Applying the UDA-ODA discrimination technique to a herpetological association: the case of the Middle Palaeolithic site of El Salt (Alcoi, Spain)

Abstract El Salt (Middle Palaeolithic; Alcoi, Spain) is a key site for understanding the disappearance of Neanderthals in eastern Iberian Peninsula, process that observed along its stratigraphic sequence. To improve our palaeoclimatic context which this took place, we applied UDA-ODA discrimination technique to fossil herpetological assemblages from Stratigraphic Units (SU) Xb (52.3 ± 4.6 ka) and V (45.2 3.4/44.7 3.4 ka). This method based application an ecological criterion, maximum altitude each species on range, discern remove those areas do not meet their requirements (UDA) (ODA), are included distribution Atlases common going be extracted. Results indicate existence alternation between “cold wet” moments with “warm dry” ones, all them more humid than nowadays. Climate was slightly warmer nowadays SU Xb, whereas cooler V. Regarding MAP, results show less variation SUs it has been provided by previous studies. These fully agree small mammals same SUs, increase temperatures rainfall experienced contrary. differences could related wider herpetofauna, some criterion. Furthermore, herpetofaunal reconstruction shows abandonment seems have occurred during arid phase.