Functional aspects and ecologicalimplications in Pleistocene endemic cervids of Sardinia, Sicily and Crete
1995; Elsevier BV; Volume: 28; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Francês
10.1016/s0016-6995(95)80231-2
ISSN1777-5728
AutoresLucía Caloi, María Rita Palombo,
Tópico(s)Human-Animal Interaction Studies
ResumoSome cranial and mandibular characters, that are considered distinctive between grazers and browsers, are examined. Their analysis allows to recognize the exploiting of different feeding habits for every cervid. Attitude for grazing characterize the megacerine from Sardinia and the cervine from Sicily, while the megacerine from Sicily must have a browser diet. The feeding “niche” of the megacerine from Crete are difficult to identify. Analysis of the functional mophology of carpus, tarsus and phalanges put in evidence that the cervine from Sicily and the megacerine from Sardinia are adapted to agile and fast locomotion on prevalently hard and even grounds., while the megacerine from Sicily was characterized by a locomotion on the soft grounds of woody environments. The megacerines from Crete could move on hard and uneven grounds, but with scarse agility. The great cervines from Crete moved with stiff movements and their locomotion must have been slow and rigid. They may have eaten the top of shrubs or of trees at different heights. Les cervidés du Pléistocène des îles méditerranéennes sont non seulement caracterisés par des variations de taille, mais aussi par des modifications fonctionnelles de l'appareil de mastication et des autopodes. Ces modifications sont fonction de la niche écologique occupée, indépendantes de la taille et propres à chaque cervidé. Le mégacérin de la Sardaigne et le cerf de la Sicile devaient être des paturants, dotés d'un pas agile et rapide. Le megacérin de Sicile, par contre, devait être un broutant, adapté à un milieu plus couvert. Parmi les cervidés de Crète, les petits mégacérins, même peu agiles, devaient être adaptés à des terrains durs et accidentés, mais il est difficile d'établir quelle était leur nourriture. Les cerfs devaient avoir une locomotion lente, rigide et brouter feuilles et bourgeons à différentes hauteurs.
Referência(s)