The paleoecology of early Pleistocene Gigantopithecus blacki inferred from isotopic analyses

This study presents isotopic analyses of Gigantopithecus blacki and contemporaneous fauna from Early Pleistocene southern China cave localities with a view to reconstructing the paleoecology of this large extinct ape. Carbon and oxygen stable isotope compositions were determined using tooth enamel carbonate of Gigantopithecus and eight other taxa from Longgudong Cave and additional Gigantopithecus specimens from Juyuandong Cave. Carbon isotopic values of Gigantopithecus fauna reflect a densely forested habitat rarely preserved in the fossil record. These values overlap with those of other ape habitats including Miocene Sivapithecus faunas in the Siwaliks of Pakistan and modern chimpanzee faunas at Kibale National Park, Uganda, and the Ituri Forest, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Despite the overlap, Gigantopithecus fauna carbon values are significantly lower than those of the Siwaliks and Kibale, likely reflecting a more continuous canopy or more humid forest. Carbon isotope values suggest the habitat consisted of vegetation similar to current subtropical monsoon forests of southern China. Ranges of carbon and oxygen isotopic values for Gigantopithecus suggest a broad diet comprising both terrestrial and canopy plants.