Dietary Habits and Tusk Usage of Shovel-Tusked Gomphotheres from Florida: Evidence from Stereoscopic Wear of Molars and Upper and Lower Tusks
The paleodiet of the shovel-tusked gomphotheres from Florida (<i>Amebelodon floridanus</i>, <i>Konobelodon britti</i>, and <i>Serbelodon barbourensis</i>) was assessed via microwear analysis of molar dental enamel and compared to a large database of both extant pr...
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MDPI AG
2022-11-01
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| author | Gina M. Semprebon Jeanette Pirlo Julia Dudek |
| author_facet | Gina M. Semprebon Jeanette Pirlo Julia Dudek |
| author_sort | Gina M. Semprebon |
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| description | The paleodiet of the shovel-tusked gomphotheres from Florida (<i>Amebelodon floridanus</i>, <i>Konobelodon britti</i>, and <i>Serbelodon barbourensis</i>) was assessed via microwear analysis of molar dental enamel and compared to a large database of both extant proboscideans and ungulates. Scratch and pit results show a consistent browsing signal in <i>A</i>. <i>floridanus</i>, <i>K</i>. <i>britti</i> and <i>S</i>. <i>barbourensis</i>. Fossil results are more similar to those of the extant <i>Loxodonta cyclotis</i> than to <i>Loxodonta africana</i> or <i>Elephas maximus</i>, the latter two taxa exhibiting a mixed feeding result. Scratch width scores are high in all three shovel tuskers as well as in the extant proboscideans indicating the ingestion of some coarse vegetation, most likely bark, and twigs. Gouging is relatively low in <i>A</i>. <i>floridanus</i> and <i>S</i>. <i>barbourensis</i>. Only <i>K</i>. <i>britti</i> has levels of gouging approximating that seen in extant elephants. Large pitting is relatively low in both fossil and extant forms although <i>L</i>. <i>cyclotis</i> has higher levels of large pitting including more puncture-like pits seen with fruit and/or seed consumption. A variety of scratch patterns indicating variation in tusk usage behavior was found. Some <i>Serbelodon</i> and <i>Konobelodon</i> mandibular tusks exhibited digging behavior, although <i>Konobelodon</i> digging behavior was much more common and obvious, whereas <i>Amebelodon</i> mandibular tusks did not exhibit digging behavior and were more likely used for stripping and scraping. Unusual distal tusk wear was found in <i>Amebelodon</i> and <i>Serbelodon</i> most likely due to stripping off tree bark. Upper tusk usage varied with all three fossil species exhibiting scraping and/or cutting behavior. Results indicate that shovel-tusked gomphotheres from Florida occupied a narrow dietary niche but employed a variety of strategies to obtain the vegetation that they consumed. |
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| spelling | doaj.art-0d42498a20c849c689258cf97c4cfd4d2023-11-24T13:22:48ZengMDPI AGBiology2079-77372022-11-011112174810.3390/biology11121748Dietary Habits and Tusk Usage of Shovel-Tusked Gomphotheres from Florida: Evidence from Stereoscopic Wear of Molars and Upper and Lower TusksGina M. Semprebon0Jeanette Pirlo1Julia Dudek2Department of Biology, Bay Path University, Longmeadow MA 01106, USADepartment of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Stanislaus Campus, California State University, Stanislaus, CA 95382, USADepartment of Biology, Bay Path University, Longmeadow MA 01106, USAThe paleodiet of the shovel-tusked gomphotheres from Florida (<i>Amebelodon floridanus</i>, <i>Konobelodon britti</i>, and <i>Serbelodon barbourensis</i>) was assessed via microwear analysis of molar dental enamel and compared to a large database of both extant proboscideans and ungulates. Scratch and pit results show a consistent browsing signal in <i>A</i>. <i>floridanus</i>, <i>K</i>. <i>britti</i> and <i>S</i>. <i>barbourensis</i>. Fossil results are more similar to those of the extant <i>Loxodonta cyclotis</i> than to <i>Loxodonta africana</i> or <i>Elephas maximus</i>, the latter two taxa exhibiting a mixed feeding result. Scratch width scores are high in all three shovel tuskers as well as in the extant proboscideans indicating the ingestion of some coarse vegetation, most likely bark, and twigs. Gouging is relatively low in <i>A</i>. <i>floridanus</i> and <i>S</i>. <i>barbourensis</i>. Only <i>K</i>. <i>britti</i> has levels of gouging approximating that seen in extant elephants. Large pitting is relatively low in both fossil and extant forms although <i>L</i>. <i>cyclotis</i> has higher levels of large pitting including more puncture-like pits seen with fruit and/or seed consumption. A variety of scratch patterns indicating variation in tusk usage behavior was found. Some <i>Serbelodon</i> and <i>Konobelodon</i> mandibular tusks exhibited digging behavior, although <i>Konobelodon</i> digging behavior was much more common and obvious, whereas <i>Amebelodon</i> mandibular tusks did not exhibit digging behavior and were more likely used for stripping and scraping. Unusual distal tusk wear was found in <i>Amebelodon</i> and <i>Serbelodon</i> most likely due to stripping off tree bark. Upper tusk usage varied with all three fossil species exhibiting scraping and/or cutting behavior. Results indicate that shovel-tusked gomphotheres from Florida occupied a narrow dietary niche but employed a variety of strategies to obtain the vegetation that they consumed.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/11/12/1748microwearpaleodietshovel-tuskertuskproboscidean |
| spellingShingle | Gina M. Semprebon Jeanette Pirlo Julia Dudek Dietary Habits and Tusk Usage of Shovel-Tusked Gomphotheres from Florida: Evidence from Stereoscopic Wear of Molars and Upper and Lower Tusks Biology microwear paleodiet shovel-tusker tusk proboscidean |
| title | Dietary Habits and Tusk Usage of Shovel-Tusked Gomphotheres from Florida: Evidence from Stereoscopic Wear of Molars and Upper and Lower Tusks |
| title_full | Dietary Habits and Tusk Usage of Shovel-Tusked Gomphotheres from Florida: Evidence from Stereoscopic Wear of Molars and Upper and Lower Tusks |
| title_fullStr | Dietary Habits and Tusk Usage of Shovel-Tusked Gomphotheres from Florida: Evidence from Stereoscopic Wear of Molars and Upper and Lower Tusks |
| title_full_unstemmed | Dietary Habits and Tusk Usage of Shovel-Tusked Gomphotheres from Florida: Evidence from Stereoscopic Wear of Molars and Upper and Lower Tusks |
| title_short | Dietary Habits and Tusk Usage of Shovel-Tusked Gomphotheres from Florida: Evidence from Stereoscopic Wear of Molars and Upper and Lower Tusks |
| title_sort | dietary habits and tusk usage of shovel tusked gomphotheres from florida evidence from stereoscopic wear of molars and upper and lower tusks |
| topic | microwear paleodiet shovel-tusker tusk proboscidean |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/11/12/1748 |
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