Desgaste dentario e ingestión de partículas minerales en osos actuales y extintos del Norte de España

[Abstract] The dental morphology of the cave bear Ursus spelaeus (Rosenmuller & Heinroth, 1794) indicates its specialisation as a vegetation eater. Although vegetal matter plays also an important role in the diet of most living bears, the dental wear exhibited by cave bears differs qualitatively from that seen in brown bears even on gross inspection. The diet of the extant brown bear Ursus arctos (Linnaeus, 1758) is well known from present-day stu-dies involving direct observation as well as scat analysis. The ingestion of tubers and other gritty foods has repeatedly been suggested as the cause for the extreme wear observed on cave bear teeth. In this work we seek to analyse the modes and degrees of enamel-wear in brown and cave bears from Northern Spain with the objective of shedding some light on the cave bear diet as regards to grit ingestion. We examine the incidence of gross wear features and enamel micro-fractures on the bear molars, and from this it is concluded that the cave bears analysed here did not ingest gritty foods and seemed to avoid putting into their mouth any object at all soiled with gritty dirt

Isotopic signature in isolated south-western populations of European brown bear (Ursus arctos)

Stable isotope analysis of animal tissue samples is increasingly used to study the trophic ecology of target species. The isotopic signatures respond to the type of diet, but also to the environmental conditions of their habitat. In the case of omnivorous, seasonal or opportunistic feeding species, the interpretation of isotopic values is more complex, as it is largely determined by food selection, either due to individual choice or because of availability. We analysed C and N isotopes in brown bear (Ursus arctos) hair from four isolated populations of south-western Europe (Cantabrian, Pyrenees, Central Apennines and Alpine) accounting for the geographical and climatic differences among the four areas. We found inter-population differences in isotopic signatures that cannot be attributed to climatic differences alone, indicating that at least some bears from relatively higher altitude populations experiencing higher precipitation (Pyrenees) show a greater consumption of animal foods than those from lower altitudes (Cantabrian and Apennines). The quantification of isotopic niche space using Layman's metrics identified significant similarities between the Cantabrian and Central Apennine samples that markedly differ from the Pyrenean and Alpine. Our study provides a baseline to allow further comparisons in isotopic niche spaces in a broad ranged omnivorous mammal, whose European distribution requires further conservation attention especially for southern isolated populations

La Cuevona de Avín (Avín, Asturias, North Spain): A new Late Pleistocene site in the lower valley of the River Güeña

The archaeological investigations carried out in the last twenty years in the Lower Valley of the River Güeña (Asturias, central part of northern Spain) have documented different prehistoric sites, particularly with Middle and Upper Palaeolithic occupations. This paper presents the first results of the archaeological excavation carried out in the cave of La Cuevona de Avín. From the systematic study of the biotic and abiotic remains, a total of three occupation phases (Phases 1 to 3) have been determined, dated in the Late Pleistocene. The lithic studies indicate the use of local raw materials (mainly quartzite), but also regional ones (different types of flint) in the whole sequence. Retouched implements are typologically representative only during the Upper Magdalenian (Phase II) and use-wear analysis indicates the manufacture and use of artefacts in situ during this phase. Archaeozoological studies reveal continuity in subsistence strategies throughout the sequence, noting specialization in red deer hunting during the Azilian (Phase I), and more diversified prey in the older phases of the sequence. © 2022 The Author(s

Isotopic signature in isolated south-western populations of European brown bear (Ursus arctos)

Abstract Stable isotope analysis of animal tissue samples is increasingly used to study the trophic ecology of target species. The isotopic signatures respond to the type of diet, but also to the environmental conditions of their habitat. In the case of omnivorous, seasonal or opportunistic feeding species, the interpretation of isotopic values is more complex, as it is largely determined by food selection, either due to individual choice or because of availability. We analysed C and N isotopes in brown bear (Ursus arctos) hair from four isolated populations of south-western Europe (Cantabrian, Pyrenees, Central Apennines and Alpine) accounting for the geographical and climatic differences among the four areas. We found inter-population differences in isotopic signatures that cannot be attributed to climatic differences alone, indicating that at least some bears from relatively higher altitude populations experiencing higher precipitation (Pyrenees) show a greater consumption of animal foods than those from lower altitudes (Cantabrian and Apennines). The quantification of isotopic niche space using Layman’s metrics identified significant similarities between the Cantabrian and Central Apennine samples that markedly differ from the Pyrenean and Alpine. Our study provides a baseline to allow further comparisons in isotopic niche spaces in a broad ranged omnivorous mammal, whose European distribution requires further conservation attention especially for southern isolated populations

