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Implications for late Pleistocene mastodon diet from opal phytoliths in tooth calculus

Auteurs :
GOBETZ, K.E.
BOZARTH, S.R.

Description :
Calculus removed from the molar teeth of 4 American mastodons contained opal phytoliths which reflect major dietary components. Comparative analysis of calculus from modern and fossil browsers and mixed feeders implies that dicots and conifers are nearly invisible in the phytolith record. Mastodons are traditionally considered browsers, but grass phytolith assemblages in 3 individual mastodons contained similarly high concentrations of pooids, suggesting that these grasses were a significant part of the diet. Abundant pooid phytoliths, in addition to diatoms, indicate that these mastodons grazed in a cool, moist late Pleistocene environment, possibly near water.


Type de document :
Article de périodique

Source :
Quaternary research, issn : 0033-5894, 2001, vol. 55, n°. 2, p. 115-122, Collation : Illustration, Références bibliographiques : 57 ref.

Date :
2001

Editeur :
Pays édition : Etats-Unis, San Diego, CA, Elsevier

Langue :
Anglais
Droits :
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