Osteometric analysis of the scapula and humerus of Rangifer tarandus and Cervus elaphus : A contribution to the discrimination of Late Pleistocene cervids

Fossil remains of reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) occurring outside their present range are an important indicator of formerly cold climatic conditions, but are easily confused with those of the red deer (Cervus elaphus). The locality of Kiputz IX has yielded one of the best-preserved Late Pleistocene reindeer populations of the southern Pyrenees, occurring in association with Bison priscus and the much more abundant Cervus elaphus. Fossil remains from this site are mostly complete and not affected by human intervention, thus creating the perfect conditions for reliable osteometric analyses. Here, we quantify diagnostic morphological features of the scapula and the humerus of Cervus elaphus and Rangifer tarandus to establish the potential of these bones to aid in interspecific discrimination. In the case of the scapula, the best species discriminator is the ratio of the minimum anteroposterior diameter of the scapular neck and the development of the articular process, while the breadth of the trochlea is the best discriminator in the case of the humerus.

Lethal Interpersonal Violence in the Middle Pleistocene

Evidence of interpersonal violence has been documented previously in Pleistocene members of the genus Homo, but only very rarely has this been posited as the possible manner of death. Here we report the earliest evidence of lethal interpersonal violence in the hominin fossil record. Cranium 17 recovered from the Sima de los Huesos Middle Pleistocene site shows two clear perimortem depression fractures on the frontal bone, interpreted as being produced by two episodes of localized blunt force trauma. The type of injuries, their location, the strong similarity of the fractures in shape and size, and the different orientations and implied trajectories of the two fractures suggest they were produced with the same object in face-to-face interpersonal conflict. Given that either of the two traumatic events was likely lethal, the presence of multiple blows implies an intention to kill. This finding shows that the lethal interpersonal violence is an ancient human behavior and has important implications for the accumulation of bodies at the site, supporting an anthropic origin.

La evaluación de los úrsidos en medios karsticos de la Cornisa Cantábrica

681 p.

Datos preliminares en relación al inicio del proceso de investigación sistemática del sitio achelense superior de La Grande Vallée (Colombiers, Vienne, France)

[ES] El sitio de La Grande Vallée contiene un importante depósito del Pleistoceno medio con una abundante industria relacionable con el Achelense superior. Los diferentes procesos de desarrollo técnico de las industrias, las transformaciones funcionales en los útiles, así como la reiterada presencia de fuego posibilitan considerar el sitio como un posible lugar de hábitat y de taller. El proyecto de investigación científica del yacimiento ha comenzado el año 2005 por un sondeo arqueológico.

Nuevos testimonios industriales Achelenses en el Tiris (Sáhara occidental): presentación del taller de Gnefisa Oum Agraid (Duguech)

[ES] Se da noticia del descubrimiento de varios conjuntos industriales achelenses en torno a las áreas geográficas de Gleb Ziza y de Gnefisat, en la región del Tiris (Sahara Occidental). Además, se describe, sumariamente, la particular caracterización tecnológica del espectacular taller de Gnefisa Oum Agraid.

Datos preliminares sobre fuentes de aprovisionamiento de rocas silíceas en algunos yacimientos paleolíticos y postpaleolíticos del sector oriental de la cuenca vasco-cantábrica

[ES] Exponemos en este trabajo los primeros resultados referentes a las áreas de aprovisionamiento de materiales silíceos en el sector oriental de la Cuenca Vasco-Cantábrica durante el Pleistoceno superior y Holoceno. Se describen aquellos afloramientos cuyos sílex han sido identificados en varios yacimientos del periodo contemplado. Hemos constatado una transformación sustancial de las estrategias de aprovisionamiento, observable a fines del Paleolítico y especialmente significativa desde el Epipaleolítico. Asimismo, las pautas de ocupación del territorio reflejadas muestran indicios de un aprovechamiento rentable, estacional, de tierras en torno a los 600 m.s.n.m. durante el Pleistoceno superior, y con territorios de explotación probablemente de mayor extensión que los contemplados hasta el momento por la historiografía del Paleolítico cantábrico.

Patterns of genetic variation in the endangered European mink (Mustela lutreola L., 1761)

Background: The European mink (Mustela lutreola, L. 1761) is a critically endangered mustelid, which inhabits several main river drainages in Europe. Here, we assess the genetic variation of existing populations of this species, including new sampling sites and additional molecular markers (newly developed microsatellite loci specific to European mink) as compared to previous studies. Probabilistic analyses were used to examine genetic structure within and between existing populations, and to infer phylogeographic processes and past demography. Results: According to both mitochondrial and nuclear microsatellite markers, Northeastern (Russia, Estonia and Belarus) and Southeastern (Romania) European populations showed the highest intraspecific diversity. In contrast, Western European (France and Spain) populations were the least polymorphic, featuring a unique mitochondrial DNA haplotype. The high differentiation values detected between Eastern and Western European populations could be the result of genetic drift in the latter due to population isolation and reduction. Genetic differences among populations were further supported by Bayesian clustering and two main groups were confirmed (Eastern vs. Western Europe) along with two contained subgroups at a more local scale (Northeastern vs. Southeastern Europe; France vs. Spain). Conclusions: Genetic data and performed analyses support a historical scenario of stable European mink populations, not affected by Quaternary climate oscillations in the Late Pleistocene, and posterior expansion events following river connections in both North-and Southeastern European populations. This suggests an eastern refuge during glacial maxima (as already proposed for boreal and continental species). In contrast, Western Europe was colonised more recently following either natural expansions or putative human introductions. Low levels of genetic diversity observed within each studied population suggest recent bottleneck events and stress the urgent need for conservation measures to counteract the demographic decline experienced by the European mink.