Browsing by Author "Stynder, Deano D"

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    Hypercarnivory, durophagy or generalised carnivory in the Mio-Pliocene hyaenids of South Africa?
    (2013) Hartstone-Rose, Adam; Stynder, Deano D
    Carnivorans, the members of the order Carnivora, exhibit wide dietary diversity – from overwhelmingly herbivorous species (like the giant and red pandas) to species that specialise in the consumption of flesh (like the hypercarnivorous felids). Throughout the evolution of this order, many craniodental forms have emerged and gone extinct – notably the sabretooth felids that existed until the late Pleistocene. However, one carnivoran lineage, remarkable for its extreme masticatory adaptations, persists – the bone-cracking hyaenids. Three of the four extant members of this family (Crocuta crocuta, Hyaena hyaena and Parahyaena brunnea) are among the most durophagous mammals to have ever lived. The fourth extant hyaenid – the aardwolf (Proteles cristatus) – also exhibits impressive, although wholly different, masticatory adaptations as one of the most derived mammalian insectivores. How and when did the level of durophagy evident in extant bone-cracking hyenas evolve, and how do Mio-Pliocene hyenas compare to the extant members of the order in terms of their own dietary specialisations? An examination of the premolars of the Mio-Pliocene hyaenids from Langebaanweg, South Africa suggests that modern levels of durophagy appeared relatively recently. Results from an analysis of dental radii-of-curvature and premolar intercuspid notches suggest that these hyenas were neither bone crackers nor flesh specialists, but were dietary generalists.
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    A reconstruction of the mid-to late Pleistocene plant community along the southwestern coast of South Africa using phytolith evidence
    (2017) Mann, Nicole Jean; Stynder, Deano D
    The sites of Elandsfontein (EFT) and Duinefontein (DFT) preserve important records of mid-Pleistocene human occupation along South Africa's southwestern coast. In addition to human fossils in the case of EFT, both sites have produced extensive collections of artefacts and faunal remains. Analyses of the latter have provided the broad environmental contexts for mid-Pleistocene human occupation along this coast. Recently, research into landscape use by mid-Pleistocene human populations at EFT and DFT has highlighted the need for more precise palaeoenvironmental data for the region. In response to this need, I analysed plant phytoliths extracted from sediments sampled at EFT and DFT. The results of this analysis are reported and interpreted in this thesis. To assist with the interpretation of the EFT and DFT phytolith assemblages, I established a modern phytolith reference collection. In addition, pre-existing phytolith collections were examined and literature was consulted. Phytoliths extracted from modern and mid-Pleistocene aged sediments sampled at different localities at EFT and DFT were identified and tallied to determine vegetation composition during the middle Pleistocene. Distinctions were made between "grassier" and "more woody" samples. Analyses of modern plant samples confirmed that grass species produced abundant phytoliths, whereas the majority of dicotyledons did not produce diagnostic morphotypes. Phytoliths belonging to grass species currently growing in the region were identified in the modern sediment samples, as were non-grass phytoliths that included those from woody dicotyledonous and monocotyledon plants. The majority of the mid-Pleistocene sediment samples from EFT produced varying proportions of grass, woody dicotyledon, monocotyledon, sedge and palm type phytoliths which are characteristic of cool-season growing landscapes. In comparison to EFT, the late mid- Pleistocene sediment samples from DFT contained fewer phytoliths. These results suggest that the conditions at DFT were either not conducive to the preservation of phytoliths or that the vegetation was sparse and/or did not produce abundant phytoliths. Where sufficient phytoliths were preserved, assemblages suggested landscapes similar to that of EFT. In summary, analyses suggest that during the middle to late Pleistocene, a heterogeneous vegetation community, consisting primarily of C₃ grasses, woody dicotyledons and other monocotyledonous plants existed along South Africa's southwest coast. Furthermore, results support the longterm presence of the winter rainfall zone in the region. This study demonstrates the potential of phytolith analysis as an important proxy in determining the composition of palaeo-vegetation communities in South Africa. Although there were limitations that necessitated the broad classification of phytolith groups, the study nevertheless provided more precise information, particularly about mid-Pleistocene vegetation structure, that was not previously available.
