2024/02/20 by Julián Mignino, José Manuel López, Thiago Costa +1 · 1 citation
Earth and Planetary Sciences · Environmental Science · Psychology · #Evolution and Paleontology Studies #Primate Behavior and Ecology #Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
paper · doi:10.1177/09596836241231464
openalex publication_date 2024/02/20 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
The objective of this study is to characterize the taphonomic signature of Strix chacoensis in bone and tooth remains of microvertebrates (birds and micromammals). The chaco owl is a bird of prey whose diet and bone modification patterns are little known. In a sample of 41 pellets, an unusual proportion of bird remains over mammal remains was observed. We evaluate the ecological implications of this phenomenon, which could designate Strix chacoensis as a bioindicator of well-preserved forest and shrubland environments when combined with the specific ecological requirements of the prey species. Furthermore, taphonomic patterns vary across taxonomic groups: bird remains exhibited lower modifications due to breakage and digestion compared to micromammal remains. Therefore, this raptor can be characterized as having a minimal impact on bird remains and an intermediate impact on mammal remains.