Stable isotopes provide independent support for the use of mesowear variables for inferring diets in African antelopes
Date
2012
Authors
Louys, Julien
Ditchfield, Peter
Meloro, Carlo
Elton, Sarah
Bishop, Laura
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Royal Society of London
Abstract
We examine the relationship between mesowear variables and carbon and nitrogen isotopes in 16 species of African antelope (Mammalia: Bovidae). We show significant differences in carbon and nitrogen isotope values between individuals exhibiting sharp versus round cusps, and high versus low occlusal relief. We show significant correlations between mesowear variables and both carbon and nitrogen isotopes. We find significant correlations between mesowear score and nitrogen, but not carbon isotopes. Finally, we find no significant correlations between hypsodonty index and either isotope examined. Our results provide strong support for the use of mesowear variables in palaeodietary reconstructions of antelopes. Our results further suggest that for the antelopes examined here, mesowear signals are a direct result of diet, while hypo sodonty may be the result of phylogenetic legacy. � 2012 The Royal Society.
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Keywords: carbon; nitrogen; carbon; diet; nitrogen; phylogenetics; phylogeny; reconstruction; stable isotope; ungulate; Africa; animal; antelope; article; chemistry; diet; evaluation; hair; histology; mass spectrometry; methodology; phylogeny; physiology; species d Carbon; Mesowear; Nitrogen; Palaeodiet; Stable isotope
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Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Series B: Biological Sciences
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Journal article
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2037-12-31
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