Diet and habitat of Siwalik primates Indopithecus, Sivaladapis and Theropithecus

摘要

We present dental enamel stable carbon and oxygen isotope data, histological analyses of daily cross striations and perikymata, and microwear data of Late Miocene primates Indopithecus and Sivaladapis nagrii and an early Pleistocene primate Theropithecus delsoni, known from the Indian Siwaliks. The results indicate that the Late Miocene giant ape Indopithecus had a C_3 diet, likely including nuts, seeds and fruits with hard cover, and most probably lived in a seasonal forest that experienced long dry and wet seasons. While the seasons changed as depicted by intra-annual variation in δ~(18)O values, the C_3 component of diet was similar throughout the year, as indicated by consistent δ~(13)C values. Sivaladapis nagrii dental enamel δ~(13)C and δ~(18)O values, striations and pit percentages indicate that this small primate (3 kg) was a C_3 mixed folivore-frugivore. Theropithecus delsoni dental enamel δ~(13)C and δ~(18)O values and microwear pattern indicate a diet comprising mainly C_4 grasses or sedges.