Dove Spring Formation

Dove Spring Formation
Stratigraphic range: Miocene
~13.5–7.3 Ma
TypeGeological formation
Unit ofRicardo Group
OverliesCudahy Camp Formation
Thickness1,800 meters
Location
RegionCalifornia
CountryUnited States

The Dove Spring Formation (formerly the Ricardo Formation) is a geologic formation in the western Mojave Desert of California. It preserves fossils dating back to the Miocene epoch of the Neogene period.

Fossil content

Color key
Taxon Reclassified taxon Taxon falsely reported as present Dubious taxon or junior synonym Ichnotaxon Ootaxon Morphotaxon

Notes
Uncertain or tentative taxa are in small text
crossed out taxa are discredited.

Mammals

Bats

Bats reported from the Dove Spring Formation
GenusSpeciesPresence MaterialNotesImages
Chiroptera Gen. et. sp. undetermined Kern County, California. A bat.

Carnivorans

Carnivorans reported from the Dove Spring Formation
GenusSpeciesPresence MaterialNotesImages
Barbourofelis B. osborni Kern County, California. Junior synonym of B. whitfordi.
B. whitfordi Red Canyon & other localities, Kern County, California. Teeth & mandible. A barbourofelid.
B. sp. LACM localities 6260 & 1108, Kern County, California. Left partial humerus (LACM 140853) & left distal humerus (LACM 59336). A barbourofelid also found in the Green Valley Formation.
Bassariscus B. sp. Kern County, California. A procyonid.
Borophagus B. littoralis Red Rock Canyon, Kern County, California. Left maxillary (LACM 143520). A borophagine dog also found in the Green Valley, Santa Margarita & Chanac formations.
Carpocyon C. robustus Kern County, California. Partial skeleton (UCMP 33569). A borophagine dog.
cf. Eomellivora cf. E. sp. Kern County, California. A large mustelid similar to the honey badger.
Epicyon E. aphobus Kern County, California. Junior synonym of E. haydeni.
E. haydeni Ricardo Fauna, Kern County, California. Skull elements. A borophagine dog.
E. saevus Ricardo Fauna, Kern County, California. Ramal elements. A borophagine dog.
"Felis" "F." sp. Kern County, California. A small felid.
Ischyrocyon I. gidleyi Last Chance Gulch, Kern County, California. A bear-dog.
I. mohavensis Kern County, California. Junior synonym of I. gidleyi.
Leptocyon L. vafer Kern County, California (lower & upper parts of the formation). Skull elements. A canine dog.
Martinogale M. faulli Red Rock Canyon, Kern County, California. A nearly-complete skull (LACM 56230). A skunk.
M. sp. Kern County, California. A skunk.
"Mephitis" "M." sp. Kern County, California. A skunk.
Metalopex M. macconnelli Red Rock Canyon, Kern County, California. Skull elements. A fox also found in the Milk Creek Formation & Malheur County, Oregon.
Mustela ?M. buwaldi Kern County, California. A weasel.
Osteoborus O. diabloensis Kern County, California. Junior synonym of Borophagus littoralis.
Pseudaelurus P. sp. Kern County, California. A felid.
Tomarctus T. robustus Kern County, California. Moved to the genus Carpocyon.
T. sp. Kern County, California. A borophagine dog.
"Vulpes" "V." sp. Kern County, California. A fox.

Eulipotyphlans

Eulipotyphlans reported from the Dove Spring Formation
GenusSpeciesPresence MaterialNotesImages
Alluvisorex A. chasseae Kern County, California. A shrew.
Erinaceidae Erinaceidae "A" Kern County, California. An erinaceid.
Lanthanotherium L. sp. Kern County, California. An erinaceid.
Limnoecus L. sp. Kern County, California. A shrew.
Scapanus S. (Xeroscapheus) shultzi Kern County, California. A mole.
"Sorex" "S." sp. Kern County, California. A shrew.

Lagomorphs

Lagomorphs reported from the Dove Spring Formation
GenusSpeciesPresence MaterialNotesImages
Hesperolagomys H. sp. Kern County, California. A pika.
Hypolagus H. sp. Kern County, California. A leporid.

Proboscideans

Proboscideans reported from the Dove Spring Formation
GenusSpeciesPresence MaterialNotesImages
Gomphotherium G. sp. Kern County, California. A gomphothere.
Serbelodon S. burnhami Ricardo, Kern County, California. Anterior portion of a mandible (F:AM 18228) & 2 tusk fragments (F:AM 18228A & 18228B). An amebelodontid.

