Remains of Canidae and Felidae from Południowa Cave (Sudetes Mts, SW Poland)

Abstract

Południowa Cave is a locality that has been known for more than 500 years, where at least three or even four different faunal assemblages have been found. The oldest faunal elements are represented by the rodent Baranomys loczyi, and the carnivores Baranogale helbingi and Mustela pliocaenica, being the only Pliocene finds in the Sudetes Mts caves. The second faunal assemblage is dated back to the early Middle Pleistocene and consists of the following taxa: Sorex sp., Rhinolophus aff. ferrumequinum, Glis sackdilligensis, Pliomys coronensis, Pliomys episcopalis, Mimomys sp., Lycaon lycaonoides, Canis mosbachensis, Vulpes vulpes, Ursus deningeri, Ursus arctos ssp., Ursus cf. thibetanus, Gulo gulo schlosseri, Meles meles atavus, Martes vetus, Mustela strandi, Mustela palerminea, Mustela praenivalis, Panthera spelaea fossilis, Homotherium latidens latidens, Panthera gombaszoegensis gombaszoegensis, Acinonyx pardinensis intermedius, Felis cf. silvestris, Pachycrocuta brevirostris and Capreolus sp. The third assemblage is dated back to the Late Pleistocene (MIS 3), and consists of Glis glis, Arvicola sp., Canis lupus spealeus, Ursus ex. gr. spelaeus, and Martes martes. Finally, the youngest fauna, dated as MIS 1, is represented by Arvicola sp., Apodemus sp., Lepus sp., Cricetus cricetus, Ursus arctos arctos, Meles meles, Martes martes, and Capreolus capreolus. Possible relationships that may be inferred include the impact of new species in the disappearance of ancient carnivores.