Manuscript, supplementary files, stimuli, pilot data and script used to conduct the power analysis.In-principle acceptance of the Stage 1 programmatic registered report received by PCI-RR on June 19, 2024. https://rr.peercommunityin.org/articles/rec?id=646

Manuscript, supplementary files, stimuli, pilot data and script used to conduct the power analysis.In-principle acceptance of the Stage 1 programmatic registered report received by PCI-RR on June 19, 2024. https://rr.peercommunityin.org/articles/rec?id=646

Manuscript, supplementary files, stimuli, pilot data and script used to conduct the power analysis.In-principle acceptance of the Stage 1 programmatic registered report received by PCI-RR on June 19, 2024. https://rr.peercommunityin.org/articles/rec?id=646

Manuscript, supplementary files, stimuli, pilot data and script used to conduct the power analysis.In-principle acceptance of the Stage 1 programmatic registered report received by PCI-RR on June 19, 2024. https://rr.peercommunityin.org/articles/rec?id=646

Manuscript, supplementary files, stimuli, pilot data and script used to conduct the power analysis.In-principle acceptance of the Stage 1 programmatic registered report received by PCI-RR on June 19, 2024. https://rr.peercommunityin.org/articles/rec?id=646

There is only limited evidence (contemporary or archaeological/paleontological) regarding the feeding ecology of the gray brocket deer ( Subulo gouazoubira ) in Brazil's Cerrado biome. Using stable carbon (δ13C) and oxygen (δ18O) isotope analyses of dental enamel from individuals recovered from Cuvieri Cave, Minas Gerais, we explore dietary and environmental changes between the Late Pleistocene and Holocene epochs for S. gouazoubira living in this biome. δ13C data suggest no significant shift in feeding strategy between the Late Pleistocene and Holocene, with both sets of individuals displaying carbon isotope values consistent with browsing in open environments rather than closed canopy forests. A shift in δ18O values, on the other hand, indicates climatic changes in the area of Cuvieri Cave from the late Pleistocene to Holocene epoch. This study highlights the stability in the feeding behavior of the gray brocket deer despite biotic and abiotic changes between the epochs. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. FAPESP, 04/01321-6, 06/51406-3, 08/58554-3 CAPES Leverhulme Trust, ECF-2022-532

Termite mounds are conspicuous features in tropical savannas, where the role of termites as ecosystem engineers is widely acknowledged. Among the many impacts of termites on the environment, modifications of the physicochemical properties of the soil are prominent, to the point that termites have influenced the agricultural and cultural practices of local communities. However, most studies have focused on dry savannas. We investigated the role of termite mounds as fertility islands, and their role in subsistence agriculture, in one of the world’s most extensive floodplain savannas, the Bangweulu basin in Zambia. First, based on inspection of satellite images, we showed that termite savannas and areas of raised-field agriculture (the main type of subsistence agriculture in the region) covered respectively 14 % and 23 % of the studied surface area, and overlapped. Second, investigating more specifically the area near the village of Yongolo, we evidenced two superimposed patterns of spatial distribution of termite mounds, one involving large mounds (mean height 1.7 m) and one involving small mounds (mean height 0.6 m), both regularly spaced with an average inter-mound distance of 68 m and 8 m, respectively. The two types of mounds differed in their termite communities, the large ones each hosting one nest of Odontotermes, the small ones hosting mostly nests of Trinervitermes and Cubitermes. Both mound types had soil properties that differed from those of the basin soil, leading to an expected increase in soil fertility on mounds (higher contents of N, C, organic matter and clay). Woody plants, including trees, occurred only on large mounds. On small mounds, the epigeal structure of termite nests was higher where depth of flood water was higher, showing plasticity in nest construction in response to environmental constraints. Termite mounds were extensively used by local people, in particular as preferred plots for building raised fields for cassava cultivation. Raised fields on termite mounds were richer in nitrogen and clay, but had a thinner layer of dark soil, than those off termite mounds. The main benefits of building raised fields on termite mounds appeared to be a longer duration of the cultivation period (allowing cultivation during the inundation period) and increased soil fertility through weathering of termite nest structures. Termite mounds (as fertility islands) and raised fields (built by piling up topsoil) both result in nutrient concentration. In addition, both termite nests and raised fields are built taller where flooding is deeper. Thus, termites and humans rely on analogous strategies to mitigate constraints in seasonally flooded savannas, showing convergence in niche construction.