Isotopic signature in isolated south-western populations of European brown bear (Ursus arctos)

Stable isotope analysis of animal tissue samples is increasingly used to study the trophic ecology of target species. The isotopic signatures respond to the type of diet, but also to the environmental conditions of their habitat. In the case of omnivorous, seasonal or opportunistic feeding species, the interpretation of isotopic values is more complex, as it is largely determined by food selection, either due to individual choice or because of availability. We analysed C and N isotopes in brown bear (Ursus arctos) hair from four isolated populations of south-western Europe (Cantabrian, Pyrenees, Central Apennines and Alpine) accounting for the geographical and climatic differences among the four areas. We found inter-population differences in isotopic signatures that cannot be attributed to climatic differences alone, indicating that at least some bears from relatively higher altitude populations experiencing higher precipitation (Pyrenees) show a greater consumption of animal foods than those from lower altitudes (Cantabrian and Apennines). The quantification of isotopic niche space using Layman’s metrics identified significant similarities between the Cantabrian and Central Apennine samples that markedly differ from the Pyrenean and Alpine. Our study provides a baseline to allow further comparisons in isotopic niche spaces in a broad ranged omnivorous mammal, whose European distribution requires further conservation attention especially for southern isolated populations

Preservation of DNA in Pleistocene and Holocene bear species samples from Northwestern Iberian Peninsula

In this paper we present 73 short mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences obtained from 30 brown bear (Ursus arctos) and 56 cave bear (Ursus spelaeus) samples in several cave sites of Northwestern Iberian Peninsula (Galicia and Asturias), of Holocene and Pleistocene ages. The technique used was PCR amplification of small mtDNA fragments and the subsequent Sanger sequencing of PCR products. In total, 6 different haplotypes were obtained for the brown bear and two for the cave bear. The high success rate of PCR amplifications (85[%], 73 positive amplifications out of a total of 86 samples) demonstrates the good conditions of the Sierra do Courel caves for the preservation of DNA in fossil bone remains, even for tens of millennia old

Distribution and chronology of brownbear (Ursus arctos L.) in the Iberian peninsula during Upper Pleistocene and Holocene

In this paper we present 13 new radiocarbon datings of brown bear (Ursus arctos L.) remains from caves of the western half of the Cantabrian Mountains (Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria). This dates, as well as other previously reported, range from more than 40,000 years BP to 2,442 ± 61 years cal BP, belonging mostly to the early Holocene. From a whole of 26 datings, only 3 are of Pleistocene age. In order to complete the distribution in space and time in the Iberian peninsula, we review the literature on this species presence and its chronology by radiocarbon dating or archaeological culture when it exists. The presence of the brown bear has been observed in at least 143 sites. Oldest mentions are from Middle Pleistocene from the south of the Iberian peninsula. In Upper Pleistocene, sites cover the whole peninsula, with only 5 radiocarbon dates. Sites with Pleistocene fossils are a few more than the Holocene ones. There are several problems with the observed distribution. Firstly, as for the vast majority of terrestrial biocenosis, even if the species was present there are not preserv ed remains. An example of this is the lack of Holoeene remains in places we know it was present according to the historical literature. In general, there are gaps in the distribution that coincide with no limestone lithology. Furthermore, there is a bias related to the intensity of research in certain areas. It was suggested that brown bear population increased when cave bear (Ursus spelaeus ROSENMÙLLER) wiped out, but only in 12.5 % of the places in which both species are present is possible to see a substitution. The number of brown bears in every site is low before and after the extinction of its alleged competitor. Our results suggest that the denning ecology was different from the cave bear and, like nowadays, brown bears used different types of dens, like holes in the ground, inside trees or smaller natural caves. In the XVI century the population begins to decrease, till reaching its minimum in the XX century, with two surviving populations in Cantabrian Mountains and Pyrenees, but population began to drop since the Neolithic, probably due to the pressure caused by the expansion of human activities

