793) from L-
7462. These p3s are similar in size and morphology and clearly represent
the same species. The following description applies to all three speci-
mens, except where noted otherwise. The morphological descriptions
and abbreviations for the lagomorph p3 are from White (1991). NMMNH
56808 has three anterior reentrants (AR), two large and one small, whereas
NMMNH 56793 has one large and one very small AR. The anteroexternal
reentrant (AER) is broad and shallow. The posteroexternal reentrant
(PER) is well developed and deep, extending almost entirely across the
tooth to the lingual border. Both the thick enamel (TH) on the anterior
border of the PER and the thin enamel (TN) on the posterior border of
the PER are highly crenulated. Measurements (in mm) of the Virden
lagomorph p3s are as follows (NMMNH 56793 and 56808, respec-
156
tively): anteroposterior length, 3.12, 3.08; transverse width, 2.96, 2.83.
The lagomorph p3s from the Virden LF are similar to Sylvilagus
hibbardi, originally described from the late Blancan Anza-Borrego Desert
fauna (White, 1984) and also reported from the late Blancan Wolf Ranch
LF in Arizona and Cita Canyon and Red Corral, Texas (White, 1991).
The p3s from Virden agree with previously described specimens of S.
hibbardi in size (length of p3, 3.08-3.12 in Virden specimens, range of
2.5-3.4 in type sample from Anza-Borrego; White, 1991), presence of
two or three AR, a broad shallow AER, and highly crenulated thin enamel
on the PER. The only difference appears to be in the PER, which in the
type sample of S. hibbardi does not extend almost to the lingual border,
and its innermost portion is rounded, expanded, and deflected anteriorly.
In the p3s from Virden, the PER extends almost to the lingual border, and
its inner portion is not expanded and deflected anteriorly. Whether these
differences reflect variation or species-level characters is not known,
hence the tentative indentification. White (1991) tentatively referred
several specimens from late Blancan faunas in southeastern Arizona,
including 111 Ranch, San Simon, and Curtis Ranch, to the extant Mexi-
can cottontail Sylvilagus cunicularius. Most of these p3s from Arizona
are significantly larger than those from the Virden LF, except a single p3
from 111 Ranch that is very similar in size to the New Mexico sample
(Tomida, 1987). Other than size, the Arizona specimens appear to be
similar to the Virden p3s, based on illustrations in White (1991), with the
PER extending almost to the lingual border and with complicated TN on
the posterior border of the PER. Among living species of Sylvilagus, the
sample from the Virden LF is slightly larger than S. audubonii and S.
floridanus.
Remarks. The extant cottontails of the genus Sylvilagus first
appeared in North American faunas during the late Blancan. The sample
from the Virden LF represents the first occurrence of Sylvilagus from the
Blancan of New Mexico. Although the small sample of p3s currently
available cannot be confidently identified to the species level, further
collecting and screenwashing for microvertebrates from the Virden LF
will hopefully yield additional material. Other Blancan lagomorphs from
New Mexico include Notolagus from Truth or Consequences, Hypolagus
from Mountainview, Mesa del Sol, Los Lunas, and Truth or Conse-
quences, and Aluralagus from La Union (Vanderhill, 1986; Repenning
and May, 1986; Morgan and Lucas, 2003).
cf. Lepus sp.
Remarks. Several postcranial specimens of lagomorphs from the
Virden microsite (L-6667), in particular, a calcaneum, represent a much
larger species than the more common Sylvilagus cf. S. hibbardi from that
same locality (see above), and are here tentatively referred to the jackrab-
bit genus Lepus. A positive generic identification of this material must
await the discovery of the diagnostic p3, but the large size is certainly
suggestive of Lepus. The earliest records of Lepus are from late Blancan
faunas, including Big Springs in Nebraska, Borchers in Kansas, and Inglis
1A in Florida (White, 1991; Morgan and Hulbert, 1995). Borchers and
Inglis 1A are both latest Blancan sites that are roughly correlative with
the Virden LF.
Rodentia
Geomyidae
Geomys (Nerterogeomys) persimilis Hay, 1927
Referred specimens. Pearson Mesa LF. L-6665: NMMNH
55053, partial left dentary with p4-m1; NMMNH 55054, left p4; L-
7457; NMMNH 56780, left dentary with i1, p4-m2; NMMNH 56781,
left dentary with i1; NMMNH 56782, right dentary with p4-m2. Local-
ity UA 8417: UALP 15817, skull. Locality UA 8418: UALP 15818,
partial mandible.
Remarks. Tomida (1987) tentatively identified two specimens of
Geomys (Nerterogeomys) persimilis from Pearson Mesa, a skull (UALP
15817) and a partial mandible (UALP 15818), both from the Pearson
Mesa LF in the lower 10 m of the section. We collected four additional
Geomys mandibles from the Pearson Mesa LF, from sites L-6665 and L-
7457, also low in the section. G. persimilis belongs to the primitive
subgenus Nerterogeomys based on the location of the mental foramen
ventral to the masseteric crest (Tomida, 1987). The Geomys mandibles
from Pearson Mesa have the mental foramen ventral and slightly anterior
to the anteriormost extension of the masseteric crest and are thus refer-
able to Nerterogeomys. These specimens agree with the descriptions and
measurements of G. persimilis from several late Blancan sites in south-
eastern Arizona (Gazin, 1942; Tomida, 1987).
This species originally was described from the latest Blancan
Curtis Ranch Fauna in Arizona (Hay, 1927; Gazin, 1942), and also oc-
curs in several other late Blancan sites in southeastern Arizona, including
111 Ranch, San Simon, and Wolf Ranch (Tomida, 1987). The four locali-
ties from Pearson Mesa that have produced Geomys persimilis are all in
the lower 10 m of the section here referred to the Pearson Mesa LF (Fig.
2) and are early late Blancan, which is comparable in age to the G.
persimilis samples from 111 Ranch and Wolf Ranch (Tomida, 1987).
Heteromyidae
Perognathus/Chaetodipus sp.
Referred specimen. Pearson Mesa LF. L-7457: NMMNH 56785,
left dentary with i1, p4, m2-m3.
Remarks. A mandible of a tiny heteromyid rodent was collected
from a microvertebrate site low in the section in the Pearson Mesa LF.
This specimen requires further study, but it certainly belongs to the
group of small pocket mice previously referred to the genus Perognathus.
Although almost all previous records of small pocket mice from Blancan
sites have been referred to Perognathus, mammalogists now generally
divide this genus into two genera, Perognathus (sensu stricto) and
Chaetodipus (Patton, 2005). Heteromyids are uncommon in New Mexico
Blancan sites. The only previous records are Dipodomys from the late
Blancan La Union Fauna in Doña Ana County (Morgan and Lucas, 2003)
and Prodipodomys from the early Blancan Mesa de Sol LF in Bernalillo
County (GSM, personal observation).
Cricetidae
Neotoma sp.
Remarks. The woodrat Neotoma is represented by specimens
from two microvertebrate sites in the Virden LF, including a maxilla with
two heavily worn teeth (NMMNH 56796) from L-7462 and a small
sample of isolated teeth from site L-6677. These specimens are probably
inadequate for a species-level identification.
Sigmodon medius Gidley, 1922
Referred specimen. Pearson Mesa LF. L-6656: NMMNH 55042,
right dentary with m2.
Remarks. A partial mandible from L-6656, low in the Pearson
Mesa section, is referable to the cotton rat genus Sigmodon. Although we
have not yet screenwashed sediment from sites in the Pearson Mesa LF,
the two microvertebrate concentrations discovered so far (L-6665, L-
7457) are dominated by geomyids (Geomys) and lack Sigmodon, based
only on surface collections. The cotton rat jaw was found at a site (L-
6656) that contained just a few other small vertebrates, including a bird
claw and a snake vertebra. This contrasts with the richest microvertebrate
site in the Virden LF (L-6667) in which Sigmodon is the most common
rodent (see S. minor account below). The m2 in the Sigmodon mandible
(NMMNH 55042) from the Pearson Mesa LF is distinctly larger than
the comparable tooth in several Sigmodon jaws from the overlying Virden
LF and is here referred to S. medius.
Gidley (1922) described three species of Sigmodon from Blancan
faunas in Arizona. In order based on decreasing size, those species are: S.
curtisi from the latest Blancan Curtis Ranch Fauna, S. medius from the
early Blancan Benson Fauna, and S. minor from Curtis Ranch. The

dentary from the Pearson Mesa LF is closest in size to the medium-sized
S. medius. Other New Mexico records of S. medius are from early Blancan
faunas similar in age to Benson, including Mesa de Sol in Bernalillo
County, and Truth or Consequences in Sierra County (Repenning and
May, 1986; Morgan and Lucas, 2003). Tomida (1987) reported S. me-
dius from several additional Blancan sites in southeastern Arizona, in-
cluding the early Blancan Country Club and Duncan Faunas in the Duncan
basin and the late Blancan 111 Ranch Fauna in the Safford basin.
Sigmodon minor Gidley, 1922
Referred specimens. Virden LF. L-6667: NMMNH 56809, right
dentary with i1, m1-m3. L-7462: NMMNH 56795, left dentary with i1,
m1-m3.
Remarks. Only a single mandible with a complete dentition
(NMMNH 56809) from L-6667 is listed above, but a much larger sample
from this site remains to be studied. Another mandible with complete
dentition (NMMNH 56795) occurs in L-7462 in the Virden LF. Isolated
teeth of Sigmodon are by far the most common rodents in L-6667, with
well over 100 teeth currently represented in the sample. The Sigmodon
teeth from the Virden LF are similar in size to the small species S. minor,
originally described from Curtis Ranch, and are notably smaller than
other species of Sigmodon. In particular, the Sigmodon from the Virden
LF is smaller than S. medius, including a jaw from Pearson Mesa LF and
a sample of jaws from the early Blancan Mesa del Sol LF near Albuquer-
que in northern New Mexico, both referred to S. medius. Although some
previous authors have synonymized S. medius with S. minor, we follow
Tomida (1987) who recognized both species based on their significant
difference in size. S. minor appears to have a very limited biostrati-
graphic range in the latest Blancan (~1.8-2.2 Ma), with records from
Curtis Ranch (Gidley, 1922; Tomida, 1987), De Soto Shell Pit in Florida
(Morgan and White, 1995), and the Virden LF.
Perissodactyla
Equidae
Nannippus peninsulatus (Cope, 1885)
Figs. 8-9
Referred specimens. Pearson Mesa LF. L-3659 (Pearson Mesa
Horse Quarry): NMMNH 27640, palate with heavily worn right P4-
M3 and left P4-M2; NMMNH 27641, partial right DP2; NMMNH
27671, 30094, partial right DP3/DP4; NMMNH 27642, associated P2-
P3; NMMNH 30090, right P2; NMMNH 30091, 30093, 55075, right
P3/P4; NMMNH 33249, right M1/M2; NMMNH 30095, 33251, par-
tial right M1/M2; NMMNH 27643, 27644, associated? left M1-M2;
NMMNH 27645, 27646, 30092, 33250, 55077, left M1/M2; NMMNH
27647, 27648, right M3; NMMNH 27649, 30323, left M3; NMMNH
27653, partial astragalus; NMMNH 27654-27657, 4 partial lateral
metapodials; NMMNH 30096, distal end of lateral metapodial;
NMMNH 27658, proximal phalanx of lateral digit; NMMNH 27659,
distal phalanx of digit 3 (juvenile). L-4148: NMMNH 30148, left M1/
M2. L-4162: NMMNH 30306, partial right dentary with dp3-dp4. L-
4163: NMMNH 30307, partial left M1/M2; NMMNH 30308, left m1/
m2; NMMNH 30309, left metatarsal 3. L-4165: NMMNH 30311, as-
sociated left p2-m3 with dentary fragments. L-4166: NMMNH 30313,
right M1/M2; NMMNH 30314, proximal right metatarsal 3; NMMNH
30315, distal phalanx (hoof). L-4583, NMMNH 33171, associated?
proximal femur, distal tibia, proximal and distal metatarsal 3, proximal
lateral metatarsal 2, 2 partial proximal phalanges, and distal phalanx. L-
4587, NMMNH 33179, medial phalanx. L-4590, NMMNH 33183, as-
sociated right metatarsal 2 and 3. L-4598: NMMNH 33210, distal
metapodial. L-4603: NMMNH 33224, left P3/P4. L-4604: NMMNH
33228, associated proximal and medial phalanges. L-4610: NMMNH
33243, proximal phalanx. L-4611: NMMNH 33244, left M3. L-6643:
NMMNH 55018, distal phalanx. L-6644: NMMNH 55023, associated
left distal humerus, left metacarpal 3, and right proximal metacarpal 3. L-
157
6647: NMMNH 55027, partial left dentary with p4-m3; NMMNH
55028, right m1/m2. L-6652: NMMNH 55034, distal phalanx. L-6653:
NMMNH 55035, partial metatarsal 3 and associated navicular and
ectocuneiform. L-6656: NMMNH 55038, petrosal; NMMNH 55039,
medial phalanx of lateral digit. L-6663: NMMNH 55050, left M3. L-
6672: NMMNH 55067, right distal humerus. L-6673: NMMNH 55068,
partial left dentary with p2-m2. L-6894: NMMNH 55095, partial right
DP2; L-7452: NMMNH 56775, right P2. L-7453: NMMNH 56776,
distal phalanx. L-7455: NMMNH 56778, partial right dentary with
dp2-dp4.
Description. The small three-toed horse Nannippus peninsulatus
is one of the most common species in the Pearson Mesa LF. There are
over 60 catalogued specimens of Nannippus in the Pearson Mesa sample,
including a minimum of 6 individuals. About half of these specimens
were found at the Pearson Mesa Horse Quarry (L-3659) and the other
half come from 23 other sites in the lower part of the Pearson Mesa
section. Most of the sample from L-3659 consists of isolated upper
teeth (Figs. 8D-8E, 8I-P), although there is a partial palate with seven
associated teeth (Fig. 8C). Elsewhere in the Pearson Mesa LF, we have
collected an associated series of lower teeth, p2-m3 (NMMNH 30311,
Figs. 8A-B), several additional partial mandibles (NMMNH 55027,
55068; Figs. 8Q-R), and a partial mandible of a juvenile individual with
dp2-dp4 (NMMNH 56778; Figs. 8F-H). There are also some well-
preserved postcranial elements in the sample, including a complete metac-
arpal 3, two complete metatarsal 3s, and a number of phalanges (Fig. 9).
Most wear stages are present in the dental sample, including deciduous
teeth, lightly worn adult teeth, and deeply worn teeth of old individuals.
The teeth have the typical morphology of N. peninsulatus. They are
very small and extremely high-crowned (measurements in Table 4). The
maximum mesostyle crown height of an upper tooth is 68.4 (left M1 or
M2, NMMNH 30307). The maximum metaconid crown height of a
lower tooth is 76.1 (left m2, NMMNH 30311).
The following description of the upper cheek teeth of Nannippus
peninsulatus from Pearson Mesa is based primarily on a sample of about
a dozen isolated premolars (P3/P4) and molars (M1/M2) that are lightly
worn or in medium wear (measurements in Table 4). Differences in the
P2 and M3 or in heavily worn teeth are mentioned where appropriate.
The upper cheek teeth are moderately to noticeably curved posteriorly.
They have an isolated protocone that is oval to elliptical in shape, gener-
ally somewhat flattened lingually and more rounded labially. The proto-
cone is more elongated anteroposteriorly on the P2 and M3 than on the
other upper cheek teeth. The parastyle and mesostyle are well devel-
oped, but the metastyle is reduced. A small hypoconal groove is present
on most unworn and lightly worn upper teeth. A pli caballin consisting of
a single loop occurs in five teeth, but is absent in more than half the
sample. The fossettes are moderately complicated, especially the poste-
rior margin of the prefossette and the anterior margin of the postfossette.
There is a single enamel indentation on both the anterior margin of the
prefossette and the posterior margin of the postfossette. The anterior
margin of the prefossette has a second smaller enamel plication in several
teeth. The posterior margin of the prefossette has two or three enamel
loops. The anterior border of the postfossette has the most complicated
enamel pattern, with 3 to 5 enamel plications. In more heavily worn
teeth, the protocone tends to connect to the protoloph (e.g., NMMNH
27640; Fig. 7C), the enamel pattern of the fossettes becomes simplified,
and the hypoconal groove and pli caballin disappear. All cheek teeth have
a covering of cement that tends to become thicker in heavily worn teeth.
Two P2s in medium wear (e.g., NMMNH 30090, Fig. 8M) have a slightly
different enamel pattern than the remainder of the upper cheek teeth. A
small anterostyle is present, and the protocone is elongated
anteroposteriorly and is not isolated but connected to the protoloph.
Both P2s have a pli caballin, one lacks a hypoconal groove, and in the
other (NMMNH 30090) the hypoconal groove is a small, isolated enamel
island.
Four partial upper deciduous premolars are present in the sample,
158

