IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group Library

IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library

View printer friendly
Sillen, A.; Lee-Thorp, J.A.
Trace element and isotopic aspects of predator-prey relationships in terrestrial foodwebs
1994 Paleogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology (107 ): 243-255
Strontium-calcium ratio (Sr/Ca) and stable carbon isotope ratio (1~C/12C) analyses of bone and enamel apatites may be used for reconstructing predator-prey relationships in vertebrate fossil assemblages. The approach is based on the rationale that ~3C/12C in predator apatite closely resemble those of their prey, while St/Ca is predictably reduced in specific predator-prey pairs. As an example, we compare the relationship of the extant leopard, _Panthera pardus_, and its preferred prey in modern foodwebs, with the relationship of fossil leopards (from the Member 1 fossil faunal assemblage at Swartkrans Cave), and their likely prey. The results suggest that Swartkrans Member I leopards depended heavily on Papio baboons, with some lesser contribution from Hyrax (_Procavia_ sp.). The approach has considerable potential for elucidating the preferred prey of extinct predators such as sabertooth cats.
	PDF files are only accessible to Friends of the Cat Group. Joining Friends of the Cat Group gives you unlimited access and downloads in the Cat SG Library for one year, and allows you to receive our newsletter Cat News (2 regular issues per year plus special issues). More information how to join here