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Significato paleoecologico e paleoclimatico di una malacofauna continentale pleistocenica dell'Italia centro-meridionale (Isernia, Molise)
... Furthermore, while the Holocene and Late Pleistocene terrestrial mollusc assemblages of the Mediterranean and continental Europe are rather well known and studied (e.g. Kerney, 1976;Esu, 1981;Rousseau et al., 1992;Limondin-Lozouet and Antoine, 2006;Limondin-Lozouet et al., 2017), the Middle Pleistocene successions are relatively rare and often chronologically poorly constrained (e.g. Rousseau and Keen, 1989;Limondin-Lozouet and Preece, 2004). ...
... The fauna is characterized by a low number of species and shares some general similarities with other terrestrial mollusc assemblages from the central Italian Peninsula considered typical of colder and drier conditions of glacial periods (e.g. Esu, 1981;Di Vito et al., 1998;Limondin-Lozouet et al., 2017;Boretto et al., 2017). Similarly, the terrestrial molluscs from Sulmona Basin indicate open and moderately dry habitats, as inferred from the presence of mesophilous and slightly thermophilous components (Table 1, i.e. ...
A paleosol from the Middle Pleistocene lacustrine-fluvial succession of Sulmona Basin, central Italy, was analysed for the land snail shell content, and the stable isotope composition of the shells and associated pedogenic carbonates. The paleosol – known as Fiorata Paleosol – is covered by a thick tephra layer dated to ca. 527 ka allowing the pedogenetic horizons to be correlated to the marine isotope stage (MIS) 14-early MIS 13 interval. The terrestrial mollusc assemblage contained few individuals and was characterized by a low number of species which predominantly indicate open and dry habitats, thus suggesting that Fiorata Paleosol likely developed during glacial conditions of the MIS 14. The δ¹³C values of pedogenic carbonates and terrestrial shells indicate prevailing C3-type vegetation, probably marked by some degree of water stress. Calculation of the δ¹⁸O precipitation values, derived from pedogenic carbonates and shell δ¹⁸O values, indicate that the average temperature was 3–5 °C lower than present day. This study highlights how paleosols, despite offering only snapshots of past climate and environments, provide valuable complementary information to paleoclimatic data obtained in the adjacent lacustrine intervals, specifically for the Sulmona successions.
... As adopted in the earliest studies on the assemblages of terrestrial fossil mollusc of the Italian peninsula (e.g. Esu, 1981; Crispino and Esu, 1995; Di Vito et al., 1998; Zanchetta et al., 2004 Zanchetta et al., , 2006 Esu and Gianolla, 2009), taxa were subdivided into ecological groups according to the scheme proposed by Ložek (1964Ložek ( , 1986Ložek ( , 1990Ložek ( , 2001). ...
... Overall, the association indicates the presence of an open and dry area, probably with climate conditions colder than the present day. This kind of association characterizes the cold and arid phases of the Middle to Late Pleistocene in Central and Southern Italy (Esu, 1981; Esu et al., 1989; Esu and Girotti, 1991; Di Vito et al., 1998; Marcolini et al., 2003; Sarti et al., 2005 ) and shares some common characteristics with cold and arid phases of loess deposition of Europe (e.g. Ložek, 1964Ložek, , 1990Ložek, , 2001 Puisségur, 1976; Limondin-Lozouet and Antoine, 2001). ...
Loess deposits have been described in the past for the upper section of Buca Dei Corvi succession (Central Italy). In this paper the deposits were re-analysed to clarify the depositional environment and to attempt a paleoclimate reconstruction. Two radiocarbon dates on pedogenic carbonate constrain the ages to the Late Glacial, and are consistent with previous OSL dating of the top of the succession. The non-marine mollusc assemblage shows typical character of cold and dry climatic conditions, testified by strong oligotypical composition. Mineralogy and geochemistry of the sediments indicate the abundant presence of exotic quartz mineral which can be explained only by wind transport. Probably, wind transport was also responsible of deposition of carbonate which then dissolved and re-precipitated producing pedogenic concretions. Stable isotopes (¹³C/¹²C and ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratios) of the concretions are consistent with a climate drier than present conditions, with an environment characterized by sparse vegetation.
... Para determinar el número de ejemplares de las diversas especies de moluscos se sumó el número de conchas completas y el número de ápices de los ejemplares incompletos, siempre más abundantes que las aberturas. Los moluscos fueros distribuidos en grupos ecológicos siguiendo la metodología de Lozek (1964de Lozek ( , 1986de Lozek ( , 1990 para las faunas de Europa central y de Puisségur (1976) para las de Francia, estandarizado también para el análisis de los moluscos cuaternarios de otros países, como por ejemplo Italia (Esu, 1978(Esu, , 1981Zanchetta et al., 2006). ...
