Life history of Middle Pleistocene endemic ruminants (Axis lydekkeri and Duboisia santeng) of Java (Indonesia)
Data files
Jun 11, 2026 version files 100.25 KB
-
MortalitiesAxisLydekkerixls.xlsx
10.28 KB
-
MortalitiesDuboisiaSantengxls.xlsx
10.17 KB
-
README.md
3.16 KB
-
SurvivorshipAxisLydekkerixls.xlsx
9.15 KB
-
SurvivorshipDuboisiaxls.xlsx
9.16 KB
-
UnprocessedProcessedRawDataxls.xlsx
58.33 KB
Abstract
Shifts in life history traits may accompany other evolutionary changes in mammals during climate oscillations, long–term isolation, and predator pressure amongst others. Here, we studied two extinct endemic ruminant species from Java (Indonesia), the deer Axis lydekkeri and the antelope Duboisia santeng. These two species are part of the Middle Pleistocene Stegodon - Homo erectus fauna. Mortality profiles based on their fossil remains were reconstructed to address the life-history strategies of these two species. Individual age was estimated from mandibular and isolated teeth using the Quadratic Crown Height Method. We found that the mortality profiles for both species are L-shaped with both a high juvenile mortality but also a substantial survival after senescence. These results correspond with what is known thus far about life history traits of medium-sized continental ungulates with perhaps an indication of a shift towards a slower life, with maximum survivability around 70-80% of potential ecological longevity. We further discuss differences in the shapes of the profiles of the two ruminants in light of the presence of Homo erectus hunter-gatherers.
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.m0cfxppk3
Description of the data and file structure
Excel files that consist of all the raw data for this research, as well as the results (mortalities and survivorship).
Files and variables
File: UnprocessedProcessedRawDataxls.xlsx
Description:
Specimens are grouped in three categories: Adult mandibles, Juvenile - sub-adult mandibles and Isolated molars. Information about each specimen is provided when available (placement in the collection and place of origin), as well as the overall metapopulation data (age at death). Box Code is the code written on the Box in which the specimens are stored at Naturalis, while specimen code is the code of the specimen which can be searched at the Naturalis online database (Naturalis Bioportal). This file also includes descriptions of each specimen (ex.: side of the hemimandibles and in the case of sub adult individuals, stages of molar eruption). Age cluster refers to the stage of molar eruption aging method for the juvenile and sub adult individuals.
Files: MortalitiesAxisLydekkerixls.xlsx & MortalitiesDuboisiaSantengxls.xlsx
Description:
The files on the mortalities of the two ruminants contain the mortalities of different combinations of data (based on mandibles, isolated molars, left side exclusive and locality specific (Sangiran))
Files: SurvivorshipAxisLydekkerixls.xlsx & SurvivorshipDuboisiaxls.xlsx
Description:
Two files of the mortality data of the two fossil species are included.
Variables across all files:
-
Quadradic Crown Height Method (QCHM): Age= Age_pel-2(Age_pel-Age_e )(CH/CH_0 )+(Age_pel-Age_e )(CH2/(CH_02 )
-
Crown Height Method: AGE= AGEpel-((AGEpel-AGEe)/CHo)(CH) (This method is the predesessor of the QCHM and was used only in A.lydekkeri to check for possible differences in the results)
-
Age_pel = potential ecological longevity of Cervus elaphus (16 years), Capra hircus (18 years)
-
Age_e = age that the tooth erupts in Cervus elaphus and Capra hircus (in years)
Axis lydekkeri:
-
m1 eruption age is 0.5, m2 eruption age is 0.9, m3 eruption age is 1.5
-
Metapopulation data
-
136 specimens from Sangiran
-
135 specimens from Java, Indonesia (unknown locality)
-
19 specimens from Trinil
-
2 specimens from Kadoeng Broeboes
Duboisia santeng:
-
m1 eruption age is 0.25, m2 eruption age is 1, m3 eruption age is 2
-
Metapopulation data
-
118 specimens from Sangiran
-
42 specimens from Trinil
-
15 specimens from Java, Indonesia (unknown locality)
-
2 specimens from Kebon Doeren
-
1 specimen from Pati Ajam
-
1 specimen from Tegoean