Preliminary results on the reptiles from the Middle Pleistocene of Marathousa 1, Megalopolis basin (Greece)

Abstract

The preliminary analysis of the MAR-1 reptiles identified the presence of lizards, snakes, and turtles. Lizards are represented by Lacertidae indet. (possibly two species), snakes by Natrix natrix and Malpolon insignitus, and turtles by Emys orbicularis and Mauremys rivulata. In particular, the presence and abundance of Natrix natrix, Emys orbicularis and Mauremys rivulata support the existence of a nearby and permanent water source throughout the year, and altogether highlight the importance of the paleolake system, in agreement with the existing paleoenvironmental reconstruction of the locality. All identified reptile species are recorded in today’s Peloponnese, but the precise chronostratigraphic and paleoenvironmental context of Marathousa 1 allows more detailed analyses. Therefore, future research will focus on the comprehensive analysis of the MAR-1 reptiles, including detailed descriptions, paleoecology, as well as the horizontal and vertical distribution of the specimens at the site.