Contribution of isotopic biogeochemistry (13C, 15N, 18O) to the paleoecology of mammoths (mammuthus primigenius) |
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| Authors: | Hervé Bocherens Marc Fizet André Mariotti Roland A. Gangloff James A. Burns |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Laboratoire de Biogéochimie Isotopique , Université Pierre et Marie Curie ‐ INRA CNRS URA 196 , Bo?te 120, 4, Place Jussieu, Paris cedex 05, 75252, France;2. Geophysical Laboratory , Carnegie Institution of Washington , 5251 Broad Branch Rd, Washington D.C., N.W., 20015–1305, USA;3. Laboratoire de Biogéochimie Isotopique , Bo?te 120, 4 Place Jussieu, Paris Cedex 05, 75252, France;4. Laboratoire de Biogéochimie Isotopique , Université Pierre et Marie Curie ‐ INRA CNRS URA 196 , Bo?te 120, 4, Place Jussieu, Paris cedex 05, 75252, France;5. University of Alaska Museum , 907 Yukon Dr., Fairbanks, Alaska, 99775–1200, USA;6. Provincial Museum of Alberta , 12845–102 Ave, Edmonton, Alberta, T5N 0M6, Canada |
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| Abstract: | Carbon isotopic abundances in Alaskan, Albertan and Russian mammoths indicate a diet of C3‐plants. The relatively high nitrogen isotopic abundances suggest arid conditions in Alberta and Alaska during the last ice age, and similar conditions in Russia. Nitrogen isotopic abundances are higher in mammoths relative to coeval herbivores, which may be due to differences in protein content of their diet. Oxygen isotopic abundances are similar in mammoths and in modern mammals from the same areas. The characteristic isotopic signature of mammoth ivory allows distinction from elephant or marine mammal ivory. |
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| Keywords: | Beringia collagen isotope ivory mammoth paleoecology |
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