engleski

Small mammals (Insectivora, Chiroptera and Rodentia) from the Middle Pleistocene to Holocene strata of Vindija cave, NW Croatia

Fauna of Vindija cave, well known Croatian paleontological, paleoanthropological as well as archaeological site, which is situated in the region of Croatian Zagorje (NW Croatia ; 46º ; 18' N, 16º ; 14' E, 275 m above sea level), has been continuously investigated from 1974 till today. The cave is a single hall about 50 m long, 25-30 m wide, and 20 m high. Approximately 12 m high stratified deposits, mostly excavated from 1974 till 1986, are divided into 13 layers/sublayers and/or complexes – from the youngest A (OIS 1/Holocene) to the oldest M (OIS 6/end of Middle Pleistocene). During last 35 years many animal taxa have been determined and analysed: Mollusca, Pisces, Amphibia, Reptilia, Aves and Mammalia (including Insectivora, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Rodentia, Carnivora and Ungulata) (Malez & Rukavina, 1979 ; Malez & Ullrich, 1982 ; Honauer, 1997 ; Paunović et al., 2001 ; Mauch Lenardić, 2005, 2007 ; Miracle et al., in press, and references therein). Fossil to subrecent/recent small mammal remains have been found in all 13 strata. Different taxa of Insectivora, Chiroptera and Rodentia have been proved on the base of approximately 2.500 selected bones and teeth, and determined as 26 species and three groups of species. Numerous skeletal (mostly postcranial) parts have been determined only on the generic or higher taxonomic levels. Morphometric analyses of smaller part of the Chiroptera specimens from the layers B and D have been made by Honauer in 1997. During the last decade for the first time detailed morphometric investigations have been undertaken on the vole (Arvicolidae) selected dental material (Mauch Lenardić, 2005, 2007). Other small mammal taxa have been only preliminary determined and listed. Rodents are represented in all strata, in the contrast to the insectivores and bats which have not been found in all stratigraphic units. Because of the uncertain determination of bat species Eptesicus nilssonii (Malez & Rukavina, 1979) this species should be removed from the faunal list. The same concerns vole species Microtus nivalis (Malez & Rukavina, 1979), which were not evidenced in the arvicolid sample. Thus, the faunal list of this locality has been partly changed and updated. Determined insectivores, bats and rodents approve that during Late Pleistocene prevailed more or less continental temperate climate, and that the forest cover was developed in lesser degree than today in the region. Scarce specimens from older strata (OIS 6) do not allow more precise conclusions and reconstructions of the climate conditions in the site vicinity during the end of Middle and beginning of Late Pleistocene. All taxa, except root vole (Microtus oeconomus) and alpine marmot (Marmota marmota) are the members of recent fauna of the Vindija cave surroundings, and the adjacent areas as well.

micromammals; Insectivora; Chiroptera; Rodentia; Middle Pleistocene to Holocene; Vindija cave; Croatia

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