Mamíferos de las terrazas del valle del Tajo: primeros datos de micromamíferos del Pleistoceno en Toledo (España Central)

Abstract

This paper deals with the first data on small mammals from Buenavista Inferior and Salchicha Inferior, two new sites on the Tagus river terraces in the area around Toledo. The authors also undertake a synthesis on the large mammals from the classical sites of this area. Biostratigraphically, the oldest mammal site is Salto de la Zorra (on the TT6 terrace, at + 75m) correponding to the Lower Pleistocene. The Valdelobos Superior site (TT7 terrace, at +60m) can be placed on the transition from the Lower to the Middle Pleistocene. The following sites: Poligono Industrial of Toledo, Campo de Tiro, Buenavista Inferior and Salchicha Inferior, placed on the TT9 terrace (at +40m), correspond to the Middle Pleistocene. The Pinedo site, placed on the TT10 terrace (at +25-30m), also belongs to the Middle Pleistocene but with a more recent age than the aforenamed sites. Finally, the Arenero de Valdelobos site, placed on the TT12 terrace (at +4-9m), corresponds to the Upper Pleistonce. Almost all the mammal associations from these sites of the Lower and the Middle Pleistocene suggest an environment with some wooded areas and also some open areas. The climate would be mild. From the Middle Pleistocene, only the more recent mammal association of Pinedo suggests a more wooded environment or at least with more vegetation, and a relatively warmer and more humid climate than the actual in the Meseta. Finally, the Upper Pleistocene Arenero de Valdelobos mammal association is characteristical of steppe.