Browsing by Author "Stynder, Deano"

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    Dental occlusal form and function in Equus capensis: evaluating a controvertible taxonomic status
    (2020) Malherbe, Megan; Stynder, Deano; Ackermann, Rebecca
    The Giant Cape zebra Equus capensisis one of the most iconic fossil herbivore species of the South African Quaternary. It is widely believed to have persisted relatively unchanged in its morphology for the duration of its existence, that encompassed the mid-to late Pleistocene. Described as a large-bodied equid, its skeletal remains were originally regarded as distinct and readily distinguishable from those of other fossil equids, especially with respect to their large size. This applied particularly to its cheek teeth, that were described as large with unique occlusal enamel morphology. Palaeontologists have generally accepted the taxonomic status of E. capensis without question. However in reality, its taxonomic status is far from incontrovertible as many of its definitive morphological traits are based on conjecture. Equus capensis was originally described on the basis of a large mandible embedded in limestone that had much of its dental row obscured. The rest of it was reconstructed using unassociated, usually isolated osteological elements from a variety of localities. Perhaps not surprisingly, apart from size, researchers have struggled over the years to distinguish between E. capensis skeletal elements and those of other fossil equids. An ancient DNA study of four E. capensis teeth further compounded the uncertainty around its taxonomic status by exposing a high degree of genetic similarity to E. quagga. The present study represents the first systematic investigation of morphological traits originally used to define E. capensis. Specifically, it considers dental occlusal enamel form and function to help shed light on the taxonomic status of E. capensis. Geometric morphometrics was used to compare premolar and molar occlusal enamel pattern in E. capensis and a large comparative equid sample. This was followed by an evaluation of levels of enamel complexity. Next, traditional linear methods were used to compare overall occlusal dental form. Finally, meso wear analysis was used to evaluate dental function. Analyses of dental occlusal enamel form were able to distinguish E. capensis teeth from those of equids in the comparative sample on the basis of size, but not shape. This result is telling since the shape of dental occlusal enamel bands carries greater taxonomic significance than their size. Size is easily influenced by environmental factors and may fluctuate through time. Also, analyses of mesowear patterns were unable to separate E. capensis teeth from those of E. quagga, with which it is thought to have co-occurred. Overall the results of this study do not support the legitimacy of E. capensisas as a taxon and lays the ground for additional enquiries.
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    New research methods for the analysis of fossil Anura ilia and their utility for reconstructing the palaeoenvironment of Swartkrans Cave
    (2023) Brand, Ruan; Stynder, Deano; Matthews, Thalassa
    Anura fossils are relatively common amongst microfauna assemblages but remain largely unanalysed because of a lack of expertise. This is unfortunate since Anura are effective indicators of environmental conditions as their life cycles and breeding patterns are integrally linked with temperature and rainfall. These factors, alongside having small home ranges and fast generation turnover, make Anura useful indicators of local climatic/environmental conditions. It has been hypothesized that areas with remnants of woodlands may have played an important role in human evolution by acting as refugia during periods of regional aridity and resource scarcity during the Pleistocene in Africa. In order to test this hypothesis, it is important to develop proxies that can detect these remnants. The archaeological site of Swartkrans Cave, located in the Cradle of Humankind, has yielded many samples of unanalysed Anura fossils, and has also produced the largest known sample of fossils belonging to the early Pleistocene hominin Paranthropus robustus, as well as a handful of early Homo fossils. In this study, the fossil Anura community of Swartkrans Cave is reconstructed in order to determine whether local environmental conditions were consistent with the idea of a refugium as per results of other studies of the Cradle of Humankind. Fossil assemblages from the Oldowan (Member 1, 2.2 Ma) and Acheulean (Member 3, 960 ka) deposits of Swartkrans Cave were analysed and compared as they provide snapshots of environmental conditions during periods covering the origin and extinction of P. robustus. The fossil Anura community indicates that a woodland-hydro-refugium persisted up to at least 960 ka, with the nearby Blaaubank river having been a more significant feature in the past. This analysis focuses on Anura ilia, which have several diagnostic features useful for taxonomic identification. A guide for identifying southern African Anura ilia was recently published, and this study (which presents the first application of this guide) explored the use of additional research methods, including the application of geometric morphometrics. The guide for identifying southern African Anura ilia proved to be useful, with two specific measurements proving particularly relevant regarding their application to fossil assemblages. Furthermore, this study indicates that the use of Procrustes corrections alongside this guide will greatly assist future researchers with their identifications of southern Africa Anura ilia.
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    Rock hyraxes (Procavia capensis) and their environments : δ13Ccollagen and δ15Ncollagen as environmental indicators
    (2015) La Grange, Lesa; Stynder, Deano; Sealy, Judith
    Rock hyraxes (Procavia capensis) are a common component of faunal assemblages at South African archaeological sites. Previous studies have focused on their remains as proxies for aspects of diet and mobility in prehistoric human populations. They have also been recognized as valuable palaeoenvironmental indicators due to the fact that their stratified communal middens record shifts in stable isotopes, palynology, and molecular biomarkers that appear to reflect environmental change. Previous studies conducted in east Africa have concluded that rock hyraxes are preferential grazers. There is comparatively little evidence, however, for the dietary preference of South African rock hyraxes, although it has been suggested that they consume more browse. This research aims to quantify the carbon isotopic ratios in their bone collagen to reconstruct diet.
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    The role of seals in coastal hunter-gatherer lifeways at Robberg, South Africa
    (2020_) Richardson, Leesha; Sealy, Judith; Stynder, Deano
    Seals were a major dietary item for coastal hunter-gatherers and herders in South Africa. At Nelson Bay Cave (NBC), more than half of the Holocene mammal bones are from Cape Fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus). Previous analyses of the seal assemblage from this site have studied only selected skeletal elements. This study is the first comprehensive analysis of seal remains from selected archaeological levels at Nelson Bay Cave and from the 2007/2008 excavations at nearby Hoffmans/Robberg Cave (HRC). Body part representation and frequency, age distribution and bone modification have been documented to determine the role of seals in the lifeways of hunter-gatherers and pastoralists at Robberg throughout the Holocene. The age profiles indicate that seals were obtained directly from a breeding colony throughout the Holocene. A breeding colony at Robberg would have been a rich and reliable resource for coastal foragers throughout the year. There were differences in skeletal element representation in the Early and Middle Holocene, compared with the Late Holocene. Axial skeletal elements are under-represented in earlier time periods, probably due to field butchery and the return of only parts of the seals to the living sites. In the Late Holocene, entire animals were taken back to site. Within each time period, the skeletal profiles of juveniles and adults indicate that both were processed similarly suggesting that aspects such as carcass size, weight and foraging distance were less important factors in transport decisions than the terrain of the Robberg Peninsula and the size of the hunting party. A large proportion of the bones were complete, or almost complete. There was little evidence of canid gnawing. The skeletal element representation, frequency and cut mark patterns suggest that the heads and flippers were highly sought after throughout the Holocene, as recorded in Arctic ethnography. Seals were also of spiritual significance, possibly in aiding transitions from the material into the spirit world.