The role of crowned eagle (Harpyhaliaetus coronatus Falconiformes) as accumulating agents of armadillos (Dasypodidae)

MONTALVO, C.I.; SANTILLAN, M.A.; GALMES, M.A.; GRANDE, J.M.; CEREGHETTI, J.; SARASOLA, J.H.

Mendoza

Congreso; 12th. International Congress of Archaezoology; 2014

Distinguish if the presence of armadillos osteoderms in zooarchaeological record in central and southern Argentina can be assigned to anthropic action or to accumulations produced by predators is of interest. Among the predators that usually consume armadillos is the crowned eagle. This eagle is one of the largest birds of prey in South America, ranging from southern Brazil to northern Patagonia in Argentina. Undigested remains of 301 armadillos [Zaedyus pichiy (59,5%), Chaetophractus villosus (9,3%), C. vellerosus (4,3%) and Dasypodidae indet. (26,9%)] were collected in 12 breeding areas of crowned eagle in three biogeographic region into La Pampa and Mendoza provinces, central Argentina, during 2010-2012. In the whole sample, specimens were mainly complete or incomplete carapaces, however were recovered other skeletal elements. Tails were scarce. Scapular and pelvic were the plates with the highest percentage of completeness, bands plates were mainly incomplete. Breakages caused during consumption are mainly located in skulls and mandibles. Osteoderms are preserved with few modifications. Marks were scarce, they occur mainly in skulls. In average, 790 osteoderms constituting the whole carapace in dasypodids present in the sample and considering 86 as the maximum number of dasypodids found in a crowned eagle nest, this predator provided more than 67,000 osteoderms in the nest area and constitutes an important accumulator of osteoderms that can be considered when evaluating zooarqueological record.