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Spermophilus is the most diverse and abundant genus of Eurasian sciurids. Even though many species have been described, the early evolution of the group is poorly understood. Here we present a review of the evolution and taxonomy of early Spermophilus, based on analysis of more than 1500 specimens from the late Pliocene and Early–Middle Pleistocene of Ukraine and European Russia, representing the most complete and continuous fossil record of the early Old World ground squirrels known to date. In addition to documenting previously unpublished specimens of Spermophilus nogaici, we describe a new species, Spermophilus praecox sp. nov., the oldest member of the genus, from the late Pliocene and Early Pleistocene (middle Villanyian to earliest Biharian) of southern Ukraine. It is intermediate in size between a somewhat smaller Spermophilus nogaici and larger Spermophilus polonicus and Spermophilus primigenius. Morphologically, the new species can be distinguished from all known Spermophilus by the retention of primitive traits including a small P3; rudimentary lingual metaloph; large metaconule and mesostyle; presence of P4–M2 endoloph; and premolariform p4 lacking a lingual metalophid. The patterns of dental evolution in eastern European early Spermophilus throughout 2.15 My indicates the existence of a single gradually evolving S. praecox–S. nogaici lineage characterized by a decrease of molar size but enlargement of premolars; the tendency toward high-crowned teeth with more expanded anterior and reduced posterior lobes; well-developed transverse ridges and anterostyles; reduced endolophs, anteroconules, metaconules, and mesostyles of P4–M2; molariform p4; complete m1–m2 metalophids; and stronger m3 hypoconid, hypoconulid, and entoconulid. Dental character regression suggests that Spermophilus evolved from a relatively large-sized sciurid having generalized Otospermophilus-like dentition, probably an unknown North American member of stem Marmotina. Copyright © 2019 M.

The paper examines themes and motifs related to the history of ancient Rome, in the works of early Byzantine authors of 6th century AD. John the Lydi-an and John Malalas. Interest in classical antiquity, at this time already definitely formed as a so-called antique tradition in the first reception. This tradition was focused on the interest is not so much to history as such, as to some interesting details or specific facts and realities of the pagan past that for one reason or an-other might be interested in reading the audience Empire the 6th century AD. Early Byzantine antiquarianism, in the end, shows the true realities of classical antiquities, and presents them with some distorted optics of medieval shift in the perception of the past., В статье рассматриваются сюжеты и мотивы, связанные с историей древнего Рима, представленные в сочинениях ранневизантийских авторов VI в. Иоанна Лида и Иоанна Малалы. Интерес к классической античности в данное время уже достаточно определенно оформился в качестве т. н. ан-тикварной традиции в рамках первой рецепции. Эта традиция была ориентирована на интерес не столько к истории как таковой, сколько к занимательным подробностям или отдельным фактам и реалиям языческого прошлого, которые по тем или иным причинам могли заинтересовать читающую публику империи VI столетия. По мнению авторов, ранневизантийский антикварианизм, в конечном итоге, демонстрирует не подлинные реалии классических древностей, а предъявляет их с несколько искаженной оптикой медиевального сдвига в восприятии прошлого.