Isotopic paleoecology of the Pleistocene megamammals from the Brazilian Intertropical Region: Feeding ecology (δ13C), niche breadth and overlap. (15th August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dantas, Mário André Trindade; Cherkinsky, Alexander; Bocherens, Hervé; Drefahl, Morgana; Bernardes, Camila; França, Lucas de Melo
• Is Part Of: Quaternary science reviews. Volume 170(2017)
• Page Start: 152
• Page End: 163
• Publication Date: 2017-08-15
• Subjects: Geology, Stratigraphic -- Quaternary -- Periodicals; Stratigraphie -- Quaternaire -- Périodiques; 551.79
• DOI: 10.1016/j.quascirev.2017.06.030
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0277-3791

Abstract

Abstract: The extinct megamammals Eremotherium laurillardi (weight 6550 kg), Notiomastodon platensis (w = 6000 kg), Toxodon platensis (w = 3090 kg), Valgipes bucklandi (w = 980 kg) and Equus ( Amerhippus ) neogaeus (w = 370 kg) are recorded for the late Pleistocene of the Brazilian Intertropical Region. In order to evaluate the isotopic paleoecology (feeding diet, niche breadth and overlap) of these species, 14 C dates, δ 13 C and δ 18 O analyzes were performed. Our results suggest that E. laurillardi ( μ δ 13 C = −4.35 ± 2.87‰; μB A = 0.77 ± 0.25), T. platensis ( μ δ 13 C = −5.74 ± 4.80‰; μB A = 0.57 ± 0.40) and N. platensis ( μ δ 13 C = −1.17 ± 2.76‰; μB A = 0.56 ± 0.20) were mixed feeders with a wide niche breadth, while E. ( A. ) neogaeus ( μ δ 13 C = 0.73 ± 1.19‰; μB A = 0.38 ± 0.22) was a grazer, and V. bucklandi (δ 13 C = −10.17‰; B A = 0.13) was a specialist browser. A narrow niche overlap occurred between V. bucklandi and the species that fed principally on C4 plants (>70%; O = 0.24–0.43). In contrast, there was a high niche overlap between E. neogaeus and N. platensis ( O = 0.75) and between E. laurillardi and T. platensis ( O = 0.86). Therefore, E. laurillardi was probably a key species in this Pleistocene community due to its high body weight and wide niche breadth, suggesting that E. laurillardi was a great competitor for resources in the BIR. Highlights: Megafauna lived in the Brazilian Intertropical Region (BIR) through 300 to 10 ka. Paleoecology information about niche breadth and overlap of megafauna in BIR. E. laurillardi was a key species in structuration of the BIR communities.