Reconstructing Asian faunal introductions to eastern Africa from multi-proxy biomolecular and archaeological datasets

Human-mediated biological exchange has had global social and ecological impacts. In subS-aharan Africa, several domestic and commensal animals were introduced from Asia in the pre-modern period; however, the timing and nature of these introductions remain contentious. One model supports introduction to the eastern African coast after the mid-first millennium CE, while another posits introduction dating back to 3000 BCE. These distinct scenarios have implications for understanding the emergence of long-distance maritime connectivity, and the ecological and economic impacts of introduced species. Resolution of this longstanding debate requires new efforts, given the lack of well-dated fauna from high-precision excavations, and ambiguous osteomorphological identifications. We analysed faunal remains from 22 eastern African sites spanning a wide geographic and chronological range, and applied biomolecular techniques to confirm identifications of two Asian taxa: domestic chicken (Gallus gallus) and black rat (Rattus rattus). Our approach included ancient DNA (aDNA) analysis aided by BLAST-based bioinformatics, Zooarchaeology by Mass Spectrometry (ZooMS) collagen fingerprinting, and direct AMS (accelerator mass spectrometry) radiocarbon dating. Our results support a late, mid-first millennium CE introduction of these species. We discuss the implications of our findings for models of biological exchange, and emphasize the applicability of our approach to tropical areas with poor bone preservation

Etudes comparatives (anatomique, éthologie, taphonomie) de deux espèces d'hyènes modernes par l'analyse des accumulations osseuses de repaires au Kenya : réflexion sur les conflits hommes et carnivores

Ce travail présente les résultats obtenus à partir de l’étude de repaires actuels afin de distinguer les comportements d’accumulations osseuse pour deux espèces d’hyènes dans deux zones pastoralistes du Kenya (Magadi et Samburu). Il est principalement basé sur les compositions spécifiques entre hyène tachetée (Crocuta) et hyène rayée (Hyaena). Les comparaisons des collections osseuses entre repaires permettent d’apprécier les différences taxinomiques et la part prise par les espèces sauvages ou domestiques. Les marques dentaires montrent si l’impact entre ces deux stocks est similaire ou différent en relation avec des périodes de déficit dans la faune sauvage, remplacée alors par les espèces domestiques dans les régimes alimentaires des hyènes. Les représentations squelettiques des repaires ont été quantifiées : les proportions squelettiques sont globalement proches à l’exception des dents et de l’axial. Cela suppose des transports et destructions différentielles. Les hyènes de Magadi apportent des carcasses entières dans leurs repaires alors que celles de Samburu sélectionnent plus (crânes). Les distributions selon les classes de taille montrent une plus grande variabilité chez l’hyène tachetée que chez l’hyène rayée. Une analyse biométrique est effectuée afin de connaitre le degré de dimorphisme sexuel et sa variation géographique. Les hyènes d’Afrique de l’Est sont légèrement plus petites que celles d’autres régions. Notre étude est en accord avec des études précédentes, et montre que les accumulations osseuses de repaires reflètent bien la diversité spécifique des environnements.This thesis presents data from two study areas’ den sites aimed at ascertaining unique bone collecting behaviour of the two hyaena species in pastoralist land in Kenya (Magadi and Samburu). Its focus was quantifying species composition in the dens of spotted hyena (Crocuta) and striped hyena (Hyaena). This was mainly to gauge the importance of wildlife or livestock diet. It further tried to analyse whether tooth mark patterning in wildlife and livestock is similar or different also aimed at ascertaining whether livestock are target prey during times of wild prey deficiency. Skeletal element representations in dens were quantified to find out carcass transport pattern of the two species. Element proportions were generally similar in the two study areas except for teeth and axial. This pattern suggests differential carcass transport and bone ravaging in the two areas. Magadi striped hyaenas most likely transported whole carcasses to the den sites while the Samburu ones took skeletal parts consisting skulls. This could be also as a result of the bone collecting hunting, scavenging) and ravaging differences of the striped and spotted hyaenas. Of the two species bone collecting pattern in terms of size class representation was very variable in spotted hyaena compared to the striped hyaena that consistently collected size class II prey species. Skeletal biometrics of the two species was analysed to detect sexual and geographic size dimorphism. Eastern African hyaenas are slightly smaller than those from other regions. This study’s results are consistent with previous studies that indicate hyaena den collection reflect the faunal diversity of environment around the den sites

Range extension of the bar-breasted firefinch Lagonosticta rufopicta

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Comparative taphonomical studies between sympatric hyenids (Crocuta crocuta, and Hyaena hyeana), insights from modern dens in Kenya.

