Feeding habits of the Gomphothere Cuvieronius hyodon in Costa Rica:A biochemical approach

The feeding and habitat habits of 12 gomphotheres Cuvieronius hyodon from the Pleistocene of Costa Rica were inferred using carbon and oxygen isotopic ratios of tooth enamel. The results indicate that these animals fed mainly on C3 plants and lived in forested areas and those specimens that lived in high altitudes and latitudes consumed more C3 plants compared to those that lived in low areas or low latitudes. This indicates that, in Costa Rica, the gomphotheres were specialists in the consumption of this type of plants, similar to that shown in some specimens from North and South America.