Table 1 Summary data for modern African mammal specimens (n = 54) including diet, common name, species attribution, sample ID, carbon and nitrogen isotope values in ‰ with mean values and the number of individuals (n = ) grouped by diet, and nitrogen content in nmol/mg.
Diet | Common name | Taxon | Sample ID | Locality | Water-dependence | Tooth | δ13Cbone-collagen(‰ vs. VPDB) | δ13Cenamel (‰ vs. VPDB) | δ15Nbone-collagen (‰ vs. AIR) | δ15Nenamel (‰ vs. AIR) | N content (nmol/mg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Browser | Blue Diker | Philantomba monticola | 4484 | Dondo, Angola | None | M3 | −21.3 ± 0.1 (2) | −13.3 ± 0.6 (2) | 7.8 ± 0.1 (2) | 7.4 ± 0.1 (2) | 3.7 ± 0.1 (2) |
Blue Diker | Philantomba monticola | 4483 | Dondo, Angola | None | M3 | −21.5 ± 0.0 (2) | −12.9 ± 0.6 (2) | 5.3 ± 0.1 (2) | 4.3 ± 0.4 (2) | 5.0 ± 0.2 (2) | |
Giraffe | Giraffa camelopardalis | 1869 | Tanzania | Low | M3 | −20.8 ± 0.0 (2) | −11.8 ± 0.2 (2) | 6.2 ± 0.0 (2) | 7.0 ± 0.3 (2) | 5.5 ± 0.3 (2) | |
Giraffe | Giraffa camelopardalis | 9816 | Wamba, Kenya | Low | M3 | – | −10.1 ± 0.1 (2) | – | 6.4 ± 0.3 (2) | 7.7 ± 1.6 (2) | |
Gorilla | Gorilla gorilla | 7902 | Gabon | High | M3 | – | −15.5 ± 0.1 (2) | – | 5.7 ± 0.1 (2) | 12.3 ± 0.3 (2) | |
Gorilla | Gorilla gorilla | 8192 | Cameroon | High | M3 | – | −15.4 ± 0.2 (2) | – | 6.4 ± 0.2 (2) | 7.8 ± 0.5 (2) | |
Gorilla | Gorilla gorilla | 7113 | Sanga, Congo | High | M3 | – | −14.5 ± 0.3 (2) | – | 4.4 ± 0.9 (2) | 4.6 ± 1.4 (2) | |
Gorilla | Gorilla gorilla | 1857 | Congo | High | M3 | – | −15.9 ± 0.3 (2) | – | 6.8 ± 0.5 (2) | 7.1 ± 0.6 (2) | |
Greater Kudu | Tragelaphus strepsiceros | 4510 | Angola | Low | M3 | – | −11.5 ± 0.4 (2) | – | 5.1 ± 0.4 (2) | 5.3 ± 0.7 (2) | |
Greater Kudu | Tragelaphus strepsiceros | 4509 | Rio Caporello, Angola | Low | M3 | – | −12.5 ± 0.8 (2) | – | 6.3 ± (1) | 4.9 ± (1) | |
Greater Kudu | Tragelaphus strepsiceros | 5648 | Ruacana, Angola | Low | M3 | −19.6 ± 0.0 (2) | −12.0 ± 0.2 (2) | 7.2 ± 0.1 (2) | 5.5 ± 0.6 (2) | 4.0 ± 0.0 (2) | |
Greater Kudu | Tragelaphus strepsiceros | 4508 | Taka, Angola | Low | M3 | – | −11.1 ± (1) | – | 5.9 ± (1) | 4.3 ± (1) | |
Rhino, Black | Diceros bicornis | 2553 | Hluhluwe, South Africa | High | M3 | −20.5 ± 0.0 (2) | −12.6 ± 0.4 (2) | 5.1 ± 0.0 (2) | 5.3 ± 0.5 (2) | 2.1 ± 0.1 (2) | |
