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The paper presents new data on brackish-water Upper Pliocene and Lower Pleistocene deposits that were studied in the Demirkent (Kars) and Pekecik (Erzurum) sections, NE Turkey. The Demirkent section is situated in the southwestern slope of the Shirak Late Cenozoic intermontane basin near the Turkish-Armenian border. The Pekecik section is situated to the SW of the Demirkent in the southwestern slope of the Horasan intermontane basin. Both sections are composed of clays, silts, and poorly cemented fine-grained sandstones and contain the brackish-water dinocysts of the Akchagylian type. The age of the deposits is determined by combined analysis of associations of molluscs and small mammals, palynological spectra, including dinocysts and algae, and magnetostratigraphic data. The Demirkent and Pekecik sections are dated to the Late Pliocene (Piacenzian). The maximum spread of the Akchagylian transgression influenced the inland areas of NE Turkey prior to the early Gelasian. The pollen spectra demonstrate progressive aridisation during sedimentation of the lower part of the Demirkent section and the wetter and cooler climate during sedimentation of the lower part of the Pekecik section. The analysis of brackish-water dinocysts and fresh-water algae in different beds of the Demirkent section indicates gradual freshening of the basin probably due to the sea level fall. In the Pekecik section, the brackish-water dinocysts are found in the lower part that is covered by the lignite-bearing layers without signs of marine influence. Recent altitudes of the Akchagylian brackish-water deposits give a possibility to estimate magnitudes and average rates of the Quaternary uplift of the western Lesser Caucasus. The elevation of the Upper Pliocene deposits of Demirkent and Pekecik sections shows the uplift rate of ca. 0.6–0.7 mm per year during 2.6 Ma.

The herpetofauna of the late Miocene age in Turkey is nearly unknown, as it is represented by a single known anguine assemblage from the latest Miocene of Suleymanli locality. The amphibians and reptiles from the three early late Miocene (MN 9) localities of Bayraktepe 2, Kutahya, and Altintas in Anatolia are described here. One amphibian (Latonia spp.) and five squamate (Pseudopus sp., Varanus sp., Colubrinae indet. 1 and 2, and Naja sp.) taxa are revealed. The Bayraktepe 2 and Kutahya localities are dominated by anuran remains, and exclusively Latonia, whereas the Altintas locality is represented by reptilian taxa. Although the material is relatively poor, it provides the first information about the late Miocene assemblage of amphibians and reptiles in Turkey. The records of Naja and Varanus from Altintas are currently the oldest records of these taxa in Anatolia., Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR) [AAAA-A19 -119020590095-9]; [19-04-00514], This work was supported by the government theme [AAAA-A19 -119020590095-9]; the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR) [19-04-00514].

A material of Mioproteus wezei is described from the Plevaka locality of Taman Peninsula in Russia. It represents the most abundant material on the species to date that facilitates the discussion on its taxonomic status. The record of M. wezei from the Taman Peninsula apparently suggests a wide geographic range of the species in Europe during the Pliocene.

Majority of researchers consider the Arabian-Caucasus region as a corridor for migration of earliest hominins from their African motherland to Eurasia. The paper is devoted to geological position of main stratified localities of the earliest Paleolithic industries in the Arabian-Caucasus region and estimation of environment of creators of these industries. The following early Paleolithic localities are analyzed: ‘Ubeidiya in Israel, middle Orontes River, Halabiyeh-Zalabiyeh area in the Euphrates River valley, and Ain al Fil in Syria, Dursunlu in Central Turkey, Sambayat, Bostancik, Eskimalatya, and Kovancilar in Eastern Turkey, Karakhach, Muradovo, Agvoric, and Jradzor in NW Armenia, Dmanisi in Southern Georgia, the Azykh cave in Nagornyi Karabakh, Muhkai II in Dagestan, and Kermek in the Taman Peninsula. The evolution of large and small mammals and palynological data on changes of vegetation from the Late Pliocene to the early Middle Pleistocene are studied to determine the age of the earliest Paleolithic industries and climatic conditions of that epoch. Combined analysis of paleontological, paleomagnetic and radio-isotopic data and geological correlation of the sections available for the Halabiyeh-Zalabiyeh, Sambayat, Kovancilar, Karakhach, Dmanisi, Muhkai II, and Kermek localities shows that their age is ranged in time interval ca. 2.0–1.7 Ma. The 1.7–1.6 Ma age of the lowest layers of ‘Ubeidiya with Oldowan-type artefacts probably marks the end of this epoch. Removal of topographic effects of the late Calabrian and younger tectonic uplifts and offsets on major strike-slip faults shows that the topography of the late Gelasian – early Calabrian was much lower and less differentiated and main river systems were more passable than in the present time. The climate of the end of Gelasian was wet and relatively warm, with meadow-steppe and forest-steppe savanna-type vegetation in basins and valleys and coniferous and coniferous–broad-leaved forests in the mountains. Abundance of vegetation was supported by water resources of numerous rivers, lakes, and springs in the intermountain basins and valleys that were controlled partly by fault activity. This stimulated abundance of herbivorous mammals. In spite of relative aridisation at the beginning of Calabrian, vegetation continued to be freely available for herbivores. Hominin dispersal into the region was supported by rich resources of herbivores during the late Gelasian – early Calabrian time.

Small fossil vertebrates from several Pliocene and Pleistocene localities in Central Anatolia (Turkey) are reviewed. Data on small mammals represent assemblages from the early Pliocene (MN 14: Nasrettinhoca 1, 2 and Hamamkarahisar A, B), and late Pliocene (MN 16: Hoyhoytepe 1, 2, 3 and Mercan 1); Early Pleistocene (MN 17: Mercan 2), and Middle Pleistocene (MQ 1/MQ 2: Yenişarbademli). The biochronology related characters of arvicolines Promimomys, Mimomys, Microtus, Lagurus and Clethrionomys are briefly discussed. Data on the systematics of fossil amphibians and reptiles is also described from these localities. The early Pliocene (MN 14) assemblages significantly add to knowledge on the herpetofaunal composition of this stratigraphic level, which until now was poorly characterized in Turkey. Remains of Pelobatidae, Bufonidae, Ranidae, Amphisbaenia and Natricinae are reported for the first time from the MN 14 biozone of Turkey. Palaeobatrachus from Mercan 1 extends the temporal range of this group in the Eastern Mediterranean into the late Pliocene. The described remains of amphibians and reptiles from Turkey span a considerable stratigraphic range from the early Pliocene to the Middle Pleistocene (time interval of about 5 Ma) and partly fill a gap in the palaeoherpetofaunal record of the Eastern Mediterranean.

