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Revisiting old bones: coupled carbon isotope analysis of bioapatite and collagen as an ecological and palaeoecological tool
Author(s) -
Clementz M.T.,
FoxDobbs K.,
Wheatley P.V.,
Koch P.L.,
Doak D.F.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
geological journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.721
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1099-1034
pISSN - 0072-1050
DOI - 10.1002/gj.1173
Subject(s) - trophic level , paleoecology , ecology , isotope analysis , stable isotope ratio , isotopes of carbon , δ13c , geology , biology , total organic carbon , quantum mechanics , physics
Abstract Isotopic studies of palaeoecological and ecological questions often use bone collagen or bioapatite as substrates, but rarely both. Substantial new information can be gained from the incorporation of isotopic values from both the organic and inorganic fractions of bone. Here we show that combining isotopic data from both substrates provides valuable and unique insights into (1) trophic relationships and dietary interactions; (2) differences in digestive physiologies and (3) identification of palaeontological or archaeological remains that lack diagnostic morphological characters. We present a range of new isotopic data collected from modern and fossil mammals, and investigate patterns within several published datasets. We define carbon isotope spacing variables, and then explore four diverse palaeoecological and ecological case studies. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.