ABSTRACT
Data on the content of 13C and 15N isotopes in the collagen of bones of the Ural cave bear (Ursus (S.) kanivetz Verestchagin, 1973) from the North and Middle Urals were analyzed. The bones date from the first half of MIS 3. The bones of newborn individuals, individuals aged 1 year, males and females aged 2, 3, and 4 years, and older than 4 years were studied. Differences in δ13С values between age, sex, and geographical samples are not significant. With age, the value of δ15N significantly decreases, which is associated with weaning from milk nutrition to independent nutrition. The proportion of meat food in the diet of adult bears in the Middle Urals was higher than in the diet of adult bears in the North Urals. There are no noticeable differences in isotope signatures between males and females of different ages. The large cave bears of the Urals and Europe had a similar type of diet.
Subject(s)
Carnivora , Ursidae , Male , Animals , Female , Infant, Newborn , Humans , Fossils , Collagen , Nitrogen IsotopesABSTRACT
First data on the contents of the 13C and 15N isotopes in collagen were obtained for 16 bones of the Ural cave bear Ursus (Spelaearctos) kanivetz Verestchagin, 1973 from the Tayn (Secrets) cave (55°25' N, 57°46' E). The bones are dated to the middle MIS 3 and belonged to males and females of about 2 years, about 3 years, and older than 4 years of age. No considerable difference in isotope signatures was observed between individuals of different ages and different genders. Cave bears were assumed to forage independently on plant food from the second year of life. The δ13C and δ15N values established for the Ural cave bear are close to the values reported for U. (S.) spelaeus ingressus.
Subject(s)
Carnivora , Ursidae , Humans , Animals , Female , Male , Fossils , Bone and Bones , IsotopesABSTRACT
The 13C and 15N isotope contents in bone collagen were analyzed using bones of the small cave bear Ursus (Spelaearctos) rossicus Borissak, 1930 from localities in the Middle and Southern Urals. The bones date from the last interglacial (MIS 5) and glacial (MIS 3) periods. The bones were from males and females aged 3, 4, and >4 years. Sexual, geographical, and chronological differences in 13C and 15N contents were studied. Notable gender, geographic, and chronological differences were observed between samples. In the Middle Urals, females led a more predatory lifestyle than males during the interglacial period, and the trophic niches of males and females converged due to an increase in herbivory during the transition to the glacial period. In the Southern Urals, males led a more predatory lifestyle than in the Middle Urals during the interglacial period. The extent of changes in δ13C and δ15N values in the Southern Urals during the transition was found to correspond to differences between trophic levels.
