Krzysztof Stefaniak

Continuous 300,000-year fossil record: changes in the ornithofauna of Biśnik Cave, Poland

Biśnik Cave is situated in a limestone rock about 50 km northeast of Krakow, southern Poland. Its importance stems from the fact that it is one of the few sites in Europe, and the only one in Poland, with 300,000-year-long sequence of uninterrupted sediments, that cover the time span from before the Saalian to the Holocene. The excavations yielded about 200,000 animal bones and more than 4,000 stone, bone and antler artifacts. Bird remains from Biśnik Cave consist of nearly 1,600 skeletal fragments of at least 96 taxa that represent a minimum of 285 individuals. The majority of the remains belong to Galliformes; relatively numerous are also Corvidae, Falconiformes, Anseriformes and the genus Turdus. The remains include one extinct taxon (Falco tinnunculus atavus) and four species new for the Polish fossil avifauna (Aquila heliaca, Pinicola enucleator, Loxia pytyopsittacus and Carduelis flammea). Avian remains indicate a mosaic of various habitats in the surroundings of Biśnik Cave. Some kind of mature forest or at least sparsely growing trees, as well as water bodies, marshes, wet meadows, steppe and tundra habitats must have been present during the entire time of sedimentation. It is postulated that the Krakow-Czestochowa Upland was a local refugium for the forest fauna during the Saalian and Vistulian glaciations.

Two forms of cave lion: Middle Pleistocene Panthera spelaea fossilis REICHENAU, 1906 and Upper Pleistocene Panthera spelaea spelaea GOLDFUSS, 1810 from the Bisnik Cave, Poland

Two forms of cave lion Panthera spelaea GOLDFUSS, 1810: Middle Pleistocene Panthera spelaea fossilis REICHENAU, 1906 and Upper Pleistocene Panthera spelaea spelaea GOLDFUSS, 1810 are reported from the Bisnik Cave (Czþ estochowa Upland, Southern Poland). A detailed examination of tooth (particularly carnassials) and mandible morphology provides a basis to discuss the inferred size trend from the earlier, bigger P. s. fossilis to the smaller and more recent chronosubspecies P. s. spelaea. The original acquisition labels and detailed stratigraphy make it possible to place these finds within an updated stratigraphic and biochronological framework. The cave lion remains from the Bisnik Cave show that the large, primitive form fossilis was replaced by the more specialized form spelaea.

Early and Middle Pleistocene elk (Alcinae JERDON, 1874, Cervidae, Mammalia) from Poland

Three alcine species: Cervalces carnutorum (LAUGEL, 1862), Cervalces lati- frons (JOHNSON, 1874) and Alces alces LINNAEUS, 1758, were found in Early and Middle Pleistocene sites in Poland. The morphology of the teeth and limb bone fragments of the Early Pleistocene C. carnutorum fromabia Cave and the Middle Pleistocene C. latifrons from the Kozi Grzbiet are described in relation to Eurasian representatives of the Alcinae. The size of C. carnutorum was larger than typical forms of the species from localities in W. Europe. C. carnutorum differed from the other elk in its feeding adaptations and diet, and was similar to other cervids, though it was fully adapted to living in wetlands. A single tooth from Kozi Grzbiet has a size and structure typical of C. latifrons which was wide- spread in Holarctic in the Middle Pleistocene.