Preservación de ADN en muestras de úrsidos Pleistocenos y Holocenos del NW de la Península Ibérica

[Resumen] En este trabajo se presentan 73 secuencias cortas de ADN mitocondrial (ADN mt) obtenidas a partir de 30 muestras de oso pardo (Ursus arctos) y 56 de oso cavernario (Ursus spelaeus) procedentes de diversos yacimientos del noroeste de la Península ibérica (Galicia y Asturias) y de edades finipleistocenas y holocenas. La técnica utilizada fue la amplificación mediante PCR de pequeños fragmentos de ADNmt y la posterior secuenciación Sanger de los productos PCR. En total se han obtenido 6 haplotipos diferentes para el oso pardo y dos para el cavernario. El elevado porcentaje de éxito de las amplificaciones PCR (85%, 73 amplificaciones positivas de un total de 86 muestras) demuestra las buenas condiciones de las cuevas de la Sierra do Courel para la preservación de ADN en restos óseos fósiles, incluso de decenas de milenios de antiguedad[Abstract] In this paper we present 73 short mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences obtained from 30 brown bear (Ursus arctos) and 56 cave bear (Ursus spelaeus) samples in several cave sites of Northwestern Iberian Peninsula (Galicia and Asturias), of Holocene and Pleistocene ages. The technique used was PCR amplification of small mtDNA fragments and the subsequent Sanger sequencing of PCR products. In total, 6 different haplotypes were obtained for the brown bear and two for the cave bear. The high success rate of PCR amplifications (85%, 73 positive amplifications out of a total of 86 samples) demonstrates the good conditions of the Sierra do Courel caves for the preservation of DNA in fossil bone remains, even for tens of millennia old

The Sopeña Rockshelter, a New Site in Asturias (Spain) bearing evidence on the Middle and Early Upper Palaeolithic in Northern Iberia

Iberia has become a major focus of modern human origins research because the early dates for the Aurignacian in some sites in northernSpain seem to preclude an ‘Aurignacian invasion’ from east to west. Neanderthals associated with Mousterian industries occur late in time. The occurrence of Neanderthal-modern hybrids dated to around 24 ka, and the possibility of in situ transition between the Middle and Upper Paleolithic along the north Spanish coast, also raise important questions. To approach these questions requires excavations with modern methods of sites containing relevant archaeological records, in situ stratigraphic deposits, and reliable dating. Here we offer a preliminary report on the Sopeña site, a rockshelter containing well stratified late Middle and Early Upper Palaeolithic deposits. We describe the sedimentology for the archaeological layers, dates obtained so far, and lithic and faunal materials including the micromammal taphonomy from a deep test pit along the east wall

Palaeoecology of cave bears as evidenced by dental wear analysis: a review of methods and recent findings

The study of dental wear was first used years ago to infer the palaeoecology of fossil mammals and in particular their diet. Results depend predominantly on the scale of the analysis used. Analyses of dental macrowear, mesowear or microwear do not provide the same type of dietary information, be it about the seasonal, annual or lifetime diet. This contribution focuses on emblematic species, cave bears (Ursidae), in particular Ursus spelaeus spelaeus. Methods used by previous researchers to infer their dietary preferences and thus their palaeoecology are reviewed and compared. This review is complemented by an analysis of several specimens of cave bears from the Goyet cave in Belgium, using dental microwear texture analysis (DMTA), a methodology widely applied for reconstructing palaeodiets. Three main conclusions are drawn here: (1) DMTA is the method that provides the most precise palaeobiological inferences; (2) during the pre-dormancy period, cave bears show dietary flexibility; (3) dental wear alone might be not sufficient to provide a complete reconstruction of the cave bear palaeodiet