Dynamics of ecological composition of microtheriofauna from the Pleistocene deposits in the south chamber of Denisova Cave

This article discusses dynamics of ecological composition of small vertebrate communities near Denisova cave in the second half of the Middle-Upper Pleistocene using a representative faunal collection of over 16,000 bone remains. Paleontological evidence represents taphocenoses of layers 19.1-11 in the central part of the South Chamber in the cave. According to the composition of main ecological groups of animals as well as stratigraphic position in cross-section, layer 19.1 emerged in the Late Tobol or Early Samarovo period at the boundary of MIS 9 and 8. Main groups of small vertebrates had similar features in taphocenoses of layers 18 and 17, indicating relatively warm climate which most likely corresponds to the Shirta interglacial MIS 7. Ecological composition manifested by the community of small vertebrates from the deposits of layers 16.2 and 16.1 indicates deterioration of natural environment and unstable humidity conditions, which may correspond to different phases of the Taz glaciation MIS 6. The next stage in the development of natural environment in the Anui River valley is manifested by the faunal evidence from lithological layers 15-13, accumulated in MIS 5. Composition of taphocenosis in layer 12 shows reduced forest vegetation and expansion of the area of steppe biotopes with general deterioration of natural environment during the Ermakovo cooling MIS 4. The combination of squirrels and large population of steppe voles in the animal community of layer 11 suggests the spread offorest-steppe landscapes in relatively warm and dry climate which may correspond the Kargin interstadial MIS 3.