Pumas as taphonomic agents: A comparative analysis of actualistic studies in the Neotropics

Taphonomic analysis of rodent bone accumulations produced by Geoffroy's cat (Leopardus geoffroyi, Carnivora, Felidae) in Central Argentina

“…Taphonomic studies on recent accumulations produced by different predators may contribute to establish diagnostic characteristics of the fossil record (Andrews, 1990), and to determine if the bones in the site are present there due to the action of human beings or the action of carnivores. Therefore, some of the predators that inhabit central Argentina have already been evaluated in terms of the taphonomic changes they produce, including mammals such as the puma (Puma concolor), the hog-nosed skunk (Conepatus chinga) and the grey fox (Lycalopex griseus), as well as some raptor birds (Martín and Borrero, 1997;Gómez, 2005;Gómez and Kauffmann, 2007;Montalvo et al, 2007Montalvo et al, , 2008; Mondini and Muñoz, 2008;Tallade, 2009, 2010). Moreover, Mondini (1995Mondini ( , 2000Mondini ( , 2001Mondini ( , 2003Mondini ( , 2004Mondini ( , 2005Mondini ( , 2008 analyzed the modifications that different carnivores, mainly foxes from Northern Argentina (Lycalopex spp.…”

Carcass damage and digested bone from mountain lions (Felis concolor): implications for carcass persistence on landscapes as a function of prey age

“…puma, cougar, catamount, Felis concolor) of the New World are ideal models for the medium-large cats, as they were common in the past and are still widely available for actualistic study in the present. Up to now, taphonomic research on mountain lions has been conducted mainly for South American populations (Martin and Borrero, 1997;San Roman et al, 2000;Pacheco et al, 2004;Borrero et al, 2005;Montalvo et al, 2007;Mondini and Sebastián Muñoz, 2007;Sebastian Muñoz et al, 2008). Most of this work has focused on carcass modification, and fecal bone has been studied mainly with reference to prey species importance (Iriarte et al, 1990;Cashman et al, 1992;Pacheco et al, 2004;Borrero et al, 2005).…”

Can Archaeozoology and Taphonomy contribute to knowledge of the feeding habits of the Iberian wolf?

“…The presence of wild boar hair in a scat could suggest that bones may correspond to Sus scrofa. Nevertheless this attribution should not be made automatically because other studies have noted discrepancies between identified bone and identified hair in a sample of scats (Mondini and Sebastián Muñoz, 2008;Stiner et al, 2011).…”

“…Some of this research has focused on studying the contents of the scats, e.g. Andrews and Nesbit, 1983 (Viverridae, Mustelidae and Canidae); Payne and Munson, 1985 (domestic dog); Lloveras et al, 2008 (lynx); Martín and Borrero, 1997;Montalvo et al, 2007;Mondini and Sebastián Muñoz, 2008;Stiner et al, 2011 (cougar) ;Sutcliffe, 1970;Pickering, 2002;Pokines and Kerbis, 2007 (leopard and hyena). Research on taphonomic modifications in skeletal remains digested by canids has focused mainly on the fox and the coyote (Andrews and Nesbit, 1983;Stallibrass, 1990;Schmitt and Juell, 1994;Mondini, 2000;Sanchís, 2000;Cochard, 2004;Gómez and Kaufmann, 2007;Lloveras et al, 2011).…”