Termite mounds are conspicuous features in tropical savannas, where the role of termites as ecosystem engineers is widely acknowledged. Among the many impacts of termites on the environment, modifications of the physicochemical properties of the soil are prominent, to the point that termites have influenced the agricultural and cultural practices of local communities. However, most studies have focused on dry savannas. We investigated the role of termite mounds as fertility islands, and their role in subsistence agriculture, in one of the world’s most extensive floodplain savannas, the Bangweulu basin in Zambia. First, based on inspection of satellite images, we showed that termite savannas and areas of raised-field agriculture (the main type of subsistence agriculture in the region) covered respectively 14 % and 23 % of the studied surface area, and overlapped. Second, investigating more specifically the area near the village of Yongolo, we evidenced two superimposed patterns of spatial distribution of termite mounds, one involving large mounds (mean height 1.7 m) and one involving small mounds (mean height 0.6 m), both regularly spaced with an average inter-mound distance of 68 m and 8 m, respectively. The two types of mounds differed in their termite communities, the large ones each hosting one nest of Odontotermes, the small ones hosting mostly nests of Trinervitermes and Cubitermes. Both mound types had soil properties that differed from those of the basin soil, leading to an expected increase in soil fertility on mounds (higher contents of N, C, organic matter and clay). Woody plants, including trees, occurred only on large mounds. On small mounds, the epigeal structure of termite nests was higher where depth of flood water was higher, showing plasticity in nest construction in response to environmental constraints. Termite mounds were extensively used by local people, in particular as preferred plots for building raised fields for cassava cultivation. Raised fields on termite mounds were richer in nitrogen and clay, but had a thinner layer of dark soil, than those off termite mounds. The main benefits of building raised fields on termite mounds appeared to be a longer duration of the cultivation period (allowing cultivation during the inundation period) and increased soil fertility through weathering of termite nest structures. Termite mounds (as fertility islands) and raised fields (built by piling up topsoil) both result in nutrient concentration. In addition, both termite nests and raised fields are built taller where flooding is deeper. Thus, termites and humans rely on analogous strategies to mitigate constraints in seasonally flooded savannas, showing convergence in niche construction.

Termite mounds are conspicuous features in tropical savannas, where the role of termites as ecosystem engineers is widely acknowledged. Among the many impacts of termites on the environment, modifications of the physicochemical properties of the soil are prominent, to the point that termites have influenced the agricultural and cultural practices of local communities. However, most studies have focused on dry savannas. We investigated the role of termite mounds as fertility islands, and their role in subsistence agriculture, in one of the world’s most extensive floodplain savannas, the Bangweulu basin in Zambia. First, based on inspection of satellite images, we showed that termite savannas and areas of raised-field agriculture (the main type of subsistence agriculture in the region) covered respectively 14 % and 23 % of the studied surface area, and overlapped. Second, investigating more specifically the area near the village of Yongolo, we evidenced two superimposed patterns of spatial distribution of termite mounds, one involving large mounds (mean height 1.7 m) and one involving small mounds (mean height 0.6 m), both regularly spaced with an average inter-mound distance of 68 m and 8 m, respectively. The two types of mounds differed in their termite communities, the large ones each hosting one nest of Odontotermes, the small ones hosting mostly nests of Trinervitermes and Cubitermes. Both mound types had soil properties that differed from those of the basin soil, leading to an expected increase in soil fertility on mounds (higher contents of N, C, organic matter and clay). Woody plants, including trees, occurred only on large mounds. On small mounds, the epigeal structure of termite nests was higher where depth of flood water was higher, showing plasticity in nest construction in response to environmental constraints. Termite mounds were extensively used by local people, in particular as preferred plots for building raised fields for cassava cultivation. Raised fields on termite mounds were richer in nitrogen and clay, but had a thinner layer of dark soil, than those off termite mounds. The main benefits of building raised fields on termite mounds appeared to be a longer duration of the cultivation period (allowing cultivation during the inundation period) and increased soil fertility through weathering of termite nest structures. Termite mounds (as fertility islands) and raised fields (built by piling up topsoil) both result in nutrient concentration. In addition, both termite nests and raised fields are built taller where flooding is deeper. Thus, termites and humans rely on analogous strategies to mitigate constraints in seasonally flooded savannas, showing convergence in niche construction.

