title: Feeding ecology of the stone and pine marten revealed by element analysis of their skeletons.
abstract: Feeding habits of free-ranging martens (Martes martes and Martes foina) are evaluated by means of trace element and stable carbon isotope analyses of their skeletons. This investigation was carried out as an inter-disciplinary project of both wildlife biology and physical anthropology. As a result, data are obtained on the feeding ecology of the two species; in addition, a baseline is provided for dietary reconstruction of past human populations. Both species of martens are omnivorous feeders, M. martes being slightly more carnivorous than M. foina. Diversity of dietary intake with respect to plant food and animal protein is only one-third of the maximum divergence between strict herbivores and carnivores.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Anthropologie, Göttingen, F.R.G.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Grupe
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Krüger
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000032:analysis*; D002335:Carnivora / Q000378:metabolism*; D004463:Ecology; D004602:Elements; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D004602:Elements