BATS (CHIROPTERA) AND OTHER SMALL MAMMALS (RODENTIA, LAGOMORPHA, CARNIVORA) FROM THE PLEISTOCENE SITE TRLICA (MONTENEGRO): BIOSTRATIGRAPHICAL AND PALEOECOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS

Two bats, Rhinolophus cf. macrorhinus anomalidens and Myotis blythii longocaninus are reported for the first time from the Paleolithic site of Trlica in Montenegro. In addition, the previous list of small mammals from Trlica is now supplemented by Cricetus praeglacialis, Cricetulus sp., Mimomys pliocaenicus, M. ex gr. savini, Terricola sp., Lagurus ex gr. transiens, Microtus nivaloides, Pliolagus sp., Martes sp. and small Vulpes sp. Based on the faunal composition, the lower layers of the Trlica site, which yielded the bat remains, should be dated to the Early Pleistocene. The upper layers are referred to the early Middle Pleistocene. The majority of the small mammal remains apparently come from pellets of birds of prey. In contrast, the scarcity of fossil bat remains could indicate their accumulation as a result of natural death. According to our analysis of the mammal fauna, the climate in the studied area in the Early Pleistocene was relatively cool. It became milder at the beginning of the Middle Pleistocene and the forest (presumably a broad-leaved forest) increased. However, local steppe areas in the northern part of Montenegro persisted during the Early and early Middle Pleistocene and large areas were covered with shrub.