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Heddell-Stevens P, Jöris O, Britton K, Matthies T, Lucas M, Scott E, Le Roux P, Meller H, Roberts P. Multi-isotope reconstruction of Late Pleistocene large-herbivore biogeography and mobility patterns in Central Europe. Commun Biol 2024; 7:568. [PMID: 38745082 PMCID: PMC11094090 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06233-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Interpretations of Late Pleistocene hominin adaptative capacities by archaeologists have focused heavily on their exploitation of certain prey and documented contemporary behaviours for these species. However, we cannot assume that animal prey-taxa ecology and ethology were the same in the past as in the present, or were constant over archaeological timescales. Sequential isotope analysis of herbivore teeth has emerged as a particularly powerful method of directly reconstructing diet, ecology and mobility patterns on sub-annual scales. Here, we apply 87Sr/86Sr isotope analysis, in combination with δ18O and δ13C isotope analysis, to sequentially sampled tooth enamel of prevalent herbivore species that populated Europe during the Last Glacial Period, including Rangifer tarandus, Equus sp. and Mammuthus primigenius. Our samples come from two open-air archaeological sites in Central Germany, Königsaue and Breitenbach, associated with Middle Palaeolithic and early Upper Palaeolithic cultures, respectively. We identify potential inter- and intra-species differences in range size and movement through time, contextualised through insights into diet and the wider environment. However, homogeneous bioavailable 87Sr/86Sr across large parts of the study region prevented the identification of specific migration routes. Finally, we discuss the possible influence of large-herbivore behaviour on hominin hunting decisions at the two sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phoebe Heddell-Stevens
- Department of Archaeology, Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology, Jena, Germany.
- Institute of Oriental Studies, Indo-European Studies, Prehistoric and Early Historical Archaeology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany.
| | - Olaf Jöris
- Leibniz-Zentrum für Archäologie (LEIZA), MONREPOS Archaeological Research Centre and Museum for Human Behavioural Evolution, Neuwied, Germany
- Institue of Ancient Studies, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Kate Britton
- Department of Archaeology, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
- Department of Human Evolution, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Tim Matthies
- Leibniz-Zentrum für Archäologie (LEIZA), MONREPOS Archaeological Research Centre and Museum for Human Behavioural Evolution, Neuwied, Germany
- Institue of Ancient Studies, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Mary Lucas
- Department of Archaeology, Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology, Jena, Germany
- Arctic University Museum of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Erin Scott
- Department of Archaeology, Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology, Jena, Germany
| | - Petrus Le Roux
- Department of Geosciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Harald Meller
- State Office for Heritage Management and Archeology Saxony-Anhalt - State Museum of Prehistory, Halle, Germany
| | - Patrick Roberts
- Department of Archaeology, Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology, Jena, Germany
- School of Social Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
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Poquérusse J, Brown CL, Gaillard C, Doughty C, Dalén L, Gallagher AJ, Wooller M, Zimov N, Church GM, Lamm B, Hysolli E. Assessing contemporary Arctic habitat availability for a woolly mammoth proxy. Sci Rep 2024; 14:9804. [PMID: 38684726 PMCID: PMC11058768 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60442-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Interest continues to grow in Arctic megafaunal ecological engineering, but, since the mass extinction of megafauna ~ 12-15 ka, key physiographic variables and available forage continue to change. Here we sought to assess the extent to which contemporary Arctic ecosystems are conducive to the rewilding of megaherbivores, using a woolly mammoth (M. primigenius) proxy as a model species. We first perform a literature review on woolly mammoth dietary habits. We then leverage Oak Ridge National Laboratories Distributive Active Archive Center Global Aboveground and Belowground Biomass Carbon Density Maps to generate aboveground biomass carbon density estimates in plant functional types consumed by the woolly mammoth at 300 m resolution on Alaska's North Slope. We supplement these analyses with a NASA Arctic Boreal Vulnerability Experiment dataset to downgrade overall biomass estimates to digestible levels. We further downgrade available forage by using a conversion factor representing the relationship between total biomass and net primary productivity (NPP) for arctic vegetation types. Integrating these estimates with the forage needs of woolly mammoths, we conservatively estimate Alaska's North Slope could support densities of 0.0-0.38 woolly mammoth km-2 (mean 0.13) across a variety of habitats. These results may inform innovative rewilding strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Camille Gaillard
- School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011, USA
| | - Chris Doughty
- School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011, USA
| | - Love Dalén
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Centre for Palaeogenetics, Svante Arrhenius Väg 20C, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genetics, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Matthew Wooller
- College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA
| | - Nikita Zimov
- North-East Science Station, Pacific Institute of Geography, Russian Academy of Sciences, Chersky, Russia
| | - George M Church
- Colossal Biosciences Inc, Austin, TX, 78701, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Harvard-MIT Program in Health Sciences and Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Ben Lamm
- Colossal Biosciences Inc, Austin, TX, 78701, USA.
