The history of the mammal fauna during the Ipswichian/last interglacial in England

Abstract

Abstract Changes in the mammal fauna, in relation to climatic and vegetational changes, during the Ipswichian interglacial in England have been followed by using fossil material which has been related to the pollen stratigraphy. The stratigraphy at each site and the climatic, vegetational and archaeological histories of the interglacial are summarized. The faunal records are tabulated. In response to climatic amelioration the tundra-like flora and fauna (e.g. lemmings, mammoth, horse, woolly rhinoceros, reindeer) of the Wolstonian glacial stage gave way to regional mixed oak forest and a temperate fauna (e.g. wood mouse, straight-tusked elephant, hippotamus, fallow deer) by zone Ip II b. Locally deforested areas in river valleys, indicated by high herb pollen levels at several sites, in zone Ip II b probably supported such animals as the rhinoceros Dicerorhinus hemitoechus and giant deer. These areas of herb-dominated vegetation may have resulted largely from the activities of herbivorous mammals. The apparent regional thinning of the forest in zone Ip III was accompanied by the reappearance of mammoth and horse. The occurrence of typically cold stage mammals (e.g. lemmings, woolly rhinoceros, musk ox) in company with temperate forms in the Crayford deposits, which are thought to date from the end of the Ipswichian, appears to be related to generally open vegetational conditions and perhaps a more continental climate. In the succeeding Devensian glacial stage the fauna was similar to that of the Wolstonian. Artefacts, sometimes associated with large mammal remains, are recorded at several sites but the possible influence of man on the faunal history is difficult to assess. The taxonomy of Crocidura, voles, rhinoceroses and elephants is discussed.

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