RT Journal Article
T1 Isotopic analysis of the ecology of herbivores and carnivores from the MiddlePleistocene deposits of the Sierra De Atapuerca, northern Spain
A1 García García, Nuria
A1 Feranec, R.S.
A1 Arsuaga Ferreras, Juan Luis
A1 Bermúdez de Castro, José María
A1 Carbonell i Roura, Eudald
AB Carbon and oxygen isotope values reveal resource partitioning among the large mammal fauna fromthree contemporaneous Middle Pleistocene hominid-bearing localities within the Sierra de Atapuerca(northern Spain). Carbon isotope values sampled from the tooth enamel of fauna present during AtapuercaFaunal Unit 6 show that a C3-dominated ecosystem surrounded the area where fossils werepreserved during this time. For the herbivores, Fallow deer isotope values are significantly different fromRed deer and horses and show that this species did not forage in open environments at this locality. Reddeer and horses show similar feeding strategies with less negative carbon values implying use of moreopen environments for these taxa. For the carnivores, carbon isotope values for Ursus deningeri aresignificantly different from either lions (Panthera leo) or foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and support the contentionthat this species is herbivorous. Special metabolic mechanisms involved in hibernation in U. deningerimight also have influenced its isotope values. The carbon isotope values of remaining carnivores weresimilar and suggest that each was typically a generalist carnivore, eating a wide variety of prey items.While the isotopic results generally correspond to ecology indicated by previous techniques, this studyshows that isotope analyses can provide further insights that alternate techniques do not provide.Isotope analyses can help elucidate the ancient ecology of taxa present in the Sierra de Atapuerca duringthe Middle Pleistocene allowing for an accurate portrayal of the setting in which humans lived.
PB Elsevier Ltd.
SN 0305-4403
YR 2009
FD 2009
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/51220
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/51220
LA eng
DS Docta Complutense
RD 6 abr 2025