The periglacial expansion of Marmots (Marmota) in middle Europe during Pleistocene [La distribution périglaciaire des marmottes (Marmota) en Europe centrale au cours de la fin du pleistocène].

Résumé

Scattered fossil remains of the rodent genus Marmota are known in Eurasia back to the late Pliocene, but are most numerous in the late Pleistocene. Together with mammoths and some tundra and steppe species of animal, the marmot is a constant component of Upper Paleolithie fauna of the Valdai (Würm) glacial epoch. The ecology and habitat preferences of modern marmots indicate that they must have been well adapted to conditions of the periglacial zone of the last glaciation, and this may have been the reason for their wide spead over Eurasia during the Valdain (Würm). The traditional concept of marmots as in habitants of the post-glacial steppe seems to be incorrect.