... Para determinar el número de ejemplares de las diversas especies de moluscos se sumó el número de conchas completas y el número de ápices de los ejemplares incompletos, siempre más abundantes que las aberturas. Los moluscos fueros distribuidos en grupos ecológicos siguiendo la metodología de Lozek (1964de Lozek ( , 1986de Lozek ( , 1990 para las faunas de Europa central y de Puisségur (1976) para las de Francia, estandarizado también para el análisis de los moluscos cuaternarios de otros países, como por ejemplo Italia (Esu, 1978(Esu, , 1981Zanchetta et al., 2006). ...
... In this study the molluscan paleoecologic analysis has been carried out according to the method experienced by Lozek (1964) for the Quaternary non-marine molluscan faunas of eastern central Europe and later used by Puisségur (1976) for Quaternary malacofaunas of France. Afterwards this method was applied to some Pleistocene molluscan faunas of Italy by one of us (D.E.) (Esu, 1981;Ciangherottí et al., 1996). The two Authors subdivide the living species of gastropods and bivalves in ecologic groups explicative of their habitat considering the present ecology of the taxa. ...
New geologic studies on the fluvio-lacustrine Mugello Basin (Florence, Italy) stimulated a revision of the continental molluscan assemblages known since the last century. The fluvio-lacustrine succession has been subdivided in four synthems composed of fluvio-lacustrine (Torrente Ensa synthem, STE) and alluvial deposits (Scarperia, Luco di Mugello and Sagginale synthems). Two progressive angular unconformities in the STE allowed to distinguish three depositional sequences (S1, S2 and S3) composed of fan-delta gravels and sands, lacustrine silty clays (S1 and S2) and alluvial-fan gravels and sands (S3). Molluscs have been collected in various localities where S1 and S2 fan-delta and lacustrine deposits are exposed. The paleoecologic analysis of the molluscan assemblages is in accordance with the fluvio-lacustrine environment inferred from facies analysis. Different types of humid habitats, ranging from swamps, ponds, to channel-related environments (banks, leeves etc.), and open woody habitats have been recognized. The presence of Villafranchian extinct taxa such as Prososthenia oblonga, Emmericia cf. umbra and Tournouerina belnensis is in general agreement with the vertebrate fauna collected in the fluvio-lacustrine deposits since the last century and referred to the Tasso and Farneta faunal units (Late Villafranchian). A detailed integrated analysis of a 15 m thick gravelly-silty facies section of the S2 sequence reveals alternating depositional conditions in the subaerial portion of the fan deltas. Following a relative rise of base-level (i.e the lake level) flood-channels were disactivated with the formation of a floodplain-like environment dominated by fine-grained deposition, where localized poorly-drained areas created favourable habitats for molluscan taxa loving humid conditions. The sourrounding zones were characterized by open forests inhabited by terrestrial taxa. Low-magnitude, overland flows mixed the molluscan faunas of the different biotopes. The cyclic arrangement of gravels and silty clays reflects high-frequency uplift/denudational cycles during which biotopes for the molluscan fauna were alternatively activated.
SHORT NOTES
... All the recorded species are still extant pointing to a more recent depositional phase than that referred to VRC Synthem, very likely Middle Pleistocene in age, as suggested by the geological setting of the basin (FIDOLINI et alii, 2013). Similar Middle Pleistocene impoverished cold assemblages containing P. muscorum and V. pygmaea are known in Italy at Ponte Galeria (Rome, Latium) and at Isernia (Molise) in deposits referred to cold climatic phases (ESU, 1981(ESU, , 1982COLTORTI et alii, 1982;KOTSAKIS et alii, 1992; D'AMI CO & ESU, 2011). ...
Since the beginning of the nineteenth century, rich non-marine molluscan faunas have been recognized in the Plio-Pleistocene Upper Valdarno Basin (Tuscany, central Italy). Further research has improved the palaeoecological and biochronological meaning of these faunas, which are often associated with significant Villafranchian vertebrate remains. The Upper Valdarno Basin fill consists of four unconformity-bounded units: Castelnuovo dei Sabbioni, Montevarchi, Fosso Salceto (occurring in the Palazzolo sub-basin) and Torrente Ciuffenna synthems. Rich molluscan assemblages of alluvial and palustrine environment are recorded from the Lower Pleistocene Montevarchi Synthem deposits. Extinct and archaic freshwater gastropods and bivalves characterising the Middle and Upper Villafranchian thermophilous assemblages of intermountain basins of central Italy, such as the Plio-Pleistocene Tiberino Basin, occur. The new record of the extinct genus Neumayria De STEFANI, 1877 is reported. A humid-temperate climatic phase is recognized in concomitance with the major expansion of these assemblages in the Upper Valdarno Basin. The fluvial deposits of the Torrente Ciuffenna Synthem, Middle Pleistocene in age, yielded poor mixed assemblages composed of terrestrial and freshwater species. The recorded land species, represented by Pupillidae and Vertiginidae associated with a dry exposed environment, point to an arid or semiarid cool climatic phase.
