Middle Pleistocene fauna and palaeoenvironment in the south of Eastern Europe: A case study of the Medzhybizh 1 locality (MIS 11, Ukraine)

The Middle Pleistocene was a period of dynamic changes in Europe. During MIS 11, number modern mammal taxa appeared and environmental conditions remained warm favourable for relatively long time. Medzhybizh 1 locality Ukraine dated to this very comprises alluvial deposits with rich animal remains, which allow not only reconstruct the fauna composition, but also highlight that dominated at locality. A revision based on remains all vertebrate groups revealed taxonomically diverse fish community (16 species 11 genera) by cyprinids common lacustrine or riverine assemblages. Amphibians are represented species, while reptile bird less significant. Mammals most group locality, including small mammals (30 species), carnivorans (2 ungulates (5 taxa), latter C. elaphus. taxonomic composition terrestrial indicates temperate climate boreal-type forests meadows similar cold steppe, as well low wet areas riparian habitats inhabited amphibians, reptiles, insectivores, beavers, various voles. assemblage partially overgrown well-aerated water body (lake slow-flowing river) sandy-silty bottom. Lithic artefacts found contribute better understanding relationships between ancient hominins faunas during Eastern