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Research Articles

Revisiting old bones: coupled carbon isotope analysis of bioapatite and collagen as an ecological and palaeoecological tool

  1. M.T. Clementz1,†,
  2. K. Fox-Dobbs2,3,4,†,*,
  3. P.V. Wheatley4,†,
  4. P.L. Koch4,
  5. D.F. Doak3

Article first published online: 3 AUG 2009

DOI: 10.1002/gj.1173

Issue

Geological Journal

Geological Journal

Special Issue: Thematic set - Quaternary Geology & Environments

Volume 44, Issue 5, pages 605–620, September 2009

Additional Information

How to Cite

Clementz, M.T., Fox-Dobbs, K., Wheatley, P.V., Koch, P.L. and Doak, D.F. (2009), Revisiting old bones: coupled carbon isotope analysis of bioapatite and collagen as an ecological and palaeoecological tool. Geol. J., 44: 605–620. doi: 10.1002/gj.1173

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA

  2. 2

    Department of Geology, University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA, USA

  3. 3

    Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA

  4. 4

    Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA

  1. †

    Authors contributed equally to the paper.

*Geology, University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA 98416, USA.

  1. †

    Authors contributed equally to the paper.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 18 AUG 2009
  2. Article first published online: 3 AUG 2009
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 4 JUN 2009
  4. Manuscript Received: 14 JAN 2009

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Keywords:

  • stable isotope;
  • palaeoecology;
  • bioapatite;
  • megafauna;
  • marine mammal;
  • trophic level;
  • carnivore

Abstract

Isotopic studies of palaeoecological and ecological questions often use bone collagen or bioapatite as substrates, but rarely both. Substantial new information can be gained from the incorporation of isotopic values from both the organic and inorganic fractions of bone. Here we show that combining isotopic data from both substrates provides valuable and unique insights into (1) trophic relationships and dietary interactions; (2) differences in digestive physiologies and (3) identification of palaeontological or archaeological remains that lack diagnostic morphological characters. We present a range of new isotopic data collected from modern and fossil mammals, and investigate patterns within several published datasets. We define carbon isotope spacing variables, and then explore four diverse palaeoecological and ecological case studies. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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