Multi-predator, multi-taxa accumulations and the formation of taphonomic palimpsest. A neotaphonomic perspective from Dry Chaco

Abstract

Zooarcheological and palaeontological accumulations are often interpreted from taxonomicallycompartmentalised frameworks that underestimate the interaction between multiple accumulatingagents. In this paper, we present a neotaphonomic study of a multi-agent accumulation recorded in the Cerro del Cóndor Private Reserve (Córdoba, Argentina), associated with an Andean condor nest. We analysed pellets, naturally disaggregated pellets (NDP), scats, and leftover prey remains through taxonomic identification of bones and hairs, evaluation of anatomical abundance, breakage patterns, and digestion. The results show the overlap of taphonomic signals attributable to strigiforms, cathartids, and mammalian carnivores. Remains from ‘Type A’ pellets and NDP show patterns consistent with nocturnal raptors (low fragmentation, light to moderate digestion, and a relative balance of skeletal parts), while remains from scats show high fragmentation and heavy digestion, consistent with small carnivores. Hair analysis broadened the detected trophic spectrum, incorporating medium-sized prey and domestic taxa that were poorly represented in the bone record. These results demonstrate that multi-agent accumulations generate composite signals that can attenuate or reinforce diagnostic trends, underscoring the need for integrated multi-taxon and multi-predator approaches to interpret taphonomic palimpsests in complex palaeoecological contexts.