Dimitris S. Kostopoulos

On the systematic position of the large-sized deer from Apollonia, Early Pleistocene, Greece

The revision of the large-sized deer association from the early Pleistocene site Apollonia (Early Pleistocene; Greece), revealed the presence of two species,Praemegaceros pliotarandoides (De Alessandri, 1903) and a giant representative of the genusArvernoceros. P. pliotarandoides (=Psekupsoceros orientalisRadulesco & Samson, 1967) is characterized by advanced dental morphology, lack of the middle antler tine, and dichotomously branched distal part of the antlers and is regarded as the direct forerunner of middle PleistoceneP. verticornis. The species attribution of the ApollonianArvernoceros is not clear enough because of the incomplete data, and for this reason we keep this form under the nameArvernoceros cf.verestchagini. The presence ofArvernoceros in Apollonia certainly extends its chronological occurrence to early Pleistocene and a new generic definition is proposed. Several taxonomic and systematic questions on early Pleistocene large-sized deer of Europe are also discussed.KurzfassungDie Revision der großwüchsigen Hirsche aus dem Altpleistozän von Apollonia (Griechenland) ergab das Auftreten zweier Arten,Praemegaceros pliotarandoides (De Alessandri, 1903) und ein riesenwüchsiger Vertreter der GattungArvernoceros. P. pliotarandoides (=Psekupsoceros orientalisRadulesco & Samson, 1967) wird durch eine fortschrittliche Zahnmorphologie, Fehlen der mittleren Geweihsprosse und den sich dichotom verzweigenden distalen Teil des Geweihs charakterisiert. Er wird als der direkte Vorläufer des mittelpleistozänenP. verticornis angesehen. Aufgrund der unvollständigen Daten ist die artliche Zuordnung desArvenoceras aus Apollonia nicht sicher, weswegen wir diese Form unter dem NamenArvernoceros cf.verestchagini führen. Das Vorkommen vonArvenoceras in Apollonia verlegt das zeitliche Auftreten der Gattung eindeutig in das Altpleistozän vor. Eine neue Gattungsdefinition wird vorgeschlagen. Außerdem werden verschiedene taxonomische und systematische Fragen bezüglich der großwüchsigen Hirsche aus dem Altpleistozän von Europa diskutiert.

Ruminant diets and the Miocene extinction of European great apes

The successful evolutionary radiations of European hominoids and pliopithecoids came to an end during the Late Miocene. Using ruminant diets as environmental proxies, it becomes possible to detect variations in vegetation over time with the potential to explain fluctuations in primate diversity along a NW–SE European transect. Analysis shows that ruminants had diverse diets when primate diversity reached its peak, with more grazers in eastern Europe and more browsers farther west. After the drop in primate diversity, grazers accounted for a greater part of western and central European communities. Eastwards, the converse trend was evident with more browsing ruminants. These opposite trends indicate habitat loss and an increase in environmental uniformity that may have severely favoured the decline of primate diversity.

Preliminary results about thestratigraphy and the palaeoenvironment of Mygdonia Basin, Macedonia, Greece

Abstract Mygdonia basin (Macedonia, Greece) was formed during early—middle Miocene and then it was filled by a series of Neogene Quaternary deposits, which were divided in two groups, Premygdonian and Mygdonian. Three different formations have been distinguished in Premygdonian Group, while eight mammalian and one molluskan fossiliferous sites have been found. Chrysavgi Fm is the oldest, dated to the end of middle Miocene. Gerakarou Fm, consisted mainly of red-beds, is dated to early Pleistocene (late Villafranchian). Platanochori Fm has been dated to the end of early Pleistocene (latest Villafranchian) and represents the transition from Premygdonian to Mygdonian Group. Since now no fossils have been found in Mygdonian Group, in order to give a precise dating. However, its deposition begun in the middle Pleistocene and it is still continued. During the end of middle Miocene the climatic conditions were dry with seasonal rainfalls. The early Pleistocene is characterized as a dry period, while an increase of wetness at the end of the early Pleistocene is obvious.

