Ponomarev D.V., Kolfschoten Th. van, Plicht J., van der. 2012. Late Glacial and Holocene micromammals of northeastern Europe // Russian J. Theriol. Vol.11. No.2: 121–130 [in English].

Dmitry V. Ponomarev, [ponomarev@geo.komisc.ru; dvponomarev@inbox.ru], Institute of Geology of the Komi Science Center of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Pervomayskay str. 54, Syktyvkar 167982, Komi Republic, Russia;

Thijs van Kolfschoten, [t.van.kolfschoten@arch.leidenuniv.nl], Faculty of Archaeology, Leiden University P.O. Box 9515, 2300 RA Leiden, Netherlands;

Johannes van der Plicht, [J.van.der.Plicht@rug.nl], Center for Isotope Research, Groningen University, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, Netherlands.

KEY WORDS: small mammals, Pleistocene, Holocene, Late Glacial, northeastern Europe.

ABSTRACT. Results of studying micromammalian remains from 15 cave-type localities situated in northeastern Europe are presented. Radiocarbon dating enabled to study the fauna development during six climatic phases: Bölling-Alleröd, Younger Dryas, Preboreal, Boreal, Subboreal and Subatlantic. Assemblages of Bölling-Alleröd with predominance of Siberian lemming are followed by communities of the Younger Dryas. These are dominated by xerophilous species: narrow-headed vole in the Subpolar Urals, and collared lemming in the rest of region. A considerable proportion of tundra species remained in communities during the Preboreal. A drastic transformation of micromammalian communities from the tundra-steppe to forest has occurred after 9000 BP, and possibly before 8500 BP. The modern-like fauna was formed during the Subatlantic.

Download PDF