Author(s): Pazonyi, P. & Kordos, L.
Title: Late Eemian (Late Pleistocene) vertebrate fauna from the Horváth-lik (Uppony, NE Hungary)
Year: 2004
Volume: 22
Pages: 107-117.
Abstract: A Late Eemian (Marine Isotope Stage 5d) vertebrate fauna was excavated in Horváti-lik (Horváti Hole) at Uppony, NE Hungary, in 1977 and 1978. After the preliminary reports, the authors identified the whole fauna of the 25 layers of the small cave. Following the faunistical and cluster analysis, the 410 cm long profile is divided into three units: the uppermost layers 1-4 are Holocene, layers 5-6 are mixed, and layers 7-21 yielded similar faunal content of early Late Pleistocene age. The rodents are predominant; Microtus arvalis is the most abundant species. The steppe elements are present in high percentage (e. g. Sicista, Ochotona, Citellus, Allocricetus, Spalax, Allactaga, Cricetus and Lagurus), and Dicrostonyx also occurs. Results of the ecotype analysis among the vertebrate fauna of the different Pleistocene layers (number of species, body size, trophic preferences and ecological units) are as follows. Layers 7-20 show similar ecotype, characterized by low diversity, dominance of the smallest body size category, and abundance of the granivores. Layer 21 is somewhat different, because it is containing more larger body size elements and more frequent browsergrazers and omnivores. Using cluster analysis, biochronological methods and correlation with the Marine Isotope Stages and the continental stratigraphic units, the Pleistocene faunas of the Horváti-lik represent a significant steppe phase at the end of the Eemian, correlated with Marine Isotope Stage 5d, or Herning Stadial, dated as 120-110 kyr BP.Keywords: Hungary, Eemian, vertebrates, Pleistocene, steppe
Journal: Fragmenta Palaeontologica HungaricaJournal abbreviation: Fragm. Palaeont. Hung.ISSN: 1586-930XPublisher: Hungarian Natural History Museum, BudapestEditor(s): Szabó, J. & Matskási, I.