Carnivoran Remains from the Malapa Hominin Site, South Africa

Brian F Kuhn,Rodrigo S Lacruz,Lee R Berger,Lars Werdelin,Adam Hartstone-Rose,Anjali Goswami

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0026940

Abstract

Recent discoveries at the new hominin-bearing deposits of Malapa, South Africa, have yielded a rich faunal assemblage associated with the newly described hominin taxon Australopithecus sediba. Dating of this deposit using U-Pb and palaeomagnetic methods has provided an age of 1.977 Ma, being one of the most accurately dated, time constrained deposits in the Plio-Pleistocene of southern Africa. To date, 81 carnivoran specimens have been identified at this site including members of the families Canidae, Viverridae, Herpestidae, Hyaenidae and Felidae. Of note is the presence of the extinct taxon Dinofelis cf. D. barlowi that may represent the last appearance date for this species. Extant large carnivores are represented by specimens of leopard (Panthera pardus) and brown hyaena (Parahyaena brunnea). Smaller carnivores are also represented, and include the genera Atilax and Genetta, as well as Vulpes cf. V. chama. Malapa may also represent the first appearance date for Felis nigripes (Black-footed cat). The geochronological age of Malapa and the associated hominin taxa and carnivoran remains provide a window of research into mammalian evolution during a relatively unknown period in South Africa and elsewhere. In particular, the fauna represented at Malapa has the potential to elucidate aspects of the evolution of Dinofelis and may help resolve competing hypotheses about faunal exchange between East and Southern Africa during the late Pliocene or early Pleistocene.

Highlights

The South African palaeontological record of the PlioPleistocene is rich and diverse
The recent discovery of Australopithecus sediba, the youngest known Australopithecus species dating to 1.977 Ma [3], and associated faunal remains provide a unique window to interpreting faunal changes and ecology in southern Africa during this critical time period
The smaller taxa, such as Herpestidae and Viverridae, will be discussed in detail at a later date as the fossil record of these groups are much less well known than the larger carnivorans, and require extensive primary research before definitive conclusions about taxonomy, systematics, and environmental adaptations can be drawn

Summary

Introduction

The South African palaeontological record of the PlioPleistocene is rich and diverse Most deposits from this time period are constrained within a relatively small geographical area in the Sterkfontein Valley (Cradle of Humankind). 2.5 Ma), hosting the largest record of the hominin Australopithecus africanus and characterized by relatively heavy tree cover [1], to younger deposits (Kromdraai, Swartkrans, Drimolen, Coopers) which commonly include the hominin taxa Paranthropus and Homo and are characterized by more open habitats [1,2] These latter sites provide evidence of faunal evolution in the region generally within the period between 1.8 Ma and 1.5 Ma. Historically, the period from approximately 2.0 Ma to 1.8 Ma has remained largely unsampled in southern Africa. Uranium-lead (U-Pb) dating and palaeomagnetic studies further constrain the likely deposition of the sediments to 1.977 Ma [3]

Results

Discussion

Methods