A new record of the genus Naja Laurenti, 1768 is described from the latest Miocene of Solnechnodolsk locality in Russia. It is assigned to N. romani (Hoffstetter, 1939), the largest European cobra, which disappeared in Europe before the end of the Miocene. The record of N. romani is the first evidence of the survival of cobras to the latest Miocene of Eastern Europe, which points to the existence of a Caucasian refugium during the late Miocene. The large size of the vertebra of the cobra from Solnechnodolsk indicates that it belonged to one of the largest specimens of this taxon. Naja romani from Solnechnodolsk represents the first record of cobras in Russia and the Northern Black Sea area, contributing to the knowledge of ancient biodiversity of the region and suggesting a wider range for the genus. Naja romani was a thermophilous snake that indicates a subtropical character of the Solnechnodolsk fauna.

Studies in paleomagnetism, structural geology, and paleontology (mammals, molluscs, palynology) in the coastal sections of the Taman Peninsula north-eastern part (2017–18) resulted in definition of three sedimentary members. The sandy and clayey lower member (I) formed at 2.1–1.7 Ma. It contains a normally magnetised zone within deposits of reversed polarity correlated to the Olduvai Subchron and the Matuyama Chron. The middle member (II) is composed of the basal pebbles overlain by sands. The reversely magnetised deposits hosting the Sinyaya Balka site, the type locality of the Tamanian faunal complex, is correlated to the basal bed of the middle member II. The overlying sands are normally magnetised (Jaramillo Subchron) in the lower part and show reverse polarity (late Matuyama Chron) in the upper part. The member II is dated in the range of 1.3–0.78 Ma. The silty upper member (III) represents Middle-Late Pleistocene. The dissimilar displacement degree of the members reflect developmental stages of the Quaternary deformation. The member I is characterised by dip angles up to 70° is fragmented by faults into blocks. The member II filled the relief of the eroded surface of the Member I and also displaced by faults. The faulting separated the bone-bearing body of the Taman faunal complex as a rock land-slide. The attitude of the member III outline an anticline with a gentle south-western and a steeper north-eastern limbs eroded by land-slides and marine abrasion. During its entire life the anticline was affected by mud volcanism. The anticline continues its development at the present stage.

Studies in paleomagnetism, structural geology, and paleontology (mammals, mollusks, palynology) in the coastal sections of the Taman Peninsula north-western part (2017–18) resulted in definition of three sedimentary sequences. The sandy and clayey lower sequence (I) formed at 2.1–1.7 Ma. It contains a normally magnetised zone within deposits of reversed polarity correlated to the Olduvai Subchron and the Matuyama Chron. The middle sequence (II) is composed of the basal pebbles overlain by sands. The reversely magnetised deposits hosting the Sinyaya Balka site, the type locality of the Tamanian faunal complex, is correlated to the basal bed of the middle sequence II. The overlying sands are normally magnetised (Jaramillo Subchron) in the lower part and show reverse polarity (late Matuyama Chron) in the upper part. The sequence II is dated in the range of 1.3–0.78 Ma. The silty upper sequence (III) represents Middle-Late Pleistocene. The dissimilar displacement degree of the sequences reflect developmental stages of the Quaternary deformation. The sequence I is characterised by dip angles up to 70° is fragmented by faults into blocks. The sequence II filled the relief of the eroded surface of the sequence Member I and also displaced by faults. The faulting separated the bone-bearing body of the Taman faunal complex as a rock land-slide. The attitude of the member III outline an anticline with a gentle south-western and a steeper north-eastern limbs eroded by land-slides and marine abrasion. During its entire life the anticline was affected by mud volcanism. The anticline continues its development at the present stage.

Two names (Clethrionomys and Myodes) are used interchangeably for red-backed voles, which is contrary to one of the fundamental principles of zoological nomenclature, that each taxon has a single and unique valid name. Fixation of Mus lemmus Linnaeus, 1758, as the type of Myodes Pallas, 1811, meets the requirements stipulated in the Article 69.1.1 of the 4th edition of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, and is therefore valid. Hence, the genus group name Myodes is a junior synonym of Lemmus Link, 1795, and is not available for red-backed voles. The oldest valid name for red-backed voles is Clethrionomys Tilesius, 1850, with the type species (Mus rutilus Pallas, 1779) subsequently designated by Palmer (1928).

The new basal ursine bear, Ballusia zhegalloi n. sp., is described from the Early Miocene Tagay 1 locality (Baikal region, Russia) based on isolated M1. Previously described maxillary fragment with...

The Kosika locality is situated on the lowest terrace of the Enotayevka River (right channel of the Volga River) near Kosika village, in the Astrakhan region of the Russian Federation. This locality includes several sections, named Kosika 1–4 and Borehole 2 Kosika that are described in detail for the first time. Drilling, sediment descriptions, and sampling were performed during the 2008–2015 field seasons. Application of complex biostratigraphical methods and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dates were used to reconstruct the Neopleistocene (Middle-Late Pleistocene) palaeoenvironment in the Lower Volga area. During the Tyurkyan Period (at the early beginning of the Neopleistocene), regression of the Apsheronian Sea began. Lithological features and the presence of freshwater molluscs demonstrate that deposits accumulated in rivers and lakes under humid climatic conditions. Molluscs, ostracods, and dinoflagellates inhabited the Baku Sea. Climate was arid at the beginning of this period and humid during a later phase. Several changes affecting the marine and fluvial environments characterise the Early Khazar period. In particular, the climate oscillated from humid conditions at the beginning to an arid state, then returned to a more humid setting at the end of this period. These changes are indicated by palynological and malacological data. Regression of the Early Khazar Sea occurred during Singil time, when rivers, lakes, and limans (lagoons) existed. Large mammals inhabited plains that were covered by extensive vegetation. The climate during this period was humid and slightly cooler than the present day climate. Late Khazar and Khvalyn transgressions occurred during the Late Neopleistocene. When the Late Khazar Sea retreated from the territory, river valleys became the dominant landscape feature. Floodplains of Late Khazar rivers became sites of deposition of loamy and sandy material emplaced during flood events. At the end of this regressive period, the climate was arid and dry enough to allow for accumulation of anhydrite sediment in shallow lagoons and lakes. Afterwards, the Khvalyn transgression began, as indicated by the occurrence of specific key mollusc species. Fluvial-marine deposits formed geological bodies representative of an undersea delta, which in relief form the Baer Knolls. The modern Volga valley was formed during the Holocene.

