Late Pleistocene herpetofauna from Oblazova Cave (Polish Carpathians): additional collection
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17308/geology/1609-0691/2023/3/67-81Keywords:
pleistocene, herpetofauna, amphibians, reptiles, osteology, paleogeographyAbstract
Introduction. In the Oblazova Cave locality (Polish Carpathians), in addition to the remains of ancient man, mammals, birds and mollusks, the remains of cold-blooded terrestrial vertebrates wer e found. The results of the study materials were published. A small collection, including samples Ob.51, Ob.52, Ob.53, and Ob.54, was at the disposal of the authors of this article. The absolute age of the remains is approximately 33 000 years. This corresponds to the absolute dating of layer VIII of the cave accumulations. Systematic part. The description and criteria for identification of amphibian and reptile bones defined to the species are given: Lissotriton vulgaris, Lissotriton montandoni, Ichthyosaura alpestris, Triturus cristatus, Salamandra salamandra, Bufo bufo, Bufotes viridis, Rana arvalis, Rana temporaria, Lacerta agilis, Zootoca vivipara, Natrix natrix, Vipera berus, Vipera ursinii s.l.. Ecology of modern species. Brief data on the ecological features of the species found in the locality are given. Discussion and conclusions: The systematic composition of the remains in each of the four samples differs from the others, but the paleogeographic reconstructions are approximately the same. To draw conclusions about the paleoenvironment of the past, we used a methodology different from that used by European specialists. During the accumulation of sediments, characterized by samples Ob.51 – Ob.54, a mixed or deciduous forest existed in the area surrounding the cave. The number of open spaces and clearings in it varied slightly, but the nature of the forest did not change significantly. We can speak, perhaps, only of a slightly increased humidity during the accumulation of sediments containing sample Ob.54. The climatic situation was close to modern in the zone of mixed and deciduous forests. The authors note that the systematic composition of herpetofauna in the studied samples differs from the composition of amphibians and reptiles, determined by two European experts from their collections. Reconstructions of paleoconditions also differ, and Western experts contradict each other. Our conclusions are closer to those of a specialist who has studied amphibians.
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