HOLOCENE PALEOZOOLOGICAL RECORDS OF THE ALLEGHENY WOODRAT (NEOTOMA MAGISTER) AT THE NORTHEASTERN PERIPHERY OF ITS FORMER RANGE: A BIOGEOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS

Bones of the regionally-extirpated Allegheny woodrat (Neotoma magister) have been recovered from zooarchaeological and paleontological contexts in Holocene-age deposits at twelve cave and rockshelter sites at the northeastern periphery of its former range in New York State and Connecticut. Analysis of the physical characteristics and geographic context of these sites indicates a species preference for areas with extensive rock outcrop and talus, particularly those containing carbonate, conglomerate, sandstone, and gneiss bedrock. Paleofaunas associated with woodrat fossils demonstrate an affinity with the historically dominant oak-chestnut climax forest association, although some paleofaunas indicate the local presence of mixed conifer-northern hardwood forests. Radiocarbon age estimates of woodrat bones are at present unavailable, although indirect age estimates based on stratigraphic provenience indicate the presence of woodrats in the region since at least 8290±100 ¹⁴C yrs B.P. Many Holocene paleozoological occurrences are either located beyond the species’ known historic distributional limits or are situated in areas of marginal habitat outside of known historic metapopulations. A geographic information systems (GIS) analysis of the study area using digitized soil survey data indicates soil map units containing extensive areas of rock outcrop – a critical limiting factor in Allegheny woodrat distribution – constitute potentially suitable woodrat habitat. By combining digitized soils data with historic woodrat records and paleozoological occurrences, four historic and two prehistoric metapopulations have been delineated that refine and expand the probable extent of the woodrat’s former Holocene range within the region. By the time of the woodrat’s extirpation in New York State in 1987, only two of the six metapopulations were still active. The relationship between woodrat metapopulation expansion and contraction and palynological records of changes in regional forest composition during the Holocene is explored.