Un assemblage d'os grignoté par les rongeurs au Paléogène (Oligocène supérieur, phosphorites du Quercy)

Abstract

Bone gnawing modifications by rodents at a large scale is a taphonomical feature usually found in Plio-Pleistocene assemblages. We report for the first time such a case within the 26-Myr-old karstic fissure filling assemblage of Pech-Desse (phosphorites of Quercy, Upper Oligocene, MP 28). A selection is observed on small ungulate long bones and other elements with a similar size. As predation evidences are also numerous on these taxa, and because some similar gnawed bones have been observed within the contemporaneous locality of Pech-du-Fraysse, we propose a secondary intervention of theridomyid rodents (maybe Archaeomys) on a carnivore laird.