FIGURE 8. Nannippus peninsulatus maxilla, lower jaws, and isolated teeth from the Pearson Mesa LF. A, Occlusal view and B, lateral view of associated
left p2-m3, NMMNH 30311. C, Occlusal view of palate with right P4-M3 and left P4-M2, NMMNH 27640. D, Occlusal view and E, lateral view of left
M3, NMMNH 30323. F, Lateral view, G, medial view, and H, occlusal view of juvenile right dentary with dp2-dp4, NMMNH 56778. I, Lateral view and
J, occlusal view of right P3 or P4, NMMNH 55075. K, Lateral view and L, occlusal view of left M1 or M2, NMMNH 55077. M, Occlusal view and N, lateral
view of right P2, NMMNH 30090. O, Lateral view and P, occlusal view of right M1 or M2, NMMNH 33249. Q, Occlusal view and R, lateral view of left
dentary with p2-m1, NMMNH 55068. All scale bars are 1 cm.
 159

FIGURE 9. Nannippus peninsulatus postcranial elements from the Pearson Mesa LF. A, Associated proximal phalanx (top) and medial phalanx (bottom),
anterior view, NMMNH 33228. B, Anterior view and C, posterior view of proximal phalanx (top), NMMNH 33243 and medial phalanx (bottom),
NMMNH 33179. D, Dorsal view and E, ventral view of ungual phalanx, NMMNH 55018. F, Associated ectocuneiform (left) and navicular (right),
NMMNH 55035. G, Dorsal view, H, posterior view, and I, anterior view of right proximal metatarsal 3, NMMNH 30314. J, posterior view of left distal
humerus, NMMNH 55023. K, Dorsal view, L, posterior view, and M, anterior view of left metacarpal 3, NMMNH 55023. N, Anterior view and O,
posterior view of right metatarsal 3, NMMNH 33183. P, Right metatarsal 2, NMMNH 33183. Q, Dorsal view, R, anterior view, and S, posterior view of
left metatarsal 3, NMMNH 30309. Scale bars are 1 cm unless noted otherwise.
160
an unworn DP2 (NMMNH 55095), a DP2 lacking the anterolingual
portion of the tooth (NMMNH 27641), the labial portion of a DP3 or
DP4 (NMMNH 27671), and the lingual portion of a DP3 or DP4
(NMMNH 30094). Taken together, these four partial teeth give a fairly
accurate picture of the dental morphology of deciduous upper premolars
in Nannippus from the Pearson Mesa LF. The DP2 is rather elongated
with a well developed anterostyle, parastyle, and mesostyle, but weak
metastyle. The protocone is connected to the protoloph. A pli caballin
with a single loop is present. The hypoconal groove is reduced. The
prefossette is missing, but the postfossette has three enamel plications
on the anterior margin and one plication on the posterior border. The
labial half of a DP3/DP4 has a strong parastyle and mesostyle, but very
reduced metastyle. The fossettes are fairly complex. The anterior border
of the prefossette has one large and three smaller enamel plications,
whereas the posterior margin has three plications. On the postfossette,
both the anterior and posterior borders bear two enamel plications. The
lingual third of a DP3/DP4 has an isolated protocone that is an elongated
oval, flattened lingually, and rounded labially. There is a pli caballin with
a single loop. The anteroposterior length of the DP2 (NMMNH 27641)
is 26.7 mm, and the anteroposterior length of the more complete DP3/
DP4 (NMMNH 27671) is 23.6 mm. Both of these measurements are
considerably longer than the largest adult P2 (maximum 21.1 mm) and
P3/P4 (maximum 16.7 mm), respectively, of N. peninsulatus from the
Pearson Mesa LF (Table 4). The deciduous premolars are typically
larger than the permanent premolars that replace them in hipparionine
horses (MacFadden, 1984).
The description of the lower cheek teeth of Nannippus peninsulatus
from the Pearson Mesa LF is based on three lower jaws (measurements
in Table 4). NMMNH 30311 is a complete associated set of left lower
cheek teeth (p2-m3) in very early wear (Figs. 8A-B); NMMNH 55027
is a lower jaw with p4-m3 in early to medium wear, and NMMNH
55068 is a lower jaw with p2-m2 in medium wear (Figs. 8Q-R). The
lower cheek teeth are small and very high-crowned compared to other
hipparionine horses, are strongly curved posteriorly, and have a thick
covering of cement. Two lower teeth of Nannippus from Pearson Mesa
have metaconid crown heights in excess of 70 mm; both are from the
same jaw (NMMNH 30311); p4, 73.6 mm; m2, 76.1 mm. The p3-m2 are
rectangular in overall shape, with premolars broader than molars (Table
4). A weak paraconid is present on p2, whereas p3-m3 lack paraconids.
Parastylids are fairly well developed on all lower cheek teeth, except p2.
Protostylids are absent on all permanent lower premolars and molars.
Ectoflexids are rather shallow on the premolars, generally extending less
than half the distance from the labial margin to the isthmus. Ectoflexids
are much better developed on the molars, reaching the base of the isth-
mus on lightly worn molars (e.g., NM 30311) and penetrating well into
the isthmus on moderately to heavily worn molars (e.g., NMMNH
55027). Pli caballinids are absent on all lower molars in the sample. The
linguaflexid separating the metaconid and metastylid is deep and U-
shaped. The overall enamel pattern on the lower cheek teeth is simple
with few or no enamel plications. The only exceptions are single plica-
tions on the posterior border of the parastylid in p3 and p4 of NMMNH
30311, the lingual margin of the protoconid in m1-m3 of NMMNH
55027, and the labial border of the metastylid on m1 and m2 in NMMNH
30311.
Lower deciduous teeth are represented by two partial lower jaws,
NMMNH 30306 with dp3-dp4 and NMMNH 56778 with dp2-dp4
(Figs. 8F-H). Measurements of these deciduous teeth are presented in
Table 4. A paraconid is fairly well developed on dp2, but is absent on
dp3-dp4. Parastylids are absent on dp2, but are well developed on dp3
and dp4, extending to the lingual margin of the tooth. Small protostylids
are present on dp3 and dp4 of NMMNH 30306, but are absent from all
three teeth in NMMNH 56778. Protostylids are absent on the perma-
nent teeth. The ectoflexid is shallow on dp2 and dp3 but penetrates to
the base of the isthmus on both dp4s. In NMMNH 56778, the ectoflexids
penetrate progressively deeper from dp2 (very shallow) to dp3 (about
halfway to isthmus) to dp4 (penetrates isthmus). The enamel is very
simple on all lower decidous premolars in the sample, with a single
enamel plication on the internal border of the protoconid on the dp3 and
dp4 of both NMMNH 30306 and NMMNH 56778. MacFadden (1984)
noted that several deciduous lower premolars of Nannippus peninsulatus
from the late Blancan Santa Fe River 1 fauna in Florida have more com-
plicated enamel. All decidous premolars in the Pearson Mesa sample
have a moderate to thick coating of cement. The occlusal area of the
deciduous dentition is larger than the occlusal area of the three permanent
premolars that replace them, a feature typical of most horses (MacFadden,
1984). This can be observed by the much greater anteroposterior lengths
of the dp2-dp4 compared to p2-p4 (Table 4).
The sample of Nannippus peninsulatus from the Pearson Mesa
LF also contains several complete and well preserved postcranial ele-
ments, in particular metapodials and phalanges (Fig. 9; measurements in
Table 5). A metacarpal, two metatarsals, and two proximal phalanges are
more slender and elongated than in most other hipparionine horses and
are much smaller and more delicate than in the several species of Equus
that also occur in the Pearson Mesa LF. The total length divided by the
proximal breadth for two metatarsals of N. peninsulatus from Pearson
Mesa yield ratios of 8.5 and 8.6, which are significantly greater than
length to width ratios of Equus metatarsals from the same site (see
below). The gracile and elongated metapodials of N. peninsulatus have
given this species its distinctive common names, which include gazelle
horse (Kurtén and Anderson, 1980) and antelope-like hipparion
(MacFadden, 1984).
Remarks. Specimens of Nannippus have been collected from 24
different localities on Pearson Mesa, all of which are in the lower 15 m of
the stratigraphic section that contains the Pearson Mesa LF. The largest
sample of N. peninsulatus occurs in the Pearson Mesa Horse Quarry (L-
3659), which is also the highest local stratigraphic occurrence of this
species (unit 6), about 15 m above the base of the section (Fig. 2). The
other Nannippus localities mostly occur less than 10 m above the base of
the section (units 1-3). The sample from the Pearson Mesa Horse Quarry
consists primarily of isolated upper cheek teeth (more than 20), with a
single associated palate with seven highly worn teeth. Not a single lower
tooth of Nannippus is present at L-3659, and there are just a few
postcranials, mostly consisting of broken fragments of lateral metapodials.
Isolated lower teeth have been collected from other Pearson Mesa sites,
and there are also five lower jaws from five different sites low in the
section. We surveyed outcrops in the upper 20 m of the Pearson Mesa
section comprising the Virden LF, over an area of about four sections and
containing at least 25 fossil-producing sites, but not a single tooth or
bone of Nannippus was found. Considering the abundance of Nannippus
in the Pearson Mesa LF and its total absence in the overlying Virden LF,
we are reasonably certain that the local extinction of Nannippus occurred
sometime during the time interval between these two faunas. The extinc-
tion of Nannippus before the deposition of the Virden LF is supported
by the latest Blancan age (~2.0-2.2 Ma) of this fauna, a time interval
during which Nannippus is unknown elsewhere in the southwestern U.
S. (e.g., Curtis Ranch, Arizona; La Union, New Mexico; Lindsay et al.,
1984).
Nannippus is one of the four most abundant genera in the Pearson
Mesa LF, the other three being Equus (three different species) and the
land tortoises Hesperotestudo and Gopherus. The abundance of Nannippus
in the Pearson Mesa LF stands in stark contrast to its rarity or absence
in most other New Mexico Blancan sites. Nannippus occurs in only 7 of
34 New Mexico Blancan faunas (Morgan and Lucas, 2003) and, with the
exception of the Pearson Mesa LF, is rare where it does occur, usually
represented by five or fewer fossils. The six other Blancan faunas from
New Mexico with Nannippus are: the early Blancan Buckhorn LF from
Gila Group sediments in Grant County (Morgan et al., 1997); the early
Blancan Williamsburg LF (new record) from the Palomas Formation in
Sierra County; the late early Blancan Tonuco Mountain LF (Morgan et
al., 1998) and the late Blancan Anapra Fauna (Vanderhill, 1986; Morgan

and Lucas, 2003), both from the Camp Rice Formation in Doña Ana
County; the late Blancan Palomas Creek Fauna from the Palomas Forma-
tion in Sierra County (Tedford, 1981); and the late Blancan Santo Domingo
LF in Sandoval County (Tedford, 1981; Morgan and Lucas, 2003). Other
southwestern records of N. peninsulatus are, early Blancan: Bear Springs,
Benson, Clarkdale, and Duncan, Arizona; late Blancan: 111 Ranch and
Wolf Ranch, Arizona; Mount Blanco, Cita Canyon, Hudspeth, and Red
Light, Texas (Kurtén and Anderson, 1980; Morgan and White, 2005).
Nannippus peninsulatus is one of most characteristic Blancan
mammals. The species ranges from the early Blancan through the late
Blancan and goes extinct sometime in the early Matuyama Chron (~2.2-
2.6 Ma). Most Blancan records of N. peninsulatus are from strata that
date to the Upper Gauss Chron or older (older than 2.6 Ma), with a
majority of these records from Arizona and New Mexico. Early Blancan
faunas are rare in Texas, with the exception of Beck Ranch, which has the
larger species, N. beckensis. Late Blancan records of N. peninsulatus are
widely distributed across Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, together
with several records from Kansas and a single tooth from Nebraska
(Skinner and Hibbard, 1972). However, among late Blancan Nannippus,
the only well-documented records younger than the Gauss/Matuyama
boundary (2.58 Ma) are Mt. Blanco, Texas and the Macasphalt Shell Pit
in Florida, both of which occur in reversely-magnetized sediments of the
early Matuyama Chron (C2r.2r; 2.15-2.58 Ma). The Nannippus extinc-
tion datum at 2.2 Ma (Lindsay et al., 1984) is an important biochronologic
horizon that also marks the extinction of several other characteristic
Blancan genera, including the borophagine dog Borophagus, the
gomphothere Rhynchotherium, the leporid Hypolagus, and the giant
marmot Paenemarmota.
Equus
Remarks. One-toed horses of the genus Equus are among the
most common members of the Pearson Mesa LF, but are not as well
represented in the younger Virden LF. The Equus sample from the Pearson
Mesa LF consists of a palate with nearly complete upper dentition, two
maxillary fragments with teeth, two lower jaws, several isolated teeth,
and numerous postcranial elements, including four complete metapodials.
Three associated upper teeth and several postcranial elements are the
only Equus fossils from the Virden LF. Four species of Equus appear to
be present in the Pearson Mesa LF: a small species tentatively identified
as E. cumminsii, a large stilt-legged species tentatively referred to E.
calobatus, and the large stout-limbed species E. scotti and E. simplicidens.
Only one species, E. scotti, has been identified from the Virden LF. Each
species is discussed separately, in alphabetical order. We have been rather
conservative in our species referrals, so only a limited number of speci-
mens have been identified to the species level. The complete palate,
several maxillary fragments with teeth, two lower jaws, and most of the
isolated teeth and postcranials have not been identified to the species
level, even though many of these specimens are complete and well pre-
served. Many of the teeth appear to be intermediate in dental morphol-
ogy between E. scotti and E. simplicidens, and the upper dentition of the
other large species, E. calobatus, has never been described. The dental
and postcranial material that cannot be referred to species is listed and
described under Equus unidentified species, following the four Equus
species accounts.
Equus cf. E. calobatus Troxell, 1915
Figs. 11E-K
Referred specimens. Pearson Mesa LF. L-3659 (Pearson Mesa
Horse Quarry): NMMNH 55082, left metacarpal 3. L-4144: NMMNH
30141, right metacarpal 3. L-6652: NMMNH 55033, right metatarsal 3.
Description. Three complete metapodials from the Pearson Mesa
LF, two metacarpals and a metatarsal, are referred to the large, stilt-
legged horse, Equus calobatus (Figs. 11E-K). Measurements of these
metapodials are given in Table 7. Based on these measurements, both the
161
metacarpals and metatarsals are longer and more slender compared to
metapodials of the two other medium to large, stout-limbed species of
Equus identified from the Pearson Mesa and Virden LFs, E. scotti and E.
simplicidens. Winans (1989) referred all Equus with stilt-legged
metapodials from North American Pleistocene sites to her Equus francisci
group, in which she included E. calobatus from the Irvingtonian. She
defined the Equus francisci group as having a ratio of total length to
proximal width greater than 5.0 for metacarpals and 6.0 for metatarsals.
Based on this character, the three metapodials from the Pearson Mesa
LF listed above fit into her Equus francisci group. The two metacarpals
have ratios of 5.6 (NMMNH 30141) and 5.1 (NMMNH 55082) and the
metatarsal (NMMNH 55033) has a ratio of 6.5. However, the metapodials
from the Pearson Mesa LF are noticeably larger than metapodials of E.
francisci from the Rancholabrean (see measurements in Table 7), includ-
ing the type and several referred specimens from the late Pleistocene of
Texas (Hay, 1915; Lundelius and Stevens, 1970). The ratios of total
length to proximal width for metacarpals and metatarsals of E. francisci
from the Rancholabrean of Texas are in excess of 7 (Lundelius and Stevens,
1970, table 1), suggesting that this species has more slender metapodials
than E. calobatus. We recognize E. calobatus as a larger Blancan and
Irvingtonian stilt-legged species in the Equus francisci group.
Metatarsals from the type locality of Equus calobatus, the early
Irvingtonian Rock Creek fauna in Texas, and the correlative Arkalon
gravel pit in Kansas, are considerably longer than the metatarsal from the
Pearson Mesa LF (measurements in Table 7). The length (322) and
proximal width (45.5) of the type metatarsal E. calobatus from Rock
Creek give a length/proximal width ratio of 7.1, whereas the length (335)
and proximal width (53) of a metatarsal from Arkalon yield a ratio of 6.3
(measurements from Hibbbard, 1953). A metatarsal tentatively referred
to E. calobatus from the early Irvingtonian Adobe Ranch Fauna (=Mesilla
Basin Fauna C) in Doña Ana County, New Mexico has a length of 327,
proximal width of 53, and ratio of 6.2 (measurements from Vanderhill,
1986). The metatarsal from Pearson Mesa has a very similar proximal
width (45.7) compared to the Rock Creek metatarsal but is about 10%
shorter, yielding a ratio of 6.5. The Arkalon and Adobe Ranch metatar-
sals are longer and have a broader proximal end than the Pearson Mesa
metatarsal; however, the length/proximal width ratios in the three speci-
mens are very similar, 6.3, 6.2, 6.5, respectively. The metacarpals of E.
calobatus from Pearson Mesa and Rock Creek show a similar relation-
ship. The total lengths (255, 258) and proximal widths (45.7, 50.6) of
two metacarpals from the Pearson Mesa LF yield ratios of 5.6 and 5.1,
respectively, whereas a metacarpal from Rock Creek is 283 mm in length,
53 mm in proximal width, and has a ratio of 5.3 (measurements from
Hibbard, 1953). Overall, the metacarpals and/or metatarsals from Pearson
Mesa, Adobe Ranch, Rock Creek, and Arkalon have similar length/proxi-
mal width ratios and proportions but the early Irvingtonian specimens
from the latter three faunas are larger. This difference in size is the reason
for the tentative referral of the metatarsal and two metacarpals from
Pearson Mesa to E. calobatus. Whether they represent a smaller late
Blancan population of E. calobatus or perhaps a separate earlier species
in the E. calobatus lineage must await the discovery of additional fossils,
preferably including associated dental and postcranial material.
A pair of lower jaws were found associated with diagnostic stilt-
legged metapodials of E. calobatus in the Arkalon gravel pit in Kansas
(Skinner and Hibbard, 1972). A complete lower dentition from the Pearson
Mesa LF (NMMNH 55030) looks similar to the illustration of E.
calobatus lower teeth from Arkalon (Skinner and Hibbard, 1972, fig.
58B); however, this dentition is also similar to that of E. scotti. Because
the dentition from the Pearson Mesa LF was not associated with postc-
ranial material of E. calobatus, we hesitate to refer NMMNH 55030 to
that species. This dentition is described below under Equus unidentified
species; however, we do suspect that it belongs to E. calobatus. A palate
with the complete upper dentition of a large horse (NMMNH 55093;
Figs. 10P-Q) from Pearson Mesa does not appear to be E. simplicidens,
and although similar to E. scotti shows some differences. The upper
TABLE 4. Measurements (in mm) of the upper and lower teeth of Nannippus peninsulatus from the Pearson Mesa LF, New Mexico and from other North American Blancan sites. Measurements of the
upper teeth are given first, followed by measurements of the lower teeth in the bottom part of the table. Lengths are maximum anteroposterior lengths and widths are maximum transverse breadths. Crown 162
heights of the upper teeth were taken at the mesostyle and crown heights of the lower teeth at the metaconid. In isolated teeth it is difficult to distinguish between P3 and P4 and between M1and M2
in the upper teeth and between p3 and p4 and between m1 and m2 for the lowers. Therefore, isolated teeth in these positions are combined as either P3/P4 or M1/M2 and p3/p4 or m1/m2. In associated
dentitions where the tooth positions are unambiguous, these are indicated in parentheses after the NMMNH catalogue number. The measurements of Pearson Mesa Nannippus are of individual teeth,
whereas the “North American Blancan” is a combined sample of upper teeth from other North American Blancan sites and the measurements are listed with the mean, observed range, and sample size
(measurements from MacFadden, 1984). Missing measurements indicated by “-”. Statistics for the Pearson Mesa samples (uppers and lowers) exclude deciduous teeth and heavily worn teeth (marked with
the superscript h after the catalogue number).
Table 4. Continued.

