Pleistocene herpetofaunal remains from the East Milford mastodon site (ca. 70 000–80 000 BP), Halifax County, Nova Scotia

Abstract

The remains of a frog (Rana pipiens) and two turtles (Chrysemys picta and Clemmys insculpta) were recovered from an organically rich clay matrix in association with mastodon remains in Halifax County near East Milford, Nova Scotia. Preliminary stratigraphic studies and radiometric dating indicate an Early Wisconsinan age between 70 000 and 80 000 BP for the site. All of the herpetological species are cold-tolerant forms that inhabit Nova Scotia today. The turtles are important paleoclimatically, in that they suggest that the summers had a sufficient number of warm days for the successful incubation of their eggs. Together, the herpetological species indicate a quiet, well-vegetated pond or small lake, with peripheral meadows, and the presence of a meandering stream with sand or gravel banks.