Biology subjects

Marin-Arroyo, A. B.

Publications and source records attributed to Marin-Arroyo, A. B..

5 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Sulfur isotopes in hunted ungulates reveal Palaeolithic human mobility patterns in Northern Iberia

This research addresses a central question in Palaeolithic research: how hunter-gatherer mobility was structured across space and time in the Cantabrian Region (northern Iberia), which has human occupation evidence spanning from the Middle Pleistocene through the Holocene. A multidisciplinary framework integrating primarily {delta}3S isotope values, combined with {delta}{superscript 1}3C and {delta}{superscript 1}N, palaeoproteomics, Bayesian age modelling, palaeoclimatic reconstruction, isoscape mapping, and ecological diversity was developed. A total of 905 animal bone collagen samples, with evidence of anthropogenic modifications, from 16 key archaeological sites from the Mousterian to Mesolithic (Marine Isotopic Stage 5 to 1, between 100-7 ka BP) were analysed, permitting the reconstruction of spatial patterns of resource exploitation and human mobility. The {delta}3S isotope values show weak, inconsistent relationships with climatic proxies, suggesting that sulfur signatures are primarily driven by geographic and ecological factors rather than climate. Strong spatial trends are observed, with higher {delta}3S values in coastal zones and lower values inland. Diachronic trends reveal marked shifts in human mobility: smaller ranges during the Mousterian, increasing mobility through the Chatelperronian and especially the Aurignacian, followed by reduced mobility in the Gravettian and Solutrean, and renewed territorial expansion during the Magdalenian and, likely, the Azilian. In contrast, the Mesolithic is characterised by decreased mobility and thus increased territoriality in both coastal and inland contexts. Faunal isotope values and isoscape predictions reveal that some animals were acquired beyond local foraging ranges during the Palaeolithic, particularly in inland regions with lower {delta}3S values. Isotopic niche analyses indicate partial interspecific overlap consistent with ecological flexibility. Macromammal and micromammal diversity exhibit contrasting patterns, with a significant negative correlation in Simpson and Shannon indices. Macromammal diversity correlates negatively with {delta}3S values, linking increased hunting diversity to expanded catchment areas and longer-distance foraging, whereas micromammal diversity shows positive correlations with {delta}3S, {delta}{superscript 1}3C and {delta}{superscript 1}N reflecting stronger climatic influence. Overall, these results demonstrate that hunter-gatherer behaviour in northern Iberia during the Middle and Late Palaeolithic was highly dynamic, combining logistical and residential strategies that shifted in response to changing environmental conditions, resource distributions and cultural adaptations.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2025

Bone collagen hydrogen isotopes as tracers of local palaeoclimate: The Aurignacian from Isturitz cave (France) as a case study

Hydrogen stable isotopes ({delta}2H) preserved in bone collagen have been proposed as a promising proxy for palaeoclimatic reconstruction, though empirical applications remain limited. To evaluate the reliability and scope of this approach, we performed a multiisotopic analysis ({delta}13C, {delta}15N, {delta}34S, and {delta}2H) on 50 herbivore bone samples collected from three archaeostratigraphic layers spanning the Aurignacian sequence of Isturitz Cave (France). This archaeological well-preserved, dated and studied site provides a robust framework for testing isotopic proxies across temporal and taxonomic gradients. Our results reveal a progressive {delta}2H depletion over [~]3000-year interval, consistent with predicted increasing aridity. We also identified species-specific {delta}2H differences, underscoring the need for taxonomic resolution in future applications and in general palaeoclimatic interpretations. While these samples reflect faunal remains accumulated through human activity--introducing potential ecological and sampling biases--they nonetheless provide valuable records of past local conditions. Overall, our findings support the potential of bone collagen {delta}2H as a sensitive indicator of past hydrological conditions and a complementary tool for reconstructing both climatic trends and humanenvironment dynamics.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2025

Genetic admixture between East and West European Gravettian-associated populations in Western Europe before the Last Glacial Maximum

Modern humans first settled in Europe at least 45,000 years ago. However, limited genomic data from individuals dating between 45,000 and 20,000 years ago still restricts our understanding of population dynamics and admixture during the Upper Palaeolithic. Before the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM, 26.5-19 cal kya), Gravettian culture-associated populations were widespread and genetically diverse, comprising at least two distinct genetic groups, referred to as the Fournol and V[e]stonice clusters. We present genome-wide data from three Gravettian-associated individuals: two from cave sites in the Franco-Cantabrian region (Chufin and Isturitz) and one from Italy (Ostuni1b). These data reveal previously undetected gene flow linking the ancestry of 34,000-year-old individuals from Sungir (Russia) to Gravettian individuals from Western Europe, challenging the prevailing model of population continuity from the Aurignacian to the Solutrean. As osseous remains are scarce for this time period, DNA from sediments deposited by ancient humans opens a new possibility to obtain genomic data. We thus examine sedimentary DNA from Solutrean Layer 122 at El Miron Cave (Cantabria, [~]22,000 cal BP), recovering approximately 16,000 human SNPs, among the highest yields reported from a Palaeolithic context. Generating these data required over 1.15 billion sequencing reads, illustrating both the potential of sediment DNA for autosomal analysis and the technical challenges of the approach.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2025

Inter-band connectivity and climate shaped Neanderthal extinction and Homo sapiens dispersal.

To what extent Neanderthal extinction was triggered by climate change or the arrival and dispersal of Homo sapiens, and by which mechanisms, remains unresolved. Here, based on how climate-driven changes affected habitat favourability for primary and secondary consumers and Net Primary Productivity, we estimate carrying capacity, herbivore biomass and intra-guild predation pressure during the time Neanderthals and H. sapiens lived in Europe (55-30 ka BP). These spatially explicit estimates were incorporated into an agent-based model simulating human demographic dynamics under various scenarios. Results indicate that carrying capacity changes cannot explain Neanderthal extinction at a continental scale, though they are essential to understanding spatiotemporal distribution patterns of both human species. Conversely, the arrival of H. sapiens increased Neanderthal extinction likelihood without requiring a selective advantage. Due to the successive demographic expansions and contractions, group connectivity emerges as the key factor shaping population stability in both species. These findings support that Neanderthal disappearance and H. sapiens dispersals were interconnected demographic processes.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2025

Novel dynamics of human-carnivore interactions linked to the arrival of Homo sapiens in Europe

Upon the arrival of H. sapiens in Europe, the abundance and diversity of secondary consumers progressively diminished. The factors contributing to this increased human pressure and its potential association with Neanderthal extinction remain unknown. This study identifies biotic and abiotic effects on the structure and assembly of secondary consumers at the European scale during Marine Isotope Stage 3 by integrating analyses of their geographic ranges, co-occurrence patterns, and generalized mixed models. Results show that during the replacement of Neanderthals by Homo sapiens, the range of secondary consumers contracted and their co-occurrence frequency increased, leading to new intra-guild interaction dynamics. Additionally, H. sapiens occupied a larger portion of the secondary consumers fundamental niche. Climate change, the demographic decline of keystone species, and the broader niche breadth of H. sapiens reduced the interconnectivity of the co-occurrence network among secondary consumers, shaping novel dynamics of human-carnivore interactions in Europe.

ecology↗