Mesopithecus (Primates, Cercopithecidae) from the turolian locality of Vathylakkos 2 (Macedonia, Greece)

Two skulls, two mandibles and some postcranials ofMesopithecus from the locality “Vathylakkos 2” of Axios Valley (Macedonia, Greece) enlarge our knowledge about the genus and its differentiation. The new material together with an old skull from the same locality is compared with the Pikermi, “Ravin des Zouaves 5” (Axios Valley), and Maramena (Serres basin) samples. It is concluded that the VathylakkosMesopithecus resemblesM. pentelicus from Pikermi, as wellM. delsoni from “Ravin des Zouaves 5” and it is referred asMesopithecus sp. aff.M. pentelicus. The biochronological age of “Vathylakkos 2” has been considered as MN 12, while recent magnetostratigraphic data indicate an age of about 7.5 Ma. This age confirms the position of the VathylakkosMesopithecus between Pikermi and “Ravin des Zouaves 5”. Some dental indices compared with those of the RecentCercopithecus suggest that the Vathylakkos sample is monospecific.KurzfassungZwei Schädel, zwei Mandibeln und verschiedenes postkraniales Material vonMesopithecus aus der Fundstelle „Vathylakkos 2“ aus dem Axios-Tal (Mazedonien, Griechenland) erweitern die Kenntnis der Gattung und ihrer Evolution. Zusammen mit einem schon bekannten Schädel von dieser Fundstelle wird das neue Material mit den Funden aus Pikermi, „Ravin des Zouaves 5“ (Axios-Tal) und Maramena (Becken von Serres) verglichen. Das Material vonMesopithecus aus Vathylakkos ähneltM. pentelicus aus Pikermi, aber auchM. delsoni aus „Ravin des Zouaves 5“ und wird zuMesopithecus sp. aff.M. pentelicus gestellt. Das biostratigraphische Alter von „Vathylakkos 2“ wird als MN 12 angesehen, und neue magnetostratigraphische Daten ergeben ein Alter von etwa 7,5 Ma. Dieses Alter bestätigt die Stellung desMesopithecus von Vathylakkos zwischen dem von Pikermi und dem von „Ravin des Zouaves 5“. Der Vergleich einiger Dentalindizes vonMesopithecus undCercopithecus machen es wahrscheinlich, dass die Funde aus Vathylakkos nur eine Art repräsentieren.

Bison remains from the Upper Siwaliks of Pakistan

Fossil remains ascribed to Bison cf. sivalensis are described in this paper. The material, discovered by the team of Palaeontology of the Punjab University, Lahore, Pakistan during the past few years comes from the Early – Middle Pliocene continental deposits of the Upper Siwaliks (Tatrot Formation, northern Pakistan) dated approximately from 3.3 to 2.6 Ma, and allows interesting comparisons with forms related to the origin of bisons. The new data significantly widens the timedistribution of the species and draws back the first appearance of Bison lineage in the Indian subcontinent.

Stable isotope ecology of Miocene bovids from northern Greece and the ape/monkey turnover in the Balkans

Eurasia was home to a great radiation of hominoid primates during the Miocene. All were extinct by the end of the Miocene in Western Eurasia. Here, we investigate the hypothesis of climate and vegetation changes at a local scale when the cercopithecoid Mesopithecus replaced the hominoid Ouranopithecus along the Axios River, Greece. Because they are herbivorous and were much more abundant than primates, bovids are preferred to primates to study climate change in the Balkans as a cause of hominoid extinction. By measuring carbon stable isotope ratios of bovid enamel, we conclude that Ouranopithecus and Mesopithecus both evolved in pure C3 environments. However, the large range of δ(13)C values of apatite carbonate from bovids combined with their molar microwear and mesowear patterns preclude the presence of dense forested landscapes in northern Greece. Instead, these bovids evolved in rather open landscapes with abundant grasses in the herbaceous layer. Coldest monthly estimated temperatures were below 10°C and warmest monthly temperatures rose close to or above 20°C for the two time intervals. Oxygen isotope compositions of phosphate from bulk samples did not show significant differences between sites but did show between-species variation within each site. Different factors influence oxygen isotope composition in this context, including water provenience, feeding ecology, body mass, and rate of amelogenesis. We discuss this latter factor in regard to the high intra-tooth variations in δ(18)Op reflecting important amplitudes of seasonal variations in temperature. These estimations fit with paleobotanical data and differ slightly from estimations based on climate models. This study found no significant change in climate before and after the extinction of Ouranopithecus along the Axios River. However, strong seasonal variations with relatively cold winters were indicated, conditions quite usual for extant monkeys but unusual for great apes distributed today in inter-tropical regions.

