Search citation statements
Paper Sections
Citation Types
Year Published
Publication Types
Relationship
Authors
Journals
The Early Pleistocene site of Palan-Tyukan (MNQ18, ca 1.85 Mya) is located in Transcaucasia, northwestern Azerbaijan. In total, more than 300 mammalian bones were collected there by one of the authors (M.V. Sablin) in 1986 and 1990. The remains were laid close to each other in a 25 m2 lens-like accumulation, in a stratum of normally magnetized (the upper part of the Olduvai subchron) yellowish-grey Lower Apsheron loams. No any excavations have been carried here out since. The present study is based on the analysis of the Bovidae remains. The material is represented by fragments of skulls and horn cores, isolated teeth and bones of the postcranial skeleton. As a result of the revision of the collection, Leptobos (Smertiobos) cf. etruscus (Falconer, 1859), Gazellospira torticornis (Aymard, 1854) and Gazella cf. bouvrainae (Kostopoulos, 1996) were identified. The degree of the unworn M3 tooth hypsodonty of Leptobos, as well as the size and morphology of limb bones indicate a greater similarity with those of L. etruscus from Olivola and Tasso. The characteristics of the horn cores, as well as the upper teeth and limb bones of the medium-sized spiral-horned antelope from Palan-Tyukan indicate a greater similarity with those of the nominative subspecies G. torticornis torticornis. The dimensions and degree of flattening of the horn cores, as well as the parameters of the p4 tooth, are similar to those of the medium-sized gazelle G. bouvrainae, described from several Early Pleistocene localities of Greece. The taxonomic composition of the Bovidae association from Palan-Tyukan is consistent with the previously determined stratigraphic position of the locality, the fauna from which belongs to the Psekups faunal complex of Eastern Europe, correlated with the Late Villafranchian of Western Europe. The composition of these herbivores community testifies to the spread of savanna-like forest-steppe landscapes in the west of Transcaucasia during this period of the Early Pleistocene.
The Early Pleistocene site of Palan-Tyukan (MNQ18, ca 1.85 Mya) is located in Transcaucasia, northwestern Azerbaijan. In total, more than 300 mammalian bones were collected there by one of the authors (M.V. Sablin) in 1986 and 1990. The remains were laid close to each other in a 25 m2 lens-like accumulation, in a stratum of normally magnetized (the upper part of the Olduvai subchron) yellowish-grey Lower Apsheron loams. No any excavations have been carried here out since. The present study is based on the analysis of the Bovidae remains. The material is represented by fragments of skulls and horn cores, isolated teeth and bones of the postcranial skeleton. As a result of the revision of the collection, Leptobos (Smertiobos) cf. etruscus (Falconer, 1859), Gazellospira torticornis (Aymard, 1854) and Gazella cf. bouvrainae (Kostopoulos, 1996) were identified. The degree of the unworn M3 tooth hypsodonty of Leptobos, as well as the size and morphology of limb bones indicate a greater similarity with those of L. etruscus from Olivola and Tasso. The characteristics of the horn cores, as well as the upper teeth and limb bones of the medium-sized spiral-horned antelope from Palan-Tyukan indicate a greater similarity with those of the nominative subspecies G. torticornis torticornis. The dimensions and degree of flattening of the horn cores, as well as the parameters of the p4 tooth, are similar to those of the medium-sized gazelle G. bouvrainae, described from several Early Pleistocene localities of Greece. The taxonomic composition of the Bovidae association from Palan-Tyukan is consistent with the previously determined stratigraphic position of the locality, the fauna from which belongs to the Psekups faunal complex of Eastern Europe, correlated with the Late Villafranchian of Western Europe. The composition of these herbivores community testifies to the spread of savanna-like forest-steppe landscapes in the west of Transcaucasia during this period of the Early Pleistocene.
The species composition of the mid-Early Pleistocene fauna in northwestern Azerbaijan has been elucidated through the analysis of fossil material recovered from the Palan-Tyukan site. This research also included a review of the relevant literature. The paleontological material has been fossilized to a similar extent, indicating similar burial conditions. Animal bones at the site were accumulated during a single sedimentation cycle in sediments of what was once a shallow, heavily silted body of water with slow-flowing or standing water. We have identified 16 species of large mammals, whose presence has allowed us to determine the time period in which this faunal complex existed, as well as the characteristics of the natural environment at the time of its formation. The order Carnivora is represented by 10 individuals, the order Proboscidea by 2 individuals, the order Perissodactyla by 3 individuals, and the order Artiodactyla by 18 individuals. The Palan-Tyukan paleo-landscape can be described as a mosaic of different environments. Flat riverine areas with dense vegetation gradually transitioned into the hilly steppe with mixed vegetation of varying densities. Our reconstruction of the paleogeographic environment indicates that large mammals of Palan-Tyukan lived there under conditions of a relatively humid subtropical climate. The Palan-Tyukan faunal complex belongs to the Mediterranean palaeobiogeographical subregion, biozone MNQ18, at the beginning of the Late Villafranchian period, and falls within the time interval from 1.93 to 1.77 million years ago.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.