Macromamífers i Paleoecologia

This paper discusses the problems restricting the usefulness of large mammals as paleoecological indicators and shows that in spite of them certain broad conclusions can be drawn based on the tolerance limits of each species. The problems inherent in this are outlined: the possibility that tolerance limits, types of environment and interactions between species may have changed with time, and the effect of human activity in changing the ecology. Superimposed on this is the problem of whether the assemblage is representative of the contemporary environment or the result of hunting preferences. The factors affecting size and the limitations of Bergmann's rule are discussed. The conclusion is that the interactions of different species and the way in which they change through time are as important as the physical environment.