Carcass utilization and bone modifications on guanaco killed by puma in northern Patagonia, Argentina.

KAUFMANN, C. A.; RAFUSE, D. J; GONZÁLEZ, M. E; ALVAREZ, M. C.; MASSIGOGE, A.; GUTIÉRREZ, M. A.; SCHEIFLER, N. A.

QUATERNARY INTERNATIONAL

PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2018 p. 165 - 177

1040-6182

Inspired by the early fieldwork of G. Haynes with large sized predators in wilderness areas, the followingpaper presents data on bone damage patterns in a sample of guanacos killed by one of the largestpredators in South America, the puma (Puma concolor, Felidae, Carnivora). We describe the bonemodification pattern on the carcasses, including skeletal part representation, bone fractures, and toothmarks. Also, tooth mark modifications on bones collected from a puma enclosure at a local zoo wereanalyzed. Our results indicate a light modification of guanaco carcass by puma; bone damages locatedmainly in the upper portions of rear and forelimbs, rib cage, and scapular and pelvic girdles; and thepresence of a low percentage of fractured bones. Scores, pits, and punctures are the best representedtooth marks. On average, punctures are 3.5e5 mm in diameter, although larger tooth impressions areobserved. The light consumption of guanaco by the puma would provide a potential source for scavengingby other carnivores and humans.