h
Indicates a heavily worn tooth, arbitrarily defined as teeth with crown heights under 20 mm. Heavily worn teeth are excluded from the statistics.
u
Indicates an unworn tooth; measurements were taken below the unworn crown where the sides of the tooth become parallel. Measurements of unworn teeth are included in the statistics.
1
NMMNH 27643 and 27644 are almost certainly associated based on their similar preservation but were not found together and thus were assigned separate catalogue numbers.
163
164
TABLE 5. Postcranial measurements (in mm) of Nannippus peninsulatus from Pearson Mesa. Missing measurements indicated by “-”.
dentition of E. calobatus has never been described because the diagnostic
metapodials have not been found in association with a skull or upper
dentition. As with the lower jaw mentioned above, we suspect that this
palate and several other upper teeth from Pearson Mesa may belong to
E. calobatus; however, until they are found in association with diagnos-
tic metapodials of that species we cannot be certain. These upper teeth
are also described below under Equus unidentified species. The Pearson
Mesa LF has yielded partial skeletons of several species, so we are
optimistic that associated cranial and postcranial material of E. calobatus
may eventually be found. Three of the four Equus metapodials from the
Pearson Mesa LF belong to E. calobatus, suggesting this species may be
the common large Equus in the fauna.
Remarks. Equus calobatus was originally described from the
early Irvingtonian Rock Creek Fauna in the Texas Panhandle based on a
supposedly associated partial skeleton lacking dentition (Troxell, 1915).
Hibbard (1953) selected a metatarsal from Troxell’s type series of E.
calobatus as the lectotype, as he was unsure if the skeletal elements were
actually associated. Hibbard (1953) also referred three metatarsals and
several phalanges to E. calobatus from the correlative early Irvingtonian
Arkalon gravel pit in Kansas. Skinner and Hibbard (1972) referred sev-
eral lower jaws to E. calobatus from the late Blancan Sand Draw LF in
Nebraska, as well as a partial skeleton from Arkalon, including a metac-
arpal and a metatarsal with associated lower jaws, one of the few speci-
mens of this species with associated dental and postcranial material.
Other early Irvingtonian records of E. calobatus that are generally cor-
relative with Rock Creek and Arkalon include Adobe Ranch (=Mesilla
Basin Fauna C), New Mexico, Gilliland, Texas, and Holloman, Okla-
homa (Hibbard and Dalquest, 1966; Dalquest, 1977; Vanderhill, 1986).
In addition to the Pearson Mesa LF, Equus calobatus has been
tentatively identified from several other late Blancan sites in New Mexico,
including Santo Domingo in Sandoval County in the northern part of the
state (Tedford, 1981) and Anapra and La Union (=Mesilla Basin Faunas
A and B, respectively) in Doña Ana County in the southern part of the
state (Vanderhill, 1986). Slender, elongated metatarsals of a large Equus
are also known from two early Blancan faunas in central New Mexico,
Belen in Valencia County (Morgan and Lucas, 2000b) and Arroyo de la
Parida in Socorro County (Morgan et al., this volume). Because these
metatarsals are in rather poor condition, we hesitate to refer them to E.
calobatus; however, they do indicate the presence of a large, stilt-legged
horse in the early Blancan, which is older than previous records. Other
late Blancan records of E. calobatus include Donnelly Ranch, Colorado
(Hager, 1974) and Sand Draw, Nebraska (Skinner and Hibbard, 1972).
Equus cf. E. cumminsii Cope, 1893
Figs. 11A-B, L-N
Referred specimens. Pearson Mesa LF. L-3659 (Pearson Mesa
Horse Quarry): NMMNH 27672, partial upper molar; NMMNH 27673,
partial upper cheek tooth. L-4156: NMMNH 30164, right metatarsal 3.
L-4583: NMMNH 33172, proximal phalanx. L-4601: NMMNH 33222,
proximal phalanx.
Description. Two partial teeth and three postcranial elements are
very small in size compared to other Blancan Equus and are here tenta-
tively referred to E. cumminsii. Unfortunately, both upper cheek teeth of
a small Equus from the Pearson Mesa Horse Quarry (NMMNH 27672,
27673) are broken. NMMNH 27672 lacks the lingual half of the tooth
and the ectoloph, but does preserve the entire anteroposterior length
(23.2) and the approximate crown height (57). The fossettes of NMMNH
27672 and 27673 are rather simple, with a single, small enamel plication
on the anterior margin of the prefossette and posterior margin of the
postfossette and one deep plication on the posterior border of the
prefossette and anterior border of the postfossette. The small size of
NMMNH 27672 compares closely in size to the type upper molar of E.
cumminsii from Mt. Blanco, Texas (anteroposterior length 24.2; Dalquest,
1975). Both the Blanco tooth and the two partial upper molars from the
Pearson Mesa Horse Quarry are characterized by the simple enamel
pattern of the fossettes.
 165

FIGURE 10. Equus maxilla, lower jaws, and isolated teeth from the Pearson Mesa and Virden local faunas. A, Lateral view and B, occlusal view of associated
right p3-m3 of Equus sp. from Pearson Mesa LF, NMMNH 55030. C, Occlusal view and D, lateral view of left dentary with p2-m2 of Equus sp. from
Pearson Mesa LF, NMMNH 55031. E, Occlusal view, F, lateral view, and G, medial view of left p2 of Equus sp. from Pearson Mesa LF, NMMNH 55030.
H, Occlusal view of associated right P4 and M1 of Equus sp. from Pearson Mesa LF, NMMNH 55080. I-N, 3 associated upper teeth of Equus scotti from
Virden LF, NMMNH 33233, I, occlusal view and J, lateral view of right M1 or M2, K, occlusal view and L, lateral view of left P3 or P4, M, occlusal view
and N, side view of upper incisor. O, Occlusal view of right P3 or P4 of Equus sp. from Pearson Mesa LF, NMMNH 55078. P-Q, Upper dentition of Equus
sp. from Pearson Mesa LF, NMMNH 55093. P, Occlusal view of palate with right P2-M3 and left P2-P4. Q, Occlusal view of right P2-M3. Scale bars are
1 cm unless noted otherwise.
TABLE 6. Measurements (in mm) of the upper and lower cheek teeth of Equus from the Pearson Mesa LF, New Mexico. Measurements of the upper teeth are given first, followed by measurements
of the lower teeth in the bottom half of the table. The length is the maximum anteroposterior length and the width is the maximum transverse breadth. Crown height of the upper teeth was taken at the 166
mesostyle and the crown height of the lower teeth at the metaconid. In isolated teeth it is difficult to distinguish between P3 and P4 and between M1and M2 in the upper teeth and between p3 and p4
and between m1 and m2 for the lowers. Therefore, isolated teeth in these positions are combined as either P3/P4 or M1/M2 and p3/p4 or m1/m2. In associated dentitions where the tooth positions are
unambiguous, these are indicated in parentheses after the NMMNH catalogue number. Missing measurements indicated by “-”.
tABLE 6. cONTINUED.
167
168

FIGURE 11. Equus postcranial elements from the Pearson Mesa LF. A, Proximal phalanx of Equus cf. E. cumminsii, NMMNH 33222. B, Proximal
phalanx of Equus cf. E. cumminsii, NMMNH 33172. C, Dorsal view, D, anterior view and E, posterior view of right metatarsal 3 of Equus cf E. calobatus,
NMMNH 55033. F, Dorsal view, G, anterior view and H, posterior view of right metacarpal 3 of Equus cf. E. calobatus, NMMNH 30141. I, Dorsal view,
J, anterior view and K, posterior view of right metacarpal 3 of Equus cf. E. calobatus, NMMNH 55082. L, Dorsal view, M, anterior view and N, posterior
view of right metatarsal 3 of Equus cf. E. cumminsii, NMMNH 30164. Scale bars are 1 cm unless noted otherwise.

Three complete postcranial elements from the Pearson Mesa LF
also appear to be from a small species of Equus (see measurements in
Table 7). A complete metatarsal (NMMNH 30164; Figs. 11L-N) is shorter
and more gracile than metatarsals of E. simplicidens. NMMNH 30164 is
considerably shorter than a metatarsal referred to the large, stilt-legged
horse, E. calobatus, from Pearson Mesa (see above and Table 7), but the
shaft is essentially the same width, giving the smaller metatarsal a some-
what stockier appearance than the larger, stilt-legged species. This smaller
metatarsal has a length (241)/proximal width (40.9) ratio of 5.9, which is
only slightly less than the ratio of 6 used by Winans (1989) to define the
stilt-legged Equus francisci group of Plio-Pleistocene horses. Two com-
plete proximal phalanges (Figs. 11A-B) are also quite small and rather
slender (Table 7, especially NMMNH 33222) compared to E. simplicidens
or E. scotti. These proximal phalanges are similar in size to a small
proximal phalanx referred to E. cumminsii from Blanco (Dalquest, 1975).
Remarks. Five specimens of Equus from the Pearson Mesa LF
are much smaller than E. calobatus, E. scotti, and E. simplicidens, and are
here tentatively referred to E. cumminsii. Lucas et al. (1993) referred a
partial skull with a nearly complete dentition to E. cumminsii from the
late early Blancan Mountainview LF in the Ceja Formation in Bernalillo
County, north-central New Mexico. Several of the Pearson Mesa teeth
compare well with the teeth in the Mountainview skull. E. cumminsii is
an uncommon species restricted to the Blancan, including Blanco and
Beck Ranch in Texas (Kurtén and Anderson, 1980), Mountainview, and
several tentatively referred specimens from Arroyo de la Parida in central
New Mexico (Morgan et al., this volume).
Equus scotti Gidley, 1900
Figs. 10I-N
Referred Specimens. Pearson Mesa LF. L-3659 (Pearson Mesa
Horse Quarry): NMMNH 27683, maxillary fragment with left M1-M3;
NMMNH 27665, unworn right M1/M2.
Virden LF. L-4607: NMMNH 33233, associated upper incisor,
left P3/P4 and right M1/M2.
Description. We are fairly confident in referring a maxillary frag-
ment with M1 and M2 in early wear and an unerupted M3 (NMMNH
27683) and a isolated unworn M1/M2 (NMMNH 27665) from the
Pearson Mesa Horse Quarry to Equus scotti (measurements in Table 6).
The M1 and M2 of NMMNH 27683 are in very early wear and are quite
high crowned (crown heights of more than 90 mm). Both teeth have an
elongated protocone (length of protocone, M1, 14.4; M2, 14.7) with a
broad, shallow lingual indentation. The protocone of M1 is rather broad
and rounded anteriorly and posteriorly, whereas in M2 the protocone is
narrower, pointed anteriorly and somewhat constricted posteriorly but
not sharply pointed. Both M1 and M2 have a small pli caballin and a
very well-developed hypoconal groove. The fossettes are moderately
complicated. The anterior margin of the prefossette and posterior border
of the postfossette have a single large enamel plication, the anterior
border of the postfossette has two plications, and the posterior margin
of the prefossette has four to five plications. It is difficult to describe
NMMNH 27665, an unerupted M1 or M2, because of its unworn state.
This tooth has a narrow, elongated protocone that is tapered anteriorly
 169
TABLE 7. Postcranial measurements (in mm) of Equus from Pearson Mesa, with comparative measurements from other sites. Measurements of an E. cf.
E. calobatus metatarsal from Adobe Ranch are from Vanderhill (1986), measurements of E. calobatus metapodials from Rock Creek and Arkalon are from
Hibbard (1953), and measurements of E. francisci metapodials are from Lundelius and Stevens (1970).