Rodents

Rodents reported from the Dove Spring Formation
GenusSpeciesPresence MaterialNotesImages
Acrolophomys A. rhodopetros Teeth & dentary. A cricetid.
Ammospermophilus A. sp. Kern County, California. An antelope squirrel.
Antecalomys A. coxae Many teeth. A sigmodontine.
Bensonomys B. sp. Kern County, California. Maxillae, a dentary & teeth. A sigmodontine.
Copemys C. dentalis Kern County, California. Dentaries & teeth. A cricetid.
C. cf. C. longidens Kern County, California. A cricetid.
C. russelli Kern County, California. A cricetid.
C. sp. Kern County, California. A cricetid.
C. sp., cf. C. dentalis Teeth & jaw elements. A cricetid.
Cupidinimus C. avawatzensis Kern County, California. A heteromyid also found in the Avawatz Formation.
C. tertius Kern County, California. A heteromyid.
C. sp. Kern County, California. A small heteromyid.
Eucastor E. sp. Kern County, California. A castorid.
Leptodontomys L. sp. Kern County, California. An eomyid.
Lindsaymys L. takeuchii Kern County, California. Multiple specimens. A cotton rat.
L. sp., cf. L. takeuchii Kern County, California. Multiple teeth. A cotton rat.
L. sp. A Kern County, California. Molars. A cotton rat.
L. sp. B Kern County, California. Molars. A cotton rat.
Parapliosaccomys P. sp. Kern County, California. A gopher.
Paronychomys P. spp. Kern County, California. A cricetid.
Perognathus P. furlongi Kern County, California. A pocket-mouse.
P. minutus Kern County, California. A pocket-mouse.
Postcopemys P. sp., cf. P. valensis Teeth & dentary. A cricetid.
Protospermophilus P. sp. Kern County, California. A squirrel.
Repomys "R." sp. Kern County, California. A cricetid.
cf. R. sp. M2 (LACM 156378). A cricetid.
Tamias T. ateles Kern County, California. A chipmunk.
"Thomomys" "T." sp. Kern County, California. A gopher.

Ungulates

Ungulates reported from the Dove Spring Formation
GenusSpeciesPresence MaterialNotesImages
Aphelops A. sp. Kern County, California. A rhinoceros.
Cormohipparion C. occidentale Kern County, California. Isolated teeth & a lower mandible. Remains reassigned to C. sp.
C. sp. El Paso Basin. Isolated teeth & a lower mandible. An equid.
Cosoryx C. sp. Kern County, California. An antilocaprid.
Dinohippus D. cf. D. leardi Kern County, California. An equid.
?Hemiauchenia ?H. sp. Kern County, California. A camelid.
Hipparion H. forcei Kern County, California. An equid.
H. tejonensis Kern County, California. An equid.
Ilingoceros I. sp. Kern County, California. An antilocaprid.
Megahippus M. cf. M. matthewi Kern County, California. An equid.
?Megatylopus ?M. sp. Kern County, California. A camelid.
?Michenia ?M. sp. Kern County, California. A camelid.
Paracosoryx P. furlongi Kern County, California. An antilocaprid.
Peraceras P. sp. Kern County, California. A rhinoceros.
Plioceros P. sp. Kern County, California. An antilocaprid.
Pliohippus P. tantulus Kern County, California. An equid.
P. tejonensis Kern County, California. An equid.
?Procamelus ?P. sp. Kern County, California. A camelid.
?Prosthennops ?P. sp. Kern County, California. A peccary.
Teleoceras T. cf. T. meridianum Kern County, California. A rhinoceros.
Ustatochoerus U. californicus Kern County, California. A merycoidodontid.
U. cf. U. profectus Kern County, California. A merycoidodontid.

Reptiles

Birds

Birds reported from the Dove Spring Formation
GenusSpeciesPresence MaterialNotesImages
Branta B. howardae Kern County, California. A goose.
Neophrontops N. ricardoensis Kern County, California. A gypaetine vulture.

Squamates

Squamates reported from the Dove Spring Formation
GenusSpeciesPresence MaterialNotesImages
Anguidae Gen. indet. Kern County, California. A very large anguid lizard.
Callisaurus C. sp. Kern County, California. A zebra-tailed lizard.
Gerrhonotus G. cf. G. kingi Kern County, California. An alligator lizard.
Lichanura L. sp. Kern County, California. A rosy boa.
Paleoheterodon P. sp. Kern County, California. A colubrid snake.
Paracoluber P. sp. Kern County, California. A colubrid snake.
Paragerrhonotus P. ricardensis Kern County, California. An anguid lizard.
Proptychophis P. achoris Red Rock Canyon State Park, Kern County, California. Numerous vertebrae & the posterior portion of a right maxilla. A colubrid snake.
Sceloporus S. sp. Kern County, California. A large spiny lizard.
"Thamnophis" "T." sp. Kern County, California. A garter snake.
Uma U. sp. Locality LACM 4702. A partial & fused premaxilla (LACM 159892). A fringe-toed lizard.
?Uta ?U. sp. Kern County, California. A side-blotched lizard.
Xantusia X. sp. Kern County, California. A night lizard.