This work presents the history of study of the Neopleistocene Singil deposits, results of analysis the drilling data, and different points of view on the stratigraphy of reference sections of the Lower Volga Region. A large volume of drilling core data indicate that the Singil deposits lie between the Lower Khazar and Upper Khazar deposits, which contradicts a traditional point of view that they lie under the Khazar deposits. As an analysis of faunistical data shows a high level of similarity between the Singil and Khazar assemblages of mammals, it is proposed to consider the Singil mammal assemblage as an analog of the Khazar faunistical assemblage, probably its early phase. The main conclusion of our research is that the accumulation of the Singil deposits occurred at the terminal regressive stage of the Early Khazar basin.

The Pliocene–Quaternary paleogeography of the Euphrates River valley changed due to sinistral movements on the East-Anatolian Fault Zone (EAFZ) and the Taurus Ridge rise by movements on the South-Taurus Thrust. Evidence of these changes is based on studies of the Pliocene–Quaternary deposits of the Euphrates River basin to the north and to the south of the Taurus Ridge and the Late Cenozoic deformation including offsets on the EAFZ. Combination of methods was used to date the Pliocene–Quaternary deposits. It includes geological and geomorphic analysis and correlation of sections, determination of remanent magnetization, paleontological and archaeological finds, pollen analysis, and K-Ar dating of volcanic rocks. To the north of the Taurus Ridge, the Late Miocene tectonic depressions were filled by lakes connected by braided streams. In the Early Pliocene, the Euphrates and Murat river valleys formed and the Euphrates flew to the south westwards of its recent position, via the graben-like trough of the Sultan-Suyu River valley and farther to the Erikdere that are recent Euphrates tributaries. The flow was interrupted later because of some desiccation and rise of the Taurus Ridge. The flow recommenced in the end Gelasian – early Calabrian via the Goksu-Cayi and Erikdere valleys consecutively and was interrupted again. At the end of Calabrian (∼0.8–0.9 Ma), the Euphrates waters found the recent way via the Taurus Ridge and the former upstream bottoms of the Euphrates and its tributaries valleys became a vast upper terrace. After this, the Taurus Ridge rose by more than 330 m. Lower terraces were formed because of the tectonic uplift that was more intense to the north of the Taurus Ridge (0.13–0.16 mm/year), than to the south of it (0.1 mm/year). The new-formed segment of the Euphrates valley was offset on the EAFZ at 12 km that gives the slip rate of 13–15 mm/year.

A new arhizodont arvicoline rodent is described from early Pleistocene deposits of Barranco de los Conejos and Barranco del Paso in the Guadix–Baza Basin of southern Spain. The molars of Orcemys appear to represent a paedomorphic origination from a large rhizodont Mimomys. A few dental characters of Orcemys are superficially similar to those of the lagurines, but the presence of sparse cementum in reentrant folds and a Mimomys-kante formed opposite T5 on the first lower molar clearly identify Orcemys as an arvicoline. The character mosaic of Orcemys is unique among large early Pleistocene voles and the dentition of a potential ancestor probably resembled that of Mimomys medasensis with a tendency towards simplification. With Tibericola vandermeuleni and Mimomys oswaldoreigi, Orcemys represents one of the earliest experiments with arhizodonty among European voles. Including Mimomys medasensis at Barranco del Paso, this set of arvicolids redefines a previously recognized early Pleistocene MmQ1 biozone in Spain.

[No abstract available], ???? ??????????????? ???????????? (????): 111Y192 Türkiye Bilimler Akademisi, The authors are grateful to the support of the international bilateral project between The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) and The Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR) with grant number of 111Y192 . We are grateful to J.D. Gardner (Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology) for reading and improving an earlier version of the manuscript. M.C. Alçiçek is indebted to the GEBİP grant (The Outstanding Young Scientist Award) given by the Turkish Academy of Sciences (TÜBA).

Late Miocene continental deposits overlying the Khersonian marine sediments near the city of Maikop bordering the Belaya River (North Caucasus) yielded a diverse biotic record including palynology, ostracods, fresh-water and terrestrial molluscs, fishes, amphibians and reptiles, birds, and mammals. The obtained data indicate predominantly wooded landscapes along the banks of a large fresh-water estuarine or lagoonal basin with occasional connection with the sea. The basin existed in a warm temperate to subtropical climate with a high humidity and an estimated mean annual precipitation above 800 mm. The mammalian assemblage with Hipparion spp., Alilepus sp., Paraglirulus schultzi, Eozapus intermedius, Parapodemus lugdunensis, Collimys caucasicus sp. nov., Neocricetodon cf. progressus, etc. is referable to the early Turolian, MN 11. The data regarding composition and stage of evolution of the small mammal content combined with mostly normal polarity of the fossiliferous deposits, and the age estimates of the upper Khersonian boundary as between 8.6 and 7.9 Ma indicate a plausible correlation with Chron C4n and an age range between 8.1–7.6 Ma.

New data on the stratigraphy, faults, and formation history of lower to middle Pleistocene rocks in Late Cenozoic basins of northwestern Armenia are presented. It has been established that the low-mountain topography created by tectonic movements and volcanic activity existed in the region by the onset of the Pleistocene. The manifestations of two geodynamic structure-forming factors became clear in Pleistocene: (i) collisional interaction of plates due to near-meridional compression and (ii) deep tectogenesis and magma formation expressed in the distribution of vertical movements and volcanism. The general uplift of the territory, which was also related to deep processes, reached 350–500 m in basins and 600–800 m in mountain ranges over the last 0.5 Ma. The early Pleistocene (~1.8 Ma) low- and medium-mountain topography has been reconstructed by subtraction of the latest deformations and uplift of the territory. Ancient human ancestry appeared at that time.

