Acta Zoologica Cracoviensia, 55(1) 2012
Issue:
VOL 55(1) 2012
DOI:
10.3409/azc.55_1.79
Keywords:
Gulo gulo, Gulo schlosseri, Bergmann`s rule, Deszczowa Cave, southern Poland
Download PDFShare this article:
Small fossil wolverine Gulo from Middle Pleistocene of Poland
Abstract:
Fossil wolverine remains were excavated in Deszczowa Cave (southern Poland). The oldest specimens were found in layers I and III, related to Saalian Glaciation (OIS 6). These are: a skull fragment with upper carnassial; another skull fragment with upper incisor; and a loose upper canine. The measurements of the upper carnassial (buccal length = 19.5 mm, width = 11.8 mm) indicate a small sized Gulo. It may be concluded that a small form of wolverine, typical for warm periods according to Bergmann`s rule and known from late Middle Pleistocene sites of Europe and North America, was also present in Poland before the Last Glaciation. It cannot be excluded that specimens from Deszczowa Cave represent the G. schlosseri species or an intermediate form between G. schlosseri and G. gulo.
