What question did this study set out to answer?

The research aims to investigate dietary differences between Procavia johnstoni and Heterohyrax brucei using carbon isotopic ratios.

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September 8, 1978

Carbon Isotopic Evidence for Different Feeding Patterns in Two Hyrax Species Occupying the Same Habitat

Key Points

The research aims to investigate dietary differences between Procavia johnstoni and Heterohyrax brucei using carbon isotopic ratios.
Analyzed carbon-13/carbon-12 ratios in the carbonate and collagen fractions of bone for both species.
Focused on species living in the same habitat to assess dietary patterns.
Considered potential alterations due to diagenesis.
Procavia johnstoni primarily grazes based on carbon isotopic evidence.
Heterohyrax brucei exhibits a browsing diet as indicated by its carbon isotopic ratios.

Abstract

The carbon-13/carbon-12 ratios of the carbonate and collagen fractions of bone of the sympatric hyrax species Procavia johnstoni and Heterohyrax brucei indicate that the former obtains most of its diet by grazing while the latter is primarily a browser. The carbon-13/carbon-12 ratios of these fractions in fossil bone will record information about diet if they have not been altered during diagenesis.

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