‘Semi-dwarf’ woolly mammoths from the East Siberian Sea coast, continental Russia

Irina V. Kirillova; Olga K. Borisova; Olga F. Chernova; Thijs Van Kolfschoten; Jeroen H.J.L. Van Der Lubbe; Andrey V. Panin; Patricia Pečnerová; Johannes Van Der Plicht; Fedor K. Shidlovskiy; Vadim V. Titov; Oksana G. Zanina

doi:10.1111/bor.12431

‘Semi-dwarf’ woolly mammoths from the East Siberian Sea coast, continental Russia

Irina V. Kirillova^*
, Olga K. Borisova
, Olga F. Chernova
, Thijs Van Kolfschoten
, Jeroen H.J.L. Van Der Lubbe
, Andrey V. Panin
, Patricia Pečnerová
, Johannes Van Der Plicht
, Fedor K. Shidlovskiy
, Vadim V. Titov
, Oksana G. Zanina

^*Corresponding author for this work

Geology and Geochemistry

Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

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Abstract

A pioneer comprehensive study of several diminutive last-generation woolly mammoth teeth (M3) found on the coast of the East Siberian Sea between the mouths of the Alazeya and Malaya Kuropatoch'ya rivers was conducted. Two teeth belonged to one individual. These teeth have a similar lamellar frequency and enamel thickness as teeth of Mammuthus primigenius Blumenbach. The molar crowns from the lower Alazeya region are similar in size to those of the small Late Pleistocene–Holocene mammoths from Wrangel Island. However, the number of plates (17–19, excluding talons) is much lower than that in the teeth of typical Late Pleistocene M. primigenius (23–25). The age data of the examined teeth are beyond the limits of the ¹⁴C dating method (>45 000 years BP). Nevertheless, palaeobotanical data allow correlation of the enclosing sediments with the warm Kazantsevo Interglacial (Eemian, MIS 5e) and reconstruction of the average annual temperature, which was warmer than present-day temperatures. These conditions are confirmed by the δ¹⁸O isotopes from the structurally bound carbonate in tooth enamel. The ancient landscape was wetter and more forested than modern landscapes. The diminution of M3 size and loss of posterior plates were a result of the overall decrease in body size, likely in response to landscape change and narrowing of resource space. Mammoths from the lower Alazeya region demonstrate a stage of significant size reduction, although the dwarfing was not finalized. Their teeth are the oldest amongst the small teeth found in west Beringia.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	269-285
Number of pages	17
Journal	Boreas
Volume	49
Issue number	2
Early online date	4 Feb 2020
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1111/bor.12431
Publication status	Published - Apr 2020

Funding

The authors thank P. Kalinin and M. Bronnikova for the discussion on geochemical aspects; I.V. Foronova for the consultation on the evolution of late mammoths; S. Verdegaal and A. de Goede for technical assistance; E. Konstantinov and K. Filippova for the grain‐size analysis, and O. Lebedev for the English proofreading. We extend special thanks to T. Sokolova, L. Drell, and our reviewers, C. Widga and anonymous, and the Chief Editor Jan A. Piotrowski who helped improve the manuscript significantly. This study contributes to the Research Program of SSC RAS (State Task 01201363186; V. Titov), State Task IPCBPSS RAS AAAA‐A18‐118013190181‐6, and the Fundamental Research Program RAS 55 ?Arctic’ AAAA‐A18‐ 118013190182‐3 (O. Zanina). Palynological and lithological studies contribute to the IGRAS State Task 0148‐2019‐0005 (O. Borisova, A. Panin). The study on microwear patterns was conducted using equipment from the Joint Usage Centre ‘Instrumental methods in ecology’ at the IEE RAS. The study of phytoliths and other micro‐remains was conducted using equipment from the Centre of Common Facilities (IPBPSS). The authors thank P. Kalinin and M. Bronnikova for the discussion on geochemical aspects; I.V. Foronova for the consultation on the evolution of late mammoths; S. Verdegaal and A. de Goede for technical assistance; E. Konstantinov and K. Filippova for the grain-size analysis, and O. Lebedev for the English proofreading. We extend special thanks to T. Sokolova, L. Drell, and our reviewers, C. Widga and anonymous, and the Chief Editor Jan A. Piotrowski who helped improve the manuscript significantly. This study contributes to the Research Program of SSC RAS (State Task 01201363186; V. Titov), State Task IPCBPSS RAS AAAA-A18-118013190181-6, and the Fundamental Research Program RAS 55 ?Arctic’ AAAA-A18- 118013190182-3 (O. Zanina). Palynological and lithological studies contribute to the IGRAS State Task 0148-2019-0005 (O. Borisova, A. Panin). The study on microwear patterns was conducted using equipment from the Joint Usage Centre ‘Instrumental methods in ecology’ at the IEE RAS. The study of phytoliths and other micro-remains was conducted using equipment from the Centre of Common Facilities (IPBPSS).

