LARGE MAMMAL TURNOVER AND DIVERSITY FROM THE PLIOCENE TO THE PLEISTOCENE IN ITALIAN PENINSULA

Authors

  • BEATRIZ AZANZA
  • MARIA RITA PALOMBO
  • MARIA TERESA ALBERDI

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.13130/2039-4942/5822

Abstract

Patterns of mammalian species turnover, richness, and faunal composition are assessed on the basis of relative sampling quality and correlated with climatic changes. The most important faunal renewals took place at the early to middle Villafranchian, middle to late Villafranchian, and Early to Middle Pleistocene transitions. The turnover phase at Triversa to Montopoli FU transition corresponds to the Middle Pliocene climate worsening, and can be considered a starting point for the dispersal phases that occurred during the Middle and Late Pliocene. Around 1.9-1.7 Ma (Olivola and Tasso FUs) both a clear increase in diversity as well as a turnover pulse can be detected. The so-called "wolfevent" has to be regarded not only as a dispersal phase but also as a true turnover pulse that is related to the climatic changes occurring at the end of Pliocene. Finally, the transition from Early to Middle Pleistocene faunas represents a major community reorganization (dispersal followed by turnover phase) that shows a significant and progressive rejuvenation coincident with the onset of 100 ka climate cyclicity and vegetation changes related to the climate worsening. The results obtained support the argument that climatic changes are a forcing factor in the first appearances (number of first appearances (Nf ) and rate quotient of first appearance (RQf), including migrations) of mammal taxa.

 

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Published

2004-07-31

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Section

Articles