Genetic analysis of cave bear specimens from Niedźwiedzia Cave, Sudetes, Poland

The vast majority of fossil remains in Late Pleistocene deposits from Niedźwiedzia Cave in Kletno, Sudetes, Poland, belong to the cave bear. Phylogenetic analyses based on a fragment of the mitochondrial D-loop region extracted from two cave bear samples unambiguously showed their close relationship with the Ursus ingressus haplogroup. This taxonomic affiliation of the cave bear remains from Niedźwiedzia Cave was further confirmed by biometrical analyses of molar teeth and skulls. Our results represent the first record of U. ingressus north of the Carpathian Arch, while radiocarbon dating (> 49,000 yr BP) of the samples indicates that they represent some of the oldest specimens of this cave bear taxon known so far. Multi-method phylogenetic analyses including numerous publicly available cave bear sequences allowed analysing the relationships among these samples in details, including the significance of particular clades, and discussing some aspects of cave bear phylogeography. The sequences of U. ingressus from Poland are most closely related to specimens from the Ural Mountains and next to Slovenia, which may indicate migrations between Central and Eastern European populations. The internal placement of Ural samples among European specimens in phylogenetic trees and the older age of Polish samples than those from Urals suggest that the eastward expansion of U. ingressus may have started from Central Europe. Mateusz Baca (corresponding author). Center for Precolumbian Studies, University of Warsaw, Krakowskie Przedmieście 26/28, 00-927 Warsaw, Poland. bacamat@gmail.com Anna Stankovic. Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Science, Pawińskiego 5a, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland. anams@ibb.waw.pl Krzysztof Stefaniak. Department of Palaeozoology, Zoological Institute, University of Wrocław, Sienkiewicza 21, 50-335 Wrocław, Poland. stefanik@biol.uni.wroc.pl Adrian Marciszak. Department of Palaeozoology, Zoological Institute, University of Wrocław, Sienkiewicza 21, 50-335 Wrocław, Poland. caspian8@wp.pl Michael Hofreiter. Department of Biology (Area 2), The University of York, Wentworth Way, Heslington York, YO10 5DD, United Kingdom. michi@palaeo.eu Adam Nadachowski. Institute of Systematics and Evolution of Animals, Polish Academy of Sciences, Sławkowska 17, 31-016 Cracow, Poland. nadachowski@isez.pan.krakow.pl Piotr Węgleński. Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Science, Pawińskiego 5a, PE Article Number: 15.2.21A Copyright: Palaeontological Association July 2012 Submission: 8 September 2011. Acceptance: 5 June 2012 Baca, Mateusz, Stankovic, Anna, Stefaniak, Krzysztof, Marciszak, Adrian, Hofreiter, Michael, Nadachowski, Adam, Węgleński, Piotr, and Mackiewicz, Paweł. 2012. Genetic analysis of cave bear specimens from Niedźwiedzia Cave, Sudetes, Poland. Palaeontologia Electronica Vol. 15, Issue 2;21A,16p; palaeo-electronica.org/content/2012-issue-2-articles/263-cave-bears-from-poland BACA ET AL.: CAVE BEARS FROM POLAND 02-106 Warsaw, Poland. wegle@adm.uw.edu.pl Paweł Mackiewicz (corresponding author). Department of Genomics, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wrocław, Przybyszewskiego 63/77, 51-148 Wrocław, Poland. pamac@smorfland.uni.wroc.pl

Equids from Emine-Bair-Khosar Cave (Crimea, Ukraine): co-occurrence of the stenonid Equus hydruntinus and the caballoid E. ferus latipes based on skull and postcranial remains

The Late Pleistocene faunal assemblages excavated from the cave Emine-BairKhosar in the Chatyrdag Massif in the Crimean Mountains, Ukraine, contain about 250 equid remains. Detailed morphological analyses reveal the occurrence of the small, stenonid species Equus hydruntinus alongside a large, caballoid species identified as Equus ferus latipes. The presence in the assemblage of two extremely well-preserved skulls of Equus hydruntinus is highly significant and contributes much to our knowledge of this enigmatic Pleistocene species. These skulls, as well as a skull of Equus ferus latipes, are here described and compared to skulls of closely related species. The E. hydruntinus skulls stand out amongst related equids by their short muzzles, an adaptation to cold climatic conditions. Complete postcranial bones are also frequent in the sample for both species, with relatively robust longbones for Equus hydruntinus similar to those of other Late Pleistocene E. hydruntinus samples. The presence of a long-limbed form of Equus ferus latipes indicates that the environmental conditions under which the assemblage accumulated were relatively cool but favourable for equids. The relative abundances of the two species in the assemblage are in accordance with land use patterns documented for extant relatives. Eline N. van Asperen. Research Centre in Evolutionary Anthropology and Palaeoecology, School of Natural Sciences and Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool and Centre for Anatomical and Human Sciences, Hull York Medical School, University of York, United Kingdom envanasperen@palaeo.eu Krzysztof Stefaniak. Department of Palaeozoology, Zoological Institute, University of Wrocław, Wrocław, Poland stefanik@biol.uni.wroc.pl Iurii Proskurnyak. Department of Paleozoology and Paleontological Museum, National Museum of Natural History of the National Academy of Science of Ukraine, Kiev, Ukraine yra.shustrik@gmail.com Bogdan Ridush. Department of Physical Geography and Natural Management, Chernivtsi “Fedkovych” National University, Chernivtsi, Ukraine ridush@yahoo.com

Mammals from Solna Jama Cave

Mammals from Solna Jama Cave were parts of two main faunal assemblages. The earlier one, dated as MIS 3, included few bones of the Ursus ingressus and a single m2 of the huge Ursus arctos priscus. The later one, of postglacial age (MIS 1), was represented, among others, by the Canis lupus, Mustela eversmanii and Felis silvestris. The most impressive find, a skull and partial skeleton of a very large and robust Gulo gulo, is the only reliable Polish record of the species from postglacial period. The find expands the knowledge of the Sudetes fauna from the Pleistocene/Holocene boundary. Morphometric characteristics of carnivores, which greatly outnumbered the other mammal taxa in the site, showed some adaptation to cool climatic conditions. Adrian Marciszak. Department of Paleozoology, Institute of Environmental Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Wrocław, Sienkiewicza 21, 50-335 Wrocław, Poland. adrian.marciszak@uwr.edu.pl Wiktoria Gornig. Department of Paleozoology, Institute of Environmental Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Wrocław, Sienkiewicza 21, 50-335 Wrocław, Poland. wiktoria.gornig@uwr.edu.pl Krzysztof Stefaniak. Department of Paleozoology, Institute of Environmental Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Wrocław, Sienkiewicza 21, 50-335 Wrocław, Poland. krzysztof.stefaniak@uwr.edu.pl

