Christine A. M. France

Understanding movements of animals and people in modern or historic contexts is hindered by limited animal tissue proxies to indicate regional origins. On North America's east coast, stable oxygen and hydrogen isoscapes provide broad latitudinal proxies, but more nuanced geographical proxies are lacking. This study examines oxygen, strontium, and sulfur isotopes in deer bone bioapatite and collagen from Virginia, USA, which reflects grazing location, to create the first robust δ³⁴S_collagen distribution in this region, contribute new ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_bone data to a currently small regional dataset, consider δ¹⁸O_bioapatite values on a more nuanced scale, determine which isotope systems best indicate particular regions, and especially consider the efficacy of δ³⁴S_collagen for geographic location. Random forest models show longitudinal trends in δ¹⁸O_bioapatite and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_bone data; δ³⁴S_collagen values were more variable across Virginia with unique values in specific areas. Model results suggest δ¹⁸O_bioapatite values are most affected by geomorphic and meteorological controls, specifically altitude effects of the Appalachian Mountains, aridity, and mean annual temperature. The ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_bone ratios are controlled largely by underlying bedrock geology, allochthonous dust and sea spray deposition, and surface source mixing. The western coal-bearing formations of the Appalachian Plateau showed relatively low δ³⁴S_collagen values; the eastern Coastal Plains showed relatively high δ³⁴S_collagen resulting from dust and sea spray deposition. Modeled proxies for modern anthropogenic inputs of these elements (e.g. fossil fuels) notably were not strong controlling factors for these isotope systems; therefore, the models produced here are suitable for identification of geographic location using bone isotope values from modern, historic, or paleontological samples. Linear discriminant analysis suggests A multi-isotope approach using δ¹⁸O_bioapatite, ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_bone, and δ³⁴S_collagen data provides a more nuanced geographic prediction than one isotope system alone in this region. The δ³⁴S_collagen values in particular are emerging as a potential new proxy to indicate broad east-west movements of animals and people.

Ancestral Coast Salish societies in the Pacific Northwest kept long-haired “woolly dogs” that were bred and cared for over millennia. However, the dog wool–weaving tradition declined during the 19th century, and the population was lost. In this study, we analyzed genomic and isotopic data from a preserved woolly dog pelt from “Mutton,” collected in 1859. Mutton is the only known example of an Indigenous North American dog with dominant precolonial ancestry postdating the onset of settler colonialism. We identified candidate genetic variants potentially linked with their distinct woolly phenotype. We integrated these data with interviews from Coast Salish Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and weavers about shared traditional knowledge and memories surrounding woolly dogs, their importance within Coast Salish societies, and how colonial policies led directly to their disappearance.

Invasive apple snails negatively impact non-native habitats and human well-being. Here, the trophic position of Pomacea canaliculata in native habitats (Maldonado, Uruguay) and non-native habitats (Hangzhou, China and Hawaii, USA) are compared. Detritus samples and tissue samples from apple snails were collected in all sites. Trophic levels were calculated as the difference between the mean δ¹⁵N values of detritus samples and corresponding apple snail tissue samples, divided by the mean δ¹⁵N fractionation for nitrogen per trophic level in freshwater habitats. The mean δ¹⁵N values of detritus in sites served as a baseline (i.e., zero trophic level), allowing direct comparisons. Linear regression analysis established a correlation between species evenness and apple snail trophic level (R² = 0.8602) in line with a Pearson’s product-moment correlation value (−0.83) and 95% confidence interval (−0.87, −0.77). Normal quartile plots indicated two normally distributed subsets of apple snail trophic-level data: (1) a biodiverse subset containing the Uruguayan and Chinese lake sites and (2) the homogenized Hawaiian and Chinese creek sites. A precipice value for species evenness (separating biodiversity from homogenization), between (3.7) and (2.4), once descended to or surpassed separates statistically distinct, normal distributions of invasive apple snail trophic-level data from diverse versus homogenized habitats.

A multimethod archaeometry study (zooarchaeological, isotopic, ancient DNA, paleobotanical, and radiocarbon dating) of a spider monkey sacrificed in the ceremonial center of Teotihuacan, Mexico (1 to 550 CE) is interpreted as a diplomatic gift exchange with neighboring Maya. Not only does this spider monkey provide the earliest known instance of primate translocation and captivity in Mesoamerica, it helps date incipient modes of interregional diplomacy between two major powers during Early Classic Mesoamerica: Teotihuacan and the Maya. Details of human–primate interaction include age at capture and transport (before ∼3 y of age), captive duration (over 2 y), anthropogenic diet (staple was maize, though secondary resources unique to anthropogenic diet including arrowroot and chili pepper were also found), context of sacrifice (tethered and associated with complete golden eagle and an array of other statecrafts), and general site context (including presence of Maya vessels and Maya-style murals). The timing of the spider monkey’s sacrifice (250 to 300 CE) and its life history suggest a reconsideration of epigraphically attested militaristic involvement of Teotihuacan at certain Maya sites. We propose that a period of more multilateral and fluid ritual exchange with Maya dignitaries preceded the Teotihuacan state’s eventual ascent to prominence.

Invasive apple snails adversely impact the ecological function of non-native habitats, resulting in eutrophication as well as reduced biodiversity, which diminishes ecosystem goods and services, thereby [negatively] impacting human well-being. The onus here is to define the diet of an invasive apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata) in native (Maldonado, Uruguay) versus non-native habitats (Hangzhou, China, and Oahu, HI, USA). Diets for apple snails, in five sites, within both native and non-native habitats were defined via SIAR (Stable Isotope Analysis in R) with δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N stable isotope data collected therein. SIAR models indicate P. canaliculata shift diet from generalist (where myriad plant species comprise relatively small proportions of overall diet) to a specialist diet (where plants species constitute much larger proportions of said diet). What may be more telling is that in (anthropogenically disturbed) portions of the native habitat, and progressively more so in non-native habitats, invasive apple snail diets are increasingly composed of aquatic plants. The inherent and pronounced dietary differences amongst pristine and anthropogenically disturbed native habitats, as well as non-native habitats, provide a mechanism that may elucidate the variable ecological impacts of invasive apple snails within native and non-native habitats.

Rationale: Protein studies in archaeology and paleontology have been dominated by stable isotope studies to understand diet and trophic levels, but recent applications of proteomic techniques have resulted in a more complete understanding of protein diagenesis than stable isotopes alone. In stable isotope analyses, samples are retained or discarded based on their properties. Proteomics can directly determine what proteins are present within the sample and may be able to allow previously discarded samples to be analyzed. Methods: Protein samples that had been previously analyzed for stable isotopes, including those with marginal and poor sample quality, were characterized by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry using an LTQ Orbitrap Velos mass spectrometer after separation on a Dionex Ultimate 3000 LC system. Data were analyzed using MetaMorpheus and custom R scripts. Results: We found a variety of proteins in addition to collagen, although collagen I was found in the majority of the samples (most samples >80%). We also found a positive correlation between total deamidation and wt% N, suggesting that deamidation may impact the overall nitrogen signal in bulk analyses. The amino acid profiles of samples, including those of marginal or poor stable isotope quality, reflect the expected collagen I percentages, allowing their use in single amino acid stable isotope analyses. Conclusions: All the samples regardless of quality were found to have high concentrations of collagen I, making interpretations of dietary routing based on collagen I reasonably valid. The amino acid profiles on the marginal and poor samples reflect an expected collagen I profile and allow these samples to be recovered for single amino acid analyses.