STEPHANORHINUS KIRCHBERGENSIS (JÄGER, 1839) FROM THE MIDDLE PLEISTOCENE DEPOSIT OF RIANO (ROME, CENTRAL ITALY)

Abstract

Pandolfi L., Stephanorhinus kirchbergensis (Jäger, 1839) from the Middle Pleistocene deposit of Riano (Rome, central Italy). In this work the rhinoceros remains discovered in the site of Riano are analyzed. The remains are preserved in Museum of Paleontology of University “Sapienza” of Rome and they have been recovered in a diatomaceous deposit together with remains of Elephas antiquus, Cervus elaphus rianensis and Dama clactoniana. The faunal assemblage of Riano can be correlated with Torre in Pietra Faunal Unit on the base of fossil mammal fauna and stratigraphical data. Rhinoceros remains belong to only one individual and consist of various postcranial elements. Morphological and morphometrical characters of the remains are comparable with Eurasian rhinoceros S. kirchbergensis. This species has been rarely recorded, although the distribution range has been relatively wide. S. kirchbergensis has been discovered in a large part of Europe and in the Early and Middle Pleistocene deposits of central Asia, where the species has probably origin. Riano is one of the few European localities where post-cranial remains of S. kirchbergensis are reported.