Tarkio Valley Sloth Project Presentation

In the fall of 2001, Bob and Sonya Athen discovered the remains of an adult Jefferson's ground sloth, Megalonyx jeffersonii, in the West Tarkio Creek behind their home, south of Shenandoah, IA. The Athens brought several specimens to the University of Iowa, where they generated considerable excitement.

A survey of the Athen's property, and the bones they had recovered suggested the animal was located within a small area in the creek, possibly extending under the bank to the north, onto the property of the adjoining landowners, Dean and Loreta Tiemann of Lincoln, NE, who were contacted and also agreed to the excavation.

In the spring of 2006, the remains of a juvenile Megalonyx jeffersonii were discovered intermingled with the adult. Astonishingly, that fall the scapula from another juvenile was found, half the size of the first. All three animals are clearly contemporaneous. A semi-complete skeleton of an adult intermingled with two juveniles, in primary context, with associated paleoecological data is unprecedented.

About half of the target area in the creek was excavated before high water returned in 2007. 104 elements from the adult have been recovered. 41 bones apparently belonging to the larger juvenile have been found, making the "toddler" the second-most complete juvenile Megalonyx on record. Confirmed remains of juvenile #2, the "baby," are limited to the single scapula.

An international team of scholars has been assembled with specialties in molecular biology, palynology, stable isotope geochemistry, plant macrofossils, microvertebrates, vertebrate morphology, archaeology and Quaternary geology.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Tarkio Valley
• Giant Ground Sloth
• Megaloynx jeffersoni

[oliverwhittaker]

Cool site!