QUATERNARY ZONAL SUBDIVISIONS OF EASTERN EUROPE BASED ON VOLE EVOLUTION

Abstract

A vole zonal scheme is proposed for the Quaternary of Eastern Europe. The scheme is based on the evolutionary appearance of forms in the Borsodia-Prolagurus-Lagurus, Mimomys-Arvicola, and Allophaiomys-Stenocranius lineages. Eleven range and concurrent range zones were distinguished (downward from MQR1 to MQR11). Zones MQR9, MQR7, MQR5, and MQR3 each are subdivided into 2 subzones. The Psekups faunal assemblage corresponds to the MQR11-MQR9 zones; the Taman' one to the MQR8 zone and the B subzone of the MQR7 zone; the Tiraspol' assemblage to the A subzone of the MQR7 zone and to the MQR6-MQR4 zones; the Singil complex to the MQR3 zone; and the Khazar and Mammoth assemblages to the MQR2 and MQR1 zones. The most detailed subdivisions, ranging from 30 to 75 thousand years, were developed for the middle Pleistocene.