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Comparative taphonomical studies of sympatric hyenids (crocuta crocuta and hyaena hyeana) bone assemblages, insights from modern dens in Kenya

Fifty modern dens were investigated to compare bone accumulation patterns of the two hyaena species in two areas in Kenya (Samburu & Shompole). The spotted hyaena bone accumulations were dominated by size class III ungulates while striped hyaenas’ were by size class I & II. Skeletal distribution suggests different accumulation patterns between the two predators, related to their feeding behaviour (hunting versus scavenging). This neo-taphonomy analysis brings additional referential data for the two African hyenids that may be useful for interpretation of bone assemblages and modifications in modern ecology/conservation and would be also applicable to zooarchaeological and paleontological studies.Cinquante repaires actuels d’hyène ont été étudiés afin de comparer les assemblages osseux des deux espèces d’hyènes présentes au Kenya, provenant des régions de Samburu et de Shompole. Les accumulations osseuses des hyènes tachetées sont dominées par des ongulés de taille III alors que celles d’hyènes rayées livrent plus d’ongulés de taille I et II. Les représentations squelettiques montrent des modèles différents entre les deux prédateurs, en relation avec leur comportement alimentaire (chasse vs charognage). Notre analyse néo-taphonomique apporte des références complémentaires qui peuvent être utiles pour les assemblages osseux et leurs modifications à la fois dans les questions d’écologie et de conservation mais aussi dans les études archéozoologique et paléontologiques

Ontogénie dentaire et osseuse de Hyaenidae modernes : intérêts pour les gisements pléistocènes d'Europe.Teeth and bone ontogeny of extant Hyaenidae: their relevance for Pleistocene deposits in Europe.

Homenaje al Profesor Manuel Pérez RipollCristina Real, J. Emili Aura, Valentín Villaverde (eds.)International audienc

Ontogénie dentaire et osseuse des Hyénidés modernes : leur intérêt pour les sites pléistocène d'Europe. Teeth and bone ontogeny of extant Hyaenidae: their relevance for Pleistocene deposits in Europe.

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: Tooth eruption sequence of extant and extinct Hyaenidae (Crocuta, Parahyaena, Hyaena)

International audienceFew studies concern teeth eruption in hyenids. From observations on non-adult mandibles belonging to three extant species (spotted hyena, Crocuta crocuta; striped hyena, Hyaena hyaena; brown hyena, Parahyaena brunnea), tooth eruption sequences are recorded for young, juvenile and subadult individuals (i.e. from specimens younger than 15 months old). Tooth eruption sequences, crown wear and mandibular growth are presented and sometimes measured. These data fill previous published studies and are used on particularly well-preserved cave hyena (Crocuta intermedia) mandibles from the Lunel-Viel cave, dated to the Middle Pleistocene (~MIS 7). No major differences were found in the chronology of teeth eruption among hyenid species. Six age classes are presented for non-adult hyenids, based on tooth eruption, tooth wear and mandibular measurements. This ontogenetic classification could be an interesting step in assessing the function of Pleistocene sites (communal dens, birth dens

Small mammal diversity of Mt. Kenya based on carnivore fecal and surface bone remains

Ecological dynamics and faunal diversity documentation is normally conducted by direct observation and trapping of live animals. However, surveys of carnivore scat prey and surface bone remains, which are relatively inexpensive, can provide complementary data that expand carnivore diet breadth and may improve accuracy regarding inferences of the ecological dynamics of a given ecosystem. We used this inexpensive method to document species diversity variation with elevation on the leeward (Sirimon) and windward (Chogoria) areas of Mt. Kenya. Bone and fecal specimens were opportunistically collected by walking 2 km in opposite directions from transect points selected at 200-m intervals along the elevational gradient of the study areas. We collected a total of 220 carnivore fecal and owl pellet specimens from both study sites, which were mainly deposited by the spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta), leopard (Panthera pardus), serval (Leptailurus serval), genet (Genetta sp.), and Mackinder’s Cape owl (Bubo capensis mackinderi). Serval scats were the most common, followed by those of the spotted hyena. Scats and bones were found at the lowest density at the lowest elevations, peaked at mid-higher elevations, and then declined at the highest elevations. Based on skeletal analysis only, there were more species in Sirimon (19) than in Chogoria (12). Small fauna (rodents to duiker size bovids) formed the bulk of the identified remains, representing 87.9% of the Sirimon fauna and 90.9% of the Chogoria fauna. The genus Otomys was the dominant prey of the owl and serval in both sites. Three giraffe teeth were found at 3 500 m a.s.l. in Chogoria on the edge of Lake Ellis, suggesting that it is an occasional visitor to such high elevations. This study underscores the value of fecal and bone surveys in understanding the diet and diversity of mammals in ecological ecosystems, but such surveys should be complemented with analysis of hairs found in scats to obtain a more complete list of carnivore prey at Mt. Kenya