Ancestral feeding state of ruminants reconsidered: earliest grazing adaptation claims a mixed condition for Cervidae-1

Consequence of the consumption of fresh grasses in a wet season while the intensive pitting (2) suggests a likely intake of browse (fruits, hard seeds) during a dry season. Large pitting seen in both forms of microwear is consistent with the exogenous particle encroachment on food items during the whole year (a pit is defined as large when its maximum diameter exceeds 15 μm). (B) Mesowear features. Low relief and blunt cusps (1;MPZ-2007/7-m; partially broken). High relief and sharp cusps (2;MPZ-6328-Mand 3;MPZ-6326-M). High relief and rounded cusps (4;MPZ-6353-m, 5;MPZ-6311-Mand 6;MPZ-2007/6-m). Scale bar 1 cm.<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "Ancestral feeding state of ruminants reconsidered: earliest grazing adaptation claims a mixed condition for Cervidae"</p><p>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2148/8/13</p><p>BMC Evolutionary Biology 2008;8():13-13.</p><p>Published online 18 Jan 2008</p><p>PMCID:PMC2270802.</p><p>