Evolution of the European regional large mammals assemblages in the end of the Middle Pleistocene - The first half of the Late Pleistocene (MIS 6-MIS 4)

The Middle Pleistocene - Late Pleistocene transition of European large mammal's fauna (Proboscidea, Artio-dactyla, Perissodactyla, Carnivora, Hystrix and Castor) assemblages has been studied in 18 European regional faunal assemblages. This study is based on the data yielded from 423 palaeontological sites (758 localities) dated within interval of MIS 6-MIS 4. All the data was aggregated by 9 time intervals (time scale). For ten bioregions, we have been able to obtain descriptive models of evolution of their faunal assemblages. It allowed detecting common rules of changes in large mammals' fauna composition in Europe on the whole as well as changes in the distribution of individual species and their groups within the regions. We have studied the changes in biodi-versity parameters (Shannon index, index of self-organization) and Mourelle-Ezcurra species turnover index within MIS 6-MIS 4 time interval. The evolution of European fauna was compared for MIS 6-MIS 5 transition and MIS 2-MIS 1 transition as well as influence of change in global temperature on these transitions was described. In addition, we have showed the correlation between modern species richness with the species richness in MIS 6, MIS 5 and MIS 4 and proposed the hypothesis of historical succession of European bioregions.

Automated summary

This study investigates the transition of European large mammal fauna during the Middle Pleistocene-Late Pleistocene period by analyzing data across 18 European regional faunal assemblages. It examines changes in faunal composition, biodiversity parameters, and species turnover index within the MIS 6-MIS 4 time interval. Additionally, the study compares the evolution of European fauna during different transitions and explores the impact of global temperature changes on these transitions.