WHO EATS THE ARMADILLOS? NEOTAPHONOMY OF ACCUMULATIONS PRODUCED BY THE CROWNED EAGLE (BUTEOGALLUS CORONATUS)

Neotaphonomic studies of vertebrates provide information about the mechanisms and processes that can modify the original characteristics of skeletal elements and can be used as analogues for interpretations on the origin of archeological and paleontological assemblages. The neotaphonomic evaluation of non-ingested bones (leftover prey remains) and modified digested bones by the crowned eagle (Buteogallus coronatus Accipitriformes, Accipitridae) is presented. Bones were recovered from the nests located in the central–west La Pampa Province, Argentina. Leftover prey remains include representatives of Aves, Iguania, Ophidia, Cingulata, Lagomorpha, and Carnivora. Bones from pellets correspond to Ophidia, Rodentia, and osteoderms of two armadillos Chlamyphoridae (Xenarthra, Cingulata). Some of the latter correspond to pichi (Zaedyus pichiy Euphractinae), a common species that is usually located in the diet of B. coronatus. Zaedyus pichiy osteoderms, recovered from pellets, present modifications in the original ornamentation, as well as a reduction in their thickness. Various pellets also contained remains of pink fairy armadillo (Chlamyphorus truncatus, Chlamyphorinae), a small paradigmatic, nocturnal and fossorial species, endemic to centralwestern Argentina, which is recorded for the first time as part of this raptor diet. This first mention of Chl. truncatus being captured by the crowned eagle is relevant because it involves two little–known and sympatric species, in an area where this armadillo is endemic. Osteoderms of Chl. truncatus show an extreme degree of modification, and it is interpreted that its potential of preservation in the fossil record is very low.