Oxygen and carbon isotope variations in a modern rodent community : implications for palaeoenvironmental reconstructions

dc.contributor.authorGehler, Alexander
dc.contributor.authorTütken, Thomas
dc.contributor.authorPack, Andreas
dc.date.accessioned2025-05-08T09:49:40Z
dc.date.available2025-05-08T09:49:40Z
dc.date.issued2012
dc.description.abstractBackground: The oxygen (d18O) and carbon (d13C) isotope compositions of bioapatite from skeletal remains of fossil mammals are well-established proxies for the reconstruction of palaeoenvironmental and palaeoclimatic conditions. Stable isotope studies of modern analogues are an important prerequisite for such reconstructions from fossil mammal remains. While numerous studies have investigated modern large- and medium-sized mammals, comparable studies are rare for small mammals. Due to their high abundance in terrestrial ecosystems, short life spans and small habitat size, small mammals are good recorders of local environments. Methodology/Findings: The d18O and d13C values of teeth and bones of seven sympatric modern rodent species collected from owl pellets at a single locality were measured, and the inter-specific, intra-specific and intra-individual variations were evaluated. Minimum sample sizes to obtain reproducible population d18O means within one standard deviation were determined. These parameters are comparable to existing data from large mammals. Additionally, the fractionation between coexisting carbonate (d18OCO3) and phosphate (d18OPO4) in rodent bioapatite was determined, and d18O values were compared to existing calibration equations between the d18O of rodent bioapatite and local surface water (d18OLW). Specific calibration equations between d18OPO4 and d18OLW may be applicable on a taxonomic level higher than the species. However, a significant bias can occur when bone-based equations are applied to tooth-data and vice versa, which is due to differences in skeletal tissue formation times. d13C values reflect the rodents’ diet and agree well with field observations of their nutritional behaviour. Conclusions/Significance: Rodents have a high potential for the reconstruction of palaeoenvironmental conditions by means of bioapatite d18O and d13C analysis. No significant disadvantages compared to larger mammals were observed. However, for refined palaeoenvironmental reconstructions a better understanding of stable isotope signatures in modern analogous communities and potential biases due to seasonality effects, population dynamics and tissue formation rates is necessary.en
dc.identifier.doihttps://doi.org/10.25358/openscience-12218
dc.identifier.urihttps://openscience.ub.uni-mainz.de/handle/20.500.12030/12239
dc.language.isoeng
dc.rightsCC-BY-3.0
dc.rights.urihttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
dc.subject.ddc550 Geowissenschaftende
dc.subject.ddc550 Earth sciencesen
dc.titleOxygen and carbon isotope variations in a modern rodent community : implications for palaeoenvironmental reconstructionsen
dc.typeZeitschriftenaufsatz
elements.depositor.primary-group-descriptorFachbereich Chemie, Pharmazie und Geowissenschaften
elements.object.id287388
elements.object.labelsBone and Bones
elements.object.labelsFeces
elements.object.labelsTooth
elements.object.labelsAnimals
elements.object.labelsStrigiformes
elements.object.labelsRodentia
elements.object.labelsApatites
elements.object.labelsCarbon Isotopes
elements.object.labelsOxygen Isotopes
elements.object.labelsBody Size
elements.object.labelsEcosystem
elements.object.labelsSeasons
elements.object.labelsPopulation Dynamics
elements.object.labelsPhylogeny
elements.object.labelsPaleontology
elements.object.labelsFossils
elements.object.labelsBiological Evolution
elements.object.labelsAnimals
elements.object.labelsApatites
elements.object.labelsBiological Evolution
elements.object.labelsBody Size
elements.object.labelsBone and Bones
elements.object.labelsCarbon Isotopes
elements.object.labelsEcosystem
elements.object.labelsFeces
elements.object.labelsFossils
elements.object.labelsOxygen Isotopes
elements.object.labelsPaleontology
elements.object.labelsPhylogeny
elements.object.labelsPopulation Dynamics
elements.object.labelsRodentia
elements.object.labelsSeasons
elements.object.labelsStrigiformes
elements.object.labelsTooth
elements.object.labelsGeneral Science & Technology
elements.object.typejournal-article
jgu.journal.issue11
jgu.journal.titlePLOS ONE
jgu.journal.volume7
jgu.organisation.departmentFB 09 Chemie, Pharmazie u. Geowissensch.
jgu.organisation.nameJohannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz
jgu.organisation.number7950
jgu.organisation.placeMainz
jgu.organisation.rorhttps://ror.org/023b0x485
jgu.pages.alternativee49531
jgu.publisher.doi10.1371/journal.pone.0049531
jgu.publisher.eissn1932-6203
jgu.publisher.issn1932-6203
jgu.publisher.licenceCC BY
jgu.publisher.namePLOS
jgu.publisher.placeSan Francisco, California, US
jgu.publisher.year2012
jgu.rights.accessrightsopenAccess
jgu.subject.ddccode550
jgu.type.dinitypeArticleen_GB
jgu.type.resourceText
jgu.type.versionPublished version

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