TY - JOUR
T1 - Stable isotopes provide independent support for the use of mesowear variables for inferring diets in African antelopes
AU - Louys, Julien
AU - Ditchfield, Peter
AU - Meloro, Carlo
AU - Elton, Sarah
AU - Bishop, Laura
PY - 2012
Y1 - 2012
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
U2 - 10.1098/rspb.2012.1473
DO - 10.1098/rspb.2012.1473
M3 - Article
VL - 279
SP - 4441
EP - 4446
JO - Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Series B: Biological Sciences
JF - Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Series B: Biological Sciences
IS - 1746
ER -