NM: CIBOLA CO.: NE 1/4 SE 1/4 SEC. 10, T6N, R5W, ELEV. 2030 M.
General Description.—Smartt and Hafner 1989: NE 1/4 SE 1/4 Sec. 10, T6N, R5W, elevation 2030 m, north end of Mesa del Oro. One of many caves of the Pronoun Cave Complex. Mesa of early Pleistocene travertine deposits; most of caves are partially closed fissures formed by settling of the travertine blocks. Cave extends ca. 100 m WNW and ca. 50 m ESE of present entrance. Present entrance vertical, dropping ca. 4.5 m to a ledge and then ca. 4.5 m more to relatively level floor. Fossils from pit (1 m2) about 30 m W of present entrance chimney. Excavated in 23 4-cm levels.
Comments.—Smartt and Hafner (1989): Includes extensive gastropod fauna, consisting of species generally in higher or wetter environments— (other than probably Succinea) appears to be living in vicinity now. As a general trend, Microtus tends to dominate in the lower levels and Lagurus to dominate the upper levels. "Both the microtine and snail fauna suggest the same basic pattern of a cool mesic environment with many boreal faunal and floral elements from level 23 through level 19; then a shift to cool, drier conditions through the higher levels" (p. 284).
Age.—Late Pleistocene.
Publications.—Jicha 1956; (*Smartt and Hafner 1989).
Fauna.—
Last Update: 24 January 1999.