Kropacheva YE, Zykov SV, Smirnov NG, Salimov RM. Dental Microwear and Mesowear of the Microtus Voles Molars before and after Experimental Feeding of Owls.
DOKLADY BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES : PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE USSR, BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES SECTIONS 2019;
486:79-82. [PMID:
31317450 DOI:
10.1134/s0012496619030049]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
In small mammals, the degree of micro- and mesowear of molars depends on the feed hardness, abrasiveness, and some other characteristics. Analysis of micro- and mesorelief of the paleontological material is used for reconstruction of some animal diet parameters. Small mammals pass through a series of complex transformations on the way from the objects of biocenosis to paleontological objects. Bone remains underwent transformations during accumulation and fossilization. In particular, bone remains from ornithogenous deposits were exposed to the bird digestive system elements. We have experimentally studied changes in some parameters of the narrow-headed vole (Microtus gregalis) molars derived from the owl pellets. Comparison of the same samples before and after exposure to the digestive system of the polar owl (Nyctea scandiaca) and eagle owl (Bubo bubo) showed that the tooth enamel microrelief undergoes serious changes and therefore, provides no information on the intravital diet of voles. A different degree of preservation of the characteristics of the mesorelief was shown. Depending on this, an assessment of their applicability to paleoreconstructions was given.
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