Dental mesowear and microwear for the dietary reconstruction of Quaternary Southeast Asian serows and gorals

Serows and gorals (Bovidae, Caprinae) are emblematic antelopes distributed in Southeast Asia. They all nearly threaten or vulnerable species nowadays despite having a more widespread distribution during the Pleistocene. Fossils of three native caprine species, i.e., Sumatran serow Capricornis sumatraensis , Chinese goral Naemorhedus griseus Himalayan were recovered from four Pleistocene paleontological archeological sites Thailand, namely Pha Bong, Khok Sung, Tham Wiman Nakin, Lod Rockshelter. To investigate dietary changes these Asian serows through Quaternary, differences feeding habits habitat preferences between extant populations examined using hypsodonty index (HI) together with mesowear II method dental microwear texture analysis (DMTA). The HI mesowear-II results showed that caprines mixed feeders. For populations, DMTA suggested browsing signals for C. than both feeders similar to their populations. demonstrated considerable overlap among sympatric also revealed is leaf-dominant browser, while N. possibly feeds on seeds tough food items. These data combined previous stable carbon isotope analyses reinforce idea restricted ranges habitats have been driven by Holocene climatic environmental as well negative effects human activities.