Shape and distribution of Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) Scavenging Marks on a Bovine Skull

• Autores: Arkadiusz Soltysiak
• Localización: Journal of taphonomy, ISSN 1696-0815, Vol. 11, Nº. 1, 2013, págs. 41-47
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • During a three week long experiment, a male bovine head was scavenged by an adult Griffon vulture. Twenty five linear scavenging marks were identified on the defleshed cranium and mandible, ranging in length from 2 to 31 mm with an average of 9.02 mm. Based on the experimental observations, the following criteria may be used for diagnosis of vulture scavenging marks: a \_/ cross-sectional shape, tapered width, a tendency toward clustering into parallel sets of 2-4 lines, and the presence of V- or L-shaped double lines. Although reliable identification of a single line as a vulture scavenging mark is impossible, a number of features meeting these criteria may allow for a more confident diagnosis. Scavenging lines appear significantly longer on more exposed areas of the cranium, such as the frontal bone in this experiment, and shorter on less accessible areas, such as the mandible.