Cave usage and the implications of multiple taphonomic agents on a faunal assemblage
Date
2013-02-01
Authors
Bountalis, Alexandra Clare
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Abstract
The means in which fossil accumulations in the caves of southern Africa
have formed is of great importance. One method of accumulation is via the
collecting behaviours of a variety of mammalian species. The core of said
behaviour is in the use of caves by these species. This project was
designed to give insight to the way that animals in the Cradle of
Humankind, South Africa are using caves today. The objective of this
research is to give a new understanding to the amount that caves are used
by various taxa in South African cave systems, with particular regard to
taphonomic agents and potential taphonomic agents. This study was
accomplished over a 20-month period by setting up motion sensor
cameras outside of cave entrances at the Malapa Nature Reserve. Results
have shown that animals use caves at high frequencies, crucial to
recognize when examining fossil accumulations.