Taphonomy and dispersion of bones scavenged by New World vultures and caracaras in Northwestern Patagonia: implications for the formation of archaeological sites

Ballejo, Fernando; Fernández, Fernando Julián; Montalvo, Claudia I.; Santis, Luciano José María De

doi:10.1007/s12520-015-0277-9

Cited by 13 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…In South America, the role of diurnal raptors as bone accumulators is less well understood compared with their African counterparts, with the few existing studies focusing on smaller species or scavengers inhabiting cooler, subtropical regions (Ballejo et al, 2016; Montalvo & Tallade, 2009). Examining differences and similarities in the taphonomic signatures of primate‐specialized raptors is crucial for understanding the formation and composition of the taphonomic record.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Taphonomy of harpy eagle predation on primates and other mammals

Garbino,

Semedo,

Miranda

2023

American J Primatol

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The goal of this study is to provide a taphonomic analysis of bone fragments found in harpy eagle nests in the Brazilian Amazonia, utilizing the largest sample of prey remains collected to date. Harpy eagle kill samples were collected from nine nests, between June 2016 and December 2020 in Mato Grosso, Brazil. We identified the specimens, calculated the number of identified specimens (NISP) and minimum number of individuals (MNI). These metrics were used to estimate bone survivability and fragmentation. A total of 1661 specimens (NISP) were collected, representing a minimum number of 234 individuals (MNI). We identified at least nine species of primates, which represent 63.8% of the individuals in the kill sample. Harpy eagles preyed mostly on the medium‐sized capuchin and bearded saki monkeys (28.2% of the MNI), and two‐toed sloths (17.7% of the MNI). The large woolly monkeys also represented a significant portion of the sample (11.5% of the MNI). Three distinct patterns of bone survivability were found, one characterizing two‐toed sloths, another characterizing medium‐sized monkeys, and a third typical of woolly monkeys. We conclude that harpy eagle predation leaves an identifiable signature on the prey with a bone survivability pattern specific to each taxon. The intertaxon variations observed in the taphonomic signatures of harpy eagle kills should be taken into account when evaluating the potential influence of these raptors as accumulators of bone material in both paleontological and neontological assemblages.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Taphonomy of harpy eagle predation on primates and other mammals

Garbino,

Semedo,

Miranda

2023

American J Primatol

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“…While dispersal by terrestrial vertebrates (canids, felids, hyaenids, etc.) has received much attention in forensics [1], that caused by avian species has received relatively little [2–8], and that by shore species, including gulls (Laridae), has received even less [9]. Given their worldwide coastal distribution that extends inland around other major bodies of water, including the Great Lakes region in the USA and Canada [10], their potential to impact coastal and marine remains is even greater.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Preliminary study of gull (Laridae) scavenging and dispersal of vertebrate remains, Shoals Marine Laboratory, Coastal New England

Pokines

2022

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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The taphonomic effects of avian taxa upon forensic scenes has been little researched, and shore species including gulls (Laridae) have received even less attention, despite their well-known behavior as scavengers of human food waste. In order to begin assessing their potential impact, a pilot study was undertaken on Appledore Island, Maine, USA, at the Shoals Marine Laboratory. This location was chosen for its isolation from most other vertebrate scavengers and its large, seasonal breeding colonies of gulls, primarily great black-backed (Larus marinus) and herring (L. argentatus) gulls.Two locations with fresh bones were monitored for scavenging activity, using trail cameras and Tile Mate® tracking chips. In addition, portions of the breeding colonies nesting areas along the rocky coast were surveyed for bones that must have derived at some distance from human-generated trash sources. All (n = 16) fresh bones underwent dispersal by gulls, with an average distance of 10 m and a maximum distance (in one case) of 85 m. Multiple bones from trash sources were transported a minimum of 150 m if locally acquired and a minimum of 10 km if acquired from the mainland. These bones had a maximum length of 192 mm and mass of 46.0 g. Gulls, with their global distribution, have the potential to be significant dispersers of human skeletal remains and should undergo additional taphonomic research.

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“…Las investigaciones tafonómicas previas sobre esta ave han estudiado muestras óseas acumuladas debajo de nidos y perchas y evidencias de su acción carroñera (Montalvo y Tallade 2009Montalvo et al 2011;Nasti 2021). Estas indicaron que el carancho genera acumulaciones de restos no ingeridos, con patrones de representación esquelética particulares y produce modificaciones en los huesos (Montalvo y Tallade 2009Montalvo et al 2011;Ballejo et al 2016;Nasti 2021).…”

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Acumulaciones de restos óseos en nidos de carancho (Caracara plancus, Aves, Falconiformes) de la Patagonia Austral. Implicaciones tafonómicas y arqueológicas

Álvarez¹,

Gutiérrez²,

Massigoge³

et al. 2022

Rev. Mus. Antrop.

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Se estudiaron los restos faunísticos no ingeridos recuperados en el interior y bajo un nido de carancho (Caracara plancus) localizado en los niveles aterrazados del interfluvio Coyle-Gallegos con el objetivo general de evaluar su papel como agente tafonómico. El nido fue construido sobre una mata de calafate (Berberis sp.), ubicada en el centro de una concentración de carcasas de guanacos (Lama guanicoe) muertos por estrés invernal en el año 2020. Durante las tareas de campo se describieron y tomaron medidas del nido y se colectó su contenido. En el laboratorio realizamos identificaciones anatómicas y taxonómicas, además de relevar distintas variables tafonómicas. Los resultados indican el predominio de restos de guanaco, seguido por zorrino (Conepatus chinga), liebre (Lepus europaeus) y choique (Rhea pennata). Gran parte de los restos están desarticulados, fracturados y presentan marcas de mamíferos carnívoros. Al considerar los nidos de carancho en el marco de la arqueología regional, se destaca que el mayor potencial de contaminación del registro con los huesos acumulados por caranchos se daría en cañadones y roqueríos. Las observaciones y los resultados de los análisis permiten reconocer la incidencia del carancho como agente formador del registro, lo cual es relevante dado que por la escasa evidencia de su accionar, no suele ser considerado al momento de evaluar las historias tafonómicas de los conjuntos arqueológicos.

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Taphonomy and dispersion of bones scavenged by New World vultures and caracaras in Northwestern Patagonia: implications for the formation of archaeological sites

Cited by 13 publications

References 34 publications

Taphonomy of harpy eagle predation on primates and other mammals

Taphonomy of harpy eagle predation on primates and other mammals

Preliminary study of gull (Laridae) scavenging and dispersal of vertebrate remains, Shoals Marine Laboratory, Coastal New England

Acumulaciones de restos óseos en nidos de carancho (Caracara plancus, Aves, Falconiformes) de la Patagonia Austral. Implicaciones tafonómicas y arqueológicas

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