Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
1035837 Journal of Archaeological Science 2011 12 Pages PDF
Abstract

In this paper we use non-ambiguous collections and sightings data from the 18th century to generate potential distribution models of three species of South American ungulates. These ungulates (Lama guanicoe -guanaco-; Ozotoceras bezoarticus -pampas deer- and Blastoceros dichotomus -marsh deer-) have different and specific environmental requirements. Through MaxEnt software, twenty-two environmental variables that characterize the distribution area of each species are defined. Once the models are generated, they are compared with the faunal associations found at Late Holocene archaelogical sites in order to infer paleoenvironmental conditions. We also discuss the role played by humans in the faunal associations which are "anomalous" or inconsistent with those models, like the spatial overlap of guanaco and marsh deer.

►We generate potential distribution models of guanaco, pampas dear and marsh dear. ►Twenty-two environmental variables of the habitat of each species are defined. ►We discuss implications of the models in the light of archaeological data.

Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering Materials Science Materials Science (General)
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