The fox, the hare and the sheep. Bone modifications in a modern carnivore den at the deciduous Andean forest (Cholila, Argentina)

FERNÁNDEZ, PABLO MARCELO; CRUZ, ISABEL

Paris, Francia

Congreso; 11th ICAZ International Conference; 2010

International Council of Archaeozoology

Analysis of modifications recorded on a bone assemblage from a modern carnivore den (Site 37 near Cholila locality, Chubut province, Argentine, 42°30´S-71°30´W) is presented. The aim is to characterize carnivore’s taphonomic action at the deciduous Andean forest. Different lines of evidence (taxonomic composition of bone assemblage, anatomic profiles, and scat analysis) show that foxes (Lycalopex culpaeos or L. griseus) are the main taphonomic actors involved in bone accumulation. Lepus sp. (47%) and ovicaprid (45%) specimens dominated bone assemblage (NISP= 340). Flying birds and small rodents are scarcely represented. Elements from the appendicular skeleton prevail in the hare assemblage, whereas most of the ovicaprid elements correspond to the axial skeleton. Birds are represented by wing elements, whereas rodent remains are from the entire skeleton. Hare, ovicaprid and birds bones exhibit carnivore damages (ca. 12% each taxa). Punctures are the most frequent type of gnawing mark. The morphology and the small size of a high proportion of these punctures suggest two alternative hypotheses (the former more probable than the second one): (a) fox puppies are involved, implying a context of breeding den or (b) these marks are the product of a small carnivore not yet identified.Lycalopex culpaeos or L. griseus) are the main taphonomic actors involved in bone accumulation. Lepus sp. (47%) and ovicaprid (45%) specimens dominated bone assemblage (NISP= 340). Flying birds and small rodents are scarcely represented. Elements from the appendicular skeleton prevail in the hare assemblage, whereas most of the ovicaprid elements correspond to the axial skeleton. Birds are represented by wing elements, whereas rodent remains are from the entire skeleton. Hare, ovicaprid and birds bones exhibit carnivore damages (ca. 12% each taxa). Punctures are the most frequent type of gnawing mark. The morphology and the small size of a high proportion of these punctures suggest two alternative hypotheses (the former more probable than the second one): (a) fox puppies are involved, implying a context of breeding den or (b) these marks are the product of a small carnivore not yet identified.