| Abstract: |
Two species in the subfamily Caprinae, the Sumatran serow Capricornis sumatraensis and Chinese goral Naemorhedus griseus are currently distributed in Thailand and listed as vulnerable species. The Himalayan goral N. goral has no dispersion in Thailand, whereas fossil evidence shows the coexistence of all three species during the Pleistocene. However, the diet and habitat preferences of the Pleistocene C. sumatraensis remain disputed and the information on those of the Pleistocene gorals is limited. To clarify the points, the mesowear analysis in combination with measurements of hypsodonty indices were performed on these three caprine taxa. Molar samples were collected from four palaeontological fossil sites (Pha Bong, Khok Sung, Tham Wiman Nakin and Tham Lod Rockshelter), covering a time span from the Middle to Late Pleistocene, and from extant individuals. The mesowear results combined with the hypsodonty index suggest that the Pleistocene populations were likely to be mixed feeders, while the extant C. sumatraensis shows more browsing signals. In agreement with the previous carbon isotope data of tooth enamel, the present study supports the idea that the Pleistocene caprine populations underwent drastic changes in diet and habitat use between the Pleistocene and the present day, possibly driven by the climate change and anthropogenic disturbances since the beginning of the Holocene. In order to protect the extant wildlife populations, the potential restoration of habitats and conservation plan for native caprines are necessary.
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