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

Julien Louys, Peter Ditchfield, Carlo Meloro, Sarah Elton, Laura Bishop

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticle

    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.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)4441-4446
    JournalProceedings of the Royal Society of London Series B: Biological Sciences
    Volume279
    Issue number1746
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2012

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