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    Sedimentology and taphonomy of cenozoic vertebrates from Langebaanweg, Cape West Coast, South Africa; with palaeoecological interpretations
    (2017) Cohen, Brigette Fiona; Stynder, Deano D; Smith, Roger
    The fossil locality Langebaanweg, is world renowned for its vast abundance and diversity of fauna. Langebaanweg is the only fossil site in South Africa that preserves remains from the Late Miocene to Early Pliocene. The Mio-Pliocene is a period of major climatic change, with global temperatures falling, and increased aridity and seasonality across the African continent. Langebaanweg, located on the coastal platform of Southern Africa, is ideally placed to investigate how these major changes in climatic conditions in the Mio-Pliocene affected ecology, environment and animals in south-western Africa. The majority of fossils from Langebaanweg were recovered from the early Pliocene Varswater Formation. Specifically, the two major fossil bearing horizons, the Langeberg Quartz Sand Member (LQSM) and the overlying Muishond Fontein Pelletal Phophorite Member (MPPM). The Varswater Formation has been reconstructed as a fluvio-estuarine environment with localised tidal-flats and marshes. The relationship between the MPPM and the LQSM and their relative ages and depositional environments is controversial. This thesis sought to investigate the depositional environment of the MPPM and LQSM in Langebaanweg E-Quarry, with the aim of identifying the relationship and comparative ages of the two members. In order to investigate this, three test pits were excavated at Langebaanweg and the lithology, sedimentology and taphonomy of remains recovered from the test pits was studied. The test pits were located in the sivathere bonebed, the 1976/2 excavation and in a new locality positioned 200 m to the south of the 1976/2 excavation. The depositional environment of the bonebed and 1976/2 were investigated as well as their relationship to each other. The taphonomic pathways by which bones came to be interred in each test pit was identified. Sedimentologically, the MPPM and LQSM were found to be almost identical and the only major distinguishing characteristic was the lack of phosphate in the latter deposit. This indicates that the two horizons were deposited in the same setting and/or by the same depositional process. Additionally the MPPM and LQSM sediments were dominated by fine to very fine sand grains and muds and silts were virtually absent (except in the MPPM in one test pit). This, together with the texture of the sediments, lead to the conclusion that the MPPM and LQSM, in Langebaanweg EQuarry, had a marine origin. Langebaanweg E-Quarry is here interpreted as a barrier-island estuary formed on a wave-dominated coast. Given the consistency of sediments, taxa and taphonomic characters between the MPPM and the LQSM they are interpreted as representing a single unit or depositional event where the upper parts (MPPM) have been secondarily phosphatised. Under this scenario, there is no unconformity or age gap between the MPPM and the LQSM. Investigations of the depositional environment of the 1976/2 excavation concur with Hendey's (1980) reconstructions for a river channel. The results of this study reject previous reconstructions of the sivathere bonebed as a lag deposit of a river channel (Roberts et al. 2011; Smith & Haarhoff 2006). This study shows that the bonebed was deposited in a low energy freshwater pool associated with the river. No evidence was found for an aquifer-fed spring as suggested by Brumfitt et al. (2013). The MPPM sediments of the test pit located to the south of 1976/2 displayed a dominance of fine muds and silts with a possible high organic content. This was interpreted as a possible marsh habitat. This is the first study to identify a marsh environment at Langebaanweg since the 1980's and all other examples of this type of environment have been destroyed by mining. The identification of this locality will provide exciting new opportunities for future research. Taphonomic analysis has shown that the influence of fire and predation on faunal remains excavated in this study was small and internment in all cases was quick. As a final note, this thesis conducted a review of previous research and excavations at Langebaanweg E-Quarry by Dr Brett Hendey and identified the location of some fossil collecting localities that had been lost. These were plotted onto aerial photographs, which will be beneficial to future researchers trying to identify old locals or identify new deposits.
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    The Middle Stone Age fauna from Olieboomspoort: an archaeozoological perspective
    (2022) Nyambiya, Humphrey; Stynder, Deano D; Val, Aurore
    Olieboomspoort is an archaeological site, which has evidence of human occupation going back possibly to the Earlier Stone Age, but more substantially to the Middle and the Later Stone Age. This site is located in the Waterberg Mountains of Limpopo Province, within the South African Savanna Biome. Archaeological excavations at this site began with the late Revil Mason in 1954, who attributed lithics from the Middle Stone Age deposits to the Pietersburg Industry. Mason did not mention any faunal remains from these Middle Stone Age layers. The site was later investigated by Maria van der Ryst, who excavated the Later Stone Age layers. In 2018, a new project led by Aurore Val and colleagues from the University of the Witwatersrand started at the site. This study focuses on the faunal material excavated in 2018 and 2019 from the Middle Stone Age layers. In southern Africa, Middle Stone Age archaeological research and, consequently, archaeozoological research, is concentrated on coastal and near coastal sites. While the research from these coastal and near coastal sites is insightful, little is known for the interior of southern Africa. The current study forms part of a series of renewed research at inland archaeological sites, aimed at aiding our understanding of the diversity of Middle Stone Age societies. This work presents the first taphonomic and archaeozoological analyses of the Middle Stone Age fauna from Olieboomspoort. A total of 1296 specimens were analysed. These include specimens that were plotted during excavations and those retrieved from the sieving refuse. This study identified the following species Alcelaphus sp., Oreotragus oreotragus, Raphicerus campestris, Raphicerus sp., Redunca sp., Sylvicapra grimmia, Syncerus caffer, Tragelaphus oryx, Equus sp., Proteles cristata, Felis silvestris, Papio sp., Lepus sp., snakes and tortoises. Thus, the faunal assemblage is taxonomically relatively diverse with 16 species identified. Bovids are the most represented and there is an abundance of small bovids. The presence of the extinct equid Equus capensis is suspected. Two species of carnivores, aardwolf (Proteles cristata) and African wild cat (Felis silvestris) were also identified. The taphonomic signatures of the faunal assemblage are indicative of several biotic modifiersincluding invertebrates. There is limited evidence for carnivore and porcupine action. Evidence of human modification is low and attested by only six pieces with cut-marks. This study identified the role of water, which likely transported some faunal material, and could have led to recovery biases. The taxonomic composition of the faunal assemblage provides a window onto the palaeohabitats present at the site. Several taxa, including the steenbok (Raphicerus campestris) and Equus sp. prefer open habitats. The identification of species that are water-dependent such as the buffalo (Syncerus caffer), and one species of reedbuck (Redunca sp), is suggestive of the presence of a nearby water source. This is consistent with the proximity of the Riet Spruit, which at present is a small river running a few meters below the site. Finally, the identification of baboons, leporids and klipspringers (Oreotragus oreotragus), animals which thrive in rocky areas, underpins the rocky morphology of the site's locality. Recent dating of two fossil bones from the Olieboomspoort Middle Stone Age layers by Val et al. (2021) gives a range of 150 kya, which places those layers within the Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 6. MIS 6 was a glacial phase, which exact palaeoclimatic and palaeoenvironmental characteristics are still poorly understood for southern Africa, where there are also few dated archaeological sites from that period. Thus, we know relatively little about the subsistence strategies of MIS 6 human groups. In light of the above data, the current study adds some information about MIS 6 human subsistence strategies within the Savanna Biome.