| Abstract: |
Stable carbon isotope analysis of fossil tooth enamel carbonate, and oxygen isotope analysis of bone or enamel phosphate, are established tools for palaeodietary and palaeoclimatic reconstruction, respectively. 13C/12C ratios provide evidence of an animals diet and phosphate-based 18O/16O values are used to establish palaeotemperature proxies. Recent studies of fossil enamel suggest that biogenic 18O/16O signals are also retained in the carbonate compartment, despite assumptions that18O/16O ratios from apatite carbonate are highly susceptible to exchange during fossilization. Here, we re-examine existing enamel carbonate 18O/16O data from the rich fossil assemblages of Swartkrans and Equus Cave. We find patterns that can be interpreted in terms of drinking behaviour, diet, and physiology. In general, herbivores that drink little are more enriched than those that drink frequently, while carnivores are depleted compared with herbivores. Thus, we can increase our knowledge of the ecology of fossil taxa by coupling carbon and oxygen isotope ratio data.
|