Rhino, Black | Diceros bicornis | 1865 | East Africa | High | M3 | −22.2 ± 0.0 (2) | −13.2 ± 0.2 (2) | 4.7 ± 0.2 (2) | 4.7 ± 0.2 (2) | 6.0 ± 1.2 (2) | |
Browser mean values (n = 14) | −21.0 ± 0.9 (12) | −13.0 ± 1.8 (27) | 6.1 ± 1.2 (12) | 5.8 ± 1.0 (26) | 5.6 ± 2.4 (26) | ||||||
Grazer | African Buffalo | Syncerus caffer | 6773 | Aberdare, Kenya | High | M3 | −12.9 ± 0.0 (2) | −2.9 ± (1) | 6.1 ± 0.1 (2) | 5.0 ± 0.0 (2) | 4.7 ± 0.4 (2) |
African Buffalo | Syncerus caffer | 5649 | Dirico, Angola | High | M3 | −9.5 ± 0.0 (2) | −0.6 ± 0.1 (2) | 7.2 ± 0.0 (2) | 6.0 ± (1) | 3.7 ± (1) | |
African Buffalo | Syncerus caffer | 3913 | Dondo, Angola | High | M3 | −9.2 ± 0.0 (2) | −2.6 ± 0.1 (2) | 4.1 ± 0.1 (2) | 5.8 ± (1) | 4.2 ± (1) | |
African Buffalo | Syncerus caffer | 9566 | Tanzania | High | M3 | −10.4 ± 0.1 (2) | −1.3 ± 0.2 (2) | 8.7 ± 0.2 (2) | 6.8 ± 0.1 (2) | 4.7 ± 0.7 (2) | |
Hippo | Hippopotamus amphibius | 9588 | no information | High | M3 | – | −7.4 ± 0.4 (2) | – | 7.3 ± 0.2 (2) | 3.7 ± 0.2 (2) | |
Oribi | Ourebia ourebi | 7943 | Cambembe, Angola | None | M3 | −7.9 ± (1) | 0.4 ± 0.1 (2) | 4.5 ± (1) | 3.9 ± 0.5 (2) | 6.1 ± 0.1 (2) | |
Oribi | Ourebia ourebi | 7944 | Chana, Angola | None | M3 | −9.3 ± 0.0 (2) | −0.2 ± 0.4 (2) | 4.7 ± 0.0 (2) | 4.0 ± 0.2 (2) | 5.6 ± 1.0 (2) | |
Rhino, White | Ceratotherium simum | 2552 | Umfolozi, South Africa | High | M2 | −8.2 ± 0.0 (2) | 0.4 ± 0.4 (2) | 6.0 ± 0.0 (2) | 6.5 ± 1.5 (2) | 3.7 ± 1.2 (2) | |
Warthog | Phancochoerus aethiopicus | 4511 | Cubal, Angola | Low | M3 | −8.2 ± 0.1 (2) | −3.2 ± 0.2 (2) | 4.4 ± 0.0 (2) | 3.5 ± 0.7 (2) | 3.7 ± 0.1 (2) | |
Warthog | Phancochoerus aethiopicus | 4490 | Cubal, Angola | Low | M2 | −8.1 ± 0.0 (2) | −2.6 ± 0.3 (2) | 5.0 ± 0.1 (2) | 4.5 ± 1.2 (2) | 3.4 ± 0.9 (2) | |
Warthog | Phancochoerus aethiopicus | 6739 | Nanyuki, Kenya | Low | M3 | −7.3 ± 0.0 (2) | −1.9 ± 0.2 (2) | 9.0 ± 0.0 (2) | 8.4 ± 0.3 (2) | 2.9 ± 0.9 (2) | |
Wildebeest, Black | Connochaetes gnu | 7938 | no information | High | M3 | – | 1.8 ± 0.2 (2) | – | 6.8 ± (1) | 4.6 ± (1) | |
Wildebeest, Blue | Connochaetes taurinus | 6775 | Kajiado, Kenya | High | M3 | −6.6 ± 0.1 (2) | 1.9 ± 1.3 (2) | 8.2 ± 0.0 (2) | 6.5 ± 0.5 (2) | 3.7 ± 0.2 (2) | |
