Museum of Texas Tech University

About: Museum of Texas Tech University is a based out in . It is known for research contribution in the topics: Phylogenetic tree & Cytochrome b. The organization has 66 authors who have published 193 publications receiving 4860 citations.

The Bouchier Cache: A Biface Cache from the Western Rolling Plains of Texas

Abstract: The recovery of a cache of lithic bifaces (the Bouchier Cache) is reported from an ecotonal area located between the southern High Plains (Llano Estacado) and Central Lowlands (western Rolling Plains). The homogenous nature of the bifacial cores suggests that the cache represents a resource stockpile, and, therefore, is important to understanding hunter-gatherer logistical mobility strategies on the southern Plains. Bifacial core caches are a distinctly recognizable component of caching behavior that do not appear to be restricted to particular cultural groups, time periods, or geographic locations. The age and cultural association of this cache is not known. Morphological and technological examination suggests the cache would fit well with models of high residential mobility typically attributed to early and middle Holocene populations.

Seasonal Changes in the Active Bat Community of the Kisatchie National Forest, Louisiana

Abstract: Few North American studies have quantified differences in bat community composition between summer and winter. In southerly regions, especially the coastal plain of the Gulf of Mexico, winters are mild and experience only short periods of freezing weather annually. In regions such as this, there may be a substantive community of bats that are active in the winter. We examined seasonality of the bat community in the Kisatchie National Forest of Louisiana. We mist-netted bats for 130 nights during winter and 51 nights during summer and caught 200 and 190 bats, respectively, from 10 different species. Corynorhinus rafinesquii (Rafinesque's Big-eared Bat), Lasiurus borealis (Eastern Red Bat), and Lasionycteris noctivagans (Silver-haired Bat) were more frequently captured in winter, all other species were captured more frequently in summer. Significant differences existed between summer and winter in species richness and abundance of bats, but not for Shannon's diversity index. Across the entire year and in winter, more bats were caught on nights with higher temperature than on nights with lower temperatures. Although there was much temporal variation in species composition, we found a substantial bat community that is active in the winter in the Kisatchie National Forest of Louisiana.

Cowboy Life along the Llano Estacado Eastern Escarpment of Northwest Texas: Insights from Macy Locality 16 (41GR722)

Abstract: Cattle ranching is an important part of the heritage of the American West, yet few archaeological studies focus on this industry. Many aspects of ranching-related work are ephemeral, leaving on the landscape only small traces of these past activities. Survey on an historical ranch (established 1882) along the eastern escarpment of the Llano Estacado has identified a short-term cowboy camp at Macy Locality 16 (41GR722). Metal-detector survey and excavation has delineated camping activities alongside a chuck wagon and the remains of a temporary corral. Historical documents, composition of the site’s artifact assemblage, and its position on the landscape indicate the occupation was a ca. 1882–1901 roundup camp. This study demonstrates the importance of contextualizing ephemeral ranching-related sites within the broader organization of ranching activities across the landscape.

Pastores presence on the Southern High Plains of Texas

Abstract: The pastores were a little-known Hispanic sheep herding group who moved their sheep (and later their families) from north-central New Mexico into the Canadian River Valley of the Texas Panhandle from the early 1870s to the middle 1880s. Use and occupation of the adjacent Southern High Plains was thought not to have occurred. Local historians, however, placed pastores occupations both along the eastern escarpment and on the plateau of the Southern High Plains. Three archaeological sites far to the southeast of the pastores primary area of occupation were examined based on survey data for authenticity and implications for a better understanding of pastores land-use patterns and role in the settlement of this area.

Three new species of Agastoschizomus (Arachnida: Schizomida: Protoschizomidae) from North America

Abstract: The family Protoschizomidae is currently known from 13 species and 2 genera found in Mexico. The present contribution describes 3 new species of Agastoschizomus, 2 from caves in Tamaulipas and Estado de Mexico; the third one from a cave in Texas, USA. With this contribution, the genus Agastoschizomus attains the same richness as Protoschizomus (8 species) and the family distribution expands to include the USA. An identification key for the species in the genus is included.