Palaeoecological and stratigraphical evaluation of molluscs from the loesspalaeosol sequence at the Szőlő Hill in Beremend

Abstract

The species Neostyriaca corynodes (HELD 1836) which occurs in the Middle Pleistocene sediments in
Hungary was first found in the loess-palaeosol sequences of South-Baranya. The loesses which settled
between 10.65-11.60 m in the columnar section are of Middle Pleistocene age, as is indicated by the
occurrence of Neostyriaca corynodes and its accompanying distinctive mild climate fauna.
It came up as new stratigraphic data, that the species Catinella arenaria (BOUCHARD-CHANTEREAUX 1837)
- which is the characteristic species of the Weichselian^ interstadial in Hungary - may alsó occur in the
Middle Pleistocene formations and not only in the Upper Pleistocene sediments (at least in South
Baranya).
It is interesting this, cryophilous species which indicates a cold-wave environment, did not occured at
all in the fauna. The warmth-requiring (thermophilous), drought resistant elements and species with high
ecological tolerance are significant role in the content of the malacological matter. The subhygrophilous,
cold-resistant, hygrophilous species as well as the elements requiring greater vegetation cover appeared
in more phases, while the forest elements occurred on one levél. This alsó demonstrates to the greater
vegetation cover in the phases of loess formation. The July mean temperature (T july °) values alternate
between 16.9-17.3 °C. These figures could be interpreted reliably due to the nature of the loesses. These
values diverge by only 4-5 °C from the present day value (—21,5 °C).