European small mammal fauna during the end of early – the beginning of middle pleistocene

Abstract

The evolutional changes of European small mammal fauna (mostly Arvicolidae) during Early Pleistocene – Middle Pleistocene transition were analyzed. The fauna between the beginning of the Jaramillo palaeomagnetic event till the Ilinka interglacial of Middle Pleistocene were taken into account (1.07– 0.7 mln years ago). The principal trends in small mammal evolution were revealed. The comparison between the Eastern European fauna and Western European one was carried out.