Abstract

MIGNINO, Julián. Taphonomy of bone and tooth micromammal remains recovered from pellets generated by Megascops choliba (Strigiformes) in woody environments of central Argentina. Intersecciones antropol. [online]. 2021, vol.22, n.1, pp.69-82.  Epub June 01, 2021. ISSN 1850-373X.  http://dx.doi.org/10.37176/iea.22.1.2021.590.

The study of micromammals contained in raptor pellets is a useful tool to evaluate mechanisms of accumulation of the archaeofaunal record and to strengthen palaeoenvironmental inferences. With the goal of increasing knowledge about possible accumulating agents of micromammal remains in archaeological and paleontological contexts, this paper presents the first taphonomic study of bone and tooth remains recovered from Megascops choliba pellets from the Chaqueño Serrano Forrest in the northwest of the province of Córdoba, Argentina. The samples include eight species of sigmodontine rodents and one species of Thylamyini marsupial. The taxonomic profile of the prey, abundance and proportions of anatomical elements, breakage patterns and evidence of digestion were analyzed. The taphonomic evaluations indicated a high percentage of relative abundance of skeletal parts, with a preponderance of postcranial elements over the cranial, and a slight loss of distal elements with respect to the proximal. Regarding the fracture patterns, although a high proportion of cranial elements were detected fractured, the postcranial elements were generally recovered complete. Finally, a high proportion of teeth altered by light digestive action was detected. These observations reveal the inclusion of M. choliba in the categories of moderate to intermediate modification.

Keywords : Neo-taphonomy; Micromammals; Zooarchaeology; Modern analogous; Strigiforms; Córdoba.

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