and posteriorly with a strong, V-shaped lingual indentation, a large
hypoconal groove, and a fairly complicated enamel pattern on the
fossettes. This tooth is also very high crowned with a mesostyle crown
height of 100.7 mm. Both NMMNH 27665 and 27683 agree with E.
scotti in having narrow, elongated protocones with lingual indentations
and lightly worn to unworn crown height in excess of 90 mm. E.
simplicidens has a short, broad, rounded protocone with no lingual in-
dentation. Dalquest (1975) stated that among a sample of 26 upper
cheek teeth of E. simplicidens from Blanco, Texas, no tooth had a crown
height greater than 80 mm. Although the upper dentition of E. calobatus
is unknown, these teeth are similar enough to E. scotti that we are confi-
dent in referring them to the latter species.
Three associated upper teeth from the Virden LF, including a well
preserved premolar and molar in medium wear, as well as an incisor
(NMMNH 33233), are also referred to Equus scotti (Figs. 10I-N). The
two cheek teeth are somewhat larger than a sample of upper cheek teeth
from the underlying Pearson Mesa LF (Table 6). The P3/P4 and M1/M2
have similar enamel patterns and are described together except where
differences exist. For example, the premolar has a small pli caballin that
is absent in the molar. The parastyles and mesostyles are well developed,
whereas the metastyle is reduced. The mesostyle is broader and more
open in the premolar and more constricted in the molar, a common
difference between premolars and molars in advanced equids. The
protocones are rather elongated, with a moderate lingual indentation.
About one-third of the protocone extends anterior to the connection
with the protoloph and two-thirds extends posteriorly. A well-devel-
oped hypoconal groove is present. The enamel in the fossettes is fairly
complicated. There is one enamel plication on the anterior border of the
prefossette and one or two plications on the posterior margin of the
postfossette. The posterior margin of the prefossette has two large and
three or four small plications, and the anterior border of the postfossette
has four plications.
The large size and moderately complicated enamel pattern of the
upper cheek teeth in NMMNH 33233 from the Virden LF are typical of
Equus scotti, a common large horse in New Mexico late Blancan faunas
(Morgan and Lucas, 2003). However, the condition of the protocone in
these two teeth seems to be somewhat intermediate between E. scotti and
E. simplicidens; the protocones in the Virden teeth are longer and nar-
rower than in E. simplicidens but shorter and broader than in E. scotti. In
E. scotti, the protocones are elongated anteroposteriorly, narrow trans-
versely, and have a strong lingual indentation, as described above for
NMMNH 27665 and 27683 from the Pearson Mesa Horse Quarry. In E.
simplicidens, the protocone is short and broad with little or no lingual
indentation. Other than the minor differences in the protocone, the two
170
molars from the Virden LF are typical of E. scotti and are referred to that
species. Most descriptions of E scotti are of specimens from the early
Irvingtonian, including the type sample from Rock Creek and referred
material from the correlative Gilliland LF, both from northwestern Texas
(Gidley, 1900; Hibbard and Dalquest, 1966). The late Blancan samples
from New Mexico show some minor dental differences from the younger
early Irvingtonian samples. The two teeth from the Pearson Mesa Horse
Quarry (NMMNH 27665 and 27683) appear to be more typical of E.
scotti; however, these specimens are in very early wear or are unworn
and with wear might more closely resemble NMMNH 33233 from the
Virden LF.
Remarks. Horses from late Blancan and early Irvingtonian
sites in New Mexico and elsewhere in the southwestern United States
with large, high-crowned cheek teeth, elongated protocones with a lin-
gual indentation on the upper cheek teeth, ectoflexids that do not pen-
etrate the isthmus on the lower molars, and a fairly complicated enamel
pattern are typically referred to Equus scotti. This species has been
identified from at least eight Blancan and Irvingtonian sites in New Mexico;
early Blancan: Arroyo de la Parida, Veguita, and Tonuco Mountain; late
Blancan: Santo Domingo, La Union (=Mesilla Basin Fauna B), and Virden;
and early Irvingtonian: Tijeras Arroyo and Adobe Ranch (=Mesilla Basin
Fauna C; Tedford, 1981; Vanderhill, 1986; Morgan et al., 1998, this
volume; Morgan and Lucas, 2003). The early Blancan records from New
Mexico need further confirmation. Other southwestern late Blancan
records of E. scotti include Hudspeth and Red Light, Texas (Strain, 1966;
Akersten, 1972) and 111 Ranch, Arizona (Galusha et al., 1984), and
early Irvingtonian samples include Rock Creek, Texas, Gilliland Texas,
and Holloman, Oklahoma (Gidley, 1900; Hibbard and Dalquest, 1966;
Dalquest, 1977).
Equus simplicidens Cope, 1893
Referred specimen. Pearson Mesa LF. L-4600: NMMNH 33217,
partial left dentary with p2-m3.
Description. The only specimen in the sample from the Pearson
Mesa LF that can be confidently referred to Equus simplicidens is a
partial lower jaw with p2-m3 (NMMNH 33217) from low in the section
at the western end of the outcrop area in Arizona. The jaw was preserved
in a coarse, indurated sandstone, and the teeth are somewhat damaged,
and thus are not illustrated. However, enough of the dental morphology
of the lower cheek teeth is preserved to clearly identify this specimen as
E. simplicidens (see measurements in Table 6). All of the lower cheek
teeth lack a pli caballinid and have a very simple enamel pattern. The
premolars have a shallow V-shaped linguaflexid that does not reach the
metastylid, and the metaconid and metastylid are broadly open and
connected at their bases. The p2 has a shallow ectoflexid. The p4 has a
fairly deep ectoflexid for a premolar; however, it does not penetrate the
isthmus. The labial half of the p3 bearing the ectoflexid is missing. The
m1 and m2 have long, narrow ectoflexids that penetrate deeply into the
isthmus, and the linguaflexids are shallow and U-shaped. The m3 also
has a deep ectoflexid that penetrates well into the isthmus but has a
rather deep, V-shaped linguaflexid. The well-developed ectoflexids that
deeply penetrate the isthmus on the three lower molars and the simple
enamel pattern on all lower cheek teeth are typical dental characters of E.
simplicidens. The crown heights of the cheek teeth in NMMNH 33217
are rather high for E. simplicidens, ranging from 66.1 for the p2 to 73.5
for the m2. Dalquest (1975) noted that all upper cheek teeth of E.
simplicidens from Blanco had crown heights less than 80 mm, but he did
not provide crown height measurements for the lower teeth.
Remarks. Equus simplicidens is one of the most characteristic
Blancan mammals. This species has a long stratigraphic range, occurring
throughout most of the Blancan, except for earliest and latest Blancan
faunas. E. simplicidens has been reported from six other Blancan faunas
in New Mexico, most of which are early Blancan in age including: Buckhorn
in Grant County (Morgan et al., 1997), Arroyo de la Parida in Socorro
County (Tedford, 1981; Morgan et al., this volume); Cuchillo Negro
Creek and Elephant Butte Lake in Sierra County (Tedford, 1981; Lucas
and Oakes, 1986); and Tonuco Mountain in Doña Ana County (Morgan
et al., 1998). The lower jaw from the Pearson Mesa LF represents only
the second late Blancan record of E. simplicidens from New Mexico, the
other is from Palomas Creek in Sierra County (Tedford, 1981). Other late
Blancan faunas from the state, including Santo Domingo, Anapra and La
Union (=Mesilla Basin Faunas A and B, respectively), and Virden have
E. calobatus and/or E. scotti, but lack E. simplicidens (Tedford, 1981;
Vanderhill, 1986; Morgan and Lucas, 2003). However, E. simplicidens
has been reported from many other southwestern late Blancan faunas
that are broadly correlative with the Pearson Mesa LF, including Blanco
(type locality), Cita Canyon, and Hudspeth in Texas (Meade, 1945;
Strain, 1966; Dalquest, 1975) and 111 Ranch and Wolf Ranch in Arizona
(Galusha et al., 1984; Morgan and White, 2005).
Equus unidentified species
Figs. 10A-H, 10O-Q
Referred specimens. Pearson Mesa LF. L-3659 (Pearson Mesa
Horse Quarry): NMMNH 27660, maxillary fragment with left P2-P3;
NMMNH 27661, maxillary fragment with right P2-P3 (NMMNH 27660
and 27661 are almost certainly from the same individual); NMMNH
55080, associated right P3-M1; NMMNH 27663, right P2; NMMNH
27664, 55078, right P3/P4; NMMNH 30100, left P3/P4; NMMNH
27666, 30322, 30097, 30098, right M1/M2; NMMNH 55073, partial
right M1/M2; NMMNH 30099, left M1/M2; NMMNH 27667, left
M3; NMMNH 27674, right p2; NMMNH 27675, right m3; NMMNH
27677, 27678, incisors; NMMNH 27679, 27680, canines; NMMNH
55083, right distal femur. L-3661: NMMNH 27694, distal tibia. L-4152:
NMMNH 30156, right M3; NMMNH 30157, distal tibia. L-6642:
NMMNH 55016, distal phalanx. L-6649: NMMNH 55030, associated
right p3-m3 and left p2, p4-m1, m3. L-6650: NMMNH 55031, left
dentary with p2-m2. L-6886: NMMNH 55085, left astragalus. L-6893:
NMMNH 55091, right M3 and fragments of other upper cheek teeth. L-
6895: NMMNH 55093, palate with right and left P2-M3. L-7454:
NMMNH 56777, right astragalus. L-7466: NMMNH 56798, right cal-
caneum.
Virden LF. L-6675: NMMNH 55072, left distal tibia.
Description. The most complete specimen of Equus from the
Pearson Mesa LF is a palate with a complete dentition, right and left P2-
M3 (NMMNH 55093; Figs. 10P-Q; measurements in Table 6). The
teeth are in excellent condition and in medium wear, with crown heights
from 45 to 62 mm. The left M1-M3 are not included with the palate
because parts of the maxilla are missing (Fig. 10P) and the left M1 is
missing the lingual half. We were not able to take crown height measure-
ments of the right M1-M3 because these three teeth are enclosed within
the maxilla. Perhaps the most notable character of the upper cheek teeth
is the variability in shape and size of the protocone from P2 to M3. The
protocone on P2 is very short (7.6 mm), broad, rounded, and lacks a
lingual indentation. The protocone is somewhat more elongated
anteroposteriorly on P3 and P4 (9.5, 12.4 mm) but is still broad and has
a shallow lingual indentation. The protocone on M1 is similar to P4 but
is a bit shorter (11.0 mm) with a somewhat shallower lingual indentation.
M2 and M3 have more elongated protocones (12.9, 14.7 mm) with no
lingual indentation. P2 has a small anterostyle, small parastyle, large,
broadly open mesostyle, lacks a pli caballin, and has a small hypoconal
groove. The fossettes on P2 are rather simple, with no plications on the
posterior border of the postfossette, one plication on the anterior margin
of both the prefossette and postfossette, and two plications on the
posterior border of the prefossette. The P3 and P4 have a large broad
parastyle, smaller mesostyle, small pli caballin, and well-developed
hypoconal groove. The enamel pattern on P3 and P4 is simple, with one
plication each on the anterior and posterior borders of both the prefossette
and postfossette. The M1 and M2 have a smaller parastyle than on the
premolars, and the mesostyle is constricted. M2 has a minuscule pli
caballin that is lacking on M1. The hypoconal groove is small on M1 but

