Volume 96, 15 July 2014, Pages 108–116
Predators, Prey and Hominins - Celebrating the Scientific Career of Alan Turner (1947-2012)
Abstract
The extirpation of spotted hyaena, Crocuta crocuta,
in northern Eurasia can be seen as part of the late Quaternary
megafaunal extinction event. The radiocarbon record for this species is
less substantial than for other megafaunal species, but with the
addition of new dates we have significantly increased the tally to
approximately 100 reliable direct dates. These suggest extirpation at
ca 40 ka (calendar years) in Central Europe and Russia, and ca 31 ka in
north-west and southern Europe, so that the species was probably
restricted to the Mediterranean and the Atlantic seaboard after 40 ka.
Previous records suggesting Lateglacial or even Holocene survival
(especially in eastern Asia) are not substantiated. The current estimate
of 31 ka for extirpation of the spotted hyaena in northern Eurasia is
close to the estimated extinction date of cave bear (Ursus spelaeus),
suggesting a possible common cause. Factors likely to have impacted the
spotted hyaena include, in particular, physiological cold intolerance
in the face of deteriorating climate, as well as reduction of prey
abundance driven by depressed vegetational productivity, and increased
competition for food or space with lions, bears and people, possibly
exacerbated by the arrival of modern humans.
Keywords
- Spotted hyaena Crocuta crocuta;
- Radiocarbon dating;
- Extinction;
- Extirpation;
- Palaeobiology;
- Northern Eurasia
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