Subfossil lemur discoveries from the Beanka Protected Area in western Madagascar. Issue 1 (January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Burney, David A.; Andriamialison, Haingoson; Andrianaivoarivelo, Radosoa A.; Bourne, Steven; Crowley, Brooke E.; de Boer, Erik J.; Godfrey, Laurie R.; Goodman, Steven M.; Griffiths, Christine; Griffiths, Owen; Hume, Julian P.; Joyce, Walter G.; Jungers, William L.; Marciniak, Stephanie; Middleton, Gregory J.; Muldoon, Kathleen M.; Noromalala, Eliette; Pérez, Ventura R.; Perry, George H.; Randalana, Roger; Wright, Henry T.
• Is Part Of: Quaternary research. Volume 93:Issue 1(2020)
• Page Start: 187
• Page End: 203
• Publication Date: 2020-01
• Subjects: Babakotia, -- Lemur extinction, -- 14C dating, -- δ13C, -- δ15N, -- 87Sr/86Sr, -- Biogeography; Geology, Stratigraphic -- Quaternary -- Periodicals; Glacial epoch -- Periodicals; Stratigraphie -- Quaternaire -- Périodiques; Époque glaciaire -- Périodiques; Geology, Stratigraphic; Glacial epoch; Quaternary Geologic Period; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 551.79
• DOI: 10.1017/qua.2019.54
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0033-5894

Abstract

Abstract: A new fossil site in a previously unexplored part of western Madagascar (the Beanka Protected Area) has yielded remains of many recently extinct vertebrates, including giant lemurs ( Babakotia radofilai, Palaeopropithecus kelyus, Pachylemur sp., and Archaeolemur edwardsi ), carnivores ( Cryptoprocta spelea ), the aardvark-like Plesiorycteropus sp., and giant ground cuckoos ( Coua ). Many of these represent considerable range extensions. Extant species that were extirpated from the region (e.g., Prolemur simus ) are also present. Calibrated radiocarbon ages for 10 bones from extinct primates span the last three millennia. The largely undisturbed taphonomy of bone deposits supports the interpretation that many specimens fell in from a rock ledge above the entrance. Some primates and other mammals may have been prey items of avian predators, but human predation is also evident. Strontium isotope ratios ( 87 Sr/ 86 Sr) suggest that fossils were local to the area. Pottery sherds and bones of extinct and extant vertebrates with cut and chop marks indicate human activity in previous centuries. Scarcity of charcoal and human artifacts suggests only occasional visitation to the site by humans. The fossil assemblage from this site is unusual in that, while it contains many sloth lemurs, it lacks ratites, hippopotami, and crocodiles typical of nearly all other Holocene subfossil sites on Madagascar.