FOSSIL VERTEBRATES FROM PLEISTOCENE TERRESTRIAL DEPOSITS ON THE NORTHERN CHANNEL ISLANDS, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Abstract

Abstract The record of Pleistocene fossil vertebrates from terrestrial deposits on the northern Channel Islands, southern California, is reviewed. Most material is from Santa Rosa and San Miguel Islands. The Santa Rosa material is found in sediments deposited by stream flow toward the northwest margin of the island and consists of numerous mammoth remains, rodents, and a few birds, mostly species to be expected inland on the island. The San Miguel material is found in deposits of wind-blown sand along the north coast of the island and consists of numerous remains of seabirds which once nested on San Miguel and the remains of the prey of nesting and roosting raptors. One rodent from the deposits on San Miguel island, Microtus tniguelensis, is described as a new species. Both types of deposits provide information not only about the past fauna of the islands but also about the islands′ geologic history during the past 40,000 years. A small deposit on Anacapa Island contains a primitive fauna and is probably older than previously suspected.