Stoat Mustela erminea Linnaeus, 1758 and weasel Mustela nivalis Linnaeus, 1766 in palaeoecological analysis: A case study of Bisnik Cave

摘要

Abundant and stratigraphically well positioned fossil material of two small mustelids, stoat and weasel, from Bisnik Cave was studied to investigate size variation. Size was found to be correlated with temperature: during cold periods individuals of both species were smaller than during warm periods. The weasel measurements varied much more, compared to the stoat. Weasel males varied more than females. The largest weasel individuals came from the late Middle Pleistocene layers of Bisnik Cave, while the smallest, dwarf specimens were typical of the cold periods of the last glaciation.