Acta Zoologica Cracoviensia, 35(2) 1992

Issue:

VOL 35(2) 1992

Keywords:

Taphonomy, bones, Vulpes rueppelli, Egypt

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Mechanical and chemical alterations of skeletal tissues in a recent Saharian accumulation of faeces from Vulpes rueppelli (Carnivora, Mammalia)

• Christiane DENYS
• Kazimierz KOWALSKI
• Yannicke DAUPHIN

Abstract:

A collection of modern sand-fox Vulpes rueppelli faeces from the Egyptian desert has been analysed using the taphonomic method. These excrements come from Bir Tarfawi, an uninhabited oasis in the Saharan desert. Representation, fragmentation, abrasion as well as chemical content of the preserved skeletal and dental elements of vertebrates have been analysed by various techniques (calculation of representation and fragmentation percentages, percentages of molars and incisors digested, SEM & EDS analyses). The results show the action of canid digestive tract and that stomach juices greatly alter not only the structures of bones and teeth but also their chemical composition. The first phase of digestion plays an important role in the fossilisation processes by inducing major pre-diagenetic biases. The contribution of small-sized Carnivora to bone accumulations in fossil sites must be exceptional and fortuitous.