Contribution of isotopic biogeochemistry (13C,15N,18O) to the paleoecology of mammoths(mammuthus primigenius)
- 1 April 1994
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Taylor & Francis in Historical Biology
- Vol. 7 (3) , 187-202
- https://doi.org/10.1080/10292389409380453
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.Keywords
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