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New Andean Cave Faunas:
SHOCKEY ET AL.

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Abstract

Introduction

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NEW PLEISTOCENE CAVE FAUNAS OF THE ANDES OF CENTRAL PERÚ:
RADIOCARBON AGES AND THE SURVIVAL OF LOW LATITUDE, PLEISTOCENE DNA

Bruce J. Shockey, Rodolfo Salas-Gismondi, Patrice Baby, Jean-Loup Guyot, María Cristina Baltazar, Luis Huamán, Andrew Clack, Marcelo Stucchi, François Pujos, Jenna María Emerson, and John J. Flynn

ABSTRACT

Peruvian citizens have led our team to their discoveries of Pleistocene cave faunas in the central Andes of Perú. These caves (Jatun Uchco, Departamento de Huánuco; Cueva Roselló, Departamento de Junín; and Trigo Jirka, Departamento de Huánuco) preserve numerous carnivorans (Puma, a sabercat [Smilodon populator], an unnamed large extinct felid, fox [Lycalopex sp.], hognose skunk [Conepatus sp.]), deer (cf. Pudu and cf. Hippocamelus), vicuña, an extinct horse (†Onohippidium devillei), a chinchillid rodent (cf. Lagidium), bats (Anoura, Desmodus, and Platalina), and sloths (†Megatherium, †Scelidodon, and, †Diabolotherium). Bats were found only in the lowest cave (Jatun Uchco, 2,150 m), and ungulates were found only at Cueva Roselló—the only cave studied in a region of flat terrain. Trigo Jirka preserved ancient feces of a large animal and the keratin claw of †Diabolotherium.

Collagen for radiocarbon dating and DNA for phylogenetic studies have been isolated from bone from Cueva Roselló (3,875 m) and Trigo Jirka (2,700 m). Conventional radiometric ages from Cueva Roselló are 23,340 ± 120 and 22,220 ± 130 years before present and that of Trigo Jirka is 29,140 ± 260. Ancient DNA (aDNA) from †Onohippidium of Cueva Roselló (12° South latitude) and †Diabolotherium of Trigo Jirka (10° South) is being used in phylogenetic studies. The successful recovery of aDNA suggests that the cool temperatures, low humidity, and the shield from UV radiation of caves at high elevation can permit aDNA studies at low latitudes. Previously, such studies have been limited to latitudes greater than 35° for Pleistocene samples.

Bruce J. Shockey. Manhattan College, Manhattan College Parkway, New York City, NY, USA, 10471 and Division of Paleontology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY, USA.
Rodolfo Salas-Gismondi. Departamento de Paleontología de Vertebrados, Museo de Historia Natural–UNMSM, Av. Arenales 1256, Lima 14, Perú
Patrice Baby. Laboratoire des Mécanismes et Transferts en Géologie, IRD, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, OMP, 14 Av. E. Belin, F-31400 Toulouse, France
Jean-Loup Guyot. Laboratoire des Mécanismes et Transferts en Géologie, IRD, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, OMP, CP 7091 Lago Sul, 71619-970 Brasilia DF, Brazil
María Cristina Baltazar. Instituto Nacional de Cultura, Lima, Perú
Luis Huamán. Laboratorio de Palinología y Paleobotánica, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú
Andrew Clack. McMaster Ancient DNA Centre, Department of Anthropology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
Marcelo Stucchi. Asociación para la Investigación y Conservación de la Biodiversidad – AICB, Av. Vicús 538, Lima 33, Perú
François Pujos. Departamento de Geología y Paleontología, Instituto Argentino de Nivología Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales (IANIGLA), CCT–CONICET–Mendoza, Avenida Ruiz Leal s/n, Parque Gral. San Martín, 5500 Mendoza, Argentina.
Jenna María Emerson. Carroll College, Biology Department. 1601 N. Benton Ave., Helena, MT 59625, USA. 
John J. Flynn. Division of Paleontology, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th St., New York, NY, USA.

KEY WORDS: Pleistocene; cave fauna; Great American Biotic Interchange; South American mammals; Ancient DNA; palynology; radiocarbon ages

PE Article Number: 12.3.15A
Copyright: Society for Vertebrate Paleontology December 2009
Submission: 11 February 2009. Acceptance: 6 November 2009

 

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New Andean Cave Faunas
Plain-Language & Multilingual  Abstracts | Abstract | Introduction | Methods
Results | Discussion | Summary and Conclusions | Acknowledgements | References
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