The Pleistocene mammal fauna of Kelangurr Cave, central montane Irian Jaya, Indonesia

WA Museum Records and Supplements | Updated 9 years ago

Abstract - Sixteen mammal taxa have been identified on craniodental material from a rich deposit of bones in the first chamber of Kelangurr Cave. The remains of all species except the largest (Maokopia ronaldi and Protemnodon hopei) and the smallest (Miniopterus sp. cf. M. macrocneme) and possibly a single tooth cap of Anisomys imitator, are considered to have been accumulated by Pleistocene Sooty Owls (Tyto tenebricosa). About a dozen bird bones representing species ranging in size from finch to medium-sized honeyeater, and currently unidentifiable, are the only non-mammalian remains from the deposit.

Kelangurr Cave is at an elevation of 2,950 m, and presently located in tall upper montane forest. Analysis of the habitat requirements of the fossil mammal fauna indicates that at the time of deposition (25-20,000 BP) the cave was surrounded by alpine tussock grassland and scrub similar to that occurring today at 4,000-4,200 m on Mt Carstensz and Mt Wilhelmina.

The age of faunal remains not accumulated by owls is uncertain. There is no evidence of non-analogue mammal communities, and no evidence of extinction among species under 2 kg in weight in the fauna.