22 
Janet A. Roth and Joshua Laerm 
metapodial; ChM.PV2386, proximal fragment of right tibia; HS.A-31, 
posterior part of right mandible with basal fragment of RM 3 ; HS.A-105, 
anterior portion of right mandibular ramus with P, , P 3 , M,, and M 2 ; 
HS.A-30, anterior portion of left mandibular ramus without dentition; 
HS.E-57, proximal portion of scapula; HS.A-119, distal fragment of 
humerus; HS.A-108, left radius; HS.E-74, olecranon of ulna; HS.E-70, 
postzygapophysis of vertebra; HS.A-105, fragment of right ilium with 
acetabulum; HS.E-55, proximal epiphysis of tibia; HS.A-59, distal 
epiphysis of left tibia; HS.E-31, distal fragment of fibula; HS.A-60, left 
calcaneum; HS.E-60, astragalus; HS.A-78, left cubonavicular; HS.A-77, 
right cubonavicular; HS.E-12, fragment of proximal part of fused 
metatarsal; HS.A-57, metacarpal fragment; HS.A-114, right metatarsal; 
HS.E-64, HS.E-67, phalanges; HS.A-63, HS.A-65, HS.A-66, phalanges; 
UGV146, lower molars; UGV147, right astragalus; UGV151, right 
femur. 
PALEOECOLOGY 
In general, knowledge of the paleoecology of an area may be derived 
from the fossil-bearing sediments, the fossils themselves and 
palynological studies of the fossiliferous strata. At Edisto Island, only the 
vertebrates (and only their larger, more durable parts) are available for 
consideration. As a result data are highly limited and biased. However, 
some knowledge of the paleoecology pan be gained from the recovered 
part of the vertebrate record. The Edisto Island fauna can be divided into 
at least four general communities, representing broad habitats in the 
depositional area: 
Marine community.— This community consists of predominantly 
wide ranging marine species that frequent nearshore areas and oc- 
casionally occur in rivers and bays. The crocodile ( Gavialosuchus ), the 
cetaceans ( Tursiops , Physeter, and balaenopterids), the gray seal 
{Halichoerus), the walrus ( Odobenus ), and the manatee ( Trichechus ), 
comprise this community. Halichoerus, Trichechus, and Tursiops may 
migrate inland by means of estuaries and consequently be found in 
association with a primarily terrestrial fauna. But the large size of 
Physeter and the balaenopterid whales precludes any major inland migra- 
tions and indicates that deposition of remains of these two taxa must 
have occurred very near, if not in, a marine environment. 
Semi-aquatic terrestrial community. — This community relies upon a 
permanent source of fresh water such as a stream, marsh, or pond, but 
some members of the community may spend part or most of their lives 
beyond the limits of water. Included here are the beavers ( Castor and 
probably Castoroides ), the capybara ( Neochoerus ), the turtles ( Chelydra , 
Chrysemys, and Kinosternon ), Alligator, and possibly the glyptodont 
( Glyptotherium ). Most of these genera also require substantial amounts 
of vegetation in or near the water, both for food and for shelter. In par- 
ticular, the beavers would depend on brush or standing timber in the 
