Coprolites, paleogenomics and bone content analysis

Abstract

Coprolites are fossil scats and provide indirect witness of the activity of past animals of a given area, whether or not fossil bones of these animals are present in the site. The shape, size, inclusions and geo- and bio-chemical composition are criteria for identification of the animal that left the coprolite. Unit II from Azokh 1 has yielded two complete undamaged coprolites one of which contained partially digested fossil bones. Taphonomic and taxonomic indications from this coprolite could not conclusively identify the origin of the coprolites. Analysis of targeted mitochondrial DNA, performed on one of the coprolites, has provided evidence for the presence of hyena DNA, but this finding was not supported by further investigation using next-generation high throughput sequencing. The most parsimonious interpretation of the results of the genetic analyses is that the highly sensitive PCR assay reveals contamination of the coprolite with minute amounts of modern brown hyena DNA presumably originating from brown hyena scats sampled recently in South Africa.