02587nas a2200205 4500008004100000245013300041210006900174300001200243490000700255520190300262653001202165653001702177653001702194653001702211653001402228100001802242700002002260700001802280856008302298 2017 eng d00aTrace Element Analysis Provides Insight into the Diets of Early Late Miocene Ungulates from the Rudabánya II Locality (Hungary)0 aTrace Element Analysis Provides Insight into the Diets of Early  a231-2430 v153 a

The early Late Miocene vertebrate locality of Rudabánya II (R. II) in northeastern Hungary preserves an abundance of forest-adapted ungulate species. To better understand the ecological relationships within this ancient ecosystem, we used analysis of enamel strontium/calcium (Sr/Ca) ratios to infer dietary preferences. The goals of the analysis were to: i) determine whether these ungulate species specialized in specific plants or plant parts; ii) discern whether the Sr/Ca ratios support what was previously suggested about the ecology of these species; and iii) evaluate the factors that may have acted to promote coexistence within this diverse community of predominantly browsing herbivores. Results show significant differences in the diets of the sampled species. The highest Sr/Ca ratios were displayed by the suids Parachleuastochoerus kretzoii [B1] and Propotamochoerus palaeochoerus implying a preference for Sr-rich underground plant parts. Elevated Sr/Ca ratios yielded by the cervid Lucentia aff. pierensis and equid Hippotherium intrans are indicative of intermediate feeding. The bovid Miotragocerus sp. showed higher Sr/Ca ratios than the gomphothere Tetralophodon longirostris, which is incongruent with morphological and stable isotope data, and suggested browsing by both taxa. This finding is likely the result of a difference in digestive physiology (ruminant vs. monogastric) rather than a difference in dietary behaviour. The lowest Sr/Ca ratios were displayed by the traguild Dorcatherium naui and moschid Micromeryx flourensianussuggesting a preference for Sr-poor fruits. Resource specialization and partitioning within the local environment likely acted to decrease interspecific competition and promote coexistence within the diverse ungulate community at R. II.

10aHungary10aLate Miocene10apaleoecology10aSr/Ca ratios10aUngulates1 aEastham, L.C.1 aFeranec, R., S.1 aBegun, D., R. uhttp://revistes.ub.edu/index.php/GEOACTA/article/view/GeologicaActa2017.15.3.603137nas a2200169 4500008004100000022001300041245018800054210006900242260001600311300001400327490000800341520249800349100001802847700002002865700001602885856006602901 2016 eng d a0031018200aStable Isotopes Show Resource Partitioning Among the Early Late Miocene Herbivore Community at Rudabánya II: Paleoenvironmental implications for the hominoid, Rudapithecus hungaricus0 aStable Isotopes Show Resource Partitioning Among the Early Late  cJan-07-2016 a161 - 1740 v4543 a

Examining how species use and partition resources within an environment can lead to a better understanding of community assembly and diversity. The rich early Late Miocene (early Vallesian) deposits at Rudabánya II (R. II) in northern central Hungary preserve an abundance of forest dwelling taxa, including the hominoid Rudapithecus hungaricus. Here we use the carbon and oxygen stable isotope compositions of tooth enamel carbonate from 10 genera of medium to large-bodied mammals to evaluate resource use and partitioning among the herbivore community, and to reconstruct the paleoenvironment of Rudapithecus. The range of stable carbon and oxygen isotope values (δ13CE and δ18OE) displayed by the R. II fauna indicates a variable forest environment, which included both open and closed canopy habitats. The relatively low δ13CE and δ18OE values found in all sampled taxa are consistent with high levels of precipitation and humidity. Significant differences in stable isotope values were observed among the sampled fauna, supporting the interpretation of resource specialization and partitioning. Higher δ13CE values found in Aceratherium incisivum (Rhinocerotidae), Lucentia aff. pierensis (Cervidae), Hippotherium intrans (Equidae), Tetralophodon longirostris (Gomphotheriidae), Propotamochoerus palaeochoerus and Parachleuastochoerus kretzoii (Suidae) suggest foraging in more open canopy habitats, while lower δ13CE values found in Miotragocerus sp. (Bovidae), Dorcatherium naui (Tragulidae), and Micromeryx flourensianus (Moschidae) imply a preference for more densely canopied habitats. Several of the sampled taxa yielded relatively higher δ18OE and δ13CE values indicative of fruit consumption, including the small ruminants, cervid, and bovid. The analyzed isotope values reflect a moderate degree of dietary niche overlap between taxa. An abundance of plant resources likely allowed for the coexistence of this diverse community of predominantly browsing herbivores. Within the gradient of more open to closed canopy forest, it is likely that Rudapithecus occupied dense closed canopy habitats where access to fruit was relatively continuous. The progressive fragmentation and replacement of humid forests by more open and seasonal woodlands during the late Vallesian would have had a significant influence on the extinction of this fossil ape.

1 aEastham, L.C.1 aFeranec, R., S.1 aBegun, D.R. uhttp://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0031018216301092