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RECONSTRUCTION OF LANDSCAPES OF THE PRE-ALTAI PLAIN IN THE LATE NEOPLEISTOCENE BASED ON DATA OF SMALL MAMMAL FAUNA

D. G. Malikov 1, S. E. Golovanov 1,2

1 V.S.Sobolev Institute of Geology and Mineralogy SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia; 2 Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russia

Reconstructions of landscape features at the end of the Middle and Late Neopleistocene were carried out based on the study of the small mammal’s fauna. Faunal data indicate a wide development of steppetype landscapes on the Pre-Altai Plain in the interval from MIS 6 to the beginning of MIS 2. Both in warm and cold seasons, gophers predominated among small mammals in the region; striped hamsters, jerboas, zokors, southern birch mouses, narrow-headed voles and lemmings were less common. All these species are typical inhabitants of open biocenoses of the steppe or tundra-steppe type. Reconstructions based on microteriofauna materials are in good agreement with the study of fossil soils of the Pre-Altai Plain. Fossil soils show the development of steppe and forest-steppe landscapes during periods of warming. During the cold stages, loess deposits accumulated in the region, which can be considered as indicators of cryoarid steppes.

Keywords: small mammals, paleolandscape reconstructi ons, Late Neopleistocene, Pre-Altai Plain, south of Western Siberia.

DOI 10.20403/2078-0575-2021-1-18-24