Age. Late Wisconsin. Brasso and Emslie (2006)
reported a date on Gymnogyps californianus of 10,795 ± 50 (CAMS 123881) or
25,090 ± 220 (CAMS 123916). One of these dates is from Sandia Cave and one from
Marmot Cave; however, which belongs to which cave is uncertain from the publication
since the abstract gives one result and the text the other.
General Description. Approximately 100 m north of Sandia Cave (which see). Also known as Davis Cave (Brasso and Emslie 2006).
Discussion. Thompson and Morgan (2001) noted that the extralimital mammalian fauna generally occurs at elevations over 3000 m in the northernmost mountains of New Mexico, inhabiting montane and subalpine coniferous forests. However, most reach considerably lower elevations, especially in northwestern New Mexico and adjacent Colorado (Harris 1963). Nevertheless, the fauna does signify a colder temperature with more effective precipitation than now occurs at the elevation of Marmot Cave.
Fauna.
Aves
Gymnogyps californianus—California Condor (Brasso and Emslie
2006)
Dendragapus obscurus—Dusky Grouse (Brasso and Emslie 2006)
Meleagris gallopavo—Wild Turkey (Brasso and Emslie 2006)
Colaptes auratus—Northern Flicker (Brasso and Emslie 2006)
Pica hudsonia—Black-billed Magpie (Brasso and Emslie 2006)
Mammalia
Callospermophilus lateralis—Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel (Thompson
and Morgan 2001)
Marmota flaviventris—Yellow-bellied Marmot (Thompson and Morgan
2001)
Thomomys talpoides—Northern Pocket Gopher (Thompson and Morgan 2001)
Microtus montanus—Montane Vole (Thompson and Morgan 2001)
Microtus pennsylvanicus—Meadow Vole (Thompson and Morgan 2001)
Phenacomys intermedius—Western Heather Vole (Thompson and Morgan
2001)
Sylvilagus nuttallii—Mountain Cottontail (Thompson and Morgan
2001)
Literature. Harris 1963; Brasso and Emslie 2006; Thompson and Morgan 2001.
Last Update: 3 May 2009