Mineralization of teeth and bones of the cave bear (Ursus spelaeus) from the Biśnik Cave, Southern Poland

Mineralization of teeth and bones of the cave bear (Ursus spelaeus) from the Biśnik Cave, Southern Poland The studied bones and teeth of the cave bear (Ursus spelaeus) come from the Biśnik Cave, located in the Częstochowa Upland (Southern Poland). The specimens originate from different geological layers formed since the Odra Glaciation (250-270 thousand years BP). The fossilized bones and teeth were studied using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, FTIR spectroscopy, and INAA. They are built of recrystallized carbonate-rich apatite-(CaOH) and/or apatite-(CaOH). The teeth additionally contain some apatite-(CaF). The lack of collagen and minor REE contents suggest rapid burial and collagen decay in the early stage of diagenesis. The bones and teeth have only limited mineral infillings. In some teeth, Mn-Fe (hydroxy)oxides were found in the dentine canaliculi and in bones, some osteocyte lacunae contain Fe (hydroxy)oxides with admixture of Mn. In one bone specimen, calcite infillings are present in Haversian canals. The infillings formed during later stages of diagenesis and were succeeded by non-filled cracks.

A new record of Gobius jarosi (Teleostei, Gobiidae) from the Early Miocene of Poland with inference to paleogeography and palaeoecology of the Carpathian Basin

Abstract Gobies (family Gobiidae) were in the past and now important components of marine ecosystems as an essential part of the food chain. However, the early fossil record of this group is relatively meager, with only scarce skeletal remains. The oldest known representative of the genus Gobius has been recently described from the Early Miocene of Czech Republic as Gobius jarosi Přikryl & Reichenbacher, 2018. Here we present a detailed study of a well-preserved goby skeleton of the same age from the Harta locality (Poland). This specimen is assumed as belonging to Gobius jarosi based on its almost complete morphological and meristic identity with the type material from the Vážany nad Litavou locality. Some aspects of the paleogeography and paleoecology of the Early Miocene fish assemblage from Harta with special reference to the Carpathian Basin are also discussed in this paper.

Large mammals from historical collections of open-air sites of Silesia (southern Poland) with special reference to carnivores and rhinoceros

Abstract The information presented here is based on 174 sites; it is a result of a detailed historical collection revision of materials from Silesia and also the first comprehensive paper after the early German and Polish compilations. Though our work includes both quantitative and qualitative updates, it is neither exhaustive nor complete. It is very likely that many finds have not yet been reported to scientific institutions or museums, or else remain in private collections. The localities concerned are dominated by remains found under or within alluvial deposits of the last glaciation or in the context of loess sediments. Most of the documented remains are from the Late Pleistocene. Cold-adapted members of steppe-tundra faunal assemblages, such as Mammuthus primigenius, Equus ferus, Coelodonta antiquitatis, Rangifer tarandus, Ovibos moschatus, and Bison priscus dominate. Most artiodactyls were found in alluvial sediments, in bogs or swamps, while carnivores are represented only by isolated remains. The location of faunal assemblages and isolated finds shows the importance of river valleys as migrations routes. Silesia stretches along the Odra River, which runs in a roughly south-north direction, and connects the Sudety Mts and the Głubczyce Plateau with the wide, open lowlands of Eastern Germany and Western Poland.

Impact of climatic changes in the Late Pleistocene on migrations and extinction of mammals in Europe: four case studies

Climate changes that occurred during the Late Pleistocene have profound effects on the distribution of many plant and animal species and influenced the formation of contemporary faunas and floras of Europe. The course and mechanisms of responses of species to the past climate changes are now being intensively studied by the use of direct radiocarbon dating and genetic analyses of fossil remains. Here, we review the advances in understanding these processes by the example of four mammal species: woolly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius), cave bear (Ursus spelaeus s. l.), saiga antelope (Saiga tatarica) and collared lemmings (Dicrostonyx ssp.). The cases discussed here as well as others show that the migrations, range shifts and local extinctions were the main responses to climate changes and that the dynamics of these climate driven processes were much more profound than it was previously thought. Each species reacted by its individual manner, which depended on its biology and adaptation abilities to the changing environment and climate conditions. The most severe changes in European ecosystems that affected the largest number of species took place around 33–31 ka BP, during the Last Glacial Maximum 22–19 ka BP and the Late Glacial warming 15–13 ka BP.