somewhat larger on M2. The fossettes on M1 and M2 are fairly simple,
no plications on the anterior border of the prefossette and posterior
border of the postfossette and one plication on the posterior margin of
the prefossette and anterior margin of the postfossette. The M3 has the
parastyle as in M1/M2, the mesostyle is much reduced, and a tiny pli
caballin is present. The hypoconal groove differs between the right and
left M3 of NMMNH 55093. The left M3 has the hypoconal groove
expressed as an elliptical enamel lake, whereas in the right M3 the
hypoconal groove has coalesced with the posterolingual corner of the
postfossette. M3 has no plications on the anterior margin of the
prefossette, one plication on the anterior and posterior borders of the
postfossette, and four plications on the posterior margin of the prefossette.
Despite the fact that all cheek tooth positions are present in
NMMNH 55093 and the teeth are in beautiful condition, we are still not
able to confidently refer this specimen to a species of Equus. However,
we can eliminate from consideration two of the four species of Equus
identified from Pearson Mesa and other New Mexico Blancan faunas, E.
cumminsii and E. simplicidens. Two upper teeth of the small species E.
cumminsii from the Pearson Mesa Horse Quarry are much smaller than
the upper cheek teeth of NMMNH 55093. E. simplicidens has a short,
broad, rounded protocone that lacks a lingual indentation. Although this
description fits the protocone on P2 of NMMNH 55093, the P3-M1 of
this specimen have a well developed, if shallow, lingual indentations and
the protocones on P4-M3 are anteroposteriorly elongated, especially
M2 and M3. Thus, unless there is another unrecognized species of
Equus in the Pearson Mesa LF, we can restrict the identification of
NMMNH 55093 to either E. calobatus or E. scotti. Unfortunately, the
upper dentition of E. calobatus is unknown; no upper teeth have been
found in clear association with the diagnostic stilt-legged metapodials of
this species, although the lower dentition of E. calobatus is known (see
below). The protocones in E. scotti are elongated with a lingual indenta-
tion, whereas those of NMMNH 55093 are rather variable but seem to
be intermediate between E. scotti and E. simplicidens. The P3, P4, and
M1 of NMMNH 55093 have short, broad protocones with lingual in-
dentations, whereas M2 and M3 have elongated protocones lacking lin-
gual indentations. The individual teeth of NMMNH 55093 appear to be
somewhat smaller than in typical E. scotti. The occlusal length of P2-M3
in NMMNH 55093 is 171 mm compared to 190 mm in the type of E.
scotti from Rock Creek, Texas (Gidley, 1900).
Several additional upper cheek teeth of Equus from the Pearson
Mesa LF are worthy of mention, including an associated complete right
M3, nearly complete right M2, and parts of three other upper cheek
teeth (NMMNH 55091) and a right M3 (NMMNH 30156). NMMNH
55091 is from site very near and at the same stratigraphic level as
NMMNH 55093. The M2 and M3 of NMMNH 55091 have an elon-
gated protocone with no lingual indentation, a tiny pli caballin, and
similar enamel patterns on the fossettes. There are no plications on the
anterior border of the prefossette and posterior margin of the postfossette
and one or two small plications on the posterior border of the prefossette
and anterior margin of the postfossette. M2 has a well-developed
hypoconal groove, whereas the hypoconal groove on M3 has coalesced
with the posterolingual corner of the postfossette, as in the right M3 of
NMMNH 55093. Overall, the M2 and M3 of NMMNH 55091 are very
similar to the comparable teeth of NMMNH 55093. A third right M3
from the Pearson Mesa LF (NMMNH 30156) is also quite similar to the
M3s of NMMNH 55091 and 55093. Thus, there are three individuals of
Equus from the Pearson Mesa LF represented by the right M3 (NMMNH
30156, 55091, 55093), all of which have a similar dental pattern and
must represent the same species, presumably either E. calobatus or E.
scotti.
There is a sample of about 20 upper cheek teeth from the Pearson
Mesa Horse Quarry, many of which are heavily worn (measurements in
Table 6). Most of these teeth (e.g., NMMNH 55080, Fig. 10H;
NMMNH 55078, Fig. 10O) have a rather short, broad protocone that is
rounded anteriorly and posteriorly and lacks a lingual indentation. Sev-
171
eral teeth have a very small pli caballin but most of the teeth lack this
feature. A small hypoconal groove is present except in several very
heavily worn teeth. Most teeth in the sample have a simple enamel
pattern, generally lacking plications on the anterior border of the
prefossette and posterior margin of the postfossette and with one plica-
tion on the posterior margin of the prefossette and anterior border of the
postfossette. The rather short, rounded protocone lacking a lingual in-
dentation and simple fossettes are features of E. simplicidens; however,
we hesitate to make a species-level identification based on such heavily
worn teeth. Most heavily worn upper teeth of Equus tend to have a
simple fossette pattern. Furthermore, the protocones of the Pearson
Mesa sample seem to be somewhat more anteroposteriorly elongated
than in typical E. simplicidens. It may be worth noting that there are no
other specimens from the Pearson Mesa Horse Quarry clearly referable
to E. simplicidens. There are only two lower cheek teeth from this site,
described below, neither of which is referable to E. simplicidens. There is
a metacarpal of the stilt-legged E. calobatus from the Pearson Mesa
Horse Quarry, and this site has also yielded several upper teeth of the
small E. cumminsii.
Two lower jaws of large horses were found less than 10 m apart at
the same stratigraphic level in unit 4 in the Pearson Mesa LF. NMMNH
55031 consists of a left dentary with p2-m2 in which the teeth are very
heavily worn (Fig. 10C-D). The teeth are so worn that much of the
enamel pattern has been obliterated. The p3 has a deep, V-shaped
linguaflexid, whereas the linguaflexids on the m1 and m2 are shallow and
U-shaped. The ectoflexids are shallow on p3 and p4. The ectoflexids are
longer on the m1 and m2; they extend to the base of the isthmus, but do
not penetrate it. The most complete Equus lower dentition from the
Pearson Mesa LF is NMMNH 55030, which includes eight complete
and several partial associated lower cheek teeth in early to medium wear
from the right and left sides and numerous dentary fragments. All lower
cheek tooth positions are present on either the right or left sides in
NMMNH 55030 (Figs. 10A-B, 10E-G; see measurements in Table 6).
The p2 is fairly elongated with a well-developed paraconid. It has a
shallow ectoflexid and a very strong pli caballinid. The small, shallow V-
shaped linguaflexid barely separates the metaconid and metastylid which
are very close together. The labial border of the entoflexid has a complex
enamel pattern with at least six enamel plications. The p3 and p4 have a
strong parastylid that extends almost entirely across the anterior edge of
the tooth to the lingual margin. The posterior border of the parastylids
bear one or two enamel plications. The ectoflexids are well developed for
Equus premolars, extending nearly to the base of the isthmus. The lower
premolars have very long and prominent pli caballinids that extend to the
labial margin. The linguaflexids on p3 and p4 are deep and V-shaped,
extending to the labial wall of the metastylid and separating it from the
metaconid. As with p2, the labial borders of the entoflexids on p3 and p4
have extremely complicated enamel patterns, with seven to ten plica-
tions. The m1 and m2 of NMMNH 55030 share some characters with
the premolars. The strong parastylids extend entirely across the anterior
edge of the tooth. The linguaflexids are sharply V-shaped and deep,
extending almost to the labial walls of the metastylids. A pli caballinid is
present on m1 and m2 but is much smaller than on the premolars, espe-
cially on the m2. The ectoflexids are somewhat better developed on the
molars than the premolars, extending to the base of the isthmus, but they
do not penetrate the isthmus. The labial margins of the entoflexids are
not nearly as complicated in the molars, with only two small plications
on m1 and none on m2. The right and left m3s are only slightly worn, but
are similar to the m1 and m2. The m3s have a strong parastylid, a deep V-
shaped linguaflexid that contacts the labial wall of the metastylid, and a
fairly deep ectoflexid that extends to the base of the isthmus.
There are only a few other lower cheek teeth of Equus from the
Pearson Mesa LF, including a p2 (NMMNH 27674) and m3 (NMMNH
27675) from the Pearson Mesa Horse Quarry (measurements in Table
6). The p2 is noticeably smaller than the p2 of NMMNH 55030 de-
scribed above, in particular, the paraconid on NMMNH 27674 is much
172
reduced. There is a very small pli caballinid, the ectoflexid is shallow, and
the V-shaped linguaflexid is shallow but extends to the labial wall of the
metastylid, almost separating it from the metaconid. The labial margin of
the entoflexid has two large enamel plications just labial to the metastylid.
An m3 (NMMNH 27675) is in early wear, the V-shaped linguaflexid
contacts the labial wall of the metastylid, the ectoflexid penetrates to the
base of the isthmus, and the heel is moderately complicated with two
large enamel plications.
Most of the comparisons with other species of Equus are based
on the lower jaw from the Pearson Mesa LF with all six lower cheek-
tooth positions represented (NMMNH 55030). We can eliminate two of
the four species identified from the Pearson Mesa LF. E. cumminsii is
much smaller than the medium to large-sized species of Equus repre-
sented by NMMNH 55030 and E. simplicidens can be ruled out because
the ectoflexids on the lower molars of NMMNH 55030 do not penetrate
the isthmus. Of the other two species, lower teeth of E. scotti are well
known and well illustrated (e.g., Gidley, 1900; Hibbard, 1953; Hibbard
and Dalquest, 1966), whereas the only definitely associated lower dentiton
of E. calobatus is from the early Irvingtonian Arkalon gravel pit in Kan-
sas (Skinner and Hibbard, 1972, fig. 58B). The Pearson Mesa teeth are
very similar to the lower dentition of E. calobatus from Arkalon, includ-
ing the sharply V-shaped linguaflexids that nearly contact the labial walls
of the metastylids, well developed pli caballinds on the premolars, strong
parastylids on p3-m3, and complicated enamel plications on the labial
walls of the entoflexids in the premolars. However, most of these same
characters are also present in another lower dentition from Arkalon that
Hibbard (1953) referred to E. scotti, a species also found at this site based
on the presence of short, robust metapodials. This lower jaw was not
associated with a postcranial skeleton, so its identification as E. scotti is
questionable. Hibbard and Dalquest (1966) figured four lower dentitions
of Equus from the early Irvingtonian Gilliland LF in Texas, most of
which were identified as E. scotti. One of the dentitions, identified as
Equus sp., is very similar to NMMNH 55030 from the Pearson Mesa
LF, in particular in the presence of complicated enamel plications on the
labial borders of the entoflexids in the premolars. However, Hibbard and
Dalquest (1966) specifically stated that no limb bones of the stilt-legged
horse E. calobatus had been recovered from Gilliland. Although we strongly
suspect that NMMNH 55030 belongs to E. calobatus, we do not have a
large enough sample to allow us to clearly separate that species from E.
scotti, and thus we leave the species unidentified pending the discovery
of additional material.
Remarks. Although we have identified four different species of
Equus from the Pearson Mesa LF (E. cf. E. calobatus, E. cf. E. cumminsii,
E. scotti, and E. simplicidens), more than half of the Equus specimens
remain unidentified at the species level. Many of these specimens, in-
cluding a large sample of heavily worn upper cheek teeth from the Pearson
Mesa Horse Quarry and most of the postcranials, may not be identifi-
able beyond Equus sp. However, the two most complete specimens of
Equus from the Pearson Mesa LF, a palate with a complete dentition
(NMMNH 55093) and a series of associated lower cheek teeth with all
tooth positions represented (NMMNH 55030), remain unidentified at
the species level. Both of these sets of dentitions are in early to medium
wear and the teeth are very well preserved, so they should be identifiable
at some point. We are able to exclude several species from further consid-
eration. Both the upper and lower dentitions are from rather large horses
and thus, do not belong to the small species E. cumminsii. The ectoflexids
on the lower molars of NMMNH 55030 do not penetrate the isthmus,
excluding E. simplicidens in which the ectoflexids penetrate the isthmus
in lower molars, even in lightly worn specimens (e.g., NMMNH 33217).
We suspect that both NMMNH 55030 and 55093 belong to the stilt-
legged horse E. calobatus. Most of the identifiable postcranial elements
from the Pearson Mesa LF, consisting of three complete metapodials,
belong to that species and the lower dentition (NMMNH 55030) is very
similar to a lower dentition of E. calobatus from Arkalon, Kansas. How-
ever, these specimens do share some similarities with E. scotti, so we
defer a definite species assignment until such time that more diagnostic
material is collected.
Artiodactyla
Tayassuidae
Platygonus bicalcaratus Cope, 1893
Fig. 12
Referred specimens. Pearson Mesa LF. L-3659 (Pearson Mesa
Horse Quarry): NMMNH 27685, canine fragment; NMMNH 30088,
partial lower premolar; NMMNH 30089, worn lower deciduous premo-
lar; NMMNH 55076, partial upper premolar. L-4150: NMMNH 30152,
left dentary fragment with the roots of p4 and m1; L-4156: NMMNH
30163, left upper canine (C1); L-4164: NMMNH 30310, right maxillary
fragment with partial P2 and fragments of canine; L-4583: NMMNH
33174, left lower canine (c1). L-4598: NMMNH 33214, proximal pha-
lanx. L-4603: NMNH 33226, left proximal radius-ulna. L-6640: NMMNH
55013, partial atlas vertebra; L-6641: NMMNH 55014, edentulous pre-
maxilla with alveoli for right and left I1-I2; L-6642: NMMNH 55015,
associated I2, C1 and skull fragments; L-6643: NMMNH 55020, frag-
ment of left dentary with roots of p2-p3; L-6655: NMMNH 55037,
distal metapodial. L-6661: NMMNH 55048, anterior portion of skull
with premaxilla and partial maxilla with right I1, I2, C1 and left I1, C1; L-
6665: NMMNH 55060, distal metapodial; NMMNH 55061, medial
phalanx. L-6668: NMMNH 55063, left upper canine (C1); L-6888:
NMMNH 55087, left p3-p4, with fragments of dentary. L-6894:
NMMNH 55094, fragments of palate, including heavily worn and bro-
ken right M2-M3 and broken left P2-M1. L:7461: NMMNH 56791,
right distal humerus.
Description. There are 22 catalogued specimens of the large pec-
cary Platygonus bicalcaratus from the Pearson Mesa LF, including the
anterior portion of a skull with incisors and canines, several fragmentary
lower jaws, isolated canines, and postcranial elements. This sample rep-
resents a minimum of five individuals based on the different sizes of the
upper canines. The most notable feature of the sample is the large size of
the teeth and postcranial elements compared to the smaller late Pleis-
tocene (Rancholabrean) species Platygonus compressus. In the follow-
ing description, comparisons are made with partial skulls of P. bicalcaratus
from the Blancan Truth or Consequences and La Union faunas in south-
ern New Mexico and a partial skull, lower jaws, and partial skeleton of P.
compressus from the Rancholabrean Navajo Lake site in northwestern
New Mexico (Lucas and Smartt, 1995).
The most complete peccary fossil from the Pearson Mesa LF
(NMMNH 55048; Figs. 12E-F) is a rostrum with the premaxilla con-
taining the right I1 and I2 and the left I1 and the anterior portion of the
maxilla with the right and left upper canines (C1). The ventral portion of
the snout with the palate is complete, whereas the dorsal surface is
damaged. The I1 is large, elliptical in cross-section, and inclined about
45° relative to the midline. A tiny round I2 is present on the right side but
absent on the left. There is no alveolus for the left I2; whether this tooth
was totally absent or fell out and the alveolus resorbed is unknown. The
upper canines are very robust and elliptical in cross-section with a promi-
nent flattened wear facet on the anterior surface that extends from the tip
nearly to the base of the tooth. There is a rather long diastema between
the canine and the P2. The anterior alveolus of P2 is present on both
sides in this specimen, but the palate is broken off posterior to this
alveolus. Measurements of NMMNH 55048 are presented in Table 8.
Several other less complete specimens of the skull or upper den-
tition of Platygonus from the Pearson Mesa LF are worthy of note.
NMMNH 30310 consists of a fragment of a right maxilla with the pos-
terior edge of the canine alveolus, the complete diastema between the C1
and P2, and a P2 that is two-thirds complete. The P2 is round in cross-
section, has two principal cusps, strong labial and posterior cingula, and
one anterior and two posterior roots. An edentulous fragment of a pre-
maxilla (NMMNH 55014; Fig. 12K) is interesting because the alveoli of
 173

FIGURE 12. Skull fragments and teeth of Platygonus bicalcaratus from the Pearson Mesa LF. A-D, Associated left p3 and p4, NMMNH 55087, A, lateral
view and B, occlusal view of p4, C, lateral view and D, occlusal view of p3. E, Ventral view and F, lateral view of anterior portion of skull with right I1, I2,
C1 and left I1, C1, NMMNH 55048. G, Lateral view and H, medial view of right upper canine (C1), NMMNH 30163. I, Medial view and J, lateral view
of left lower canine (c1), NMMNH 33174. K, Edentulous premaxilla, NMMNH 55014. Scale bars are 1 cm unless noted otherwise.
I1 and I2 indicate these teeth were both larger than the incisors in the canines (NMMNH 30163; Figs. 12G-H) is very similar is size to
more complete rostrum, NMMNH 55048 (Table 8). Thus, while NMMNH 55048. The smallest canine (NMMNH 55063), although
NMMNH 55048 is from a large individual of P. calacaratus, even larger somewhat waterworn, appears to be from a much smaller individual,
peccaries were present in the fauna. NMMNH 55094 consists of a probably a female because peccaries show marked sexual dimorphism in
broken palate with badly damaged and heavily worn teeth, including the canine size (Wright, 1998).
right M2-M3 and the left P2-M1. Only the right M2 is complete enough Specimens of the lower jaw and dentition of the Pearson Mesa
to measure, with an anteroposterior length of 18.7 and a transverse peccary are much less complete. The only complete lower cheek teeth
breadth of 19.3. There are two isolated upper canines in the Pearson are an associated left p3 and p4 (NMMNH 55087; Figs. 12A-D). The
Mesa sample that could be measured (Table 8) and two other partial p3 and p4 are similar in morphology, with the p4 slightly larger (mea-
upper canines. These canines are similar to the right and left C1 of surements: length of p3, 13.7; width of p3, 10.8; length of p4, 14.9;
NMMNH 55048 described above; they are large, elliptical in cross- width of p4, 12.6). There are two subequal rounded cusps anteriorly, the
section with the long axis oriented anteroposteriorly, more broadly protoconid and metaconid; posteriorly the talonid is much lower and
rounded anteriorly and somewhat constricted posteriorly, and with a flatter, with one or two small rounded cuspules. There are well-devel-
prominent flat wear facet on the anterior surface. The largest of these oped anterior and posterior cingulids. Both teeth have bilobed, coalesced
 174
roots just ventral to the crown that become divided into four separate
TABLE 8. Measurements of the skull and upper dentition of Platygonus from New Mexico, including P. bicalcaratus from the Blancan Pearson Mesa, Santa Teresa, and Truth or Consequences LFs and

roots. An isolated lower canine (NMMNH 33174; Figs. 12I-J) is ellipti-

cal in cross-section but is not as laterally compressed as the upper canine
and is more curved. The prominent wear facet is located on the posterior
surface of the lower canine, as is typical of tayassuids. Measurements of
NMMNH 33174 and the lower canine of P. compressus from Navajo
Lake (NMMNH 25037), respectively are: length of c1, 21.5, 11.5; width
of c1, 16.6, 10.1. Postcranial elements of Platygonus from the Pearson
Mesa LF are similar in morphology to those of P. compressus but are
uniformly larger. Measurements of a distal humerus from Pearson Mesa
(NMMNH 56791) and a distal humerus of P. compressus from Navajo
Lake (NMMNH 25037), respectively, are: maximum distal width, 50.7,
43.1; width of distal articular surface, 40.4, 34.1; maximum distal depth,
49.4, 40.3.
Measurements of Platygonus bicalcaratus from the Pearson Mesa
LF, two partial skulls of P. bicalcaratus from other Blancan sites in New
Mexico, and the skull of P. compressus from Navajo Lake are presented
in Table 8. These measurements demonstrate that the Blancan Platygonus
from New Mexico are fairly uniform in size and are much larger than P.
compressus from the Rancholabrean. Gidley (1903) reported two com-
plete upper dentitions of Platygonus from Blanco, Texas, the type local-
ity of P. bicalcaratus. P2 and M2 are the only upper cheek teeth present
in the Pearson Mesa samples; these two teeth are very similar in size to
the comparable teeth in Gidley’s (1903) sample from Blanco. Likewise,
comparisons of the p3 and p4 from the Pearson Mesa LF with lower
premolars from Blanco (Meade, 1945) show they are similar in size:
length of p3 from Pearson Mesa (13.7) and Blanco (13.7-13.8); and
length of p4 from Pearson Mesa (14.9) and from Blanco (13.6-15.0).
Remarks. The peccary fossils from the Pearson Mesa LF are
considerably larger than comparable elements of the Rancholabrean spe-
cies Platygonus compressus and are most similar in size and morphologi-
cal characters to the large species P. bicalcaratus, originally described by
Cope (1893) from Blanco, Texas. Gidley (1903) reported two partial
skulls of Platygonus from Blanco, one he referred to P. bicalcaratus and
the other he described as a new species, P. texanus. Most recent authors
consider texanus to be a synonym of P. bicalcaratus (Dalquest, 1975;
Kurtén and Anderson, 1980). Meade (1945) and Dalquest (1975) de-
scribed and illustrated much additional material of P. bicalcaratus from
Blanco. Thus, even though the holotype partial tooth of P. bicalcaratus
from Blanco is inadequate, a large sample is now available from that site
and most workers recognize P. bicalcaratus as a valid species (e.g. Kurtén
and Anderson, 1980). However, in his review of Tertiary peccaries,
Wright (1998) identified the Blanco peccary as Platygonus sp. and did
not list P. bicalcaratus as a valid species. The only Blancan species he
recognized was P. pearcei from the early Blancan Hagerman Fauna in
Idaho; however, this species is smaller than P. bicalcaratus. Pending a
more thorough analysis of Blancan peccaries, we regard P. bicalcaratus
P. compressus from the Rancholabrean Navajo Lake LF.

