Hungry for fruit? – A case study on the ecology of middle Miocene Moschidae (Mammalia, Ruminantia)

Abstract

In combination with literature data it indicates different levels of frugivory in moschids during the Miocene and suggests ecologic niche partitioning of two sympatric moschids in Steinheim a. A. The Miocene data imply a dietary shift during the evolution of the family, as feeding on fruits and/or nuts is not common in modern Moschidae. A direct comparison of the results for Sansan and Steinheim a. A. points to a slightly more abrasive diet in Steinheim a. A. and thus assumedly more arid conditions. Differences are only minor, however, and indicate that Sansan was most likely already affected as well by the middle Miocene cooling phase. RÉSUMÉ Une envie de fruits ?-Étude de l'écologie des Moschidae (Mammalia, Ruminantia) du Miocène moyen. Cette étude révèle les plus anciens Moschidae ayant un régime alimentaire en fruits. La méso-et la micro-usure dentaire de Micromeryx flourensianus Lartet, 1851 et M.? eiselei Aiglstorfer, Costeur, Mennecart & Heizmann, 2017 des localités de Sansan (France, 14,1 Ma) et Steinheim am Albuch (a. A., Allemagne, 13,5 Ma) ont été étudiées. La comparaison de ces données à d'autres du Miocène nous informe sur les différents niveaux de frugivorie au sein des Moschidae. Elle suggère une partition des niches écologiques entre les deux espèces sympatriques de Steinheim a. A. Les données du Miocène impliquent un changement dans le régime alimentaire au cours de l'évolution de cette famille, puisqu'il n'est pas commun, pour les Moschidae actuels, de se nourrir de fruits et/ou de noix. La comparaison entre les sites de Sansan et Steinheim a. A. indique une nourriture plus abrasive chez les spécimens de Steinheim a. A. et donc des conditions environnementales supposées plus arides. Cependant, les différences sont mineures, la localité de Sansan étant probablement déjà affectée par la phase de refroidissement du Miocène moyen.

Palaeoecological differences underlie rare co-occurrence of Miocene European primates

“…These results contrast with some previous data for middle and late Miocene Micromeryx from elsewhere in Europe, which appear strictly frugivorous [ 28 – 30 ]. However, these results are in agreement with the leaf browsing inferred for other Micromeryx [ 29 , 31 ]. Therefore, it seems that Micromeryx , since its oldest occurrences in the middle Miocene of Eurasia, was capable of feeding alternatively on fruits, seeds and soft leaves, depending on habitat-specific circumstances (e.g.…”

Spatio-temporal diversity of dietary preferences and stress sensibilities of early and middle Miocene Rhinocerotidae from Eurasia: impact of climate changes

“…at all localities but Simorre and Villefranche; Aiglstorfer et al, 2014;Xafis et al, 2020), the middle Miocene Moschidae (Micromeryx spp. found at Sansan, Simorre and Steinheim am Albuch; Aiglstorfer and Semprebon, 2019) or the chalicothere Metaschizotherium fraasi (found at Steinheim am Albuch; Semprebon et al, 2011). Interestingly, no rhinocerotid specimens studied here seemingly favored fruits, although they might have included some in their diet (B. brachypus from Simorre) or consumed some seasonally, which might not be detected by DMTA.…”

“…The co-occurrence is inferred based on the retrieving from the same stratigraphic level and/or fossil locus (Kumbi 4: Antoine et al, 2010;Gračanica: Göhlich and Mandic, 2020;Steinheim: Tütken et al, 2006) or by attested interactions between some species (Béon 1: trampling marks, Antoine pers. obs., Sansan: Aiglstorfer et al, 2019). Although co-occurrence is not necessarily a good proxy for ecological interactions (Blanchet et al, 2020), it is possible that some of these large herbivores were competing for or partitioning food resources with the rhinocerotids.…”

Palaeodietary traits of large mammals from the middle Miocene of Gračanica (Bugojno Basin, Bosnia-Herzegovina)

“…The huge diversity of large mammalian herbivores at Gračanica demonstrates the ability of multiple herbivore taxa to coexist within the same community, achieved by partitioning the available food resources. Niche partitioning has previously been recognised in some mammalian palaeocommunities (Kaiser and Rössner 2007;Merceron et al 2007;Calandra et al 2008;Rivals and Lister 2016;Aiglstorfer and Semprebon 2019). As depicted in Fig.…”