Predation on Allactaga major (Teufelslucke, Lower Austria, Upper Pleistocene): carnivores or birds of prey
- Author(s)
- Thomas Filek, Doris Nagel
- Abstract
The first documented excavation of the Fuchsenlucke, also known as Teufelslucke (located in Lower
Austria, Austria, northeast of Eggenburg, 314 m above sea level), started in 1890. During these years
several excavations have been conducted uncovering a variety of fossil bones of different
Upper Pleistocene age species. Cave bears, cave lions, and hyenas are among the findings of bigger
vertebrates as well as their prey. Additionally, birds and other small mammals have been found. A
stratigraphic classification, however, proved to be more difficult. In this article the mostly fragmented
but only findings (postcranial elements) of Allactaga major (Kerr, 1792), syn. Allactaga jaculus
(Pallas, 1779), will be analysed and discussed as leftovers from specific predators found on-site
(Bubo bubo and Vulpes vulpes). The focus lies on recent information on Allactaga major combined
with the assumption that most fossil findings of Allactaga are prey leftovers.- Organisation(s)
- Department of Palaeontology
- Journal
- Berichte der Geologischen Bundesanstalt
- Volume
- 132
- Pages
- 47-54
- ISSN
- 1017-8880
- Publication date
- 09-2019
- Peer reviewed
- Yes
- Austrian Fields of Science 2012
- 105118 Palaeontology
- Portal url
- https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/0db28b54-1fe8-4b77-8564-b5df7b738d8b