Abstract

LOPEZ, José Manuel; QUINTANA, María Fernanda; MIGNINO, Julián  and  PEREYRA-LOBOS, Roberto. Actualistic taphonomy of burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) pellet-derived small mammal bone and tooth accumulations: a discussion about the arid lowlands of Central Western Argentina. Intersecciones antropol. [online]. 2021, vol.22, n.1, pp.55-68.  Epub June 01, 2021. ISSN 1850-373X.  http://dx.doi.org/10.37176/iea.22.1.2021.589.

In the present study, the taphonomic evidence on modern burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) pellet-derived small mammal accumulations is expanded and discussed. This bird of prey is a potential accumulating agent of microvertebrate remains in South American open-air archaeological and palaeontological sites. A taphonomic analysis was carried out on small mammal bones recovered from modern pellets generated by A. cunicularia from the Monte Desert in central western Argentina. The analysis evaluated the relative abundance of skeletal elements, breakage patterns, and digestion. Rodents and marsupials made up the diet of A. cunicularia. The most interesting taphonomic results include: around 50% of incisors and postcranial elements showed traces of digestion (mainly light); high incidence of complete mandibles and postcranial elements; good preservation/representation of skeletal elements; and better representation of distal than proximal elements. Taphonomic results located A. cunicularia between predator modification categories 2-3 (intermediate-moderate modifier), adding variability to the taphonomic information previously reported for this raptor. The cricetid rodent Graomys griseoflavus played the most important role in the diet of the burrowing owls. Salinomys delicatus, a little known and endangered cricetid rodent species was detected in low proportion.

Keywords : Zooarchaeology; Pellets; Microvertebrates; Palaeoecology; Mendoza.

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