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McMullin RT, Simon ADF, Brodo IM, Wickham SB, Bell-Doyon P, Kuzmina M, Starzomski BM. DNA barcoding aids in generating a preliminary checklist of the lichens and allied fungi of Calvert Island, British Columbia: Results from the 2018 Hakai Terrestrial BioBlitz. Biodivers Data J 2024; 12:e120292. [PMID: 38469225 PMCID: PMC10925859 DOI: 10.3897/bdj.12.e120292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Bioblitzes are a tool for the rapid appraisal of biodiversity and are particularly useful in remote and understudied regions and for understudied taxa. Lichens are an example of an often overlooked group, despite being widespread in virtually all terrestrial ecosystems and having many important ecological functions. New information We report the lichens and allied fungi collected during the 2018 terrestrial bioblitz conducted on Calvert Island on the Central Coast of British Columbia, Canada. We identified 449 specimens belonging to 189 species in 85 genera, increasing the total number of species known from Calvert Island to 194, and generated Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) sequences for 215 specimens from 121 species. Bryoriafurcellata, Chaenothecopsislecanactidis and C.nigripunctata were collected for the first time in British Columbia. We also found Pseudocyphellariarainierensis, which is listed as Special Concern on the federal Species at Risk Act, and other rarely reported species in British Columbia including Opegraphasphaerophoricola, Protomicarealimosa, Raesaeneniahuuskonenii and Sareadifformis. We demonstrate that DNA barcoding improves the scope and accuracy of expert-led bioblitzes by facilitating the detection of cryptic species and allowing for consistent identification of chemically and morphologically overlapping taxa. Despite the spatial and temporal limitations of our study, the results highlight the value of intact forest ecosystems on the Central Coast of British Columbia for lichen biodiversity, education and conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Troy McMullin
- Canadian Museum of Nature, PO Box 3443, Station D, Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 6P4, CanadaCanadian Museum of Nature, PO Box 3443, Station DOttawa, Ontario, K1P 6P4Canada
| | - Andrew D. F. Simon
- School of Environmental Studies, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, V8P 5C2, CanadaSchool of Environmental Studies, University of VictoriaVictoria, British Columbia, V8P 5C2Canada
| | - Irwin M. Brodo
- Canadian Museum of Nature, PO Box 3443, Station D, Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 6P4, CanadaCanadian Museum of Nature, PO Box 3443, Station DOttawa, Ontario, K1P 6P4Canada
| | - Sara B. Wickham
- Hakai Institute, PO Box 309, Heriot Bay, British Columbia, VOP 1H0, CanadaHakai Institute, PO Box 309Heriot Bay, British Columbia, VOP 1H0Canada
| | - Philip Bell-Doyon
- Department of Biology, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, G1V 0A6, CanadaDepartment of Biology, Université LavalQuébec, Québec, G1V 0A6Canada
| | - Maria Kuzmina
- Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, Biodiversity Institute of Ontario, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, CanadaCentre for Biodiversity Genomics, Biodiversity Institute of Ontario, University of GuelphGuelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1Canada
| | - Brian M. Starzomski
- School of Environmental Studies, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, V8P 5C2, CanadaSchool of Environmental Studies, University of VictoriaVictoria, British Columbia, V8P 5C2Canada
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Barboza PS, Shively RD, Thompson DP. Robust Responses of Female Caribou to Changes in Food Supply. ECOLOGICAL AND EVOLUTIONARY PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 97:29-52. [PMID: 38717369 DOI: 10.1086/729668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
