Actualistic study of puma (Puma concolor) bone surface modification on cow (Bos taurus) remains
Citation
Hill, Cameron. 2022.
Actualistic study of puma (Puma concolor) bone surface modification on cow (Bos taurus) remains -- In Proceedings: 21st Annual Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Forum. Wichita, KS: Wichita State University, p. 22
Abstract
This actualistic study focuses on the bone surface modification patterns
created by pumas (Puma concolor) on the bones of the animals they eat. The bones
assessed in our study were modified by captive pumas from the Exotic Feline Rescue
Center in Center Point, Indiana. The assemblage consists of 203 cow (Bos taurus)
specimens. We analyzed each element by bone part, then identified the types of tooth
marks- pits, punctures, scores, and furrows- and the damage level on a scale of 0-4. We
found that scores were the most prevalent type of mark (37% of total marks), followed by
pits. The ribs had the most scores and highest damage level on average. The majority of
damage took place on the epiphyses of long bones, especially around large joints such as
the proximal humerus and femur, which is consistent with findings from previous studies.
Puncture size varied between 1.88 mm and 11.79 mm. The information gathered in this
actualistic study can help shed light on the puma tooth mark evidence from North and
South America, where this carnivore occurs. It can also provide comparisons useful to
interpret zooarchaeological and paleoecological assemblages.
Description
Presented to the 21st Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Forum (URCAF) held at the Rhatigan Student Center, Wichita State University, April 15, 2022.