First lower molar modifications in the common vole populations of the Italian Peninsula during the Late Pleistocene

Abstract

In this paper, first lower molars identified as Microtus arvalis from nine archaeological and palaeontological sites of the Italian Peninsula were analysed from a morphometric point of view, focusing on the development of the anterior part of the tooth. We used the data obtained to reveal possible patterns of evolution during the Late Pleistocene, as well as similarities and differences among the Italian samples and between Italian and European populations from the same timeframe. Factors such as the relative isolation provided by the Italian Peninsula, its milder climatic setting, intra-specific population dynamics, and the south-north displacement of Italian groups are taken into account to explain the environmental and historic causes of the peculiarities displayed by Italian samples of Microtus arvalis.