The saiga antelope (Saiga tatarica) in the Quaternary of Ukraine: distribution and morphology

The article analyses the findings of fossils, archaeological sites, and historical literature on the distribution of saigas in Ukraine during the Quaternary period. Most findings of saiga fossils are concentrated in the Crimea and the Northern Black Sea region. However, the northernmost record localities of the species are known from the territory of Rivne Oblast. The oldest finds date back to the Middle Palaeolithic period. The most famous sites of the Middle Palaeolithic period are Illinka Cave (Odesa Oblast) and a number of Crimean sites, such as Aji Koba, Alimov’s Canopy, Za-Skelna V, Temna Cave, and Prolom II. Saiga remains were found in the faunal collections of Late Palaeolithic sites, including Anetivka II (Odesa Oblast), Buran Kaya IV, and Suren I in the Crimea. Remains of saiga from the Mesolithic period were discovered in Odesa (Myrne) and Zaporizhzhia oblasts (Kamianna Mohyla), and in the Crimea (Syuren II, Alimovskiy canopy, Zamil Koba, etc.). Remains from the Neolithic, Bronze, and Early Iron Ages come from Odesa (Usatove) and Kherson (Mykhailivka) oblasts. The analysis of the history of the saiga’s distribution range in Ukraine allows us to determine the probability of the first migrations of the species to the region during the Pleistocene (MIS 5– MIS2). The relatively large number of localities where saiga remains have been found suggests that favourable conditions for the species’ existence were formed in the territory of modern Ukraine at that time. Xerophytization of steppe phytocoenoses contributed to the saiga’s spread throughout history. Until the mid-18th century, the saiga was a common game species, hunted for its meat and horns. The reduction of the species’ range and population in Ukraine took place during the 18th century under the pressure of uncontrolled hunting, intensification of agriculture (which led to changes in natural habitats and seasonal migration routes), nomadic cattle breeding (which caused depression of pastures and competition for trophic resources), and, in some cases, climatic disasters associated with excessive snow cover. The final disappearance of the species from the fauna of Ukraine occurred in the first half of the 19th century. The data on morphological parameters of saiga remains from some Pleistocene and Holocene archaeological sites are presented.