Acta Zoologica Cracoviensia, 52A(1-2) 2009

Issue:

VOL 52A(1-2) 2009

DOI:

10.3409/azc.52a_1-2.95-105

Keywords:

Fossil beavers, Ukraine, Pleistocene, Pliocene, Miocene, stratigraphy

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Taxonomic diversity and spatio-temporal distribution of late Cenozoic beavers (Castoridae, Rodentia) of Ukraine

• L. REKOVETS
• G. KOPIJ
• D. NOWAKOWSKI

Abstract:

For the first time, data on distribution in time and space of fossil beavers (Castoridae) from the late Miocene (early Sarmatian) to Pleistocene of Ukraine are presented. The faunal list comprises: Palaeomys castoroides, Steneofiber jaegeri, Trogontherium minutum (Miocene), T. minus, T. cuvieri, Dipoides sigmodus, Castor praefiber (Pliocene), C. tamanensis, C. fiber, T. minus and T. cuvieri (Pleistocene). Many forms have been designated as sp. (species). Taxonomic problems and synonymy of extinct genera of Castoridae (from Miocene and Pliocene) of Europe are briefly discussed. The remains of the genus Monosaulax have not been identified to the species level. Faunistic lists of particular localities were supplemented, palaeoecological conditions and stratigraphic problems are also discussed.