An integrated study of the loess–soil sequence in the coastal exposure near the settlement of Beglitsa (Rostov oblast) allowed us, for the first time, to reconstruct the landscape-climatic changes that occurred in the eastern Azov region over the course of the Late Pleistocene. In the south of the periglacial zone, considerable differences between intensity of the loess accumulation in the Early and Late Valdai Cryochrons were revealed. In the Early Valdai Epoch, which corresponds roughly to the end of Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 5 and MIS 4, loess accumulation occurred after completion of development of the Mezin pedocomplex and before the beginning of the Bryansk stage of soil development, i.e., over more than 20 000 years. In the much shorter Late Valdai Cryochron MIS 2 (10 000–12 000 years), loess accumulation reached 5 m. The data evaluation shows that the loess accumulation rates in the Early Valdai Epoch (~0.07 mm/year) and the Late Valdai Epoch (~0.5 mm/year) differ from each other by an order of magnitude.

Bouchal, Johannes Martin/0000-0002-4241-9075; Boulton, Sarah/0000-0002-8251-0025; Bilgin, Melike/0000-0003-4047-2865; Mayda, Serdar/0000-0001-5432-3559; HALACLAR, KAZIM/0000-0002-4990-9851, WOS: 000502451700002, Terrestrial fossil records from the SW Anatolian basins are crucial both for regional correlations and palaeoenvironmental reconstructions. By reassessing biostratigraphic constraints and incorporating new fossil data, we calibrated and reconstructed the late Neogene and Quaternary palaeoenvironments within a regional palaeogeographical framework. the culmination of the Taurides in SW Anatolia was followed by a regional crustal extension from the late Tortonian onwards that created a broad array of NE-trending orogen-top basins with synchronic associations of alluvial fan, fluvial and lacustrine deposits. the terrestrial basins are superimposed on the upper Burdigalian marine units with a c. 7 myr of hiatus that corresponds to a shift from regional shortening to extension. the initial infill of these basins is documented by a transition from marginal alluvial fans and axial fluvial systems into central shallow-perennial lakes coinciding with a climatic shift from warm/humid to arid conditions. the basal alluvial fan deposits abound in fossil macro-mammals of an early Turolian (MN11-12; late Tortonian) age. the Pliocene epoch in the region was punctuated by subhumid/humid conditions resulting in a rise of local base levels and expansion of lakes as evidenced by marsh-swamp deposits containing diverse fossil mammal assemblages indicating late Ruscinian (late MN15; late Zanclean) age. A second pulse of extension, accompanied by regional climatic changes, prompted subsequent deepening of the lakes as manifested by thick and laterally extensive carbonate successions. These lakes, which prevailed c. 1 myr, later shrank due to renewed progradation of alluvial fans and eventually filled up and dried out, reflected by marsh-swamp deposits at the top of a complete lacustrine succession that contains diverse micro-mammal assemblages indicating a latest Villanyian (MN17; Gelasian) age. A third pulse of tectonic reorganisation and associated extension dissected the basins into their present-day configuration from the early Pleistocene onwards under warm/humid climatic conditions. the new age data provide means to correlate deposits across various basins in the region that help to place the basin development into a regional tectonic framework, which can be attributed to the consequence of the well-articulated regional phenomena of slab-tear/detachment-induced uplift followed by crustal extension and basin formation (late Tortonian), the outward extension of the Aegean arc (early Pliocene) and eventually accompanied by westward extrusion of the Anatolian Plate (early Pleistocene).

Mayda, Serdar/0000-0001-5432-3559; ANDRIEU-PONEL, Valerie/0000-0001-7044-967X, WOS: 000508492400005, The early Pleistocene travertines from Kocaba in the Denizli Basin (SW Turkey), from which the only known Homo erectus from Anatolia derives, are covered by a succession of lake deposits. So far, the taphonomic history of the site has precluded a detailed palaeoecological analysis. This paper details the sedimentary succession and palaeoenvironmental conditions by analysing the micro- and macro palaeontological species compositions. These data provide direct evidence of the opportunities and limiting factors of the environment inhabited by hominins during the early Pleistocene. Four distinctive lithostratigraphic units are recognized in the Quaternary succession, consisting of: Lower Travertine, Lower Conglomerates, Upper Travertine, and Upper Conglomerates. These units correspond to an alternation of lacustrine limestone, fluvial-lacustrine siliciclastic deposits and subaerially precipitated travertine accumulations. the age of the succession is constrained by cosmogenic nuclide concentration, palaeomagnetic measurements and large mammal biostratigraphy which suggest deposition occurred between similar to 1.6 and 1.2 Ma. the travertine succession contains a moderately diverse macromammal fauna, including Homo erectus, decapod crustaceans and leaf imprints. the herbivore association likely dwelled in a mixed landscape during temperate and humid climatic conditions, supported by negative delta O-18 values from analysed gastropod and bivalve shells. the presence of an anomalohaline lake is indicated by an abundant and well-preserved ostracod community, consisting of alkaline tolerant taxa and freshwater genera further supported by the presence of cardiid bivalves. (C) 2019 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved., Scientific and Technological Research Council of TurkeyTurkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK); French Scientific Research National Center (CNRS) [TUBITAK-CNRS 110Y335]; Turkish Academy of Sciences (TUBA)Turkish Academy of Sciences; Alexander-von-Humboldt fellowshipAlexander von Humboldt Foundation, This study would not have been possible without the help and access throughout the year by the management of the Faber Quarry. in particular, we thank Haydar Alptekin, Koray Ates and LINT. Korkmaz, and the director Nejdet Karakuyu for their support. We further thank John Kappelman (University of Texas) for his constructive and helpful advice. the study was supported by international bilateral cooperation project between the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey and the French Scientific Research National Center (CNRS; PICS program "First Human in Turkey" 2016-2018), research grant no. TUBITAK-CNRS 110Y335. This paper contributes to the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation Program PRIDE ("Pontocaspian Rise and Demise"). M.C.A. is grateful to the Turkish Academy of Sciences (TUBA) for a GEBIP (Young Scientist Award) grant. T.A.N. was supported by an Alexander-von-Humboldt fellowship.

