Mammifères pleistocènes de Algoz, en Algarve: une révision

Abstract

Key-words: Mammals - Lower Middle Pleistocene - Biharian - Algoz - Algarve. At Algoz, Algarve, sorne mammals· were found . The fauna, as revised here, corresponds to lowermost Middle Pleistocene (Biharian) , just before the flfSt glacial advance of Günz glaciation. It is much older than it was previously regarded (Riss-Würm interglacial). Evidence indicates an humid, swampy, riparian environment rich in plant life, and a nearby forest. Climate seems to have been rather warm (see ANTUNES el al., 1985). Age and ecology suggest that Aigoz and Morgadinho, also in Algarve, are correlative (Morgadinho's age is from Villanyian to Biharian, and is thus compatible with that from Algoz). Lithology and palynological analysis corroborate tbis view. Aigoz is the first locality of this age known in Portugal. Morgadinho and perhaps lacustrine Iimestones at Ponte das Lavadeiras (Faro) are more or less the same age.