Abstract
Late Pleistocene remains of Microtus oeconomus (PALLAS, 1776), a species that is not any more a member of the extant fauna of Croatia, have been recently found in Vindija Cave sediments. The sample of 21 teeth shows a slight increase of M1 length and decrease of A/L ratio within the cave sequence from older (G complex; 32 to 42 ka) towards younger strata (E+F complex; layer E is dated at ca. 18.5 ka). The most frequent morphotype is type B sensu NADACHOWSKI (1982). The new record does not allow further detailed ecological implications than what is already known about the Late Pleistocene habitats in this region.
Highlights
Vindija Cave is a well known Pleistocene locality in Croatia
The majority of the dental and other skeletal microvertebrate remains including Microtus oeconomus (MAUCH LENARDIĆ, 2004, 2005), originates from the sediments of these strata, while one M1 originates from older sediments of the layer I
Measurements: First lower molars (M1): L, a, W and A/L values are given in Figs. 4 and 5, and Tab. 1
Summary
Vindija Cave is a well known Pleistocene locality in Croatia. Its Pleistocene sediments (MIS 6 – MIS 2) (Figs. 1 & 2), contain numerous small mammal remains and other faunal representatives. Its Pleistocene sediments (MIS 6 – MIS 2) 1 & 2), contain numerous small mammal remains and other faunal representatives. More accurate collecting has been performed during excavation of complex G (32–>42 ka /HIGHAM et al, 2006; WILD et al, 2001/), containing Neanderthal remains and of complex E+F (18.5–30 ka /WILD et al, 2001/), with remains of modern humans (Fig. 2). The majority of the dental and other skeletal microvertebrate remains including Microtus oeconomus (MAUCH LENARDIĆ, 2004, 2005), originates from the sediments of these strata, while one M1 originates from older sediments of the layer I Four phylogeographical groups have been identified and traced back to several glacial periods. They reflect late glacial and postglacial range expansions and shifts as well as fragmentation of populations (idem)
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