Carnivore taphonomy in South America: a review of actualistic studies and their implications in the southern Neotropics

Abstract

Actualistic studies on mammalian carnivore taphonomy in southern South America are reviewed here, including pumas, small cats, foxes, and other, smaller carnivores. Patterns for different carnivore taxa and their variation are elicited. Also temporal and spatial variability is analysed, and comparisons are made to other carnivores and regions. While generally these Neotropical carnivores produce low damage intensity, stronger modifications and their implications are described as well. These patterns and their variation are put in context by taking into account the particular physical and biotic conditions in the southern Neotropics.

Keywords:

• Mammalian carnivores
• actualistic taphonomy
• South America
• southern Neotropics

Acknowledgements

I am very grateful to the two anonymous reviewers and to Dr. Gareth.Dyke, Editor in Chief of Historical Biology. I am also very grateful to Jean-Philip Brugal and Christiane Denys, organizers of the 4th ICAZ Taphonomy Working Group Meeting ‘General to Specific Quaternary Taphonomy’ (Paris, 7-9 September 2016), for their invitation and support, and also to participants in the conference for their feedback. I am also grateful to colleagues who helped me gather the bibliography surveyed, including the INAPL Library personnel, Luis Borrero, Isabel Cruz, and Sebastián Muñoz. Cristina Mancini helped with the map.