Late Pliocene and Pleistocene assemblages of continental molluscs in Italy. A Survey

Abstract

Upper Pliocene and Pleistocene sequences bearing continental mollusc faunae are surveyed. They have been grouped by age and considered in geographic-stratigraphic order. Paleontological analyses show that mollusc assemblages have chronostrati-graphic as well as ecological significance. Early Villafranchian is well defined by Late Villafranchian is also well defined by an archaic complex of prosobranchs of wich five genera, one subgenus and half of the species became extinct by the end of the age. Endemic species are fairly well represented while pulmonates show modern features. Middle Pleistocene is characterized by a general renewal of the assemblages and the faunae become quite modern. Pulmonates supply climatic information by means of oligotypic assemblages of cold and dry climate which contrast with the rich faunae of mild climate. A few species of prosobranchs are good strati-graphic markers for mid-Pleistocene time. Late Pleistocene is characterized by species still living except one of mid-Pleistocene origin.