A TAPHONOMIC ANALYSIS OF MICROMAMMALS FOUND AT THE GRAY FOSSIL SITE

Taphonomic analyses of micromammals have been performed at other fossil sites in order to gain insight into the paleoenvironment. The Gray Fossil Site’s microfossils have been the subject of study in the past. However, a taphonomic analysis of the site’s micromammals has not been performed. Specimens used in this study were classified, quantified, and then examined under a microscope for evidence of post mortem modification. Preliminary results indicate that a significant number of the Gray Fossil Site’s micromammal specimens display evidence of digestion or root etching. Predators often exhibit preferences for specific prey groups and so increased ratios of those prey groups can indicate the predator present. This analysis has the potential to contextualize many of the Gray Fossil Site’s micromammal specimens and provide insight into predators not necessarily preserved in the site’s sediments.