Paleoenvironmental changes in the Brazilian Pampa based on carbon and oxygen stable isotope analysis of Pleistocene camelid tooth enamel

Here we present paleoenvironmental and paleoclimatic reconstructions of the Brazilian Pampa based on stable isotopes (delta C-13, delta O-18) in tooth enamel of the Pleistocene camelids Lama guanicoe and Hemiauchenia paradoxa from the Chuy Creek fossil assemblage, including one H. paradoxa from a stratigraphic level within a loess unit deposited during the Last Glacial Maximum (26.5-19 ka b2k). The delta C-13 results show that both species fed mostly on C3 plants, although the mixed diets of L. guanicoe included similar to 30% C4 or CAM plants. H. paradoxa had C3 diets with <10% C4 or CAM plants. Both species exhibit higher delta O-18 and aridity indexes compared to other mammals from the assemblage, consistent with ingestion of O-18-enriched water from plants growing in arid/semi-arid conditions. A comparison with delta C-13 of camelids from Argentina indicates the camelids from Chuy Creek fed on vegetation similar to that of Dry Pampa, Monte and Patagonic xerophytic steppes. Aridification and expansion of dry steppes in southern Brazil suggest a climate-driven northeastwards shift of the Arid Diagonal of South America that may have contributed to local extinction of the Pleistocene megafauna. These Lateglacial environmental changes are reflected in the characteristics of the plant and mammalian assemblages of the modern Brazilian Pampa.

Automated summary

This study reconstructs the paleoenvironment and paleoclimate of the Brazilian Pampa using stable isotopes (δC-13, δO-18) in the tooth enamel of Pleistocene camelids. The results show that the camelids mainly fed on C3 plants, with some inclusion of C4 or CAM plants in the diet of Lama guanicoe. The aridity indexes and δO-18 values suggest arid/semi-arid conditions and O-18-enriched water ingestion. The findings indicate a climate-driven northeastward shift of the Arid Diagonal of South America which may have contributed to the local extinction of Pleistocene megafauna.