Late Pleistocene mammals from Grotta Cucigliana (Monte Pisano, Italy)

The study of the fossil mammals from the «Grotta Cucigliana» collection is here updated. The standard taphonomic parameters NISP, MNE and MNI were established to evaluate the relative frequencies of the taxa. Hypotheses regarding the environmental conditions under which the fauna lived are also proposed on the basis of the results and the ecology of the species identified. Mammals are dominated by Crocuta crocuta spelaea and Cervus elaphus but the presence of Stephanorhinus hemitoechus, Equus ferus, Bos primigenius, Rupicapra rupicapra and Dama dama is also significant. The study permits to hypothesize the occurrence of two faunal assemblages (Cucigliana A and B). The biochronological correlations herein proposed indicates that the Cucigliana A assemblage should be referred to the end of the MIS 5a or the beginning of MIS 4, and Cucigliana B to the beginning of the MIS 3.