Work

Pannonictis pliocaenica (Mustelidae, Carnivora) from the Early Pleistocene of Crimea (Taurida Cave)

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: A large mustelid Pannonictis pliocaenica Kormos, 1931 (Ictonychinae, Mustelidae) is described from the Early Pleistocene Taurida Cave in central Crimea. The material includes a complete hemimandible and four isolated teeth. Detailed morphological comparison and morphometric analysis indicate closest similarity of the Taurida finding to P. pliocaenica , supporting its attribution to this species. Although Pannonictis represents the most widespread member of Lyncodontini in the Plio-Pleistocene of Eurasia, its records in Eastern Europe and Western Asia remain scarce and are currently restricted to only a few localities. The discovery of P. pliocaenica in Taurida Cave significantly expands the known eastern range of the species during the Late Villafranchian and contributes to the understanding of the Early Pleistocene carnivore guild of Crimea. Given the frequent association of Pannonictis with riparian palaeoenvironments, the Taurida material also has palaeoecological implications, supporting the presence of water-influenced habitats in the region during the Late Villafranchian and complementing existing fossil evidence from the locality.

Source: Scientific Reports

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-67783-5

Authors: A. V. Lopatin, D. O. Gimranov, D. A. Zakharov, A. V. Lavrov

Institutions: Russian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Paleontology A A Borisyak, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Plant and Animal Ecology, Ural Federal University

Language: English

Topic: Evolution and Paleontology Studies

Subfield: Paleontology

Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,690

Funders: Chinese Academy of Sciences, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Russian Science Foundation