Talk:Leopards as taphonomic agents

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 Definition:  Leopards (Panthera pardus) accumulate bone assemblages in trees and caves as part of their natural predation. [d] [e]
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 Workgroup categories:  Anthropology and Archaeology [Editors asked to check categories]
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references

I was just checking throught the references and they seem a bit mixed up. You probably already know this but just in case it has been overlooked. Chris Day (talk) 06:14, 15 October 2007 (CDT)


a couple of comments

Good job so far. This is really interesting stuff. It would be helpful if you could introduce the ways that leopards act as taphonomic agents in the lead before jumping into the case studies. A short paragraph explaining the information that you've already included in other sections would do the trick, I think. So, leopards prefer dark spaces, drag their prey into caves, they leave the bones behind, etc.

I was also wondering if you might be able to write a more general article called "Taphonomic agent." You obviously have a good grasp on the concept and while this article is quite interesting, I think most people would look up the more general article before coming to this one.

Keep up the good work! --Joe Quick 11:58, 15 October 2007 (CDT)

I found this very interesting as well. I have some comments and suggestions.

1. Watch the tone of your narrative. Decide on who the target audience is, and don't presume knowledge. So, instead of: "Coryndon (1964) from his study of bone remains in Mount Suswa lava caves in Kenya came to a conclusion that.." in your opening paragraph, consider "Dr Joe Bloggs Coryndon, an archeologist/paleoentologist/whatever, studied bone remains in...Kenya in 1964 and concluded that leopards are just wonderful blah blah blah."

2. My dictionary considers plant fossils part of taphonomy, as well, so does your opening sentence need an edit, or is my dictionary out-of-date?

3. Your thesis in the opening is very positive--leopards have done this.... In the conclusion, my reading is that you are much less certain--leopards may be.... The quote you use belongs elsewhere, leave it out of the conclusion and write with conviction if you've proved your point, or change the beginning to indicate that leopards may be taphonomic agents, or may not be....

Aleta Curry 17:03, 16 October 2007 (CDT)

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