Acta Zoologica Cracoviensia, 43(1-2) 2000

Issue:

VOL 43(1-2) 2000

Keywords:

Systematic, Arvicola, biochronology, Middle Pleistocene, Upper Pleistocene

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Distribution and evolution of Arvicola Lacépède, 1799 (Mammalia, Rodentia) in France and Liguria (Italy) during the Middle and the Upper Pleistocene

• Emmanuel DESCLAUX
• Mohammed ABBASSI
• Jean-Claude MARQUET
• Jean CHALINE
• Thijs van KOLFSCHOTEN

Abstract:

A study of Arvicola (Mammalia, Rodentia) populations of France (Gaudry, Vaufrey, Suard, l’Eglise, Artenac, Moula-Guercy, Lazaret and Gigny) and Liguria (Arma delle Manie and Ripario Mochi) has permitted the systematic and evolution specifications of this genus at the end of the Middle Pleistocene and the Upper Pleistocene. The enamel thickness shows temporal and geographic variations which allow precise statement of the biochronological framework. The migration of Arvicola from Northern Europe, during a cold stage dating back to the end of the Middle Pleistocene, and the persistence of the primitive Arvicola population, isolated in Liguria during the Upper Pleistocene, should explain the wide variation observed in the relative thickness of the enamel band.