Intraindividual and interpopulation variability in carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios of bone collagen in the modern red deer (Cervus elaphus)

摘要: Abstract Stable isotope analyses of bone collagen are increasingly used in ecological studies. They especially valuable palaeoecological research due to the time preservation. However, such studies usually subjected some limitations, as small size dataset and unknown sex or age analysed individuals, which could potentially influence results. We investigated variability stable carbon nitrogen composition (δ13C δ15N) within different parts skeleton modern red deer (Cervus elaphus) from Poland, Scotland (UK) Slovenia. also tested weather there were differences isotopic between males females individuals ages representing various populations. The mean samples taken same mandibles bones amounted not more than 0.88‰ (SE ± 0.24) for δ15N 0.46‰ (SE ± 0.07) δ13C. Values δ13C did differ significantly females. Furthermore, we find any relationship studied individuals. conclude that ratios distal appendicular elements fragments mandible comparable can be alternately ancient specimens.