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Palaeoecological Reconstruction of Serows and Gorals (Bovidae: Caprinae) from the Pleistocene of Thailand using Dental Mesowear and Hypsodonty: Implications for Species Conservation

Issue

thnhmjournal vol15 no1

Authors

Jakritip Isarankura Na Ayudhya
M.Sc. Program in Zoology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Thanakul Wannaprasert
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Rasmi Shoocongdej
Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Archaeology, Silpakorn University, Bangkok 10200, Thailand / The Prehistoric Population and Cultural Dynamics in Highland Pang Mapha Project, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre, Bangkok 10170,Thailand
Yaowalak Chaimanee
PALEVOPRIM, UMR CNRS 7262 INEE, Université de Poitiers, Poitiers 86073, France
Kantapon Suraprasit
Morphology of Earth Surface and Advanced Geohazards in Southeast Asia Research Unit (MESA RU), Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

Abstract

Abstract

Two species in the subfamily Caprinae, the Sumatran serow Capricornis sumatraensis and Chinese goral Naemorhedus griseus are currently distributed in Thailand and listed as vulnerable species. The Himalayan goral N. goral has no dispersion in Thailand, whereas fossil evidence shows the coexistence of all three species during the Pleistocene. However, the diet and habitat preferences of the Pleistocene C. sumatraensis remain disputed and the information on those of the Pleistocene gorals is limited. To clarify the points, the mesowear analysis in combination with measurements of hypsodonty indices were performed on these three caprine taxa. Molar samples were collected from four palaeontological fossil sites (Pha Bong, Khok Sung, Tham Wiman Nakin and Tham Lod Rockshelter), covering a time span from the Middle to Late Pleistocene, and from extant individuals. The mesowear results combined with the hypsodonty index suggest that the Pleistocene populations were likely to be mixed feeders, while the extant C. sumatraensis shows more browsing signals. In agreement with the previous carbon isotope data of tooth enamel, the present study supports the idea that the Pleistocene caprine populations underwent drastic changes in diet and habitat use between the Pleistocene and the present day, possibly driven by the climate change and anthropogenic disturbances since the beginning of the Holocene. In order to protect the extant wildlife populations, the potential restoration of habitats and conservation plan for native caprines are necessary.

Attachment

03 Isarnkura Na Ayudhya et al.pdf

Keywords

Tooth wear
Diet
Habitat
Ruminantia
Quaternary
Southeast Asia

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