Dove Spring Formation Explained

Dove Spring Formation
Type:	Geological formation
Age:	Miocene ~
Period:	Neogene
Unitof:	Ricardo Group
Overlies:	Cudahy Camp Formation
Thickness:	1,800 meters

The Dove Spring Formation (formerly the Ricardo Formation) is a geologic formation in the western Mojave Desert of California.^[1] It preserves fossils dating back to the Miocene epoch of the Neogene period.

Fossil content

Mammals

Carnivorans

Carnivorans reported from the Dove Spring Formation
Genus	Species	Presence	Material	Notes	Images
Barbourofelis	B. osborni	Kern County, California.		Junior synonym of B. whitfordi.
	B. whitfordi	Red Canyon & other localities, Kern County, California.^[2]	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.^[3]	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.^[4]		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).^[5]	Skull elements.	A canine dog.
Martinogale	M. faulli	Red Rock Canyon, Kern County, California.^[6]	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
Genus	Species	Presence	Material	Notes	Images
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
Genus	Species	Presence	Material	Notes	Images
Hesperolagomys	H. sp.	Kern County, California.		A pika.
Hypolagus	H. sp.	Kern County, California.		A leporid.

Proboscideans

Proboscideans reported from the Dove Spring Formation
Genus	Species	Presence	Material	Notes	Images
Gomphotherium	G. sp.	Kern County, California.		A gomphothere.
Serbelodon	S. burnhami	Ricardo, Kern County, California.^[7]	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
Genus	Species	Presence	Material	Notes	Images
Acrolophomys	A. rhodopetros		Teeth & dentary.^[8]	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
Genus	Species	Presence	Material	Notes	Images
Aphelops	A. sp.	Kern County, California.		A rhinoceros.
Cormohipparion	C. occidentale	Kern County, California.	Isolated teeth & a lower mandible.^[9]	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.^[10]		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
Genus	Species	Presence	Material	Notes	Images
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
Genus	Species	Presence	Material	Notes	Images
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.^[11]	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.^[12]	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
Genus	Species	Presence	Material	Notes	Images
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
Genus	Species	Presence	Material	Notes	Images
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.

Plants

Plants reported from the Dove Spring Formation
Genus	Species	Presence	Material	Notes	Images
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

• List of fossiliferous stratigraphic units in California
• Paleontology in California

References

• Web site: Fossilworks: Gateway to the Paleobiology Database. ((Various Contributors to the Paleobiology Database)). 17 December 2021.

Notes and References

1. 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 . en . 104 . 6 . 644–658. 10.1130/0016-7606(1992)104<0644:MBABOT>2.3.CO;2 . 1992GSAB..104..644W . 130575409 .
2. 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 . 10.1080/02724630903416001 . 21713508 . 0272-4634. free .
3. Wang . Xiaoming . Tedford . Richard H. . Taylor . Beryl E. . 1999 . Phylogenetic systematics of the Borophaginae (Carnivora, Canidae). . Bulletin of the AMNH . en-US . 243 . 9–391. 2246/1588 .
4. Hunt . Robert . 1998-01-01 . Amphicyonidae . Mammalogy Papers: University of Nebraska State Museum . 196–227.
5. Book: Tedford . Richard H. . Phylogenetic systematics of the North American fossil Caninae (Carnivora, Canidae). (Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History, no. 325) . Wang . Xiaoming . Taylor . Beryl E. . 2009 . [New York] : American Museum of Natural History. . 2246/5999 . en-US.
6. 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 . 10.1671/0272-4634(2005)025[0936:ANBSMC]2.0.CO;2 . 4524520 . 21747985 . 0272-4634.
7. Osborn . Henry Fairfield . Blick . John C. . Frick . Childs . June 1933 . Serbelodon burnhami, a new shovel-tusker from California. . American Museum Novitates . en-US . 639 . 1–5. 2246/2061 .
8. 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 . Paludicola . 10 . 1 . 1–48 .
9. 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 . 2246/5872 . en-US.
10. Book: Prothero . Donald R. . The Evolution of Artiodactyls . Foss . Scott E. . 2007-12-17 . JHU Press . 978-0-8018-8735-2 . 229 . en.
11. 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 . 3892892 . 0018-0831.
12. 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 . 10.1186/s12862-019-1501-5 . 1471-2148 . 6729053 . 31492110 . free .