Abstract:Stable isotope analysis of animal tissue samples is increasingly used to study the trophic ecology of target species. The isotopic signatures respond to the type of diet, but also to the environmental conditions of their habitat. In the case of omnivorous, seasonal or opportunistic feeding species, the interpretation of isotopic values is more complex, as it is largely determined by food selection, either due to individual choice or because of availability. We analysed C and N isotopes in brown bear (Ursus arc… Show more
“…García-Vázquez et al (2018) suggested a predominantly herbivorous diet for the ancient Cantabrian brown bears. The stable isotope data obtained from modern Cantabrian and Apennine brown bear hair samples (García-Vázquez et al 2022) suggested a similar proportion of herbivorous and carnivorous food sources, while bears from the Pyrenees followed a more carnivorous diet, according to the authors. These results agree with (non-stable isotope based) observations on modern brown bears from Cantabria (e.g.…”
Section: Discussionmentioning
confidence: 95%
“…Our data can be compared to that of Late Pleistocene and Holocene brown bears from Cantabria, Spain (García-Vázquez et al 2018) and with very strong restrictions to that of modern brown bears (obtained from hair not bone) from mountainous areas of southern Europe (García-Vázquez et al 2022). In respect to the latter, we consider a correction factor of +2‰ for the modern bear specimen due to the δ13C decrease in atmospheric CO 2 as a result of the use of fossil fuels since the Industrial Revolution around 1880 AD (Long et al 2005; Dombrosky 2020).…”
Section: Discussionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Brown bears are the largest carnivores in Europe (García-Vázquez et al 2022). Stable isotope analysis on bear remains has previously mainly been applied to modern bear populations both inside (e.g.…”
Section: Methodological Background and Archaeological Contextmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Stable isotope analysis on bear remains has previously mainly been applied to modern bear populations both inside (e.g. Careddu et al 2021; García-Vázquez et al 2022) and outside (e.g. Hilderbrand et al 1999; Hobson et al 2000) Europe to distinguish between ecological factors and dietary preferences.…”
Section: Methodological Background and Archaeological Contextmentioning
“…García-Vázquez et al (2018) suggested a predominantly herbivorous diet for the ancient Cantabrian brown bears. The stable isotope data obtained from modern Cantabrian and Apennine brown bear hair samples (García-Vázquez et al 2022) suggested a similar proportion of herbivorous and carnivorous food sources, while bears from the Pyrenees followed a more carnivorous diet, according to the authors. These results agree with (non-stable isotope based) observations on modern brown bears from Cantabria (e.g.…”
Section: Discussionmentioning
confidence: 95%
“…Our data can be compared to that of Late Pleistocene and Holocene brown bears from Cantabria, Spain (García-Vázquez et al 2018) and with very strong restrictions to that of modern brown bears (obtained from hair not bone) from mountainous areas of southern Europe (García-Vázquez et al 2022). In respect to the latter, we consider a correction factor of +2‰ for the modern bear specimen due to the δ13C decrease in atmospheric CO 2 as a result of the use of fossil fuels since the Industrial Revolution around 1880 AD (Long et al 2005; Dombrosky 2020).…”
Section: Discussionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Brown bears are the largest carnivores in Europe (García-Vázquez et al 2022). Stable isotope analysis on bear remains has previously mainly been applied to modern bear populations both inside (e.g.…”
Section: Methodological Background and Archaeological Contextmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Stable isotope analysis on bear remains has previously mainly been applied to modern bear populations both inside (e.g. Careddu et al 2021; García-Vázquez et al 2022) and outside (e.g. Hilderbrand et al 1999; Hobson et al 2000) Europe to distinguish between ecological factors and dietary preferences.…”
Section: Methodological Background and Archaeological Contextmentioning
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