Distribuzione ed evoluzione delle associazioni a piccoli mammiferi nella penisola italiana durante il Pleistocene superiore

This work focus on evolution of small mammals assemblages in the Italian peninsula during Upper Pleistocene and on the analysis of differences between synchronous faunas of various zones. Data obtained from the study of micromammals of Caverna degli Orsi (San Dorligo della Valle, Dolina, Trieste), Ciota Ciara (Borgosesia, Vercelli) Riparo Mochi (Ventimiglia, Imperia), Grotta Paglicci (Rignano Garganico, Foggia) e Riparo Tagliente (Stallavena di Grezzana, Verona) have been presented in order to provide evidences from important Upper Pleistocene sequences and to throw light on this subject. For each species it has been given a brief description of systematics, ecology, geographic distribution and presumable modifications occurred during the last phases of Pleistocene. Furthermore, reviwing and rearranging before-known Italian sites, it was possible to make general remarks on environmental changes and on chronology of faunal associations under examination. The analysis of small mammals shows that Italian peninsula can be divided into geographic zones presenting several different landscapes and biodiversity grades. Specifically, in northern Adriatic zone, Valpadana and piedmont bend species coming from Eastern Europe, such as Microtus oeconomus and Sicista betulina, are present; southern Adriatic zone is characterized by marked aridity and low biodiversity degree while southern Thyrrenian zone display richer assemblages normally associated with wooden environments. Finally, all the results have been processed in order to suggest a biochronological model as detailed as possible, in which the most important sequences of Italian peninsula have been positioned and linked to the isotopic curve.