The Quaternary stratigraphy and tectonic development of the southern Javakheti Upland and the adjacent Upper Akhurian and Lori uplifted basins in NW Armenia (Lesser Caucasus) and geological position of the early and middle Acheulian lithic industries were studied using a multi-method approach. Studies of sedimentary sections, petrological and geochemical correlation of lavas and tuffs, K–Ar dating of volcanic rocks and SIMS 238U–206Pb dating of tuffs, examination of obtained fossils and pollen analysis, and determination of remanent magnetic polarity of volcanic rocks and clastic sediments have been used to compile the stratigraphic scheme and to estimate the age of units. The low-mountain topography was differentiated to ridges and basins to the beginning of Quaternary. The eruptions of basalts and basaltic andesites evened topography of the Upper Akhurian and Lori basins in the Gelasian. The lava flows spread along big river valleys at tens of kilometers. At the late Gelasian, the eruptions of basaltic trachyandesites, trachyandesites and dacites replaced the basaltic eruptions. The latter dammed the Akhurian River flowing to the south and the upper Akhurian River found the flowing to the east via the valley-like depression of the Karakhach Pass to the Dzoraghet-Debed valley. The course-grained tuffaceous-clastic Karakhach unit was deposited during the Olduvai subchron (not earlier than 1.9–1.85 Ma) and the earliest Calabrian. The water transit between the Upper Akhurian and Lori basins was interrupted later because of rise of the Karakhach Pass. Volcanic activity renewed for a short time in the early Calabrian (∼1.7 and 1.5–1.4 Ma). The end Calabrian and earliest Middle Pleistocene sedimentation (∼1–0.5 Ma) occurred in stagnant water, partly lacustrine conditions. This was expressed by formation of the relatively fine-grained Kurtan unit. During the last ∼0.5 Ma, the region underwent flexure-fault deformation and tectonic uplift at 350–800 m. The epoch of formation of the Karakhach unit was characterized by middle mountain topography and humid climate. Not later than 1.85 Ma, the region was occupied by the earliest hominines producing lithic industries of the Early Acheulian aspect. They contained crude hand-axes and other macro-tools, made of local dacite and basalt (sites of Karakhach, Muradovo and Agvorik). Early appearance of these industries might be caused by natural parting of dacite and basalt to tabulated fragments that gave a possibility to make such macro-tools. The Middle Acheulian artifacts were found in the Kurtan I section of the Kurtan unit.

Recent study on Lasiopodomys (Stenocranius) gregalis has revealed four clear mitochondrial lineages with differences exceeding the species level. The most divergent is the clade from south-eastern Transbaikalia. Multilocus (six nuclear genes), morphological (dental characters of m1 and M3) and behavioural (breeding experiments) analyses were conducted to test the hypothesis that L. gregalis is a complex of two cryptic species. All of the applied methods distinguish the independent status of voles from south-eastern Transbaikalia. This clade occupies a portion of the distribution range of the currently valid subspecies L. g. raddei including its terra typica. According to the results of cyt b analysis, the lectotype of L. g. raddei belongs to the Transbaikal clade. We re-establish the species status for the taxon Lasiopodomys raddei including populations from south-eastern Transbaikalia, as a cryptic species of the narrow-headed vole complex.

The discovery of the Early Pleistocene sites of Bogatyri/Sinyaya Balka and Rodniki 1 on the Taman Peninsula in western Ciscaucasia led to the recognition of a distinctive “Tamanian industry”, with a time-range of 1.6–1.2 Ma, and with characteristics that are transitional between Oldowan and Acheulean (“Archaic Acheulean”). The site of Kermek was discovered by V.E. Shchelinsky in 2008 during investigation of the older Lower Pleistocene sediments exposed in the coastal cliff of the Sea of Azov in the vicinity of previously studied sites. In this paper, we present preliminary data from a multidisciplinary study of the Early Pleistocene site of Kermek, situated near to the sites of Bogatyri/Sinyaya Balka and Rodniki 1, but which is significantly older. This site is connected with a well-studied Early Pleistocene (late Kujalnikian) fluviatile-shallow marine sequence. These reverse magnetized deposits are characterized by freshwater and brackish water mollusks (with Dreissena theodori), and by a small mammal fauna (with Allophaiomys deucalion), and are dated to the latest Gelasian or early Calabrian ca. 2.1–1.8 Ma. The lithic industry from the site can be attributed to the Classic Oldowan but with distinctive local features that include indications of “advanced technologies” such as the manufacture of large flakes and picks. In this respect, this industry is assumed to have been a genetic precursor of the later Early Pleistocene Tamanian industry, which has a well pronounced Acheulean component.

An aminostratigraphical study was undertaken to provide an independent test of the veracity of the East European Mammal zonation. This important biostratigraphical scheme was originally defined from reference sites in the Azov/Black Sea region of southern Russia, but is now widely used to correlate late Neogene and Quaternary sediments across much of Europe and western Asia. As well as yielding a series of mammal assemblages, these reference sites, which range in age from the late Pliocene (Piacenzian ca. 3.0 Ma) to Late Pleistocene (0.1 Ma), also contain calcitic opercula of two genera (Bithynia and Parafossarulus) of freshwater gastropod snails that are suitable for amino acid dating. The intra-crystalline protein decomposition (IcPD) of four amino acids (aspartic acid, alanine, valine, and glutamic acid) was analysed from the opercula of these two genera, which showed similar patterns of protein degradation, allowing both to be used for aminostratigraphy. The IcPD data are consistent with the relative ages inferred from the mammal biostratigraphy and also with stratigraphical hiatuses interpreted from the fossil record. The temporal resolution provided by IcPD data from opercula is amino acid dependent, and declines in samples older than ∼2 Ma. The high variability of IcPD between opercula samples at some sites suggests reworking. Anomalously high levels of IcPD in samples from the Early Pleistocene site of Tizdar may be due to geothermal heating from local mud volcanism. This study provides the first large-scale application of IcPD-based aminostratigraphy for the Quaternary of continental Europe, and highlights its importance in testing regional stratigraphic schemes for the Late Pliocene and the Pleistocene.

