Pleistocene vertebrates from the Kyparissia lignite mine, Megalopolis Basin, S. Greece: Rodentia, Carnivora, Proboscidea, Perissodactyla, Ruminantia

摘要

The lignite mine of Kyparissia is situated in the northern part of the Middle Pleistocene fluvio-lacustrine basin of Megalopolis (central Peloponnesus, Greece). During the years 2004-2008 numerous vertebrate fossils have cropped out in the mining sections and collected or excavated during short-term field expeditions. The finds derive mainly from organic-rich sediments (mostly lignites) and two fossiliferous horizons, which are stratigraphically closely situated. They are generally widely dispersed along the western margin of the palaeolake. Denser concentrations were found in four sites, dubbed KYP1-KYP4. The recovered fauna is diverse, dominated by hippopotamuses, deer and elephants. The present study describes the samples referred to castorids, carnivores, proboscideans, perissodactyls and ruminants. The following taxa are recognised: Castor fiber, Canis sp., Hyaenidae indet., Fells sp., Panthera sp., Palaeoloxodon antiquus, Stephanorhinus sp., Equus sp., Praemegaceros verticornis, Cervus elaphus, Dama sp., 'Cervus' peloponnesiacus, and Cervidae indet. This fauna is of Galerian type, suggesting an early Middle Pleistocene age for the locally. The ecological character is that of a temperate, predominantly woodland/forest environment, with continuous presence of a large freshwater body.