In Lezetxiki remains of a quaternary mojarro have been found

2015/05/26 Galarraga Aiestaran, Ana - Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Paleontologia
• Arkeologia

A group of researchers from the UPV/EHU found remains of a mojarro in the cave of Lezetxiki (Arrasate). They are three tiny teeth and, according to researchers, it is an important discovery. As explained by the archaeologist Naroa García Ibaibarriaga, it is the first trace of the species Muscardinus avellanarius in the Iberian Peninsula during the Quaternary. “Despite the fact that in the peninsula this genus was in the Miocene Medio, then disappeared at the beginning of the Superior Pliocene garcía adds.

In addition, the finding shows that in the upper Pleistocene the species reached Lezetxiki, which also seems important: “Southwest Eurasia, further west than there, no other signs have been found.”

The finding has been announced in the journal Quaternary Science Reviews. The article points out that it has been of great help in completing the paleoecology and paleobiogeography of the upper Pleistocene in the Lezetxiki area.