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For example, the plant species present in middens, and the carbon isotope ratios on material in middens have been widely studied. [15] The analysis of middens was key in understanding the biota around Pueblo Bonito, thus helping to explain its history. One form of midden analysis examined the size of fecal pellets in pack rat middens. [17]
Initially, when their diachronic nature was less evident, they were viewed as the poor relation to the better studied pack rat middens. [37] [38] While pack rat middens are rich in identifiable macrofossils, which can be directly dated and provide high taxonomic resolution, hyrax middens are poor in macroremains. Those that are found are almost ...
This is a feasible strategy to avoid food shortage. It is the habit of collecting and storing both food and nonfood items that has earned the eastern woodrat is other common name of "pack-rat" or "trade rat". [17] Starting in September, the woodrat will start to forage and store food in its midden for use and survival in the winter. [18]
Wood rat (Neotoma lepida) midden. Woodrats construct houses for nesting, food caching, and predator escape. These can have up to six entrances and eight internal chambers, including both nests and food caches. Houses 36 cm (14 in) high and around 100 cm (39 in) across at the base are not unusual. [3]
The bushy-tailed woodrat, or packrat (Neotoma cinerea) is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae found in Canada and the United States. [2] Its natural habitats are boreal forests , temperate forests, dry savanna , temperate shrubland , and temperate grassland .
The Allegheny woodrat (Neotoma magister), is a species of "pack rat" in the genus Neotoma. Once believed to be a subspecies of the eastern woodrat (Neotoma floridana), extensive DNA analysis has proven it to be a distinct species. [3]
Examination of pack rat middens revealed that at the time that Pueblo Bonito was built, Chaco Canyon and the surrounding areas were wooded by trees such as ponderosa pines. Evidence of such trees can be seen within the structure of Pueblo Bonito, such as the first-floor support beams.
Analysis of pack rat midden indicates that, with the exception of invasive species such as tumbleweed and clover, the flora and fauna in the area have remained relatively consistent for the past 4,000 years. [108]