The Beringian Land Bridge is a well-documented dispersal corridor between the Eurasian continent and North America. Episodic sub-aerial exposure of the land bridge during the Late Cenozoic resulted from climatic oscillations and concomitant lowering of sea level. For much of the Pleistocene, dispersal was predominantly west-to-east (e.g., from Eurasia to North America), but a new discovery of the North American rodent Phenacomys from deeply buried sediments in The Netherlands documents an Early Pleistocene east-to-west invasion. The discovery reinforces earlier suggestive hints of an integrated Holarctic mammal fauna in the Early Pleistocene and provides a unique opportunity to establish a direct correlation of the classic mammal zonations of Europe and North America. Phenacomys is traditionally conceptualized as an endemic North American radiation of voles, and all extant taxa are exclusively North American. The first European remains of Phenacomys were recovered as part of the Zuurland Drilling Project from earliest Pleistocene (ca, 2.3–2.1 Ma) strata. The specimens were found in stratigraphic association with species that are well-known from more southern European assemblages of Early Pleistocene age, but also with contemporaneous taxa traditionally associated with more northern latitudes. The recognition of Phenacomys within the Zuurland assemblage demonstrates that the Bering Land Bridge served as a corridor for dispersal of mammal species during the earliest Pleistocene, and served as a physiographic mechanism for the integration of a circumpolar biogeographic province at that time.

Major and trace element composition of the Upper Cenozoic deposits of the Chuya section (the lower reaches of the Aldan River, Central Yakutia) made up of the Middle Miocene and Neopleistocene sediments was studied as indicator of paleoclimatic conditions. It was established that primary sediments were precipitated under moderately humid conditions in the Middle Miocene and under subarid climatic conditions at relatively high sedimentation rates in the Neopleistocene. Close contents of trace elements in all lithologies suggest that the source area remained constant. Variation trends of ICV index indicate an increasing role of fluvioglacial accumulation during formation of Pleistocene beds. It was determined that the Neopleistocene is marked by a sharp change in sedimentation conditions.

The locality of Bicakci (Cameli basin, Anatolia) has yielded a diverse fauna of micromammals. The arvicolines are the most diverse and abundant group. Their stage in evolution shows that the fauna is late Villanyian in age and can be placed in the lower part of the zone P of the Anatolian Neogene biozonation. Thus, it is on the brink of the important Villanyian/Biharian transition. The presence of three species of hamster, in combination with the occurrence of Borsodia, a high abundance of Kalymnomys and a near absence of insectivores, suggests a dry, open landscape. However, the important contribution of Clethrionomys in the vole fauna indicates the nearby presence of woodlands. Overall, the environment at the time of deposition appears to have been similar to that of the area today. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A multiproxy study of the anastomosed fluvial succession from the Çameli Basin (SW Anatolia, Turkey) provides new insights on the palaeoenvironmental and palaeogeographical evolution of an extensional basin located at the top of western Taurides mountain range in the eastern Mediterranean. Detailed sedimentological, palaeontological and geochemical analyses on biogenic carbonates were carried out on the early Pleistocene (latest Villanyian) organic-rich fluvial succession in the Bıçakçı locality. Five main facies association groups characteristic of different sedimentary environments are recognized: (i) channel (CH), comprising lens-shaped bodies of fine- to medium-grained sandstones with minor siltstone interlayers; (ii) crevasse-splay (CS), including laminated siltstones and fine- to medium-grained sandstones sheets; (iii) pond (PD), containing laminated carbonaceous shales interbedded with siltstone or sandstone; (iv) swamp (SW), comprising coal beds with siltstone interbeds; and (v) floodplain (FP), including massive mudstones interbedded with siltstone and sandstone beds. Detailed facies analysis of the Bıçakçı succession reflects deposition on a floodplain which was traversed by a network of low-energy, well-defined channels separated by swamp and ponded areas in an anastomosed fluvial system. The Bıçakçı succession comprises a very rich micromammal fauna with a few large mammal remains, a rich variety of molluscs, plant macrofossils and pollen. This comprehensive record allows a multiproxy approach in reconstructing the early Pleistocene palaeoenvironment. The fauna and flora and stable isotope composition of the mollusc fauna of the Bıçakçı succession reflect vegetated quiet to slow moving freshwater shallow lakes and swamps under mostly cold and arid climatic conditions (stages 1 and 3) interrupted by a warm and subhumid interval (stage 2). The multiproxy record from Bıçakçı shows that early Pleistocene palaeoenvironments were predominantly open, steppe with some isolated shrubs and trees with forest at higher elevations. The very diverse landscape mosaics in the Çameli Basin during the early Pleistocene provided an excellent setting for refugia of Eurasian taxa. The biogeographic signature of mollusc and plant biota is predominantly modern Palaearctic with a minor amount of modern Palaearctic of the eastern Mediterranean, whereas mammal biota are dominated by extinct Palaearctic with a low proportion of the modern Palaearctic. During the early Pleistocene (2.25–2.1 Ma), the palaeoclimate and palaeoenvironmental conditions in Bıçakçı correspond to climatic deterioration after the onset of northern hemisphere glaciation (NHG, ~ 2.55 Ma) in the eastern Mediterranean. © 2016 Elsevier B.V.

New data on location, height, and composition of terraces of the El-Kabir and Orontes rivers in Syria are represented. By combined use of paleontological, archaeological, paleomagnetic, and radio-isotopic methods, ages of these river terraces are estimated and they are correlated with the Euphrates River terraces. The age of the terraces is defined more precisely by evidence of synchronism of the El-Kabir alluvial terraces and the marine terraces of the Mediterranean coast. The average rates of incision during different time intervals were estimated in the studied valleys and their segments using relative height of the terraces. This gives the possibility of approximately estimating a rate of the Quaternary uplift in different tectonic provinces of Syria as well as rates of vertical movements on the Lattaqieh (the El-Kabir valley), Hama (the Orontes valley), and Euphrates (the Euphrates valley) faults. The rates of incision were usually small in the earlier stages of the valley formation and increased later. The Middle and Late Pleistocene rates of the valley incision reach ∼220–280 mm/ky in the El-Kabir valley (the Coastal Range-anticline), ∼80–130 mm/ky in the Orontes valley and the Euphrates upstream of the Assad Reservoir (the mobile platformal Aleppo Block), and ∼25–30 mm/ky in the Euphrates valley downstream of the Assad Reservoir (southwestern side of the Mesopotamian Foredeep).