Funders	Funder number
SSC RAS
IGRAS
Fundamental Research Program RAS	AAAA-A18- 118013190182-3
National Science Foundation	0732944, 1044610

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 14 Life Below Water

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10.1111/bor.12431

Semi‐dwarf woolly mammoths from the East Siberian Sea coast continental RussiaFinal published version, 5.35 MBLicence: Article 25fa Dutch Copyright Act

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@article{ec656c34f0f943cc8f90c0d474955e15,

title = "{\textquoteleft}Semi-dwarf{\textquoteright} woolly mammoths from the East Siberian Sea coast, continental Russia",

abstract = "A pioneer comprehensive study of several diminutive last-generation woolly mammoth teeth (M3) found on the coast of the East Siberian Sea between the mouths of the Alazeya and Malaya Kuropatoch'ya rivers was conducted. Two teeth belonged to one individual. These teeth have a similar lamellar frequency and enamel thickness as teeth of Mammuthus primigenius Blumenbach. The molar crowns from the lower Alazeya region are similar in size to those of the small Late Pleistocene–Holocene mammoths from Wrangel Island. However, the number of plates (17–19, excluding talons) is much lower than that in the teeth of typical Late Pleistocene M. primigenius (23–25). The age data of the examined teeth are beyond the limits of the 14C dating method (>45 000 years BP). Nevertheless, palaeobotanical data allow correlation of the enclosing sediments with the warm Kazantsevo Interglacial (Eemian, MIS 5e) and reconstruction of the average annual temperature, which was warmer than present-day temperatures. These conditions are confirmed by the δ18O isotopes from the structurally bound carbonate in tooth enamel. The ancient landscape was wetter and more forested than modern landscapes. The diminution of M3 size and loss of posterior plates were a result of the overall decrease in body size, likely in response to landscape change and narrowing of resource space. Mammoths from the lower Alazeya region demonstrate a stage of significant size reduction, although the dwarfing was not finalized. Their teeth are the oldest amongst the small teeth found in west Beringia.",

author = "Kirillova, \{Irina V.\} and Borisova, \{Olga K.\} and Chernova, \{Olga F.\} and \{Van Kolfschoten\}, Thijs and \{Van Der Lubbe\}, \{Jeroen H.J.L.\} and Panin, \{Andrey V.\} and Patricia Pe{\v c}nerov{\'a} and \{Van Der Plicht\}, Johannes and Shidlovskiy, \{Fedor K.\} and Titov, \{Vadim V.\} and Zanina, \{Oksana G.\}",

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AU - Kirillova, Irina V.

AU - Borisova, Olga K.

AU - Chernova, Olga F.

AU - Van Kolfschoten, Thijs

AU - Van Der Lubbe, Jeroen H.J.L.

AU - Panin, Andrey V.

AU - Pečnerová, Patricia

AU - Van Der Plicht, Johannes

AU - Shidlovskiy, Fedor K.

AU - Titov, Vadim V.

AU - Zanina, Oksana G.

PY - 2020/4

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ER -

‘Semi-dwarf’ woolly mammoths from the East Siberian Sea coast, continental Russia

Abstract

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UN SDGs

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