Mammalian and Reptilian Carnivore Effects on Bone

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of the effects of mammalian carnivores on vertebrate bodies, including human gnawing and reduction of skeletal elements, plus research on bone modifications by crocodiles. It offers summaries of systematic patterns of carcass and bone consumption by mammalian carnivores in general and by specific taxa – canids, felids, hyenids, ursids – and how these may be modulated by regional ecology. Building upon actualistic research on regularities in carcass and skeletal element consumption sequences, it details common modifications to bones inflicted by the teeth of gnawing carnivores and typical patterns of destruction of different elements and discusses whether tooth marks can be used to infer the taxon of the gnawing mammal. Modifications are well illustrated to facilitate identification. It reviews bone modifications inflicted by human gnawing and summarizes what is known of bone modification by crocodiles. Succeeding chapters on the effects of various actors and processes follow the same general format.