Coprolite Multimodal Analysis: A Tool for Hyaenid Predator Identification

Area of Science:

• Paleontology
• Archeology
• Zoology

Background:

• Paleontologists and archeologists reconstruct ancient ecosystems using carnivore food remains.
• Carnivores exhibit diverse feeding strategies, leading to distinct feces.
• Hyena feces composition is underexplored despite their ecological significance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a multimodal analysis of hyena coprolites.
• To explore the detailed composition of feces from four Hyaenid species.
• To establish a reliable method for species identification based on fecal content.

Main Methods:

• Multimodal analysis of coprolites from four modern Hyaenid species.
• Utilized scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR).
• Quantified proportions of calcium phosphate/carbonate, silts, organic matter, and crystallinity.

Main Results:

• Detected and quantified key components in hyena coprolites.
• Preliminary findings indicate distinct compositional profiles among species.
• Multivariate statistical analysis shows potential for reliable species identification.

Conclusions:

• Fecal composition analysis offers a novel approach for hyena species identification.
• This method can be applied to fossil materials for reconstructing ancient ecosystems.
• Further research can refine this technique for broader paleontological applications.