Were pronghorns (Antilocapra) primary prey for North American cheetahs (Miracinonyx)?

The Pronghorn 'antelope' (Antilocapra) of western North America have long been enigmatic because they are the second-fastest modern land mammal with no natural predators that come close to matching their speed. With the discovery of the now-extinct North American cheetah, Miracinonyx, the hypothesis was put forward that the incredible speed of pronghorns was related to being the primary prey of the fleet-footed Miracinonyx. However, there has been no direct means to test that relationship. Here, utilizing organic-molecule-rich bones from Natural Trap Cave, it is possible to test the predator-prey relationship between Antilocapra and Miracinonyx through isotopic analysis of bone collagen. Offsets in carbon and nitrogen isotopes between predator and prey are used to establish or discount predator-prey relationships between common predators found in Natural Trap Cave including wolves (Canis), cheetah-like cats (Miracinonyx), and North American lions (Panthera) with prey species like horses (Equus and HaringtonOpus), pronghorns (Antilocapra), sheep (Ovis), and bison (Bison). Results pro -vide support the hypothesis that Miracinonyx preyed upon Antilocapra, but not exclusively. Antilocapra was also important prey for lions and wolves. Wolves appear to have fed more often on horses than lions or cheetahs.

Automated summary

The predator-prey relationship between Pronghorn and Miracinonyx was tested using isotopic analysis of bone collagen from Natural Trap Cave. The results support the hypothesis that Miracinonyx preyed upon Antilocapra, but not exclusively. Antilocapra was also important prey for lions and wolves, with wolves showing a preference for horses.