Taphonomic signature of Geoffroy’s cat (Leopardus geoffroyi) on small sized preys: A comparative study of ingested and non-ingested leporid bones

Abstract

In order to generate a more comprehensive understanding of the accumulations produced by small-sized predators in the fossil record, a feeding experiment with captive Geoffroy’s cat was carried out and the bone modifications generated on leporid bones were studied. In this paper, we present the results from the analysis of the ingested bones. These results were compared with previously published data on the non-ingested bones from the same experiment, as well as ingested samples from wild Geoffroy’s cat and other small-sized predators. Results show that leporid remains consumed by the Geoffroy’s cat are extensively fragmented, with light to heavy categories of digestion, and a scarce amount of tooth marks. The taphonomic signature of Geoffroy’s cat on ingested bones differs from the non-ingested sample. When evaluating both the ingested and non-ingested remains together the Geoffroy’s cat bone modification pattern is characterized by a moderate average relative abundance of elements, a low percentage of tooth marks and a moderate percentage of digestive corrosion.