Testudines

Testudines reported from the Dove Spring Formation
GenusSpeciesPresence MaterialNotesImages
Clemmys C. sp. Kern County, California. An emydine turtle.
Geochelone G. sp. Kern County, California. A tortoise.
?Gopherus ?G. sp. Kern County, California. A gopher tortoise.

Amphibians

Amphibians reported from the Dove Spring Formation
GenusSpeciesPresence MaterialNotesImages
Batrachoseps B. sp. Kern County, California. A lungless salamander.
Bufonidae Kern County, California. A true toad.
cf. Ensatina cf. E. sp. Kern County, California. A lungless salamander.
Ranidae Kern County, California. A true frog.

Fish

Fish reported from the Dove Spring Formation
GenusSpeciesPresence MaterialNotesImages
Empetrichthys E. sp. Kern County, California. A splitfin.

Plants

Plants reported from the Dove Spring Formation
GenusSpeciesPresence MaterialNotesImages
Acacia A. sp. Kern County, California. An acacia.
Ceanothus C. sp. Kern County, California. A buckbrush.
Cupressus C. sp. Kern County, California. A cypress tree.
Lycium L. sp. Kern County, California. A box thorn.
Palmoxylodon P. mohavensis Kern County, California. A palm.
Pinus P. kelloggii Kern County, California. A pine.
Quercus Q. ricardensis Kern County, California. An oak tree.
Robinia R. alexanderi Kern County, California. A legume.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 Whistler, David P.; Burbank, D. (1992). "Miocene biostratigraphy and biochronology of the Dove Spring Formation, Mojave Desert, California, and characterization of the Clarendonian mammal age (late Miocene) in California". Geological Society of America Bulletin. 104 (6): 644–658. Bibcode:1992GSAB..104..644W. doi:10.1130/0016-7606(1992)104<0644:MBABOT>2.3.CO;2. S2CID 130575409.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Tseng, Zhijie J.; Takeuchi, Gary T.; Wang, Xiaoming (2010-01-29). "Discovery of the upper dentition of Barbourofelis whitfordi (Nimravidae, Carnivora) and an evaluation of the genus in California". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 30 (1): 244–254. doi:10.1080/02724630903416001. ISSN 0272-4634. S2CID 21713508.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Wang, Xiaoming; Tedford, Richard H.; Taylor, Beryl E. (1999). "Phylogenetic systematics of the Borophaginae (Carnivora, Canidae)". Bulletin of the AMNH (243): 9–391. hdl:2246/1588.
  4. ↑ Hunt, Robert (1998-01-01). "Amphicyonidae". Mammalogy Papers: University of Nebraska State Museum: 196–227.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Tedford, Richard H.; Wang, Xiaoming; Taylor, Beryl E. (2009). Phylogenetic systematics of the North American fossil Caninae (Carnivora, Canidae). (Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History, no. 325). [New York] : American Museum of Natural History. hdl:2246/5999.
  6. 1 2 Wang, Xiaoming; Whistler, David P.; Takeuchi, Gary T. (2005). "A New Basal Skunk Martinogale (Carnivora, Mephitinae) from Late Miocene Dove Spring Formation, California, and Origin of New World Mephitines". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 25 (4): 936–949. doi:10.1671/0272-4634(2005)025[0936:ANBSMC]2.0.CO;2. ISSN 0272-4634. JSTOR 4524520. S2CID 21747985.
  7. 1 2 Osborn, Henry Fairfield; Blick, John C.; Frick, Childs (June 1933). "Serbelodon burnhami, a new shovel-tusker from California". American Museum Novitates (639): 1–5. hdl:2246/2061.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Thomas S. Kelly; David P. Whistler (2014). "New late Miocene (latest Clarendonian to early Hemphillian) cricetid rodents from the upper part of the Dove Spring Formation, Mojave Desert, California" (PDF). Paludicola. 10 (1): 1–48.
  9. 1 2 3 4 Woodburne, Michael O. (2007). "Phyletic diversification of the Cormohipparion occidentale complex (Mammalia, Perissodactyla, Equidae), late Miocene, North America, and the origin of the Old World Hippotherium datum; Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History, no. 306". hdl:2246/5872. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  10. ↑ Prothero, Donald R.; Foss, Scott E. (2007-12-17). The Evolution of Artiodactyls. JHU Press. p. 229. ISBN 978-0-8018-8735-2.
  11. 1 2 Whistler, David P.; Wright, John W. (1989). "A Late Miocene Rear-Fanged Colubrid Snake from California with Comments on the Phylogeny of North American Snakes". Herpetologica. 45 (3): 350–367. ISSN 0018-0831. JSTOR 3892892.
  12. 1 2 Scarpetta, Simon G. (2019-09-06). "The first known fossil Uma: ecological evolution and the origins of North American fringe-toed lizards". BMC Evolutionary Biology. 19 (1): 178. doi:10.1186/s12862-019-1501-5. ISSN 1471-2148. PMC 6729053. PMID 31492110.