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Stable isotopes provide independent support for the use of mesowear variables for inferring diets in African antelopes

Louys, J.; Ditchfield, P.; Meloro, C.; Elton, S.; Bishop, L.C.

Stable isotopes provide independent support for the use of mesowear variables for inferring diets in African antelopes Thumbnail


Authors

J. Louys

P. Ditchfield

C. Meloro

L.C. Bishop



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 hyposodonty may be the result of phylogenetic legacy.

Citation

Louys, J., Ditchfield, P., Meloro, C., Elton, S., & Bishop, L. (2012). Stable isotopes provide independent support for the use of mesowear variables for inferring diets in African antelopes. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 279(1746), 4441-4446. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2012.1473

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Aug 9, 2012
Publication Date Nov 1, 2012
Deposit Date May 20, 2013
Publicly Available Date Dec 2, 2015
Journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
Print ISSN 0962-8452
Electronic ISSN 1471-2954
Publisher The Royal Society
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 279
Issue 1746
Pages 4441-4446
DOI https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2012.1473
Keywords Mesowear, Palaeodiet, Stable isotope, Nitrogen, Carbon.

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