as a valid species of large Blancan peccary from the southwestern United

States. The Pearson Mesa peccary fossils are larger than early Irvingtonian
tayassuid specimens referred to P. vetus (Wright, 1995).
Platygonus bicalcaratus is known from several other Blancan sites
in New Mexico, in addition to the Pearson Mesa LF. The two most
complete specimens are an edentulous rostrum of a large peccary from
the early Blancan Truth or Consequences LF in Sierra County (NMMNH
56807) and a nearly complete skull with most of the upper dentition
from the latest Blancan La Union Faua in Doña Ana County in the
southernmost part of New Mexico near the Mexican border (NMMNH
56806). The La Union peccary skull will be described in more detail in a
paper on late Blancan faunas from the Mesilla basin in Doña Ana County
(Morgan et al., in prep.). Other records of large Blancan peccaries from
New Mexico are tentative identifications of P. bicalcaratus based on
very limited material, including the late early Blancan Tonuco Mountain
LF in Doña Ana County (Morgan et al., 1998) and the late Blancan Santo
Domingo LF from Sandoval County in northern New Mexico (Morgan
and Lucas, 2003). P. bicalcaratus is rather widespread in other south-

western Blancan faunas, including Blanco, Cita Canyon, and Red Light in
Texas (Kurtén and Anderson, 1980). Morgan and White (2005) listed
Platygonus sp. from a number of Blancan sites in Arizona, including Bear
Springs, Benson, Duncan, 111 Ranch, and San Simon. It is unclear when
P. bicalcaratus disappeared, presumably very late in the Blancan. Early
Irvingtonian samples are usually referred to the somewhat smaller spe-
cies P. vetus (but still much larger than P. compressus), including Leisey
Shell Pit in Florida (Wright, 1995) and Gilliland in Texas (Hibbard and
Dalquest, 1962).
Platygonus bicalcaratus is one of the most common mammals in
the Pearson Mesa LF, known from more than 20 specimens representing
at least five individuals. Pearson Mesa has by far the largest sample of
tayassuids from any New Mexico Blancan site. Peccaries are generally
rare to absent in other New Mexico Blancan faunas, with four previous
records, most of which are based on just a few specimens (see above).
This fauna also has the largest sample of Nannippus known from the
state, suggesting that this small horse and peccaries may have preferred
similar paleoenvironmental conditions. Although P. bicalcaratus may
have survived into the latest Blancan, there are no peccary fossils in the
Virden LF.
Camelidae
Hemiauchenia cf. H. blancoensis (Meade, 1945)
Referred specimens. Pearson Mesa LF. L-4609: NMMNH
33242, associated left dentary with roots of p4-m3 and right dentary
with partial p4 and roots of m1.
Virden LF. L-4157: Five possibly associated specimens, including
NMMNH 30167, right distal humerus; NMMNH 30168, distal metac-
arpal?; NMMNH 30169, left scaphoid; NMMNH 30170, left unciform;
NMMNH 30171, left cuneiform.
Description. The only specimen from the Pearson Mesa LF that
is clearly identifiable as Hemiauchenia cf. H. blancoensis is a poorly
preserved pair of lower jaws with the roots of the left p4-m3 and a
partial right p4 and roots of m1 from low in the section. These mandibles
are similar in size to the typical large Blancan llama H. blancoensis
(Meade, 1945), and are notably smaller than mandibles of the much
larger Blancan camelids Gigantocamelus and Camelops traviswhitei. The
Pearson Mesa jaws lack a p3, which is variable in H. blancoensis, present
in some jaws and absent in others (Breyer, 1977). Measurements (in
mm) of the mandible from the Pearson Mesa LF tentatively referred to
H. blancoensis (NMMNH 33242) are (measurements are the length of
the alveoli taken on the labial surface, except for the depth of the dentary
below m2): length of p4 alveolus, 21.4; length of m1 alveolus, 28.7;
length of m2 alveolus, 33.5; depth of dentary below m2, 72.9. Five
possibly associated postcranial elements from strata high in the section
referred to the Virden LF, including a distal humerus, distal metapodial,
scaphoid, cuneiform, and unciform, are also here tentatively referred to
Hemiauchenia blancoensis.
Remarks. A pair of lower jaws from the Pearson Mesa LF and
five front limb elements from the Virden LF are tentatively referred to the
large lamine camelid Hemiauchenia blancoensis. This species has been
reported from several other New Mexico Blancan sites, including five
early Blancan faunas, Buckhorn, Cuchillo Negro Creek, Hatch, Pajarito,
and Tonuco Mountain (Morgan et al., 1997, 1998, this volume; Morgan
and Lucas, 2000b, 2003) and four late Blancan faunas, Pearson Mesa,
Virden, Anapra (=Mesilla Basin Fauna A), and La Union (=Mesilla Basin
Fauna B) (Vanderhill, 1986). Most of these specimens consist of postc-
ranial elements identified primarily based on their size — larger and more
robust than the dwarf Hemiauchenia gracilis and the small to intermedi-
ate-sized Hemiauchenia described below and smaller and more gracile
than Camelops and Gigantocamelus. H. blancoensis is widely distrib-
uted in late Blancan sites elsewhere in the southwestern United States,
including Blanco and Cita Canyon in Texas and 111 Ranch and San Simon
in Arizona (Kurtén and Anderson, 1980; Morgan and White, 2005; White
and Morgan, 2005).
175
Hemiauchenia gracilis Meachen, 2005
Figs. 13A-C
Referred specimen. Virden LF. L-4160: NMMNH 30303, asso-
ciated pair of mandibles with right and left m1-m3.
Description. An associated pair of camelid mandibles with m1-
m3 (NMMNH 30303; Figs. 13A-C) represent a very small species of
Hemiauchenia. The mandibles were found in close proximity and clearly
represent the same individual. The teeth are from an adult animal with
the molars in medium wear (measurements in Table 9). The left dentary
is more complete, retaining the complete m1 and roots of p4. It is broken
anterior to p4 and posterior to m3. Although the occlusal surfaces of m2
and m3 are damaged, we were able to obtain length and width measure-
ments of these two teeth. The right dentary is broken anterior to m1 and
posterior to m3. The anterior half of the right m1 is missing. The occlusal
surfaces of the m2 and m3 are also damaged, but the teeth are measurable.
The specimen from the Virden LF has well-developed llama buttresses
on the anterior borders of m2 and m3. Both dentaries are very slender
beneath the molars. The left dentary has a well-developed mental fora-
men on the labial surface located ventral to the anterior root of m1.
The Hemiauchenia jaws from the Virden LF compare very closely
in size and dental morphology with the holotype mandible of the re-
cently described species H. gracilis from the latest Blancan De Soto
Shell Pit LF of Florida (Meachen, 2005) and a dentary with m2-m3 of
this species (NMMNH 39377) from the latest Blancan La Union Fauna
(=Mesilla Basin Fauna B) in Doña Ana County, New Mexico. Measure-
ments in Table 9 indicate that the Virden specimen is actually slightly
smaller than the type jaw of H. gracilis, which is characterized by its
small size compared to other species of Hemiauchenia from Blancan and
younger sites. The molars in the Florida specimen are in a more advanced
wear stage than the teeth in the jaws from Virden. Camel teeth are gener-
ally larger in earlier wear stages and become smaller near the base of the
crown. Therefore, the m1 of the Florida specimen, although slightly
smaller as measured, probably would have exceeded the size of Virden
m1s at a comparable wear stage. An isolated m3 from the De Soto Shell
Pit is very lightly worn and thus is in an earlier wear stage than m3s in
either the type jaw or jaws from Virden. Measurements of this tooth are
similar to the type and somewhat larger than the Virden m3s. Other than
their smaller size, the molars of the Hemiauchenia from the Virden LF are
very similar to the comparable teeth in the type mandible of H. gracilis.
A second H. gracilis dentary from New Mexico, from the late Blancan La
Union Fauna, is actually slightly smaller than the Virden specimen in
most measurements, but is otherwise very similar. Both New Mexico
specimens and the type from Florida have well-developed llama but-
tresses on the m2-m3. The dentaries of Hemiauchenia from both Virden
and La Union are very slender beneath the molars; even more so than the
Florida jaw (Table 9). The type mandible has a prominent mental fora-
men on the labial surface ventral to the anterior root of m2. The left
dentary of the Virden specimen has a similar mental foramen on the labial
surface but it is located farther anteriorly, ventral to the anterior root of
m1.
Remarks. The pair of small camelid jaws from the Virden LF is
remarkably small compared to most other species of Hemiauchenia,
including the Blancan H. blancoensis, the Irvingtonian and Rancholabrean
H. macrocephala, and a small and possibly undescribed species from
several Blancan sites in New Mexico. The Hemiauchenia jaws from
Virden compare very closely in size and morphology with the dwarf H.
gracilis from the late Blancan of Florida (Meachen, 2005), and are confi-
dently referred to that species. Meachen (2005) identified H. gracilis
from six sites in Florida, De Soto Shell Pit 5 (type locality), De Soto Shell
Pit 1, Inglis 1A, Inglis 1F, Waccasassa River, and Santa Fe River 1. With
the exception of the early late Blancan Santa Fe River 1 site, the other
five sites are latest Blancan in age (~1.8-2.2 Ma). Meachen also tenta-
tively identified H. gracilis on the basis of a single proximal phalanx from
the Blancan of southeastern Arizona, although she mistakenly stated this
176
specimen was from the late Blancan 111 Ranch Fauna; it is actually from
the somewhat younger latest Blancan (~2.2 Ma) San Simon Fauna (Mor-
gan and White, 2005). The lower jaws of H. gracilis from Virden and La
Union are both latest Blancan in age (Morgan and Lucas, 2003). The
records of H. gracilis from Florida, New Mexico, and Arizona suggest
this species is diagnostic of latest Blancan faunas (~1.8-2.2 Ma). Most
other Blancan records of Hemiauchenia are of the larger species H.
blancoensis, whereas early Irvingtonian and younger faunas have the
intermediate-sized H. macrocephala.
Hemiauchenia sp.
Figs. 13D-I, 14A-B, D, F-O
Referred specimens. Pearson Mesa LF: L-3659 (Pearson Mesa
Horse Quarry): NMMNH 27684, partial metapodial. L-4138: NMMNH
30115, left astragalus. L-4589: NMMNH 33182, right distal femur. L-
4596: NMMNH 33199, partial metapodial. L-6638: NMMNH 55010,
fragment of juvenile left dentary with deciduous premolar (dp3?). L-
6643: NMMNH 55022, symphyseal region of right dentary with i2-i3.
L-6646: NMMNH 55025, left cuboid. L 6657: NMMNH 55044, proxi-
mal phalanx. L-6662: NMMNH 55049, left distal tibia. L-6894:
NMMNH 55092, partial skeleton, including a palate with right and left
P3-M3, partial right and left hind limbs, innominates, and 5 lumbar
vertebrae.
Description. All specimens referred to Hemiauchenia sp. are
from low in the section and are part of the Pearson Mesa LF. A partial
skeleton of Hemiauchenia (NMMNH 55092) is the most complete
camelid fossil from Pearson Mesa. This skeleton includes a complete
palate with right and left P3-M3, several vertebrae, innominate, and
parts of both hind limbs, including a complete right tibia, complete set of
tarsals from the right side (astragalus, calcaneum, distal fibula, cuboid,
navicular, entocuneiform, and ectomesocuneiform), and nearly complete
right metatarsal lacking only a single distal articular end, and a left tibia
and calcaneum. The partial skeleton from the Pearson Mesa LF is clearly
an adult based on the well worn upper dentition and completely fused
epiphyses on all limb elements. Table 10 provides measurements of the
upper dentition of NMMNH 55092 (Figs. 13H-I) compared to upper
teeth of H. blancoensis from the late Blancan Blanco LF from Texas
(Meade, 1945), H. macrocephala from the early Irvingtonian Leisey
Shell Pit LF in Florida (referred to H. seymourensis by Webb and Stehli,
1995, see comments below), and Hemiauchenia sp. from the early Blancan
Cuchillo Negro Ceek LF in New Mexico (Lucas and Oakes, 1986) and
the late Blancan Haile 15A and Inglis 1A faunas in Florida (Webb, 1974).
The measurements of the teeth from the Pearson Mesa LF are intermedi-
ate in size between the larger H. blancoensis and the smaller H.
macrocephala, although they are closer in size to the Leisey H.
macrocephala. The teeth from the Pearson Mesa LF are also similar in
size to unidentified species of Hemiauchenia from Cuchillo Negro Creek,
Haile 15A, and Inglis 1A, although two M3s from Inglis are distinctly
smaller than the Pearson Mesa M3 (Table 10). An M1 and M2 in a
maxillary fragment from the Cuchillo Negro Creek LF in central New
Mexico are slightly smaller than the comparable teeth from Pearson
Mesa in most measurements (Table 10), although the teeth from Cuchillo
Negro Creek are heavily worn and their occlusal surfaces are somewhat
damaged, both of which affect the dental dimensions. The Pearson Mesa
teeth are at the upper end of the range of variation or are slightly larger
than the Leisey H. macrocephala in most measurements. Exceptions are
the P3, which is nearly twice as broad in the Leisey H. macrocephala,
and the M2, M3, and occlusal length of M1-M3, all of which are larger in
the Pearson Mesa specimen. The palate from the Pearson Mesa LF
compares closely in dental morphology to that of a maxillary fragment
with complete dentition (P3-M3) of H. macrocephala from Leisey (Webb
and Stehli, 1995, fig. 3), with the exception of the broader P3 in the
Leisey specimen. The Pearson Mesa teeth are more heavily worn, which
probably has some effect on the shape of P3. A mandibular symphysis
with i2-i3 (NMMNH 55022; Figs. 13F-G) of a small Hemiauchenia
from another locality referred to the Pearson Mesa LF is worthy of note.
This specimen has broad, spatulate incisors (width of i2, 13.9; width of
i3, 10.3) that are very similar in morphology to the i2- i3 of H.
macrocephala from Leisey (Webb and Stehli, 1995, fig, 5). The Pearson
Mesa Hemiauchenia palate is not clearly referable to either H. blancoensis
or H. macrocephala; it seems to be intermediate between these two
species. The presence of Hemiauchenia of similar size in two late Blancan
faunas in Florida suggests there may be an undescribed species, smaller
than H. blancoensis and larger than H. gracilis, the two other species in
this genus currently known from late Blancan faunas.
The limb elements of NMMNH 55092 from the Pearson Mesa
LF (Figs. 14F-O) are smaller than those of H. blancoensis (Table 11). We
have not been able to locate postcranial measurements of early Irvingtonian
H. macrocephala, even though there is a large sample of this species
from the Leisey Shell Pit in Florida. The complete tibia and metatarsal
from Pearson Mesa are 10-15% shorter than comparable specimens of
H. blancoensis from two other Blancan faunas, Blanco and Keefe Can-
yon, Kansas (Table 11, measurements from Hibbard and Riggs, 1949).
We also provide measurements of a nearly complete metacarpal from the
late Blancan Isleta site in northern New Mexico that we consider to be
the same taxon as the Pearson Mesa Hemiauchenia. The Isleta metacar-
pal is somewhat longer than the Pearson Mesa metatarsal, as is typical of
lamine camelids, but is significantly shorter (~20%) than two metacar-
pals from Blanco. However, the Isleta metacarpal is longer than a metac-
arpal from Keefe Canyon supposedly referable to H. blancoensis. Table
11 also includes measurements of a complete proximal phalanx
(NMMNH 55044; Figs. 14A-B) from a different locality in the Pearson
Mesa LF that we consider to be the same taxon as NMMNH 55092, as
well as measurements of proximal phalanges of Hemiauchenia from the
early Blancan Buckhorn LF in New Mexico, H. blancoensis from Blanco,
and H. gracilis from the late Blancan San Simon LF in Arizona. Com-
pared to the proximal phalanx from Pearson Mesa, two proximal phalan-
ges from Blanco are 20-25% longer, whereas the proximal phalanx of H.
gracilis from San Simon is much smaller. Buckhorn appears to have two
sizes of Hemiauchenia, two phalanges similar in size to the Pearson
Mesa toe and one much larger toe in the size range of H. blancoensis. Ten
proximal phalanges referred to H. blancoensis from Keefe Canyon are
from 84 to 108 mm in length (Hibbard and Riggs, 1949), ranging from
10% smaller than the Pearson Mesa toe to 14% larger but still smaller
than proximal phalanges of H. blancoensis from Blanco. There are also
two astragali of Hemiauchenia from Pearson Mesa, a complete astraga-
lus associated with the partial skeleton (NMMNH 55092) and a partial
astragalus (NMMNH 30115) from another site nearby. The partial as-
tragalus is somewhat larger than the astragalus associated with NMMNH
55092 (proximal breadth, 45.4 mm, 38.9 mm, respectively). Overall, the
postcranial elements of Hemiauchenia from Pearson Mesa are uniformly
smaller than those of H. blancoensis from Blanco. A sample of H.
blancoensis from Keefe Canyon (Hibbard and Riggs, 1949) contains
some elements that are larger than the Pearson Mesa fossils and some
that are smaller, suggesting the Kansas sample is either highly variable or
contains a mixture of two species.
Remarks. A palate and associated partial postcranial skeleton of
Hemiauchenia from the Pearson Mesa LF (NMMNH 55092) belong to
a medium-sized and possibly undescribed species of this genus known
from several Blancan sites in New Mexico. Cranial and/or postcranial
elements of small to medium-sized species of Hemiauchenia that are
distinctly smaller than the typical large Blancan species H. blancoensis
are known from at least eight New Mexico Blancan sites. A pair of lower
jaws from the Virden LF described above are particularly small and are
referred to the dwarf species H. gracilis, recently described from the
latest Blancan of Florida (Meachen, 2005). The partial skeleton from the
Pearson Mesa LF is from a larger species than H. gracilis, but smaller
than H. blancoensis, originally described from the late Blancan Blanco
LF in the Panhandle of Texas and known from many other Blancan sites
 177

FIGURE 13. Maxilla and mandibles of Hemiauchenia from the Pearson Mesa and Virden local faunas. A-C, associated right and left dentaries of
Hemiauchenia gracilis from Virden LF, NMMNH 30303, A, lateral view and B, occlusal view of right dentary with m1-m3, C, lateral view of left dentary
with m1-m3. D, lateral view and E, occlusal view of juvenile left dentary fragment with deciduous premolar (dp3?) of Hemiauchenia sp. from Pearson Mesa
LF, NMMNH 55010. F, Lateral view and G, occlusal view of anterior fragment of right dentary with i2-i3 of Hemiauchenia sp. from Pearson Mesa LF,
NMMNH 55022. H, Occlusal view of palate with right and left P3-M3 and I, occlusal view of left P3-M3 of Hemiauchenia sp. from Pearson Mesa LF,
NMMNH 55092. All scale bars are 1 cm.

throughout North America, including New Mexico (Meade, 1945; Hibbard
and Riggs, 1949; Dalquest, 1975; Breyer, 1977; Kurtén and Anderson,
1980; Morgan and Lucas, 2003). The Pearson Mesa skeleton is the most
complete Blancan fossil of Hemiauchenia known from New Mexico. A
maxillary fragment with P3-M2 and several postcranial elements of a
medium-sized Hemiauchenia are known from the early Blancan Cuchillo
Negro Creek LF from the Palomas Formation in Sierra County, central
New Mexico (Lucas and Oakes, 1986). Most other New Mexico Blancan
records of Hemiauchenia in the small to medium size range (i.e., smaller
than H. blancoensis) consist of isolated postcranial elements, including
specimens from Arroyo de la Parida, Buckhorn, Tonuco Mountain, and
Isleta (Morgan et al., 1997, 1998, this volume; Morgan and Lucas, 2003).
178

FIGURE 14. Postcranial elements of Hemiauchenia. A, Anterior view and B, posterior view of proximal phalanx of Hemiauchenia sp. from Pearson Mesa
LF, NMMNH 55044. C-E, Anterior views of proximal phalanges of Hemiauchenia, C. Hemiauchenia gracilis (cast) from San Simon, Arizona, Mesa
Southwest Museum P4048, D, Hemiauchenia sp. from Pearson Mesa, NMMNH 55044, E, Hemiauchenia blancoensis (cast) from Blanco, Texas, AMNH
20085. F-O, Associated postcranial elements of Hemiauchenia sp. from Pearson Mesa LF, NMMNH 55092, F, medial view, G, lateral view, and H, dorsal
view of right calcaneum, I, posterior view, J, anterior view, and K, lateral view of right tibia with articulated astragalus and distal fibula on distal end, L,
anterior view and M, posterior view of left tibia, N, anterior view and O, posterior view of right metatarsal. Scale bars are 1 cm unless noted otherwise.

