Limitations of nuclear magnetic resonance analysis of fecal bile for taxonomic identification of contemporary and extinct mammals

We used nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to analyze both distilled water- a nd alcohol-extracted bile from feces of 11,000-40,000-year-old extinct as w ell as contemporary mammals. Some samples did not yield sufficient concentr ations for adequate examination. The NMR spectral pattern from fecal bile w as not consistent enough to provide a reliable signature for species identi fication. Secondary bile, from gut flora alteration of primary bile, accoun ts for some of the limitation.