AbstractUngulates can respond to changes in food supply by altering foraging behavior, digestive function, and metabolism. A multifaceted response to an environmental change is considered robust. Short seasons of plant growth make herbivores sensitive to changes in food supply because maintenance and production must be accomplished in less time with fewer options in a more fragile response. Caribou live at high latitudes where short summers constrain their response to changes in food supply. We measured the ability of female caribou to resist and tolerate changes in the quality and quantity of their food supply during winter and summer. Caribou resisted changes in food abundance and quality by changing food intake and physical activity with changes in daily temperature within each season. Peak food intake rose by 134% from winter pregnancy to summer lactation (98 vs. 229 g kg-0.75 d-1), as digestible requirements to maintain the body increased by 85% for energy (1,164 vs. 2,155 kJ kg-0.75 d-1) and by 266% for N (0.79 vs. 2.89 g N kg-0.75 d-1). Caribou required a diet with a digestible content of 12 kJ g-1 and 0.8% N in pregnancy, 18 kJ g-1 and 1.9% N in early lactation, and 11 kJ g-1 and 1.2% N in late lactation, which corresponds with the phenology of the wild diet. Female caribou tolerated restriction of ad lib. food intake to 58% of their energy requirement (680 vs. 1,164 kJ kg-0.75 d-1) during winter pregnancy and to 84% of their energy requirement (1,814 vs. 2,155 kJ kg-0.75 d-1) during summer lactation without a change in stress level, as indicated by fecal corticosterone concentration. Conversely, caribou can respond to increased availability of food with a spare capacity to process digestible energy and N at 123% (2,642 vs. 2,155 kJ kg-0.75 d-1) and 145% (4.20 vs. 2.89 g N kg-0.75 d-1) of those respective requirements during lactation. Robust responses to changes in food supply allow caribou to sustain reproduction, which would buffer demographic response. However, herds may decline when thresholds of behavioral resistance and physiological tolerance are frequently exceeded. Therefore, the challenge for managing declining populations of caribou and other robust species is to identify declines in robustness before their response becomes fragile.
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Brodeur A, Leblond M, Brodeur V, Taillon J, Côté SD. Investigating potential for competition between migratory caribou and introduced muskoxen. J Wildl Manage 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexis Brodeur
- Caribou Ungava and Centre d'Études Nordiques, Département de Biologie Université Laval 1045 Avenue de la Médecine Québec QC G1V 0A6 Canada
| | - Mathieu Leblond
- Environment and Climate Change Canada 1125 Colonel By Drive Ottawa ON K1S 5B6 Canada
| | - Vincent Brodeur
- Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs Direction de la gestion de la faune du Nord‐du‐Québec 951 boulevard, Hamel Chibougamau QC G8P 2Z3 Canada
| | - Joëlle Taillon
- Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs, Direction de l'expertise sur la faune terrestre l'herpétofaune et l'avifaune 880 chemin Sainte‐Foy Québec QC G1S 4X4 Canada
| | - Steeve D. Côté
- Caribou Ungava and Centre d'Études Nordiques, Département de Biologie Université Laval 1045 Avenue de la Médecine Québec QC G1V 0A6 Canada
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Dong J, Anderson LJ. Predicted impacts of global change on bottom-up trophic interactions in the plant-ungulate-wolf food chain in boreal forests. FOOD WEBS 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fooweb.2022.e00253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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