The recent history of the Spanish ibex (Capra pyrenaica) in the French Pyrenees: a contribution of speleology to palaeontology
International audience Over the last 40 years, research on (sub)fossil Spanish ibex (Capra pyrenaica) in the French Pyrenees is mainly based on discoveries made by cavers. In the western Pyrenees, more than 25 natural sites yielding Spanish ibex remains are known allowing palaeoecological research....
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Other Authors: | , |
| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | French |
| Published: |
HAL CCSD
2022
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://hal.science/hal-03817878 https://hal.science/hal-03817878/document https://hal.science/hal-03817878/file/FOSSE_ET_AL_2022_CAPRA.pdf |
| Summary: | International audience Over the last 40 years, research on (sub)fossil Spanish ibex (Capra pyrenaica) in the French Pyrenees is mainly based on discoveries made by cavers. In the western Pyrenees, more than 25 natural sites yielding Spanish ibex remains are known allowing palaeoecological research. Based on topographical settings (maps, bone location), paleontological records (osteometry, sexual dimorphism) and taphonomic analysis (skeletal discarding, biotic/abiotic traces), this paper provides information on the formation processes for some unpublished caprid sites. The deposits are mainly located in high mountains, in (deep) vertical holes or descending galleries having trapped one or two adult Spanish ibex or exceptionally several (non-) adult individuals. Osteometrical dataset suggests that males are more often trapped than females. Bone surfaces do not bear any important predator nor scavenger activities (large and/or small carnivores). The sites correspond to natural incursions of Spanish ibex into dark galleries, which are diachronic and/or independent of wintering occupations by brown bears (Ursus arctos). Résumé L'histoire récente du bouquetin d'Espagne (Capra pyrenaica) dans les Pyrénées françaises : une contribution de la spéléologie à la paléontologie. Au cours des 40 dernières années, les recherches sur les bouquetins des Pyrénées (Capra pyrenaica) reposent principalement sur des découvertes spéléologiques. Dans les Pyrénées occidentales, plus de 25 sites naturels renfermant des restes de bouquetins sont actuellement connus, autorisant des recherches paléoécologiques. A partir des données topographiques, paléontologiques et taphonomiques, cet article propose de caractériser les processus de formation des sites à caprinés. Les ossements sont principalement situés en haute montagne, au fond de puits (profonds), ou dans des grottes à galeries descendantes (ressauts), ayant piégé un à deux individus et exceptionnellement plusieurs animaux (non-) adultes. Les données ostéologiques (mesures) suggèrent ... |
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