Taxonomic re-assessment and phylogenetic relationships of Miocene homonymously spiral-horned antelopes

A morphological reappraisal of Middle Miocene and Early Pliocene antelopes with homonymously twisted horncores (i.e., with the left horncore twisted clockwise from the base up) and an additional re-description of some critical Greek specimens allows a revision of the current taxonomy at the species and genus level. A parsimony analysis recognizes Hispanodorcas, Oioceros, Samodorcas, Samotragus, Paraoioceros, and Urmiatherium as distinct lineages of the subtribe Oiocerina. The latter emerged during the Astaracian (ca. 14–11.5 Ma), and radiated in Eurasia during the mid—late Vallesian (ca. 10–9 Ma), resulting in a great variety of genera with unique combinations of morpho-ecological adaptations. The suprageneric relationships of Oiocerina are poorly understood, but their closest ancestors possibly lie within or close to the Middle Miocene “hypsodontines”, and inside Antilopinae.

The Bovidae (mammalia, artiodactyla) of the “Nikiti-2” [NIK] faunal assemblage (chalkidiki peninsula, N. Greece)

The bovids from the Late Miocene locality Nikiti-2 (NIK), Macedonia, Greece, are described and compared with those from other Greek and Eurasian localities. Four taxa have been determined: Tragoportax aff. rugosifrons, Gazella aff. capricornis, Nisidorcas planicornis and cf. Ouzocerus . Comparison with the bovid assemblage from Nikiti-1 (NKT) shows interesting differences which are also discussed.

The Plio-Pleistocene Large Mammal Record of Greece: Implications for Early Human Dispersals into Europe

Extensive fieldwork and detailed studies during the last three decades have enriched our understanding of the Plio-Pleistocene large mammal record of Greece. While the unearthed material is abundant, it is not evenly distributed throughout the Plio-Pleistocene; therefore, there are time intervals in this period for which the known large mammal fauna is limited and our knowledge is poor. The Greek Plio-Pleistocene large mammal record reveals a paleoenvironmental transition from open woodlands in late Pliocene, to savannah-like landscape during the early Pleistocene, and to open grasslands during the late early Pleistocene. During this environmental shift, several taxa arrived in Greece in their westward expansion, whereas others made their last European appearance. The arrival of Homo in Europe is discussed in relation to the Greek faunal record. The available data cannot clearly distinguish between an African or an Asian origin, but the latter is supported by more evidence.

Skull reconstruction and ecology of Urmiatherium polaki (Bovidae, Mammalia) from the upper Miocene deposits of Maragheh, Iran

Study of a newly discovered cranial specimen of Urmiatherium polaki from Karaj Abad site in Maragheh, Iran, allows us to describe the complete skull and present a new diagnosis for this late Miocene mammal species. In the comparative study of the specimen we propose the relative position of the upper teeth as a reliable metrical method for discriminating bovids of similar size. Based on the available information, a skull reconstruction of Urmiatherium polaki is provided and its ecological profile is outlined. Both the cranial and dental features of U. polaki indicate a gregarious grazing bovid of medium size, adapted to uneven ground and exhibiting ramming as the predominant fighting behavior.KurzfassungStudie eines neu entdeckten Schädels Fragment von Urmiatherium polaki aus den späten Miozän von Maragheh im Iran erlaubt uns die Vollendung des Schädel Anatomie und die Diagnose dieser Säugertierart abzuschließen. Außerdem führen wir die relative Position der Oberkieferzähne als eine zuverlässige metrische Vergleichmethode zwischen Bovidae ähnlicher Größe. Auf Grundlage der verfügbaren Informationen präsentieren wir eine Rekonstruktion des Schädels und der Ökologie der Arten. Alle Anzeichen deuten U. polaki als gesellig Grazer von mittlerer Größe mit Rammen Kampfverhalten, angepasst an unebenen Untergrund.