... Moreover, many of these species (e.g. J. malatestai, G. frumentum, P. muscorum, V. pulchella) are characteristic of cold and arid phases during the Middle to Late Pleistocene in central and southern Italy (Esu, 1981;Esu et al., 1989;Esu and Girotti, 1991;Di Vito et al., 1998). In contrast to the upper palaeosol (CA), the lower palaeosol (CB, Fig. 2B) yielded a poorly preserved and incomplete land snail assemblage, which precluded a detailed environmental Small mammals have been recovered only from CA, where arvicolids dominate, the rest being murids and insectivores ( Table 2). ...
Preliminary data on a new mammal bearing deposit of Lower Valdarno (on the right-hand side of the Arno River) are presented here. Macromammals include: Macaca sylvana florentina, Enhydrictis ardea, Acinonyx pardinensis, Sus strozzii, Pseudodama sp., Capreolus sp., and Leptobos sp. The micromammals are represented by: Glis sp., Mimomys pitymyoides, Mimomys cf. M. pusillus, Mimomys sp. 1, Mimomys sp. 2, Apodemus dominans, Hystrix refossa, and Oryctolagus cf. O. lacosti. The assemblage is referable to the Middle or early Late Villafranchian and is therefore attributed to the Costa S. Giacomo or Olivola Faunal Units. This attribution confirms the most recent interpretations of the basin between Monti Pisani and Monte Albano, considering the basal portion of the fluvial deposits of the Massarella Unit as Late Pliocene.
A stratigraphic study has been carried out on the continental deposits of the Clanio-Acqualonga valley, central-eastern side of Campanian Plain (Noia, Napoli). An extensive development of alluvial deposits formed mainly by carbonate gravels were recognised on the bottom of the valley. Such deposits laterally pass to alluvial fans along the right side of the valley. The age of the gravel deposits can be inferred among 37 ka and 10 ka by the occurence of several dated volcanic layers. The recognising of oligotypical continental molluscal-bearing deposits interbedded in the gravel unit allowed some inferences about palaeoenviron-ment in this time span. Such a stratigraphic record has been correlated, using tephra layers as markers, with pollen data from Lago Grande di Monticchio and δ¹⁸O curve from a Mediterranean sea core. Malacological, isotopie and pollen data suggest cold and arid climate during the deposition of the gravel bodies. This phase of sedimentation is correlable with the stage 2 of marine isotope stratigraphy. During the Holocene clastic sedimentation was reduced. Finally, we propose the formal use of the carbonate gravel unit as formation.
New stratigraphiC data (exposed sections and bore-holes) allowed a detailed reconstruction of the northern sector of the "Terrazzo di Livorno" (Central Italy). A new unit, called "Corea formation" was discovered and correlated to marine isotope stage (MIS) 6 and to its transition to MIS 5. This formation comprises, at its base, fluvial gravels and sands followed by fine-grained alluvial plain deposits. Non-marine molluscs, small mammals and pollen allow a reconstruction of the environment present during the deposition of the alluvial plain deposits. The environment was mainly an open space, though sparse woodlands should have been present. The non-marine fauna shows features intermediate between typical inter-glacial and glacial assemblages described so far in Italy. Worth of note is the presence of Orcula dolium and Vallonia enniensis, which now inhabit northern Italy. These findings improve our knowledge on the biogeography of Quaternary non-marine faunas of Central Italy. Stable isotopes data on land snail shells, freshwater shells and pedogenic carbonates showed that climate conditions were cooler than today (possibly 1-2°C less) with a significant amount of C4 vegetation, in an environment with moderately dry conditions.
This paper deals with an interesting non-marine mollusc assemblage found in a sandy-mud deposit comprised between two calcarenitic layers linked to marine environment and correlated with oxygen isotope stage (OIS) 5e and 5c. The ecological and environmental characteristics of the recovered species suggest a woodland environment with abundant open areas and local marshy areas subject to frequent drying up. The presence of species quite characteristic of mountainous areas suggest conditions cooler than today. Stable isotope analyses performed on some well-preserved shells suggest a mean annual temperature of about 1°C lower than the present in the study area. According to these features, the non-marine mollusc assemblage is correlated with OIS 5d.
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