Review of the actualistic taphonomy of small mammals ingested by South American predators. Its importance in the interpretation of the fossil record

CLAUDIA MONTALVO; FERNANDO J. FERNÁNDEZ

Publicación Electrónica de la Asociación Paleontológica Argentina

Asociación Paleontológica Argentina

Lugar: Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires; Año: 2019 vol. 19 p. 18 - 46

In this paper the current state of knowledge of the taphonomic characteristics of micromammal (rodents and marsupials) remains generated by the action of the different predators (avian raptors and carnivore mammals) of South America (particularly of Argentina), known through actualistic studies, is reviewed. The taphonomic attributes analyzed, allowed the adjustment, through large comparisons among different groups of predators and prey, of the modification categories indicated in the original papers. The data here revised and assessed suggest that South American predators evaluated may be gathered into four categories of modification: a. Light (Tyto alba, Bubo virginianus, Strix chacoensis and Asio flammeus); b. Moderate (Athene cunicularia, Geranoaetus melanoleucus, Geranoaetus polyosoma, and Pseudoscops clamator); c. Heavy (Circus buffoni, Caracara plancus, Elanus leucurus, Didelphis albiventris, Leopardus geoffroyi and Lontra longicaudis); d. Extreme (Milvago chimango, Puma concolor, Puma yagouaroundi, Conepatus chinga and Lycalopex griseus). Finally, it is evaluated how these studies were applied in fossil record of both palaeontological and archaeological sites of South America.