Mimomys savini

Since the supplementary collections planned by Kretzoi (1956) have never been fulfilled and because the locality has since been demolished by quarrying, there is no hope of future supplementation of the overall composition of the fauna. However, the occurrence of a vole species, Mimomys savini, which is characteristic of this phase (the Templomhegyian substage), together with many modem vole species, certainly indicates that most of the animal assemblage belongs here. 

Cricetus cricetus runtonensis Newton Mimomys savini Hinton Mimomys sp. (small species)... 

This very rich fauna, because of the presence of Mimomys savini and Lagurus, can be allocated to the end of the Lower Pleistocene (the Templomhegyian, or rather the Nagyharsdnyhegyian substage). However, the absence of Arvicola finds indicates that it may be somewhat older than the animal assemblage of locality no. 8 of Villdny. 

Fig. 12. Percentile frequencies of vole species in each of the strata of locality no. 8 of Villany 1. (hatched) Mimomys sp. (small species) 2. Mimomys savini 3. Arvicola cantiana 4. Myodes sp. 5. Pliomys episcopalis 6, 7 and 8, see graph 9. Pilymys sp. 10. Microtus mvalinus-ratttcepoides group 11. Microtus arvalinus 12. Microtus cf. gregalis (redrawn after Meulen, 1973).

Mimomys savini Hinton (=milleri=intermedius)—2 Mi+5 molars... 

Mimomys savini Hinton (=milleri= intermedins)—4 M molars and incisors 11 Trogontherium sehmerlingi (Laugel)—2... 

Inspection of this list reveals that the presence of Drepanosorex, Mimomys savini and some conservative forms of bats (Myotis schaubi, M. baranensis and Myotis sp. n., all identified by Topal) indicate that though the fauna is a member of the fauna wave in question, it is somewhat older than the lowermost layers of Tarko (see below). 

Whereas in the previous phases of the fauna genesis it is very difficult to extrapolate the rich material deriving from the karstic hollows to the regional sediments, in the case of the Templomhegyian substage (Lower Biharian) it is very easy. As already noted in the introduction, small mammals of the stage of fauna genesis described above, i.e. the water voles (Mimomys savini), have been identified in fluvial sediments which sometimes show considerable layer widths. 

Jaszlad y a complete mandible of Mimomys savini from 84.86-86.13 m the same form from 123.18-123.34 m, 146.55-147.44 m and 155.82-156.75 m. Of similar stratigraphical importance are remains of a Prolagurus-Lagurus from 101.45-101.65 m and a Desmana thermalis from 228.81-229.81 m. 

Csongrad voles with rooted teeth not older than Lower Biharian from 146.45-147.65 m, 181.30-182.63 m and 202.53-203.30 m Mimomys savini from layers 342.95-343.32 m and 367.69-370.80 m transitional form between Desmana thermalis and nehringi from 254.30-255.56 m. 

Faunas younger than the Siissenbornian type of faunal assemblages (with Mimomys savini) are considered to have originated from this era (Fig. 13) this is discussed in greater detail later. The upper limit is even more uncertain than the lower one, but it is usually considered as the first half of the last interglacial (Riss-Wiimi). 

Fig. 13. Characteristic index fossil of the older phases of the Middle Pleistocene, the vole Mimomys savini Hinton, (a) and (b) Occlusal surface of the first molar of a young and an adult specimen (c) and (d) same from lateral view occlusal surface of (e) M2 (f) M2 and (g) M] (upper first molar). Characteristic from lateral view is the weak development of roots. Locality rock shelter of Tarkd.

The rather northernly fauna of Pfezletice near Prague contains Mimomys savini and is the best indicator that decidedly warm periods also occurred here. Recently, I was able to show the presence of finds of distinctly Mediterranean avian species (spoonbill, Platalea white-headed duck , Oxyura) in this material. 

---