The shrews (Soricidae, Mammalia) of the Early and Middle Pleistocene of Gran Dolina (Atapuerca, Spain): reassessing their paleontological record in the Iberian Peninsula

A comprehensive reassessment of shrew fossils from Gran Dolina, Atapuerca, reveals nine distinct taxa, including the first record of Neomys cf. newtoni in the Iberian Peninsula and the youngest global occurrence of Asoriculus gibberodon. This study significantly expands the known paleontological record of Soricidae in the region, challenging previous assumptions about their distribution and survival during the Early-Middle Pleistocene. The research analyzed 200 fragmentary mandibles, providing insights into the evolutionary history and environmental adaptability of these small mammals. Notably, some taxa exhibit unique characteristics compared to their European counterparts, suggesting relict populations persisted in Iberia long after disappearing elsewhere.

Moya-Costa, R., Cuenca-Bescós, G., & Rofes, J. (2023). The shrews (Soricidae, Mammalia) of the Early and Middle Pleistocene of Gran Dolina (Atapuerca, Spain): reassessing their paleontological record in the Iberian Peninsula. Quaternary Science Reviews, 309, 108093. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2023.108093