Wildebeest, Blue | Connochaetes taurinus | 6774 | Kenya | High | M3 | – | 1.8 ± 0.2 (2) | – | 6.5 ± 0.9 (2) | 3.4 ± 0.4 (2) | |
Wildebeest, Blue | Connochaetes taurinus | 6776 | Maasai-Mara, Kenya | High | M3 | −6.8 ± 0.0 (2) | 1.4 ± (1) | 8.5 ± 0.2 (2) | 9.6 ± 0.1 (2) | 3.4 ± 0.0 (2) | |
Grazer mean values (n = 15) | −8.7 ± 1.7 (23) | −1.0 ± 2.5 (28) | 6.4 ± 1.9 (23) | 6.1 ± 1.7 (27) | 4.1 ± 0.9 (27) | ||||||
Mixed Feeder | African Elephant | Loxodonta africana | 8397 | Cunene, Angola | High | M4-6 | −19.0 ± 0.1 (2) | −10.7 ± 0.2 (2) | 7.9 ± 0.0 (2) | 5.4 ± 1.6 (2) | 2.5 ± 0.0 (2) |
African Elephant | Loxodonta africana | 8232 | Virunga, Uganda | High | M4-6 | −21.8 ± 0.0 (2) | −12.7 ± 0.3 (2) | 7.6 ± 0.1 (2) | 5.9 ± 0.8 (2) | 4.5 ± 0.9 (2) | |
African Elephant | Loxodonta africana | 8398 | Cunene, Angola | High | M4-6 | −20.4 ± 0.0 (2) | −10.6 ± 0.1 (2) | 12.3 ± 0.0 (2) | 10.0 ± 0.0 (2) | 7.9 ± 5.5 (2) | |
Impala | Aepyceros melampus | 5687 | Secadiva, Angola | High | M3 | – | −4.4 ± 0.2 (2) | – | 6.8 ± 0.2 (2) | 3.1 ± 0.0 (2) | |
Impala | Aepyceros melampus | 5688 | Secadiva, Angola | High | M3 | – | −7.4 ± 0.2 (2) | – | 7.2 ± 0.3 (2) | 7.8 ± 3.1 (2) | |
Springbok | Antidorcas marsupialis | 4539 | Capolopoppo, Angola | Low | M3 | – | −10.6 ± 0.1 (2) | – | 9.2 ± 0.4 (2) | 3.6 ± 0.1 (2) | |
Springbok | Antidorcas marsupialis | 3776 | Capolopoppo, Angola | Low | M3 | – | −8.8 ± 0.5 (2) | – | 8.3 ± 0.7 (2) | 3.4 ± 0.1 (2) | |
Mixed feeder mean values (n = 7) | −20.4 ± 1.4 (6) | −9.3 ± 2.7 (14) | 9.3 ± 2.6 (6) | 7.5 ± 1.7 (14) | 4.7 ± 2.2 (14) | ||||||
Herbivore mean values (n = 36) | −13.9 ± 6.3 (41) | −7.3 ± 6.0 (69) | 6.7 ± 2.0 (41) | 6.2 ± 1.6 (67) | 4.9 ± 2.0 (67) | ||||||
Omnivore | Baboon, Yellow | Papio cynocephalus | 6791 | Lake Baringo, Kenya | High | M3 | – | −10.7 ± 0.4 (2) | – | 7.3 ± 0.2 (2) | 2.4 ± 0.2 (2) |
Baboon, Yellow | Papio cynocephalus | 6790 | Lake Baringo, Kenya | High | M3 | – | −9.5 ± 0.3 (2) | – | 8.0 ± 0.1 (2) | 2.6 ± 0.1 (2) | |
Baboon, Yellow | Papio cynocephalus | 6795 | Lake Baringo, Kenya | High | M3 | – | −7.5 ± 0.3 (2) | – | 7.2 ± 0.8 (2) | 2.1 ± 0.3 (2) | |
Baboon | Papio sp. | 10960 | Makania, Tanzania | High | M3 | – | −8.0 ± 0.3 (2) | – | 7.2 ± (1) | 7.3 ± (1) | |
