Allophaiomys

Kislangia rex (Kormos)— 53 Clethrionomys solus Kretzoi—1 Allophaiomys deucalion Kretzoi—I Lagotherium beremendense (Petenyi) ... 

Kretzoi (1956) concludes that this fauna represents the youngest stratum of Villany, with a single Allophaiomys in its cover. He did not consider that the yellowish colour of the sediment was accompanied by a change in fauna due to climatic factors. However, as we have seen already with locality no. 3 of Osztramos, considerable changes in climate have to be taken into account. 

Of the former localities, only no. 2 of Nagyharsanyhegy provided any significant material of Allophaiomys hs single find from locality no. 5 of Villdny has already been mentioned). 

Kretzoi (1956) analysed this fauna in detail, the first of the ""Allophaiomys faunas to be identified in Hungary. It is now known from the Osztramos series that this stage is an older stadium of that faunal wave which preceded the appearance of the modern voles which evolved towards the contemporary forms with rootless teeth Microtus, Pitymys). 

Apodemus sylvaticus (L.)—2 Cricetus cricetus nanus Schaub—3 Mimomys pusillus group—5 M, Lagurus arankae Kretzoi—34 M, Allophaiomys pliocaenicus Kormos— Clethrionomys sp.—2... 

Concerning the number of species and specimens in this meager collection, it can be said with confidence that here, as in locality no. 2 of Nagyharsanyhegy, we are dealing with the oldest substage of Betfia, the lower stage of the Allophaiomys biotic zone. 

Some of the Osztramos localities provide an almost complete series of the various evolutionary stages of the Allophaiomys fauna, naturally only within the framework of the north-Carpathian facies. 

Nearly one-third, 4 out of the 15 known localities of Osztramos, contain Allophaiomys. I will list the study material in the order of their discovery, since they are so akin as regards geological age. 

Judged from the evolutionary stage of the Allophaiomys of the locality, the fauna is somewhat older than locality no. 2. Noteworthy is the first occurrence of the lemming Lemmas sp.) in the animal assemblage, and as far as Europe is concerned, the rich finds of the two species of crested porcupine (Hystrix). 

Lagurus arankae-pamonicus group—22 M,+ 16 molars Allophaiomys pliocaenicus Kormos—6 M,... 

The evolutionary stages of Allophaiomys and Lagurus, as well as the overall composition of the fauna, are in such good agreement with those of other localities, as nos 2 and 8 of Osztramos (especially that of the former), that even without further analysis we may allocate this fauna to the younger stage of the Betfia phase. 

Finally, the Allophaiomys finds from the regional sediments of Balatonfoldvar-Koroshegy (Kretzoi and Krolopp, 1977) prove that part of the meridionalis gravel (outlined above and discussed in detail below) cover the Betfian substage. 

Fig. 42. Lower Pleistocene localities (Betfian phase) with characteristic finds of Allophaiomys known so far from Europe. 1. with lemmings 2. without lemmings.

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