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Explaining the Pleistocene megafaunal extinctions: Models, chronologies, and assumptions

Brook, Barry William and Bowman, David (2002). Explaining the Pleistocene megafaunal extinctions: Models, chronologies, and assumptions. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA,99(23):14624-14627.

Document type: Journal Article
Citation counts: Scopus Citation Count Cited 54 times in Scopus Article | Citations
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Title Explaining the Pleistocene megafaunal extinctions: Models, chronologies, and assumptions
Author Brook, Barry William
Bowman, David
Journal Name Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA
Publication Date 2002
Volume Number 99
Issue Number 23
ISSN 0027-8424   (check CDU catalogue open catalogue search in new window)
Scopus ID 2-s2.0-0037069376
Start Page 14624
End Page 14627
Total Pages 4
Place of Publication Washington, USA
Publisher PNAS
HERDC Category C1 - Journal Article (DEST)
Abstract Understanding of the Pleistocene megafaunal extinctions has been advanced recently by the application of simulation models and new developments in geochronological dating. Together these have been used to posit a rapid demise of megafauna due to over-hunting by invading humans. However, we demonstrate that the results of these extinction models are highly sensitive to implicit assumptions concerning the degree of prey naivety to human hunters. In addition, we show that in Greater Australia, where the extinctions occurred well before the end of the last Ice Age (unlike the North American situation), estimates of the duration of coexistence between humans and megafauna remain imprecise. Contrary to recent claims, the existing data do not prove the blitzkrieg model of overkill.
Keywords buffalo bubalus-bubalis
oldest human remains
northern-territory
water-buffalo
australian megafauna
human colonization
top end
paleontology
predators
prey
DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.232126899   (check subscription with CDU E-Gateway service for CDU Staff and Students  check subscription with CDU E-Gateway in new window)
 
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