The first three of these sites are early Blancan in age, Isleta is late Blancan.
Two early Blancan sites in southeastern Arizona, Bear Springs
and Comosi Wash, contain a small lamine camelid recently referred to
Pleiolama vera (Morgan and White, 2005). This species previously was
placed in Hemiauchenia, but Webb and Meachen (2004) transferred vera
to Pleiolama. However, recent analysis suggests that Hemiauchenia
(=Pleiolama) vera, originally described from the late Hemphillian, is a
larger species than the early Blancan lamine from Arizona (R. White,
pers. comm.). We do not have diagnostic material of the small early
Blancan Hemiauchenia from New Mexico, and thus are uncertain if it is
the same species found in the early Blancan of southern Arizona. How-
ever, the two late Blancan records of intermediate-sized Hemiauchenia
from Pearson Mesa and Isleta are almost certainly not the same species
as the early Blancan lamines from Bear Springs and Comosi Wash. The
Arizona early Blancan specimens have noticeably elongated limbs, espe-
cially the metapodials, whereas a complete tibia and metatarsal of the
Pearson Mesa camel and a complete metacarpal from Isleta are compa-
rable in proportions to limbs of other species of Hemiauchenia.
The taxonomy of Hemiauchenia from Blancan and early
Irvingtonian faunas is complicated, even more so than the literature indi-
cates. With the exception of the dwarf H. gracilis from the late Blancan,
most other Blancan fossils of the genus have been referred to the large H.
blancoensis. However, the intermediate-sized species of Hemiauchenia
from the Pearson Mesa LF, Isleta, and possibly the late Blancan Haile
15A and Inglis 1A sites in Florida, does not appear to be referable to
either of these species and may be near the ancestry of H. macrocephala,
a small to medium-sized species typical of Irvingtonian and Rancholabrean
faunas. H. macrocephala was originally described from the early
Irvingtonian Rock Creek Fauna in northwestern Texas (Cope, 1893).
Hibbard and Dalquest (1962) described a second species from the early
Irvingtonian of northwestern Texas, H. seymourensis from the Gilliland
LF. They distinguished H. seymourensis from H. macrocephala based
on its larger size and from the similar-sized H. blancoensis by its higher-
crowned teeth. Breyer (1977) synonymized H. seymourensis with H.
blancoensis. Dalquest and Schultz (1992) re-examined the early
Irvingtonian samples of Hemiauchenia from Gilliland and Rock Creek
and concluded that only one species was represented, H. macrocephala.
However, they also noted the broad size range in these Hemiauchenia
samples, suggesting either a highly variable population or perhaps the
presence of two species as originally proposed by Hibbard and Dalquest
(1962). Although Webb and Stehli (1995) used the name H. seymourensis
for the early Irvingtonian Hemiauchenia from the Leisey Shell Pit, Hulbert
(2001) referred the Leisey sample to H. macrocephala. An intermediate-
sized species of Hemiauchenia, smaller than H. blancoensis and larger
than H. macrocephala, is present in several late Blancan faunas, includ-
ing Pearson Mesa, Isleta, Haile 15A, and Inglis 1A. Whether this form
should be included in a more broadly defined H. macrocephala or is
perhaps an undescribed species ancestral to that species remains to be
determined from more detailed study and comparisons of late Blancan
and early Irvingtonian samples.
Antilocapridae
Capromeryx sp.
Figs. 15A-G
Referred specimens. Pearson Mesa LF. L-4598: NMMNH
33215, partial innominate. L-6664: NMMNH 50386, associated calca-
neum, partial distal metapodial, and medial phalanx. L-6887: NMMNH
55086, partial atlas vertebra.
Description. Several postcranial elements from the Pearson Mesa
LF are identified as the small antilocaprid Capromeryx, primarily based
on their small size compared to other ruminant artiodactyls from Blancan
faunas. As with other antilocaprids, only the horn cores of Capromeryx
are diagnostic for a species-level identification. The most informative
179
specimen of Capromeryx from the Pearson Mesa LF is an associated
calcaneum, distal metapodial and shaft fragments (presumably a meta-
tarsal), and a medial phalanx (NMMNH 50386; Figs. 15C-G), all col-
lected within a meter of one another at the same stratigraphic level. The
only other ruminant in the fauna is an indeterminate cervid that is much
larger. The only common element between the two ruminants from
Pearson Mesa is the calcaneum, which differs in size and morphology
between Capromeryx and cervids (see measurements in Table 12 and
Figs. 15F-G and 15P-Q). In addition to its much smaller size, the calca-
neum of Capromeryx has a rounded, convex ventral margin, especially
ventral to the articular facet for the astragalus. The ventral margin of the
calcaneum in the cervid is much straighter, almost horizontal, with a
barely noticeable convexity ventral to the articular facet for the astraga-
lus. A nearly complete axis vertebra (NMMNH 55086, Fig. 15A) and a
partial innominate (NMMNH 33215; Fig. 15B) are tentatively referred
to Capromeryx on the basis of their small size for a ruminant. The
innominate is interesting because it has three tiny (1.5-2.5 mm in diam-
eter), rounded bite marks located just ventral to the acetabulum (Fig.
15B). The bite marks seem smaller than would be expected in the two
carnivores known from the Pearson Mesa LF, the coyote-sized canid
Canis lepophagus and a machairodontine cat. Perhaps the bite marks
were made by a juvenile canid or felid or a smaller carnivore such as a
mustelid that is not currently represented in the fauna.
Remarks. Small antilocaprids tentatively referred to Capromeryx
are known from several other New Mexico Blancan sites, including Ar-
royo de la Parida, Hatch, and Truth or Consequences (Tedford, 1981;
Morgan and Lucas, 2003; Morgan et al., this volume). As with the Pearson
Mesa LF, fossils of Capromeryx from these sites are uncommon, and no
diagnostic horn cores have been found. The Blancan species C. arizonensis
was described from 111 Ranch, Arizona (Skinner, 1942) and is also
known from San Simon and Curtis Ranch in Arizona (Morgan and White,
2005). Other Blancan Capromeryx records include Broadwater, Nebraska,
and Santa Fe River 1 and Inglis 1A in Florida (Skinner, 1942; Morgan and
Hulbert, 1995).
Cervidae
genus and species indeterminate
Figs. 15H-S
Referred Specimens. Pearson Mesa LF. L-7459: NMMNH
56787, left distal radius-ulna. L-7460: NMMNH 56788, associated (all
from the left side) distal humerus, distal tibia, distal fibula, astragalus,
calcaneum, cubonavicular, entocuneiform, partial metatarsal, and proxi-
mal phalanx.
Description. Postcranial elements representing a medium-sized
cervid are identified from two sites in the Pearson Mesa LF, both low in
the section. The lack of antlers or teeth preclude a specific or generic
identification of the Pearson Mesa cervid. The partial associated hind
limb (NMMNH 56788; Figs. 15J-S) is similar in morphology but slightly
smaller than comparable elements of a modern adult male individual of
the mule deer Odocoileus hemionus from New Mexico (NMMNH 1076,
mammalogy). The distal end of a radius-ulna (NMMNH 56787; Figs.
15H-I) from another locality in the Pearson Mesa LF is somewhat larger
than the modern comparative specimen of O. hemionus. We cannot de-
termine from the limited material available if the different sizes of cervid
postcranials from Pearson Mesa indicate a variable population of a single
species or if two species are represented. Two cervids have been re-
ported from Blancan sites in New Mexico, the extant genus Odocoileus
and the somewhat larger and more robust extinct genus Navahoceros.
The small cervid sample from the Pearson Mesa LF and previously
identified Blancan cervids from New Mexico have no elements in com-
mon.
Remarks. Cervids are rare in the Pearson Mesa LF, represented
by a single partial limb bone from one site and several associated postc-
TABLE 9. Measurements (in mm) of the lower molars and dentary of the camelid Hemiauchenia gracilis from the Virden and La Union local faunas, New Mexico and the type locality, De Soto Shell
Pit, Florida. The length and width of the individual teeth are maximum measurements. Missing measurements indicated by “-” and approximate measurements indicated by “+” (actual measurement is 180
probably somewhat larger). Measurements of the De Soto Shell Pit mandible and isolated m3 were taken from casts of the originals. UF refers to specimens from the Florida Museum of Natural History,
University of Florida.

1
m1 missing, measured below m2.

TABLE 10. Measurements (in mm) of the upper teeth of the camelid Hemiauchenia sp. from the Pearson Mesa LF, New Mexico, the early Blancan Cuchillo Negro Creek LF, New Mexico, and the late
Blancan Haile 15A and Inglis 1A LFs from Florida (measurements of Florida specimens from Webb, 1974); H. blancoensis from the late Blancan Blanco LF, Texas (measurements from Meade, 1945),
and H. macrocephala from the early Irvingtonian Leisey Shell Pit LF, Florida (measurements from Webb and Stehli, 1995). The lengths and widths of the individual teeth are maximum measurements.
Missing measurements indicated by “-”. UF refers to catalogue numbers in the Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida and TMM to catalogue numbers in the Texas Memorial Museum,
University of Texas.

1
Occlusal surfaces of M1 and M2 in NMMNH 57404 from Cuchillo Negro Creek are damaged. Actual measurements are probably somewhat larger.
 181
TABLE 11. Measurements (in mm) of postcranial elements of Hemiauchenia from Pearson Mesa and other Blancan sites in New Mexico, Arizona, Texas,
and Kansas. Measurements of the proximal phalanges from Mt. Blanco, Texas and San Simon, Arizona were taken from casts of the originals. Measurements
of H. blancoensis from Blanco, Texas and Keefe Canyon, Kansas are from Hibbard and Riggs (1949). Missing measurements indicated by “-” .“Estimated”
(est.) after a measurement indicates that the specimen is slightly damaged and thus the measurement in not exact. AMNH refers to catalgoue numbers from
the American Museum of Natural History, KU is the Univeristy of Kansas, MSM is the Mesa Southwest Museum (now renamed the Arizona Museum of
Natural History, and TMM is the Texas Memorial Museum, University of Texas.
182

FIGURE 15. Postcranial elements of Antilocapridae and Cervidae from the Pearson Mesa LF. A-G, Postcranial elements of the small antilocaprid
Capromeryx sp., A, partial atlas vertebra, NMMNH P-55086, B, lateral view of partial innominate, NMMNH 33215, arrows denote small conical bite
marks ventral to acetabulum, C, anterior view, D, posterior view, and E, side view of medial phalanx, NMMNH 50386. F, Medial view and G, lateral view
of left calcaneum, NMMNH 50386. H, Anterior view and I, posterior view of distal radio-ulna of an unidentified cervid, NMMNH 56787. J-S, Associated
hind limb elements of an unidentified cervid, NMMNH 56788, J, posterior view and K, anterior view of left distal tibia, L, anterior view of left metatarsal,
the three fragments shown are from the same element but contacts between them are lacking, M, anterior view of proximal phalanx, N, anterior view and
O, posterior view of left astragalus, P, medial view and Q, lateral view of left calcaneum, R, ventral view and S, dorsal view of left cubonavicular. All scale
bars are 1 cm.

