THE SEQUENCE OF PLIO-PLEISTOCENE MAMMAL FAUNAS FROM THE SOUTH RUSSIAN PLAIN (THE AZOV REGION)

Abstract

The Azov Region and adjoining areas are rich in sedimentary successions that have yielded abundant remains of fossil mammals. These encompass the time span from Late Miocene through late Pleistocene. The occurrence of some Asian elements makes the peri-Azovian faunas somewhat peculiar compared to contemporary West European faunas. Within the succession of faunal complexes considered, the most striking faunal restructuring took place at the boundary of Early and Middle Pliocene, and at the beginning of the Middle Pleistocene.