Μελέτη απολιθωμάτων αρκούδας από το σπήλαιο Λουτρών Αλμωπίας με χρήση ισοτοπικών μεθόδων και διαγενετικών δεικτών: μια νέα προσέγγιση των παλαιοπεριβαλλοντικών συνθηκών

• Main Authors: Zisi, Nikoleta, Ζήση, Νικολέτα
• Format: Doctoral or Postdoctoral Thesis
• Language: Greek
• Published: Aristotle University Of Thessaloniki (AUTH) 2016
• Subjects: Σταθερά ισότοπα; Διαγένεση οστών; Αρκούδα σπηλαίων; Παλαιοπεριβάλλον; Stable isotopes; Bone diagenesis; Cave bear; Palaeoenvironmental reconstruction; Φυσικές Επιστήμες; Γεωεπιστήμες και Επιστήμες Περιβάλλοντος; Natural Sciences; Earth and Related Environmental Sciences; Ursus arctos
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10442/hedi/37442; https://doi.org/10.12681/eadd/37442

This dissertation studies fossil bones and teeth of the cave bear U. ingressus from Loutra Almopias Cave (Greece), in order to collect information regarding the diet of this extinct species as well as the reconstruction of the palaeoenvironmental conditions. Aiming to decipher the suitability of the fossil samples and the authenticity of their isotopic signal, a thorough diagenetic study was undertaken. Subsequently, isotopic analysis took place including fossil bones and teeth, modern bones and teeth, surface waters for the modern habitat of brown bear (Ursus arctos) and surface waters from the region of Loutra Almopias Cave. The diagenetic study comprised the study of the fossil samples by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Similar analytical approach was applied to the modern samples in order to use the results as reference and also to decipher their reliability, in cases of scarce information. Based on the multimethodological results, their relationships, the parameters that were calculated and their correlation with the isotopic results, specific samples were discarded from the isotopic study, due to the diagenetically altered original isotopic fingerprint. The palaeoenvironmental reconstruction was developed based on the rest of the sample collection. In the context of the isotopic study (δ13C και δ18Ο), the inorganic part (bioapatite) of the fossil and modern bones and teeth was analyzed. The isotopic ratios of carbon were used for the palaeodiet determination, comparing the results with literature data of European Pleistocene arctoids as well as with the modern brown bear. The carbon isotope composition showed that U. ingressus was mainly an omnivorous animal, with terrestrial or more possibly aquatic protein in its diet. In the contrary, the dominant herbivorous diet of modern brown bear is confirmed, with minor protein component. Based on the oxygen isotopic signal of the bioapatite of the modern brown bear, the waters from ...