Short remarks on the occurrences of continental Hippopotamus (Mammalia, Hippopotamidae) in Italy

Abstract

Several Pleistocene hippopotamid remains have been collected from the Italian Peninsula, but some of them lack any stratigraphic datum or details about the fossiliferous localities. The continental Hippopotamus was present in Italy and Western Europe from the latest Villafranchian, whereas the more ancient records of the genus (Costa San Giacomo and Chiusi basin) need to be confirmed by further evidence. Hippopotamus antiquus was recorded in Italy until MIS 15, while H. amphibius occurred during the late Middle Pleistocene (MIS 13 or 11). The latter species survived in Southern Italy during MIS 4/3.

Keywords

• Hippopotamus
• chronology
• Pleistocene
• Italian Peninsula