Fishes from Archaeological Sites in Northern New Mexico

Abstract

Lepisosteus osseus, Gila robusta elegans, and Cycleptus elongatus have been recovered from Pueblo Indian ruins iri Chaco Canyon, Aztec, and Bande- lier National Monument, respectively. All three species were probably utilized as food, but scales from Lepisosteus cf. osseus do not reveal the use to which they were put. Caudal vertebrae of Gila r. elegans and the urohyal bone of Cycleptus are diagnostic for these forms. Lepisosteus and Cycleptus are not presently known from northern New Mexico. Fish remains associated with abandoned Indian pueblos may not only provide information about the food or other habits of the aborig- ines, but also contribute to a better understanding of their environ- ment. For example, utilization of the huge Colorado squawfish, Ptycho- cheilus lucius Girard, by the Sobaipuri Indians of southern Arizona about two hundred years ago, supports the view that the San Pedro River was then a much larger and more stable stream than it was only three-quarters of a century ago (Miller, 1955; 1961). In addition, accurate identification of fish remains may enlarge our knowledge of zoogeography. Monuments, both in the San Juan River drainage (Colorado River system), San Juan County. We are especially grateful to Lyndon L. Hargrave and the Southwest Archeological Center, Globe, Arizona, for providing the specimens and provenance data, and permitting us to make this report. Volney H. Jones and Richard Yarnell supplied references and criticized parts of the manuscript. Paul A. Judge, Superintendent at Bandelier, gave information on present stream con- ditions there, and Gordon Vivian furnished additional data for the Bandelier and Chaco Canyon specimens. Clark Hubbs and William J. Koster replied to our inquiries concerning the present range of Cyclep- tus in Texas and New Mexico, respectively.