New data of the Eopleistocene herpetofauna from the Morozovka-1 locality (Odessa region)

Abstract

Introduction: the herpetofauna from the Eopleistocene locality Morozovka-1 has already been studied previously. Due to the poor preservation of the fossil remains and the lack of comparative material, only three of the eight snake vertebrae could be identified to species level. Recently, while sorting through the collections, two more snake vertebrae were discovered. Small numbers of studied materials on the Eopleistocene herpetofauna of Eastern Europe makes it necessary to clarify previous determinations and to further identify previously unstudied snake vertebrae from this location.

Research methodology: for species identification, fossil vertebrae were compared with vertebrae of modern species.

Systematic par: a description of new and redescription of previously described snake vertebrae is given. They are identified as: Coronella austriaca, Elaphe sauromates, Elaphe dione, Colubrinae indet., Colubridae indet., Vipera berus, Vipera ursinii s.l..

Discussion and conclusions: taking into account previously studied materials, the remains of amphibians and reptiles from the Morozovka-1 (Cherevichnoye-1) locality are represented by the following forms: layer 4: Pelobates fuscus aut vespertinus – 1, Pelobatidae indet. – 1, Anura indet. – 1; Testudines indet. – 1, Lacerta agilis L. – 1, Elaphe dione – 1, Colubrinae indet. – 1, Natrix natrix (L.) – 2, Natrix tessellata (Laur.) – 1, Colubridae indet. – 1, Vipera berus – 1, Vipera ursinii s.l. – 1; layer 5: Coronella austriaca – 1, Elaphe sauromates – 1. Based on the quantitative ratio of remains of species that prefer different biotopes, one can assume a forest-steppe environment with the participation of broadleaf and mixed forests alternating with open spaces and sparse forests. The climate was most likely close to the modern climate in the area of the locality.