Bristly ground squirrels Xerini are a small rodent tribe of six extant species. Despite a dense fossil record the group was never diverse. Our phylogenetic reconstruction, based on the analysis of cytochrome

Herbaceous communities in forest ecosystems on the southern part of the Russian Plain appeared in the Middle Miocene (∼10 Ma BP). In the Late Miocene (∼7 Ma BP), feather-grass steppe associations appeared among them. In the time span of 2.7 to 2.1 Ma BP (i.e., in the Early Quaternary, according to the current chronostratigraphic scale), the steppe zone arose on the southern Russian Plain in the Don-Azov Region. Seven stages of this zone development here have been distinguished throughout the Quaternary. The first one (Eopleistocene-Early Pleistocene) was characterized by savanna-like subtropic ecosystems. Then, in the Middle Pleistocene, the temperate zone ecosystems (tallgrass prairie-like steppes) developed here and were followed by steppe ecosystems close to the modern ones in Central Europe. The ecosystems of rich-species forb steppes developed in the Late Pleistocene. Finally, in the optimum of the modern interglacial (Holocene), steppes became similar to the modern ones here, but with a slightly higher precipitation. The general trend is characterized by reduction in heat and water provision and increase in aridization progressing from earlier to later stages.

Red-backed voles are widespread animals in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere, and have considerable economic, medical, and scientific importance; the name Clethrionomys Tilesius, 1850 has been overwhelmingly used for red-backed voles in the extensive literature of the 20th and early 21st centuries. In 2003, Carleton, Musser & Pavlinov (2003) supported the priority of Myodes Pallas, 1811 over Clethrionomys as the oldest objective synonym of red-backed voles based on the priority of the type designation by Lataste (1883) over that of Hinton (1926). Musser & Carleton (2005) further advocated this usage in the influential third edition of Mammal Species of the World. An analysis of 19th century zoological literature shows widespread usage of Myodes as the generic name for Norway and Siberian lemmings (currently genus Lemmus Link, 1795). In accordance with that understanding, Coues (1877) gave a diagnosis of Myodes explicitly based on Mus lemmus, which constitutes a valid nomenclatural act designating the type species of the genus Myodes. According to Article 69.1 of the ICZN, all subsequent designations of type species (e.g. that of Lataste, 1883) are not valid. Therefore, Clethrionomys remains the valid genus name for red-backed voles and Myodes is a junior synonym of Lemmus. The incorrect usage of Myodes instead of Clethrionomys for red-backed voles has led to scientific and practical instability and confusion, and should be discontinued.

New archaic Early Palaeolithic sites, Bogatyri/Sinyaya Balka and Rodniki, are reported from the Taman Peninsula in southern Russia. The geological setting of the sites as well as the mammal fauna, palynological data, and palaeomagnetic data clearly indicate mid Early Pleistocene, Early Biharian age of the deposits. In many of its typological and technological characteristics, the archaeological assemblages of Bogatyri/Sinyaya Balka and Rodniki are similar to the Oldowan industry, although they show specific local features.

To examine phylogenetic relationships within the Asian lineage of voles (Microtus) belonging to subgenus Alexandromys, the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (cytb) was sequenced for its representatives, and the results were compared with the cytogenetic, morphological, and paleontological data. In all the trees inferred from maximum likelihood, parsimony, and Bayesian phylogenetic analyses, the Asian clade is subdivided into highly supported Alexandromys s.s. and moderately supported Pallasiinus lineages. Four subclades are recovered within Alexandromys: (1) Microtus maximowiczii and Microtus sachalinensis; (2) Microtus miiddendorffii s.l., Microtus mongolicus and Microtus gromovi; (3) Microtus fortis; and (4) Microtus limnophilus. Thus, M. limnophilus demonstrates clear affinities to Alexandromys s.s. but not to Microtus oeconomus (subgenus Pallasiinus), which was always regarded as its sibling species. The results obtained indicate M. mongolicus as a member of Alexandromys but not of the Microtus arvalis group, thus being concordant with the cytogenetic data. The mitochondrial data support the species status of M. gromovi; moreover, its placement as a part of a trichotomy with M. miiddendorffii s.l. and M. mongolicus contradicts the traditional affiliation of M. gromovi with M. maximowiczii. The divergence rate of cytb third position transversions in Microtus is estimated at approximately 8% per Myr, which corresponds to approximately 30% per Myr for all substitution types at all codon positions. The maximum likelihood distance based on complete sequence showed a tendency for a progressive underestimation of divergence and time for older splits. According to our molecular clock analysis employing nonlinear estimation methods, the split between Alexandromys and Pallasiinus and basal radiation within Alexandromys date back to approximately 1.2 Mya and 800 Kya, respectively. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 99, 595–613.

Voles and lemmings (subfamily Arvicolinae) areone of the youngest and speciesrich groups of myomorphic rodents prevailing in different landscapezones of the northern hemisphere. Because of unprecedented fossil records, as well as rapid and continuingmorphogenesis, they became leading forms in correlation and biostratigraphy of late Cenozoic continentaldeposits. For the same reasons, they are an almostideal model group for testing various evolutionary scenarios and phylogenetic hypotheses on the one hand,and for comparison of the possibilities and limitationsof different methodical approaches to phylogeny analysis and system generation, on the other hand.This study consisted in analysis of two nuclear genevariation, which demonstrated that mole lemmings(Ellobuisini), steppe lemmings (Lagurini) and grayvoles (Arvicolini) were sister groups. This divergencewas the latest, third step of subfamily radiation. Thenew data on close sister relationships of mole lemmings, gray voles, and steppe lemmings and on the latemole lemming radiation are unexpected and contradictory to traditional views.Originally, system generation and relationshipanalysis within the subfamily were based on comparatively studying the morphological traits in the modernand extinct forms; the most important results werereported in summary monographs and articles [1–4].As new approaches (karyological, allozyme analysis, molecular methods) appeared, modified schemeswere developed based on the new data [5–12]. Comprehensively studying the group revealed some distincthigher categories of the tribal rank in all summariesand systems, including the latest ones [11]. At thesame time, their composition, relationships, and thetime of divergence still remain obscure. Morphological approaches fail to reconstruct the evolutionary history and relationships of such a young and rapidlyevolving group because of a few available traits andnumerous parallelisms.The study of Arvicolinae molecular phylogeny hasbeen so far based on the mitochondrial cytochrome

