High-Resolution Stable Isotope Profiles of Modern Elephant (Loxodonta Africana) Tusk Dentin and Tail Hair from Kenya: Implications for Identifying Seasonal Variability in Climate, Ecology, and Diet in Ancient Proboscideans

December 2020 in “ Palaeogeography, palaeoclimatology, palaeoecology ”

Kevin T. Uno, Daniel C. Fisher, Gerard T. Schuster, George Wittemyer, Iain Douglas‐Hamilton, Patrick Omondi, Moses Litoroh, Thure E. Cerling

stable isotope ratios tusk dentin tail hair δ13C δ18O vegetation water intake carbon-13 oxygen-18

TLDR Elephant tusks and hair reveal seasonal diet and climate changes.

The study analyzed stable isotope ratios in tusk dentin and tail hair of an African elephant from Kenya to understand seasonal variability in climate, ecology, and diet. High-resolution isotope profiles correlated with GPS, NDVI, and precipitation data, revealing diet switches during biannual rainy seasons. Tusk dentin showed significant δ13C and δ18O variations, reflecting changes in vegetation and water intake. The findings demonstrated that tusk isotope profiles could reconstruct seasonal diet and climate changes, offering insights into modern and ancient proboscidean life history and environmental conditions.

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