Species occurrence
Species distribution within and among fossil sites provides a basis for understanding past animal diversity at the Naracoorte Caves and informs on the biogeography of Australian faunas.
Early studies provided an overview of the diversity of animals found in deposits of some of the Naracoorte Caves.
As exploration in the Caves was furthered, an extensive summary of the Cave’s fossil sites and associated faunas was published in 2000. Along with recent revisions and a more detailed examination of small mammals from Late Pleistocene sites, research into the occurrence of animals within and among the Naracoorte Caves has provided insights into the biogeography of some Australian animals and points to those animals and deposits that warrant further examination.
Opportunities exist for comparing species occurrences through time at the Naracoorte Caves with their distribution in other fossil localities and modern-day occurrence to understand patterns of biogeographic change over time.
Further reading
- Macken, A.C. and Reed, E.H. 2013. Late Quaternary small mammal faunas of the Naracoorte Caves World Heritage Area. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia 137, 53–67.
- Reed, E.H. and Bourne, S.J. 2000. Pleistocene fossil vertebrate sites of the south east region of South Australia. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia 124, 61–90.
- Reed, E.H. and Bourne, S.J. 2009. Pleistocene fossil vertebrate sites of the south east region of South Australia II. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia 133, 30–40.
- Tideman, C.R. 1967. Some small mammal remains from cave deposits in the south-east of South Australia. South Australian Naturalist 42, 21-27.
- Williams, D.L.G., 1980. Catalogue of Pleistocene vertebrate fossils and sites in South Australia. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia 104, 101-115.
- Maddock, E. 1971. Some mammal remains from caves in the Naracoorte area. South Australian Naturalist 46, 24-27.