Family Ochotonidae (Lagomorpha) and its application in biochronology: some case studies from the Plio-Quaternary of Eurasia

Abstract

In this paper, some case studies of Eurasian Plio-Quaternary are illustrated, in which the value of ochotonids as biochronological tools is evidenced at different scales. At a local scale, ochotonids (genus Prolagus) revealed to be very useful for the reconstruction of the chronological succession of infilling of karst fissure complexes. At a larger scale, ochotonids (genus Ochotona) can be used for regional and interregional correlations. At the Eurasian scale, a representative of the family Ochotonidae (genus Ochotonoma) is an excellent biochronological marker. These encouraging results indicate the importance and the potential of ochotonids in biochronology.