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The implications for paleodietary and paleoclimatic reconstructions of intrapopulation variability in the oxygen and carbon isotopes of teeth from modern feral horses

Bibliographic Data

ID24086701
AuthorsKathryn A Hoppe (0000-0002-2623-3852, University of California, Berkeley, corresponding author), Sue Stuska, Ronald Amundson (0000-0003-1510-7313, University of California, Berkeley)
Year2005
Volume64
Issue2
Pages138-146
Publication date2005-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueQuaternary Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0033-5894 • E-ISSN: 1096-0287
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.yqres.2005.05.007
OpenAlexW2142828220
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited45

We analyzed the isotopic patterns found in the tooth enamel of modern feral horses from Shackleford Banks, North Carolina (USA), which has a temperate climate and supports primarily C4 grasslands. Enamel δ13C values averaged −4.1‰ with a standard deviation (1σ) of 1.7‰, which corresponds to an average diet of 66 ± 12% C4 plants. Our results differ from dietary reconstructions from 1978 to 1981, which found that horses consumed 91% C4 plants. This suggests that horses have increased their consumption of C3 forbs, likely as a result of the removal of cattle, sheep, and goats from the island. Shackleford surface waters had δ18O values that averaged −3.3 ± 0.5‰ and −1.3 ± 1.8‰ on the western and eastern ends of the island, respectively. Tooth enamel samples averaged 27.3 ± 1.5‰ and displayed the same range of δ18O values as surface waters. The variability of both δ18O and the δ13C values among individuals within this population demonstrates that horses from relatively homogenous temperate environments can display a wide range of isotopic values. Given the observed range of isotopic values for modern horses, we suggest that researchers use the mean values of multiple (≥9) equids when attempting to reconstruct average paleodiets and/or paleoenvironmental conditions.

Animal science · Biology · Enamel paint · Equus · Forb · Geochemistry · Geography · Grassland · Isotopes of carbon · Isotopes of oxygen · Physical geography · Population · Range (aeronautics) · Stable isotope ratio · Temperate climate · Tooth enamel · Total organic carbon · δ13C · δ18O · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Ecology · Geology · Isotope Analysis in Ecology · Paleontology · Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology

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Unique citing works5
Citations per year0,45
Citation span2015 - 2022 (8)
Citation velocityhistorical
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 5
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