A Systematic and Taphonomic Analysis of Late Pleistocene Cervid Remains and Isotopic Paleoecology of Herbivores from Guy Wilson Cave, Southern Appalachians, Tennessee

<p>The paleoecology of Guy Wilson Cave is based on 1) systematic identification of cervid material, 2) taphonomic analysis of cervids with a focus on carnivore utilization, and 3) carbon isotopes from cervid and herbivore tooth enamel (&#948;¹³C). Systematic identification reveals that there are at least three cervid species in the cave fauna based on fossil remains: <em>Odocoileus virginianus</em>, <em>Rangifer tarandus</em>, and either <em>Cervalces scotti</em> or <em>Alces alces</em>. Separation of <em>Cervalces</em> and <em>Alces</em> based on the dental material was not possible. Taphonomic analysis of gnawing and tooth markings showed alterations by a canid predator, and the overall pattern suggests full-heavy utilization and possible scavenging activity by the dire wolf, <em>Canis dirus</em>. &#948;¹³C analysis of the herbivore community showed that taxa were feeding in a dominantly C₃ environment, likely a relatively dense forest. <em>Odocoileus</em> showed no dietary shift from the late Pleistocene to today, also suggesting a forested environment in the past.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

MS (Master of Science)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis - restricted

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Geosciences

Year dc:date.issued

2012

Author dc:creator

• Giesler, Amanda K.

• paleoecology
• isotopes
• taphonomy
• Pleistocene
• cervids
• Earth Sciences
• Paleobiology
• Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright by the authors.

Repository record dc:identifier

https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/1502

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dc.etsu.edu:etd-2695