Ancient biomolecules suggest a learned foraging strategy in extinct cave bears

Area of Science:

• Paleoecology
• Behavioral Ecology
• Ancient DNA Analysis

Background:

• Studying extinct species' behavior is difficult due to challenges in assessing behavioral phenotypes and linking them to genetic and environmental factors.
• A multidisciplinary approach combining isotope and ancient DNA analysis can provide a framework for investigating dietary preferences in ancient populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the dietary preferences and behavioral ecology of Late Pleistocene cave bears from the Romanian Carpathians.
• To determine the factors influencing dietary variation among individual cave bears, including genetic, environmental, and experiential influences.

Main Methods:

• Stable isotope analysis of bone collagen to reconstruct individual diets and identify food plant preferences.
• Ancient DNA analysis to assess genetic relationships and population structure.
• Integration of dietary data with paleoenvironmental and temporal data.

Main Results:

• Significant lifetime variation in food plant preferences was observed among individual cave bears.
• Bears with similar diets did not correlate with population structure, sex, time period, climate, or location.
• Dietary preferences did not appear to be genetically inherited.

Conclusions:

• Cave bear diet preferences were likely shaped by individual foraging experience and adaptation rather than genetic predisposition.
• This study demonstrates the power of integrating ancient biomolecules to understand the behavioral ecology of extinct species.
• The findings open new avenues for exploring Pleistocene animal behavior and dietary plasticity.