Brian Kuhn
University of the Witwatersrand, Institute for Human Evolution, Faculty Member
- Palaeozoology, Palaeoecology, Palaeoanthropology, Carnivore Ecology, Carnivore conservation, Biological Anthropology, and 13 moreZooarchaeology, Taphonomy, Vertebrate Paleontology, Mammalian Paleontology, Mammalogy, Carnivore Taphonomy, Raptor Taphonomy, Conservation Biology, Biodiversity, Ecology, Science Communication, Environmental Education, and Human-wildlife conflictsedit
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
While an avian component within faunal remains from the Dart Deposits, Taung, South Africa, has been discussed for nearly a century, the taxa present have not been identified to species. Here we conduct a systematic analysis of fossilized... more
While an avian component within faunal remains from the Dart Deposits, Taung, South Africa, has been discussed for nearly a century, the taxa present have not been identified to species. Here we conduct a systematic analysis of fossilized eggshell frag- ments in order to document the presence of specific avian taxa at Taung during the Plio-Pleistocene. A comparative analysis of surface morphology and surface curva- tures of fragmentary eggshells eliminated all but three extant avian taxa as potential sources for the fossilized fragments: a large eagle, an eagle owl (Bubo sp.) or a guinea fowl (subfamily Numidinae). The likelihood for each of these three taxa as a source is discussed by evaluating surface curvature matches between the fossilized fragments and extant eggshells. The two most complete fossil eggshells recovered from Taung have distinct carbon isotope signatures indicating that they belong to two different, granivorous and carnivorous, guilds. While these identifications contribute to the debate over whether or not there was an avian agent of collection for the Taung fossils, including perhaps the Taung Child, by establishing direct evidence for a raptor compo- nent in the Taung faunal assemblage, they cannot address specific predator-prey behaviour.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
An in situ fossil latrine is reported from Gladysvale Cave, South Africa. The latrine area is c. 1.5 m in observable horizontal length and varies in height with a maximum of 20 cm, indicating that deposition may have occurred over a... more
An in situ fossil latrine is reported from Gladysvale Cave, South Africa. The latrine area is c. 1.5 m in observable horizontal length and varies in height with a maximum of 20 cm, indicating that deposition may have occurred over a considerable period of time. The size of individual coprolites in the latrine varies, with larger specimens > 30 mm in diameter, but the majority generally smaller (c. 15–20 mm). The overall size and morphology of the coprolites and latrine are consistent with modern Parahyaena brunnea, which inhabit the caves today. Dated to between 195 and 257 ka, the latrine indicates that troglodytic latrine-making behaviour in P. brunnea may be traced to at least the Late Middle Pleistocene of southern Africa.
Research Interests:
The diet of brown hyaenas on the southern Namibian coast was determined via direct observation, scat analysis and by examining the faunal remains at nine dens consisting of 16 135 bones and bone fragments. All remains were identified to... more
The diet of brown hyaenas on the southern Namibian coast was determined via direct observation, scat analysis and by examining the faunal remains at nine dens consisting of 16 135 bones and bone fragments. All remains were identified to species and element where possible. Movements of four individual hyaenas from three different coastal clans were tracked via satellite collar. Range use was higher in coastal areas than in inland areas of the range. However, seasonal range use differences were detected. Seals formed the ...