Estudio de los microvertebrados de la cueva de Arlanpe (Lemoa, Bizkaia)

Abstract

This paper provides the study of the microvertebrates assemblage (amphibians, reptiles and mammals) from the site of Arlanpe (Lemoa, Bizkaia). Amphibians are represented in the site by five taxa, (Salamandra salamandra, Alytes obstetricans, Bufo bufo, Bufo calamita and Rana temporaria-iberica) and the reptiles by six (Lacerta sp., Anguis fragilis, Coronella cf. austriaca, Coronella cf. girondica, Natrix sp. and Vipera cf. seoanei). A total of 23 different small mammal taxa have been successfully identified (Oryctolagus cuniculus, Castor fiber, Marmota marmota, Cricetulus (Allocricetus) cf. bursae, Glis glis, Eliomys quercinus, Arvicola amphibius, Arvicola sapidus, Chionomys nivalis, Myodes glareolus, Pliomys lenki, Microtus (Alexandromys) oeconomus, Microtus (Microtus) arvalis, Microtus (Microtus) agrestis, Microtus (Terricola) sp., Apodemus sylvaticus-flavicollis, Sorex aff. coronatus-araneus, Sorex aff. minutus, Neomys spp., Crocidura russula, Talpa cf. europaea, Erinaceus cf. europaeus and Chiroptera indet.). The warmest environmental conditions recorded in the entrance sector, occurred in the levels underlying the Solutrean and in those above the Magdalenian period. In the central sector there are two cooling episodes coincident with the end of the Early Middle Palaeolithic one of them and with the Recent Gravettian level the other. At the back sector of the site, slightly harsher climatic conditions are dominant at the formation of the lowermost levels (Early Middle Palaeolithic). The conditions became warmer in the middle part of this level. Finally a subsequent cooling lasted, at least, until the spit number six.