Termite mounds are conspicuous features in tropical savannas, where the role of termites as ecosystem engineers is widely acknowledged. Among the many impacts of termites on the environment, modifications of the physicochemical properties of the soil are prominent, to the point that termites have influenced the agricultural and cultural practices of local communities. However, most studies have focused on dry savannas. We investigated the role of termite mounds as fertility islands, and their role in subsistence agriculture, in one of the world’s most extensive floodplain savannas, the Bangweulu basin in Zambia. First, based on inspection of satellite images, we showed that termite savannas and areas of raised-field agriculture (the main type of subsistence agriculture in the region) covered respectively 14 % and 23 % of the studied surface area, and overlapped. Second, investigating more specifically the area near the village of Yongolo, we evidenced two superimposed patterns of spatial distribution of termite mounds, one involving large mounds (mean height 1.7 m) and one involving small mounds (mean height 0.6 m), both regularly spaced with an average inter-mound distance of 68 m and 8 m, respectively. The two types of mounds differed in their termite communities, the large ones each hosting one nest of Odontotermes, the small ones hosting mostly nests of Trinervitermes and Cubitermes. Both mound types had soil properties that differed from those of the basin soil, leading to an expected increase in soil fertility on mounds (higher contents of N, C, organic matter and clay). Woody plants, including trees, occurred only on large mounds. On small mounds, the epigeal structure of termite nests was higher where depth of flood water was higher, showing plasticity in nest construction in response to environmental constraints. Termite mounds were extensively used by local people, in particular as preferred plots for building raised fields for cassava cultivation. Raised fields on termite mounds were richer in nitrogen and clay, but had a thinner layer of dark soil, than those off termite mounds. The main benefits of building raised fields on termite mounds appeared to be a longer duration of the cultivation period (allowing cultivation during the inundation period) and increased soil fertility through weathering of termite nest structures. Termite mounds (as fertility islands) and raised fields (built by piling up topsoil) both result in nutrient concentration. In addition, both termite nests and raised fields are built taller where flooding is deeper. Thus, termites and humans rely on analogous strategies to mitigate constraints in seasonally flooded savannas, showing convergence in niche construction.

Since antiquity, musical scales have been explained by harmony rather than melody. This view relies on the mathematically designed scales of a few traditions, and was never directly tested. Testing it requires cross-cultural data and a method that judges theories by what they get wrong as well as right. We provide both, modelling scale evolution across 1,314 scales from 96 countries. A Melody model explains the near-universal preference for step-sizes of 1-3 semitones, and matches independent data from melodies, singing, and psychoacoustics. Harmony does far less: it explains the music-theoretic scales, but in those measured from performance it adds only a weak bias towards fourths, fifths, and octaves. Harmony's importance has been overstated, likely due to the historical focus on music-theoretic rather than measured scales. Melody is the primary driver of global scale structure; harmonic constraints are less impactful and mainly reflect musicological theory over musical performance.