Tracking mammoths and mastodons: Reconstruction of migratory behavior using strontium isotope ratios

Research Article| May 01, 1999 Tracking mammoths and mastodons: Reconstruction of migratory behavior using strontium isotope ratios Kathryn A. Hoppe; Kathryn A. Hoppe 1University of California, Earth Sciences Department, University of California, Santa Cruz, California 95064, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Paul L. Koch; Paul L. Koch 1University of California, Earth Sciences Department, University of California, Santa Cruz, California 95064, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Richard W. Carlson; Richard W. Carlson 2Department of Terrestrial Magnetism, Carnegie Institution of Washington, Washington, D.C. 20015, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar S. David Webb S. David Webb 3Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Kathryn A. Hoppe 1University of California, Earth Sciences Department, University of California, Santa Cruz, California 95064, USA Paul L. Koch 1University of California, Earth Sciences Department, University of California, Santa Cruz, California 95064, USA Richard W. Carlson 2Department of Terrestrial Magnetism, Carnegie Institution of Washington, Washington, D.C. 20015, USA S. David Webb 3Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, USA Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1999) 27 (5): 439–442. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1999)0272.3.CO;2 Article history First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation Kathryn A. Hoppe, Paul L. Koch, Richard W. Carlson, S. David Webb; Tracking mammoths and mastodons: Reconstruction of migratory behavior using strontium isotope ratios. Geology 1999;; 27 (5): 439–442. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1999)0272.3.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Variations in the strontium isotope ratio (87Sr/86Sr) of tooth enamel are used to examine the migration patterns of late Pleistocene mammoths and mastodons from Florida. An animal's 87Sr/86Sr ratio tracks the ratios of its environment, which vary with differences in bedrock and soil. Consequently, the environmentally controlled differences in 87Sr/86Sr ratio recorded in mineralized tissue, such as tooth enamel, may be used to reconstruct the movement patterns of an individual. We map variations in local 87Sr/86Sr ratios across modern Florida and Georgia through analysis of rodent teeth, plants, and surface water, then use this map to interpret the movement patterns of extinct mammals. Mastodons from northern and central Florida have higher 87Sr/86Sr ratios than both modern environmental samples from Florida and fossils from nonmigratory species, suggesting that mastodons migrated north into Georgia. Mammoths display ratios similar to those of environmental samples and resident species, suggesting that they did not migrate outside Florida. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.