Omnivore mean values (n = 4) | – | −8.9 ± 1.5 (8) | – | 7.4 ± 0.4 (7) | 3.6 ± 2.5 (7) | ||||||
Carnivore | African Wild Dog | Lycaon pictus | 3797 | Capelongo, Angola | High | M2 | −18.1 ± 0.0 (2) | −11.1 ± 0.2 (2) | 7.8 ± 0.1 (2) | 7.9 ± 0.7 (3) | 7.1 ± 2.2 (3) |
African Wild Dog | Lycaon pictus | 4678 | Capelongo, Angola | High | M2 | −16.3 ± 0.0 (2) | −11.7 ± 0.2 (2) | 9.6 ± 0.0 (2) | 10.4 ± 0.2 (2) | 9.1 ± 0.2 (2) | |
Leopard | Panthera pardus | 4682 | Luati, Angola | Low | M1 | −13.4 ± 0.7 (2) | −8.8 ± 0.2 (2) | 7.4 ± 0.1 (2) | 7.2 ± 0.5 (2) | 3.9 ± 0.0 (2) | |
Leopard | Panthera pardus | 4683 | Angola | Low | M1 | – | −10.5 ± 0.0 (2) | – | 8.0 ± 0.3 (2) | 5.2 ± 1.6 (2) | |
Lion | Panthera leo | 4677 | Angola | Low | M1 | −12.6 ± 0.0 (2) | −7.5 ± 0.3 (2) | 10.6 ± 0.1 (2) | 9.8 ± 0.8 (3) | 4.8 ± 1.4 (3) | |
Lion | Panthera leo | 5178 | Angola | Low | M1 | −11.6 ± 0.0 (2) | −6.9 ± 0.1 (2) | 11.0 ± 0.0 (2) | 9.8 ± 0.6 (3) | 4.1 ± 0.7 (3) | |
Lion | Panthera leo | 8028 | Dondo, Angola | Low | M1 | −6.8 ± 0.0 (2) | −4.5 ± (1) | 9.4 ± 0.1 (2) | 8.4 ± (1) | 3.9 ± (1) | |
Lion | Panthera leo | 8666 | Etosha Pan, Namibia | Low | M1 | −9.8 ± 0.0 (2) | −4.4 ± (1) | 12.6 ± 0.0 (2) | 9.2 ± 1.1 (2) | 5.1 ± 1.9 (2) | |
Lion | Panthera leo | 7888 | Koma-Region, Tanzania | Low | M1 | −6.6 ± 0.1 (2) | −1.7 ± 0.3 (2) | 10.3 ± 0.1 (2) | 10.3 ± 0.0 (2) | 3.9 ± 0.2 (2) | |
Spotted Hyena | Crocuta crocuta | 3236 | Kenya | High | M1 | −7.1 ± 0.0 (2) | −3.1 ± 0.2 (2) | 9.6 ± 0.0 (2) | 11.1 ± 0.1 (2) | 3.4 ± 0.2 (2) | |
Spotted Hyena | Crocuta crocuta | 949 | Uganda | High | M1 | – | −4.3 ± 0.2 (2) | – | 14.9 ± 0.4 (2) | 3.2 ± 0.2 (2) | |
Spotted Hyena | Crocuta crocuta | 5629 | Dirico, Angola | High | M1 | −16.5 ± 0.0 (2) | −11.5 ± 0.1 (2) | 9.8 ± 0.0 (2) | 9.2 ± 1.1 (2) | 3.5 ± 0.4 (2) | |
Spotted Hyena | Crocuta crocuta | 4675 | Dondo, Angola | High | M1 | −10.8 ± 0.1 (2) | −7.0 ± 0.3 (2) | 8.9 ± 0.1 (2) | 10.5 ± 0.1 (2) | 4.2 ± 0.2 (2) | |
Spotted Hyena | Crocuta crocuta | 8034 | Serengeti, Tanzania | High | M1 | −5.5 ± 0.0 (2) | −2.6 ± 0.1 (2) | 11.0 ± 0.0 (2) | 12.4 ± (1) | 9.6 ± (1) | |
Carnivore mean values (n = 14) | −11.3 ± 4.3 (24) | −6.8 ± 3.5 (26) | 9.8 ± 1.4 (24) | 9.9 ± 2.0 (29) | 5.1 ± 2.1 (29) | ||||||