Phylogenetic analysis of the supraspecies relationships was carried out using partial sequences of two nuclear genes in the subfamily Arvicolinae, which is one of the youngest and species-rich groups of myomorph rodents. The analysis with the new data resolved the majority of polytomy nodes in the phylogenetic trees reported for Arvicolinae, suggesting a gradual, rather than a saltatory, mode for their evolution. Mole voles Ellobiusini, steppe voles Lagurini, and gray voles Arvicolini were fount to be a monophyletic group that corresponds to the latest third wave of radiation within the subfamily. Red-back voles Myodini (=Clethrionomini) are a sister clade to this group and correspond to the second radiation wave. The order of divergence remained unresolved for the earliest radiation wave (Ondatrini, Prometheomyini, Dicrostonychini, and Lemmini). The close relationships observed for mole, gray, and steppe voles are unexpected and contradict the conventional views that Ellobiusini are an ancient group and are separate from all other voles on evidence of the extreme simplicity of their rooted molars and the peculiar structure of their skull and postcranial skeleton. It was assumed that many of these morphological characters indicate adaptation to subterranean life and provide no phylogenetic signal.

Loess-palaeosol exposures along Taganrog Bay, Sea of Azov, in southern Russia, reveal a complex succession of Quaternary palaeoenvironments over the past 0.7 million years. The deposits overlie marine sediments of Tiraspolian (Cromerian) age. At the key section of Semibalki-1, four palaeosol complexes are identified within the series. The earliest palaeosol complex in the Semibalki-1 section is correlated with the late Muchkap Interglacial (the Vorona palaeosol). The soil type resembled modern subtropical Mediterranean region soils. The later Middle Pleistocene palaeosols bear evidence of soil-forming processes typical of various temperate zone environments, with a gradual transition to increasingly cooler, drier conditions. Soils suggesting transitional development between kastenozems and chernozems developed during the Likhvin Interglacial (Inzhavino PC). PC 2 (Kamenka Interglacial) is typified by eluviated Luvic Chernozemic soils, possibly formed under prairie parkland conditions. Finally, the Mikulino Integlacial of the Late Pleistocene (Mezin PC) is represented by chernozems similar to the modern (Holocene) soils of the region, but showing enhanced podzolization and fewer seasonal frost features. A succession of environmental changes has been traced in the study region, from semi-humid subtropical environments at the end of the Early Pleistocene to prairie environments, then to boreal-mild temperate during the Middle Pleistocene, and finally towards landscapes with typical steppe soils in the Late Pleistocene and Holocene. The sequence indicates that moisture supply and temperatures during successive interglacials shifted progressively towards increasingly cooler, somewhat drier climates, influencing soil formation.

The Maeotian of Eastern Paratethys corresponds to the interval of the magnetochronological scale from the base of the subchron C4Ar2n to upper parts of the Chron C4n (9.6–7.5 Ma). Fission-track dates of Maeotian deposits are in general agreement with paleomagnetic chronology. In the continental stratigraphic scale of Western Europe this interval corresponds to zones MN10 (save the lowermost parts), MN11, and MN12 (upper part). Taking into account age estimates of MN zones boundaries established in Western Europe, the East European mammalian localities of Ukraine and Moldova can be stratified as follows: MN10, Raspopeni, Grebeniki, Novaya Emetovka 1, ?lower bed of Ciobruci; MN11, Novaya Emetovka 2; MN12, Cimislia, Ciobruci upper bed, Cherevichnoe, Tudorovo, Dzedzvtakhevi, and sites in the lower Pontian deposits. The faunal criteria used to distinguish MN zones in Western Europe cannot be completely applied to sites of the Eastern Paratethys because of paleozoogeographic distinctions between West and East European provinces. Specific criteria of zone boundaries definitions should be developed for the East European province.

Central Asian mountain voles Alticola is one of the least known groups of voles both in evolution and life history. This genus includes three subgenera Alticola s.str., Aschizomys and Platycranius, and belongs to the tribe Clethrionomyini comprising also red-backed voles Clethrionomys and oriental voles Eothenomys. In order to elucidate the phylogenetic relationships within Alticola and to examine its position within the tribe, mitochondrial cytochrome b (cyt b) gene variation was estimated, and the results were compared with morphological and palaeontological data. Maximum likelihood (ML), neighbor-joining (NJ), maximum parsimony (MP) and Bayesian phylogenetic analyses show that the genus Alticola does not appear to be a monophyletic group since the representatives of Aschizomys branch within Clethrionomys, whereas two other subgenera (Alticola and Platycranius) form a separate monophyletic clade. Flat-headed vole Alticola (Platycranius) strelzowi is nested within the nominative subgenus showing close association with A. (Alticola) semicanus. Surprisingly, the two species of Aschizomys do not form a monophyletic group. The results of the relaxed-clock analysis suggest that the Alticola clade splits from the Clethrionomys stem in early Middle Pliocene while basal cladogenetic events within Alticola s.str. dates back to the late Middle to early Late Pliocene. A scenario of evolution in Clethrionomyini is put forward implying rapid parallel morphological changes in different lineages leading to the formation of Alticola-like biomorphs adapted to mountain and arid petrophilous habitats. Corresponding author: Vladimir S. Lebedev, Zoological Museum, Moscow State University, B. Nikitskaya 6, 125009 Moscow, Russia. E-mail: wslebedev@hotmail.com Anna A. Bannikova, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Vorobievy Gory, 119992 Moscow, Russia. E-mail: hylomys@mail.ru Alexey S. Tesakov, Geological Institute RAS, Pyzhevsky 7, 119017 Moscow, Russia. E-mail: tesak@ginras.ru Natalia I. Abramson, Zoological Institute RAS, Universitetskaya nab. 1, 199034 St Petersburg, Russia. E-mail: lemmus@zin.ru