Mammalian palaeodiet

Key questions related to the paleoecology and paleoenvironment of Quaternary mammals concern their diet. Numerous lines of evidence (e.g., dental morphology, dental wear, geochemistry, stomach contents) can be used to reconstruct the past dietary habits of different taxa and can be used to interpret ecological resilience and/or adaptations through time, in response to climatic and environmental changes. This chapter provides details about mammalian teeth and their importance during the feeding process. It reviews a diverse range of approaches and methods applied to Quaternary mammal species during the last few decades to reveal the paleodietary preferences of different taxa and to reconstruct their paleoecology.