TABLE 12. Measurements (in mm) of postcranial elements of the antilocaprid Capromeryx and an unidentified cervid from Pearson Mesa. Missing
measurements indicated by “-.”
ranial elements from a second nearby site. No deer have been identified
from the Virden LF. As noted above, these two specimens differ in size
and may represent two taxa; however, the fossil material currently avail-
able does not allow even generic determinations. Cervids are uncommon
in other New Mexico Blancan sites as well. Repenning and May (1986)
identified the extinct species Odocoileus brachyodontus from the early
Blancan Truth or Consequences LF based on a maxillary fragment. A
shed antler from Truth or Consequences also may represent O.
brachyodontus. Odocoileus sp. is known from the early Blancan Pajarito
Fauna based on an antler (Morgan and Lucas, 2003) and the late Blancan
La Union Fauna (=Mesilla Basin Fauna B) from a lower jaw and several
antler fragments (Vanderhill, 1986). Morgan et al. (this volume) tenta-
tively identfied a partial antler from the early Blancan Arroyo de la
Parida LF as the extinct cervid genus Navahoceros.
Frick (1937) described Cervus (=Navahoceros) lascrucensis from
a partial antler and metatarsal from the Mesilla basin of either late Blancan
or early Irvingtonian age (Vanderhill, 1986). Kurtén (1975) referred Cervus
lascrucensis to the Rancholabrean species Navahoceros fricki; however,
he incorrectly listed the type locality as “Cueva Las Cruces,” a non-
existent site, and also mistakenly considered the Mesilla basin
Navahoceros to be Rancholabrean, whereas the correct age is either late
Blancan or early Irvingtonian. Whether N. fricki and N. lascrucensis are
synonyms or distinct species remains to be determined; however, it is
clear that the genus Navahoceros was present in New Mexico during the
Blancan. A Blancan Navahoceros is also known from the Anza-Borrego
Desert in southern California (Kurtén and Anderson, 1980; Murray,
2006)).
183
Proboscidea
Gomphotheriidae
genus and species indeterminate
Referred specimens. Pearson Mesa LF. L-3662: NMMNH
27698, tooth fragment. L-4147: NMMNH 30146, fragmented limb bone.
L-4161: NMMNH 30304, seven rib fragments. L-6635: NMMNH
55007, tooth fragment. L-6659: NMMNH 55046, two rib fragments.
Virden LF. L- 4594: NMMNH 33191, centrum of juvenile verte-
bra. L-7465: NMMNH 56797, head of femur.
Description. Among the small sample of proboscidean elements
from Pearson Mesa, only two tooth fragments can be clearly identified
as gomphotheres based on the presence of trefoils in the valleys, which
would not be present in a mammutid. Both of these tooth fragments are
also characterized by having extremely thick enamel (enamel thickness:
NMMNH 27698, 8.2 mm; NMMNH 55007, 7.2 mm). The remainder of
the sample, including a femur head, a highly fragmented limb bone, a
vertebral centrum, and rib fragments, are so large they could only have
come from a proboscidean, but are otherwise unidentifiable. They are
listed here under Gomphotheriidae because the only identifiable probos-
cidean fossils from Pearson Mesa belong to that family. The only other
family of Blancan proboscideans known from New Mexico, the
Mammutidae, is exceedingly rare.
Remarks. Proboscidean fossils are surprisingly rare in the two
Pearson Mesa faunas, with two small gomphothere tooth fragments
from the Pearson Mesa LF representing the only marginally identifiable
elements. Several other fragmentary postcranial specimens from both
184
the Pearson Mesa and Virden LFs are the only other proboscidean re-
mains from Pearson Mesa. Morgan and Lucas (2000a) described a
gomphothere mandible collected by the Frick Laboratory “southeast of
Duncan, Arizona” (the only locality data associated with the specimen)
and identified this specimen as Stegomastodon rexroadensis. Frick (1933)
referred this same jaw to Anancus bensonensis. We have excluded this
mandible from our paper because it appears to represent the early Blancan
species Stegomastodon primitivus (=S. rexroadensis), and no early
Blancan faunas are known from Pearson Mesa. Tomida (1987)
misidentified this jaw as S. mirificus, a more advanced species of
Stegomastodon typical of late Blancan and early Irvingtonian faunas, and
placed S. mirificus in his Pearson Mesa Fauna. It is more likely that the
S. primitivus jaw was derived from the nearby Duncan Fauna, which is
early Blancan in age based on the biostratigraphy of the small mammals
(Tomida, 1987).
BIOSTRATIGRAPHY AND GEOCHRONOLOGY
Despite their general similarity in age, there is minimal faunal
overlap between the late Blancan Pearson Mesa LF and latest Blancan
Virden LF, particularly with regard to age-diagnostic mammals (Tables 1-
2). Either there was significant faunal turnover in the late Blancan of
southwestern New Mexico, or the paleoecology of the two stratigraphic
intervals is different, or perhaps the differences in the faunas reflect a
combination of the two factors. Among the more than 150 fossil sites on
Pearson Mesa discovered by NMMNH staff over the past 10 years,
fewer than 25 sites represent the Virden LF, whereas well over 100 sites
sample the Pearson Mesa LF. The outcrops in the lower 15 m of the
section that produce the Pearson Mesa LF are more widespread and
accessible. The middle of the section between about 15 m and 45 m above
the base appears to be unfossiliferous, including a 9-m-thick breccia at
the top of this barren interval (Fig. 2). Exposures in the uppermost 20 m
of the section, from which the Virden LF is derived, are more restricted in
occurrence and are often vertical and cliff-forming, making access diffi-
cult. Despite the limited outcrops, the most productive microvertebrate
fauna currrently known from Pearson Mesa comes from high in the
stratigraphic section in sediments included in the Virden LF. Since the
taxonomic and biostratigraphic focus of this paper is primarily on larger
mammals, we only briefly touch on the small mammals here. Moreover,
we are still actively screenwashing and studying small vertebrates from
at least four microvertebrate concentrations in both the Pearson Mesa
and Virden LFs. The small mammals from these two faunas will be
reviewed in a forthcoming contribution.
The Pearson Mesa LF comprises the vertebrate assemblage from
the lower 15 m of the Gila Group section on Pearson Mesa (Units 1-6 in
Fig. 2), including the Pearson Mesa Horse Quarry (NMMNH site L-
3659). This fauna contains at least 24 species, including 15 large mam-
mals (Table 1). Perhaps the most age-diagnostic species from the Pearson
Mesa LF is the small, three-toed horse Nannippus peninsulatus, which is
restricted to the Blancan. This species is the youngest hipparionine
horse in western North America, last recorded in the late Blancan at
about 2.2 Ma (the Nannippus extinction datum of Lindsay et al., 1984).
Nannippus is unknown from latest Blancan faunas (~1.8-2.2 Ma), in-
cluding the Virden LF. The youngest well-documented records of N.
peninsulatus are from the Blanco LF in the Texas Panhandle (Lindsay et
al., 1976) and the Macasphalt Shell Pit LF in Florida (Jones et al., 1991;
Morgan and Hulbert, 1995), both of which are late Blancan in age and
occur in reversely-magnetized sediments of the lower Matuyama Chron
(C2r.2r; 2.15-2.58 Ma). Most records of this small horse in the south-
western United States are older, either early Blancan (~3.0-4.9 Ma) or
early late Blancan (~2.6-3.0 Ma) in age. Two other horses from the
Pearson Mesa LF are also restricted to the Blancan, Equus cumminsii
and E. simplicidens, both of which were originally described from Blanco.
E. simplicidens is probably the most common Blancan horse in western
North America, including many sites in New Mexico, ranging from the
early Blancan through the late Blancan, but is apparently absent from
both earliest Blancan (~4.0-4.9 Ma) and latest Blancan faunas. E.
cumminsii is an uncommon species reported from only a few sites,
including the early Blancan Beck Ranch and late Blancan Blanco, both in
Texas. Other New Mexico records of E. cumminsii are from the late early
Blancan Mountainview and Arroyo de la Parida LFs (Lucas et al., 1993;
Morgan and Lucas, 2003; Morgan et al., this volume).
Another age-diagnostic mammal from the Pearson Mesa LF is the
small mylodont sloth Paramylodon cf. P. garbanii (reported as
Glossotherium cf. G. chapadmalense by Morgan and Lucas, 2000a).
Paramylodon is of South American origin and first entered North America
in the early Pliocene as part of the Great American Biotic Interchange
(Morgan, this volume). The oldest record of Paramylodon is from an
early Blancan (~4.7 Ma) site in the state of Guanajuato in central Mexico
(Flynn et al., 2005). Despite this early record from Mexico, Paramylodon
apparently did not reach the southwestern United States until much
later, with the earliest well-documented records from the Pearson Mesa
LF, Donnelly Ranch in Colorado (Hager, 1974), 111 Ranch in Arizona
(Galusha et al., 1984), and possibly Cita Canyon in Texas (Lindsay et al.,
1976), all of which date to the uppermost Gauss Chron (C2An.1n; 2.58-
3.04 Ma; early late Blancan). Possible early Blancan records of
Paramylodon from 11 Mile Wash, Arizona (Tomida, 1987; Morgan and
White, 2005) and Williamsburg, New Mexico (Morgan, this volume)
require further documentation.
The large peccary Platygonus bicalcaratus, one of the most com-
mon large mammals in the Pearson Mesa LF, is also restricted to Blancan
faunas. Originally described from Blanco, P. bicalcaratus occurs from the
early Blancan through the latest Blancan, and is replaced by P.vetus in the
early Irvingtonian (Wright, 1995). The small mammals from the Pearson
Mesa LF are still under study, but at least two age-diagnostic rodents are
present, the geomyid Geomys persimilis and the cricetid Sigmodon me-
dius. G. persimilis was described from the latest Blancan Curtis Ranch
Fauna, Arizona but is also known from several somewhat older late
Blancan faunas, including 111 Ranch, Wolf Ranch, and San Simon, all in
southeastern Arizona (Tomida, 1987). S. medius has a longer range in the
Blancan, occurring in both early Blancan faunas, including Benson (type
locality), Country Club, and Duncan in southeastern Arizona and late
Blancan faunas, including 111 Ranch and Wolf Ranch, but is absent from
latest Blancan faunas (Tomida, 1987).
The co-occurrence of Nannippus and Paramylodon in the Pearson
Mesa LF is significant because these two genera had only a limited
temporal overlap in the southwestern United States during the late
Blancan, after the first appearance of Paramylodon in this region be-
tween 2.6 and 3.0 Ma and before the extinction of Nannippus at 2.2 Ma.
Three mammals from the Pearson Mesa LF, Equus cumminsii, E.
simplicidens, and Sigmodon medius, are absent from latest Blancan fau-
nas, indicating an age older than 2.2 Ma, and Geomys persimilis appears
to be restricted to late Blancan faunas younger than 3.0 Ma.
Tomida (1987) named the Pearson Mesa Fauna (considered a local
fauna in this paper), reporting only five species of mammals: Geomys cf.
G. persimilis, Nannippus phlegon (=N. peninsulatus of current usage),
Equus sp., an indeterminate camelid, and the gomphotheriid probos-
cidean Stegomastodon mirificus. Tomida’s report of S. mirificus is based
on the mandible from “southeast of Duncan” that we discuss above.
However, his identification of this specimen is incorrect; it represents
the more primitive early Blancan species S. primitivus and should be
regarded as a member of Tomida’s (1987) early Blancan Duncan Fauna.
Tomida suggested that the association of Nannippus peninsulatus and
Equus sp. restricted the age of the Pearson Mesa Fauna to the Gauss
Chron (older than 2.58 Ma), and that the occurrence of the late Blancan
geomyid Geomys cf. G. persimilis further restricted this fauna to the
latter portion of the Gauss (2.58-3.04 Ma). However, it should be noted
that Nannippus and Equus are associated in several late Blancan faunas
from the early Matuyama Chron, including Blanco, Texas, and Macasphalt,
Florida. Tomida (1987) also obtained paleomagnetic data from Pearson
Mesa, consisting of five normally-magnetized sites over the lower 35 m

of his section. This long period of normal polarity, combined with the
biostratigraphy, led Tomida (1987) to correlate the Pearson Mesa sec-
tion with the uppermost normal polarity zone of the Gauss Chron
(C2An.1n; 2.58-3.04 Ma). Tomida apparently found fossils only in the
lower 15 m of his 40 m thick stratigraphic section, although his highest
paleomagnetic sample came from about 35 m above the base of the
section. It appears that at least a portion of our unfossiliferous interval
(between 15 and 45 m in our section) is within the upper Gauss Chron.
However, we are not certain of the exact stratigraphic correlation be-
tween Tomida’s section and ours because he did not indicate where on
Pearson Mesa he measured the section and took the paleomagnetic
samples. Tomida did not find fossils in the uppermost portion of the
Pearson Mesa section containing the Virden LF (45-65 m above the
base), nor did he take paleomagnetic samples from this part of the sec-
tion.
The combination of biostratigraphy and magnetostratigraphy for
the lower portion of the Pearson Mesa section (lower 15 m) allows us to
restrict the age of the Pearson Mesa LF to the uppermost part of the
Gauss Chron, between 2.58 Ma (Gauss/Matuyama boundary) and 3.04
Ma (upper boundary of the Kaena Subchron of reversed polarity).
Geomys persimilis and Paramylodon cf. P. garbanii are typical of late
Blancan faunas (~2.2-3.0 Ma) and do not support correlation of the
Pearson Mesa section with the lower normal polarity zone of the Gauss
Chron (C2An.3n; 3.33-3.58 Ma) of late early Blancan age. The only
other early late Blancan fauna (~2.6-3.0 Ma) from New Mexico that
correlates closely in age with the Pearson Mesa LF is the Anapra Fauna
(=Mesilla Basin Fauna A) from Doña Ana County in southern New
Mexico. The Anapra Fauna documents the association of Nannippus and
Glyptotherium in normally-magnetized sediments of the upper Gauss
Chron (Vanderhill, 1986). Other southwestern faunas that document the
association of Nannippus and South American immigrants in the upper
Gauss Chron are Cita Canyon, Texas (Lindsay et al., 1976), Hudspeth,
Texas (Vanderhill, 1986), and 111 Ranch, Arizona (Galusha et al., 1984).
The upper 20 m of the Pearson Mesa section (units 19-20 in Fig.
2) has produced the latest Blancan Virden LF, consisting of 22 species,
including 15 mammals. The richest microvertebrate concentration in the
Pearson Mesa section is in the Virden LF at site L-6667. The two most
age-diagnostic mammals in the Virden LF are both primarily limited to
latest Blancan faunas (~1.8-2.2 Ma), the dwarf camel Hemiauchenia
gracilis and the diminutive cotton rat Sigmodon minor. H. gracilis was
only recently described from the late Pliocene of Florida (Meachen,
2005). Most of the Florida sites from which H. gracilis is known, in
particular the De Soto Shell Pit (type locality) and Inglis 1A, are latest
Blancan in age (Morgan, 2005). The two other records of H. gracilis
from the southwestern United States, San Simon in Arizona and La
Union in New Mexico, are both very late Blancan as well (Morgan and
Lucas, 2003; Morgan and White, 2005). The type locality of Sigmodon
minor is the latest Blancan Curtis Ranch Fauna in Arizona (Gidley,
1922), and this species has also been reported from the correlative latest
Blancan De Soto Shell Pit in Florida (Morgan and Hulbert, 1995). The
presence of the coyote-like canid Canis lepophagus in the Virden LF
further supports a Blancan age. C. lepophagus occurs in both early and
late Blancan faunas, but is not known from the Irvingtonian. The Virden
LF represents one of the youngest records of this species. Although the
Curtis Ranch Fauna, here considered to be a close correlate of the Virden
LF, is the type locality of the larger wolf-like species C. edwardii, the
Virden canid is clearly referable to the smaller C. lepophagus.
The presence of the large glyptodont, Glyptotherium arizonae, in
the Virden LF is indicative of either a latest Blancan or early Irvingtonian
age. Most southwestern records of G. arizonae are early Irvingtonian,
including Tijeras Arroyo, Western Mobile, and Adobe Ranch in New
Mexico, Gilliland and Rock Creek in Texas, and Holloman in Oklahoma
185
(Gillette and Ray, 1981; Morgan, this volume). However, there are sev-
eral southwestern latest Blancan records of G. arizonae, the most signifi-
cant of which is the type locality of this species, Curtis Ranch, Arizona
(Gidley, 1926). Curtis Ranch was long thought to be early Irvingtonian in
age (Johnson et al., 1975; Gillette and Ray, 1981), but is now considered
to be latest Blancan based on the absence of diagnostic Irvingtonian taxa
(Lindsay et al., 1990). There are also several partial shells of G. arizonae
from the latest Blancan La Union Fauna in southern New Mexico
(Vanderhill, 1986; Morgan and Lucas, 2003). G. arizonae also occurs in
at least five late Blancan sites in Florida (Morgan, 2005). The smaller
glyptodont G. texanum is found in southwestern late Blancan faunas
that predate Curtis Ranch and Virden, including Blanco (type locality)
and Cita Canyon in Texas and 111 Ranch in Arizona (Gillette and Ray,
1981). These three faunas are similar in age to the Pearson Mesa LF;
however, the latter fauna has produced no glyptodont fossils. G. arizonae
replaced G. texanum in southwestern faunas sometime during the late
Blancan (before 2.2 Ma).
Although Nannippus is one of the most common mammals in the
Pearson Mesa LF, it is absent above the level of the Pearson Mesa Horse
Quarry (unit 6), about 15 m above the base of the section. Although the
absence of species is difficult to interpret in a biostratigraphic context,
other data presented above strongly indicate that the Virden LF is latest
Blancan in age and thus younger than the extinction of Nannippus at
about 2.2 Ma. There are also no typical Irvingtonian genera (e.g.,
Mammuthus, Microtus) in the Virden LF. The absence of Nannippus
indicates that the Virden LF is younger than 2.2 Ma, whereas the lack of
Irvingtonian taxa suggests an age older than 1.8 Ma. This age range (~1.8-
2.2 Ma, latest Blancan) is also suggested by the presence of two mam-
mals that seem to be restricted to this time period, Hemiauchenia graci-
lis and Sigmodon minor. Among the other age-diagnostic mammals from
the Virden LF, the overlap in ranges between Glyptotherium arizonae and
Canis lepophagus occurred only during the latest Blancan. The only
other latest Blancan fauna in New Mexico that is a close correlative of the
Virden LF is the La Union Fauna (=Mesilla Basin Fauna B of Vanderhill,
1986) from Doña Ana County in southern New Mexico. These two
faunas share Hemiauchenia gracilis and Glyptotherium arizonae. The
Curtis Ranch Fauna in southeastern Arizona (Lindsay et al., 1990) and
the Inglis 1A and De Soto Shell Pit LFs in Florida are also very similar in
age to the Virden LF (Morgan, 2005).
The early late Blancan (~2.6-3.0 Ma) Pearson Mesa LF and the
overlying latest Blancan (~1.8-2.2 Ma) Virden LF appear to be separated
by as much as 0.5 Ma, which corresponds to the unfossiliferous interval
in the middle of the Pearson Mesa section between 15 and 45 m above
the base (Fig. 2). We hope to obtain further data on the biostratigraphic
ages of both faunas through additional screenwashing of microvertebrate
sites. We also plan to conduct paleomagnetic sampling of the uppermost
part of the section, which should help to further refine the age of the
Virden LF.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
For their help in the field at Pearson Mesa, we thank Jerald Harris,
Susan Harris, Pete Reser, Larry Rinehart, and Warren Slade. Patricia
Hester, Tom Holcomb, Kurtis Schmidt, and John Thacker of the U. S.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) assisted in collecting a giant tor-
toise shell from Pearson Mesa. We are grateful to the late Steve Gantz,
Jerald Harris, Lannois Neely, and J. B. Norton for their help with speci-
men preparation. Richard Hulbert provided measurements of Canis
edwardii from the Inglis 1A LF in Florida. The BLM gave us permission
to collect fossils from lands under their jurisdiction in New Mexico and
the State of Arizona and the Arizona State Museum gave us permission
to collect on state trust land in Arizona. Nicholas Czaplewski and Rich-
ard White made helpful comments on the manuscript.
186
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