The variation in δ13C values in bone collagen for two wild herbivore populations: Implications for palaeodiet studies

The δ13C values for un-defatted bone gelatin of individual members of wild populations of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus hemionus) and field vole (Microtus townsendii) have been measured to determine the variability within each population. Means and standard deviations for the mule deer sample (N=55) and vole sample (N=22) are −20·6±0·5‰ and −23·2±0·6‰, respectively. The distributions of δ13C values for each of these populations are normal and we observed no correlation in δ13C values with age or sex.