INVESTIGADORES
PANARELLO Hector Osvaldo
artículos
Título:
d13C and 15N characterization of Modern Huemul (Hippocamelus bisulcus) from the Patagonian Andean Forest. Scope and Limitations of Their Use as a Geographical Marker
Autor/es:
A TESSONE,; FERNÁNDEZ, P. M.; BELELLI, C.; PANARELLO, H.O.
Revista:
International Journal of Osteoarchaelogy
Editorial:
John Willey & Sons
Referencias:
Lugar: Londres; Año: 2014 p. 1 - 17
ISSN:
1099-1212
Resumen:
This paper
presents an isotopic characterization (d13C and d15N) of modern huemul from
Patagonian Andean forest. This deer is considered an endemic species, now
inhabiting the sub-Antarctic forest of Chile and Argentina. We analyse if the
isotopic signals of the modern huemuls can be used as geographic markers on two
distinct spatial scales. Firstly, on the intra-forest level, we analyse the
relation between the d13C and d15N of the huemul and the annual precipitation
in the place in which the sample was collected. Secondly, on the
inter-environmental level, we evaluate to what extent the huemul?s isotopic
signal differs from that of the guanaco
(Lama guanicoe), an herbivore that occupies Patagonia´s continental steppe. The
results reveal that, on the one hand, there is no relation between the isotopic
values of modern huemul and precipitation levels, whereas on the other hand,
the modern huemul is different from the guanaco in both isotopes. We believe
that this difference between the herbivores is associated with the isotopic
signals at the base trophic chain, which is influenced by the precipitation
gradient. In this way, even though for now, these isotopic markers turn out not
to be useful for differentiating between huemul coming from sectors of the
forest with marked differences in precipitation, it is possible to distinguish
herbivores coming from the forest and steppe of continental Patagonia, enabling
the use of d13C and d15N as geographic markers. The isotopic characterization of
d13C and d15N of the modern huemuls and its relation to the Patagonian Andean
forest has strongimplications for palaeoecological and archaeological aspects
of this environment, including the biogeographical history of the huemul, and
in order to the test the models of use and exploitation of the forest by
huntergatherers in the past.