M.R. Palombo

BIOCHRONOLOGY OF SELECTED MAMMALS, MOLLUSCS AND OSTRACODS FROM THE MIDDLE PLIOCENE TO THE LATE PLEISTOCENE IN ITALY. THE STATE OF THE ART

The Authors have elaborated four range charts of mammalian (large and micro), molluscs and fresh-water and brackish ostracodes faunas, for the selected Plio-Pleistocene fossiliferous localities of the Italy. A new Mammal Age (Aurelian) correlatable to late Middle and Late Pleistocene has been defined. Inside this age two Faunal Units (Torre in Pietra and Vitinia) have been defined as characteristic for Early and Middle Aurelian, while no gisements have been chosen for the late Aurelian. Biochronological units are calibrated on magnetostratigraphic and isotopic scales and by radiometric datings.

LATE-MIDDLE PLEISTOCENE MAMMAL FAUNAS OF LATIUM (CENTRAL ITALY): STRATIGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENT

Abstract Mammal faunas referred to the late-Middle Pleistocene have been known for a long time from Latium, especially from the ‘Bassa Campagna Romana’, where the explosive products of the Sabatinian and Alban volcanic districts are interbedded with sedimentary cycles, that represent alluvial fills. The faunas have been examined by several authors but discordant opinions have been expressed about the age of the beds where the faunas were found. The faunal associations of Castel di Guido-La Polledrara-Malagrotta, Riano Flaminio and Torre in Pietra (lower beds) belong to the first sedimentary cycle named the Aurelia Formation, which is related to oxygen isotope stage 9. The character of these faunas suggests several cool-temperate oscillations within this stage and the presence of an open environment along the coast, whereas, inland, deciduous forests, indicating moist temperate conditions, were present. The associations of Torre in Pietra (upper beds), Vitinia, and Sedia del Diavolo are referred to a second sedimentary cycle, named the ‘Vitinia Formation’, related to oxygen isotope stage 7; these associations are modern in character, and are generally dominated by fallow deer. The climatic conditions were warm-temperate and wet, with an expansion of thermophilous forests.