Dental microwear and mesovear of Microtus voles before and after experimental feeding of owls

Abstract

Form of expressions of dental microwear and mesovear of small mammals depends on abrasiveness, hardness and a number of other characteristics of the feed. Analysis of micro- and mesorelief is used on paleontological materials for the reconstruction of some parameters of the animals diet. Small mammals move a hard way from objects of biocenoses to fossils. Bone remains are modified in the process of accumulation and fossilization. In particular, bone remains from ornithogenous deposits were influenced to the substances of the digestive system of birds. In this work, an experimental estimation was made of the degree of changes in a number of characteristics of narrow-headed vole molars (Microtus gregalis) from the pellets of two species of owls. On the same samples before and after exposure to substances of the digestive system of a Polar Owl (Nyctea scandiaca) and Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo), it was shown that the microrelief of the tooth enamel undergoes serious changes and haven't information about the in vivo diet of the voles. A different degree of preservation of the mesoreliefs characteristic was shown. An assessment of their applicability for paleoreconstructions depending on this was given.