Bone Modification Patterns Produced By Two South Small Sized Carnivores

GUTIERREZ M. A.; RAFUSE, D.; MASSIGOGE, A; ALVAREZ, M. C.; KAUFMANN C. A.

Memphis

Congreso; THE SAA 77TH ANNUAL MEETING; 2012

SAA

In this presentation we analyze bone modifications(skeletal representation, breakage, and tooth marks)produced by two native carnivores from the Pampas ofSouth America: Pampean fox (Lycalopex gymnocercus)and geoffroy’s cat (Leopardus geoffroyi). The mainobjective is to identify the modification patternscharacteristic of these two species. Both carnivores werefed with rabbits and the non ingested bones wereanalyzed. Skeletal representation, as well as size,morphology, and location of the tooth marks wereregistered and compared using digital images and GIS.Our results will contribute to distinguish carnivoreinduced bone modifications from other formationprocesses.