CONCLUSIONS

Quaternary cave deposits retain a wealth of information that can be used to establish site chronologies and reconstruct past biotic conditions. Because fossiliferous deposits within caves are spatially limited, and potentially time-transgressive across a given area, the retention of stratigraphic and provenience data associated with individual fossils is essential. The recognition of unique arvicoline morphotypes from the reddish-pink silt stratum at SCC suggests that our understanding of the chronology of the site is incomplete. Notable additions to the arvicoline record from SCC include Microtus paroperarius, Microtus meadensis, and a four-triangle morphotype of Lemmiscus curtatus. The identification of Microtus paroperarius and Microtus meadensis suggest the possibility of an older age for the reddish-pink silt zone than was indicated by radiocarbon dating. The presence of these arvicoline taxa in the context of the known stratigraphy and chronology for SCC re-emphasizes advantages (e.g., independent data sets) and complexities (e.g., spatial limitation, disturbance) in conducting research on faunas from cave deposits.