Taphonomy of small mammal bone accumulations generated by the Chaco owl (Strix chacoensis, Strigiformes) from the Monte Desert (Mendoza, Argentina): A contribution to South American archaeological and palaeontological studies

JOSÉ MANUEL LÓPEZ; FERNÁNDEZ, FERNANDO JULIÁN; LEONARDO CASTILLO; ROBERTO PEREYRA-LOBOS

BOREAS

WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2018 vol. 47 p. 780 - 791

0300-9483

The present study analyses the taphonomic features of recent small mammalbone and teeth accumulations recovered from pellets generated by Strix chacoensis in a Natural Protected Area from the central Monte Desert of Mendoza, Argentina. In order to identify the taphonomic signature of this predator in the formation of zooarchaeological and palaeontological accumulations, taxonomic profiles, relative abundances, bone breakage patterns, and digestive corrosion were evaluated. Taphonomic results locate S. chacoensis in modification category 2 (intermediate). Although the general taphonomic patterns detected in the present study were similar to a typical owl pattern, some differences from that pattern were detected. Thus, this sample showed lesser relative abundances of skeletal elements, greater loss of teeth, and a larger number of incisors modified by digestion than those generated by other strigiforms. The comparison with reported archaeological accumulations suggested that the small mammal remains recovered in some sites from the Monte Desert may correspond to the predatory activity of S. chacoensis. The identification of the action of S. chacoensis in archaeological and palaeontological small mammal bone and teethaccumulations is an interesting tool to evaluate the conservation status of native forests in the past.