| Project duration: | 2017-2020 |
|---|---|
| Project status: | Active |
| Project leader: | mgr inż. Maciej Tomasz Sykut |
| Supervisor: | dr hab. Magdalena Niedziałkowska |
Red deer (Cervus elaphus) is one of the few large herbivore mammal species, which occurs in almost the whole Europe in both densely forested and open habitats since prehistoric time till now. Over the last few years many studies revealed data considering past habitat selectivity of red deer determined by stable isotopes ratio in bone collagen. Until now, very few research considered the variability of the level of stable isotopes contained in bone collagen of modern deer. Results of such studies could provide some reference data for interpretation of the results of isotopic analyses performed on subfossil materials. The aim of this project is to identify the factors that determine the variability of the content of stable isotopes of carbon 13C (δ13C) and nitrogen 15N (δ15N) in red deer bone collagen.
The main method of our research will be the analyse of the carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes ratio in bone collagen of contemporary living red deer using mass spectrometry. Material for the research will be bones (finger and mandible bones) of individuals, culled during the official hunting. We will perform our study at three levels:
- intrapopulation level: comparison the content of stable isotopes in bone collagen of individuals from populations inhabiting different environments, eg. dense forests vs. open land and lowlands vs. mountains
- interpopulation level: analysis of differences in stable isotopes ratio in bone collagen among hinds and stags and among juveniles and adults
- interindividual level: comparison the content of stable isotopes in bone collagen among different parts of a red deer skeleton: finger bones and mandible bones
The knowledge of the pattern of variation of stable isotopes of carbon 13C (δ13C) and nitrogen 15N (δ15N) in bone collagen and the factors which have impact on it will be important for proper interpretation of the results of the isotopic analyses performed using bone collagen extracted from subfossil materials. The results of this project will allow to define “isotopic reference database”. It will enable indication of habitats and climatic conditions in areas occupied by red deer in the past with greater precision.
Project duration: 2017-2020
Funded by: National Science Centre