New data on Cervidae from the Pleistocene–Holocene transition of Cuvieri Cave, Lagoa Santa region, Minas Gerais, Brazil

New data on Cervidae from Cuvieri Cave

Abstract

The Lagoa Santa region, one of the most important areas for Brazilian paleontology, has been extensively investigated due to its numerous caves, whose records have significantly contributed to the understanding of the Quaternary in Brazil. This study presents a detailed analysis of the osteological assemblage of Cervidae from the Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene recovered from Gruta Cuvieri, an important cave in the region. Cervids constitute the most abundant family at this site, with the species Subulo gouazoubira and Mazama americana identified. S. gouazoubira is the predominant taxon, represented mainly by juvenile and subadult individuals. During the Late Pleistocene and the transition to the Holocene, the region exhibited predominantly humid conditions and a relatively low abundance of cervid remains, which may be associated with greater environmental stability. This suggests a paleoenvironment characteristic of a humid Cerrado or an ecotone between the Cerrado and the Atlantic Forest already during the Pleistocene. Toward the end of the Early Holocene (between 8,500 and 8,000 years BP), an increase in the number of specimens within the cave is observed, possibly related to the search for shelter or water resources, indicating more adverse climatic conditions during this period.