Seasonal variations in diet (δ13C) and climate (δ 18O) inferred through toxodonts enamel teeth during the Late Pleistocene in the brazilian intertropical region

To access the annual isotopic variation of Toxodon platensis Owen, 1837, tooth enamel samples found in tanks in two localities in the Brazilian Intertropical Region (Puxinanã, Paraíba and Caruaru, Pernamuco) was analyzed isotopically (δ13C, δ18O). We suggest that one annual growth cycle of toxodonts could be represented by 11–17 mm of enamel. The carbon and oxygen isotopic values of the studied samples (LEG 2249–2253) are statistically different, interpreted as reflecting different climatic conditions in both localities. The interpretation of the carbon isotopic results shows little variation in the diet. The oxygen isotopic values of all samples represent the record of at least three years under different climate regimes. The carbon and oxygen isotopic values suggested that the feeding behaviour of these toxodonts were not influenced by the prevailing climatic conditions in both localities.