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| Titel |
A feather precipitation hydrogen isoscape for New Zealand |
| VerfasserIn |
K. M. Rogers, L. I. Wassenaar, D. X. Soto, J. A. Bartle |
| Konferenz |
EGU General Assembly 2012
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| Medientyp |
Artikel
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| Sprache |
Englisch
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| Digitales Dokument |
PDF |
| Erschienen |
In: GRA - Volume 14 (2012) |
| Datensatznummer |
250059993
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| Zusammenfassung |
| Forensic isotopic assays of feathers from historical Maori cloaks are a potential tool to link
historical artefacts back to their native locales (Iwi) in New Zealand. In order to test this
approach, we sampled feathers from extant museum archived birds of known origin for their
feather hydrogen isotopes (δyHf) to assign their regional origin and location over time. We
obtained feathers from two non-migratory bird species widely distributed around New
Zealand, tui (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae) and quail (Callipepla californica). Feathers
were sampled from archived birds collected between 1880-2002 held in 3 New Zealand
museum collections. We determined regression coefficients of δ2H on location, latitude,
δ2Hprecipitation, and age. The data showed that ground dwelling quail had higher
regression coefficients with respect to latitude (r2=0.46) than the nectar feeding tui
(r2=0.39). On the whole, both resident birds showed promise as regional geographical
indicators of their habitat (r2=0.58). Year of collection had no meaningful effect on
isotopic composition. We conclude that isotopic assays may therefore be used to
aid in regional assignments relevant to the interpretation of historical artefacts. |
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