Middle Pleistocene voles and lemmings (Rodentia: Arvicolinae) from Za Hájovnou Cave (Javoříčko Karst).

Pages

43-54

Citation

VÖRÖŠ, Dominik a IVANOV, Martin. Middle Pleistocene voles and lemmings (Rodentia: Arvicolinae) from Za Hájovnou Cave (Javoříčko Karst). Fossil Imprint / Acta Musei Nationalis Pragae, Series B – Historia Naturalis Prague: National Museum, 2014, 70(1-2), 43-54. ISSN 2533-4050 (tisk), 2533-4069 (online). Also available from: https://www.nm.cz/en/periodicals/fiamnpsbhn/70-1-2/middle-pleistocene-voles-and-lemmings-rodentia-arvicolinae-from-za-hajovnou-cave-javoricko-karst

Fossil Imprint / Acta Musei Nationalis Pragae, Series B – Historia Naturalis | 2014/70/1-2

Remains of fossil voles and lemmings (Arvicolinae) in two profiles in Za Hájovnou Cave, ZH P-2 (Komín I) and ZH P-8b (Narozeninová chodba, Area A), were preliminarily investigated. The assemblages from ZH P-2 layers 7 and 6 indicate Q3 biozone. Layer 7 may have been deposited during the lower part of the Saalian stage (probably MIS 8 and MIS 7) whereas layer 6 is also of the Saalian age but it originated later (probably MIS 6). The assemblage composition reflects the climatic inconsistency within layers 7 and 6, with a significant increase in number of elements typical for open dry environments, e.g. Microtus (Stenocranius) gregalis; however some other taxa indicating humid or warmer habitats nearby e.g. Microtus (Pallasiinus) oeconomus and Clethrionomys glareolus, were also reported. Although the voles in ZH P-8b, layers 2a, 2b and 2a, 2b (0-20 cm), belong to extant representatives, remains of Middle Pleistocene Ursus cf. deningeri enable assignation to Q3 biozone. We presuppose that layer 2a, 2b was deposited most probably within the upper part of the Holsteinian s.l. (probably MIS 9a). This assumption is supported not only by 230Th/U dating of slightly younger (267 ± 3 ka) sinter from the upper part of the equivalent layer 2a within ZH P-5 but also by the finding that layer 2a, 2b was deposited under relatively warm and humid climatic conditions in an open woodland environment which was documented by the presence of C. glareolus (total absence of lemmings), M. (Stenocranius) gregalis and M. (Pallasiinus) oeconomus. Overlying layers 1c(a) and 1c(b) were deposited most probably during a relatively warm period between the Middle and Late Pleistocene (Q3 or Q4 biozone). A more precise estimate of the biostratigraphical position of the deposits is impossible because of both the limited amount of fossil material available and gravitional redeposition during the Holocene.

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