Taxonomical revision of the Late Würm Sorex (Mammalia, Insectivora) remains of Hungary, for proving the presence of an alpine ecotype in the Pilisszántó Horizon

Mészáros, L. Gy. (2004) Taxonomical revision of the Late Würm Sorex (Mammalia, Insectivora) remains of Hungary, for proving the presence of an alpine ecotype in the Pilisszántó Horizon. Annales Universitatis Scientiarum Budapestinensis, Sectio Geologica, 34. pp. 9-25. ISSN 0365-0634

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Abstract

Fossil bone assemblages of 14 localities, ranged in the Pilisszántó Horizon (Late Würm), are stored in the collection of the Geological Museum of Hungary and Hungarian Natural History Museum. Sorex araneus findings were reported from five of them (Balla Cave, Bivak Cave, Peskő Cave, Petényi Cave, Pilisszántó Shelter). Taxonomic revision of S. araneus showed that several specimens belong to S. alpinus in Balla Cave and Petényi Cave. The presence of this form, supported by other Boreo-Alpine fauna elements, indicates not only a significantly cold climate in the Pilisszántó Horizon, but the development of a special ecotype in the named localities. However. as the sites are only 400–800 m above see level, mountainous relief and periglacial climate yielded open mountain vegetation above the zone of pine forests.

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