Trace element and isotopic aspects of predator-prey relationships in terrestrial foodwebs
Abstract Strontium-calcium ratio (Sr/Ca) and stable carbon isotope ratio (13C/12C) analyses of bone and enamel apatites may be used for reconstructing predator-prey relationships in vertebrate fossil assemblages. The approach is based on the rationale that 13C/12C in predator apatite closely resemble those of their prey, while Sr/Ca is predictably reduced in specific predator-prey pairs. As an example, we compare the relationship of the extant leopard, Panthera pardus, and its preferred prey in modern foodwebs, with the relationship of fossil leopards (from the Member 1 fossil faunal assemblage at Swartkrans Cave), and their likely prey. The results suggest that Swartkrans Member I leopards depended heavily on Papio baboons, with some lesser contribution from Hyrax (Procavia sp.). The approach has considerable potential for elucidating the preferred prey of extinct predators such as sabertooth cats.