Evidence of Termites in the Pleistocene Asphalt of Carpinteria, California

Citation

Lance, John Franklin (1946) Evidence of Termites in the Pleistocene Asphalt of Carpinteria, California. Master's thesis, California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/0C85-8482. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:02262010-112743532

Abstract

Fossilized fecal pellets of termites are found in pine wood preserved in the Pleistocene Carpinteria asphalt deposits, Santa Barbara County, California. Both pellets and wood are thoroughly impregnated by tar. This material is associated with characteristic plant remains found in the Carpinteria asphalt. The pellets resemble in size and shape those of the modern termites, Kalotermes minor and Zootermopsis angusticollis or Z. nevadensis. The distribution of these species today includes the Monterey peninsula. Here a living Monterey forest assemblage of plants closely resembles that which existed in and about the Carpinteria asphalt accumulation during the Pleistocene.

Item Type:	Thesis (Master's thesis)
Subject Keywords:	(Geology)
Degree Grantor:	California Institute of Technology
Division:	Geological and Planetary Sciences
Major Option:	Geology
Thesis Availability:	Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):	Stock, Chester
Thesis Committee:	Unknown, Unknown
Defense Date:	1946
Record Number:	CaltechTHESIS:02262010-112743532
Persistent URL:	https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:02262010-112743532
DOI:	10.7907/0C85-8482
Default Usage Policy:	No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:	5556
Collection:	CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By:	Tony Diaz
Deposited On:	12 Apr 2010 15:41
Last Modified:	10 Nov 2023 20:11

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