Human influence on distribution and extinctions of the late Pleistocene Eurasian megafauna

摘要: Late Pleistocene extinctions are of interest to paleontological and anthropological research. In North America Australia, human occupation occurred during a short period time overexploitation may have led the extinction mammalian megafauna. northern Eurasia megafaunal believed over relatively longer time, perhaps as result changing environmental conditions, but picture is much less clear. To consider in Eurasia, we compare differences geographical distribution commonness extinct extant species between archaeological localities from late middle Holocene. Purely localities, well most species, were distributed north sites suggesting that apart possible adaptations humans other could also detrimental effect on large mammal distribution. However, evidence for applies only steppe bison Bison priscus. Other human-preferred survive into Holocene, including Rangifer tarandus, Equus ferus, Capreolus capreolus, Cervus elaphus, hemionus, Saiga tatarica, Sus scrofa. Mammuthus primigenius Megaloceros giganteus rare sites. Carnivores appear little influenced by presence, although they become rarer Holocene Overall, data consistent with conclusion acted efficient hunters selecting abundant species. Our study supports idea environmentally driven climatic changes triggered habitat fragmentation, range reduction, population decrease, after which interference either direct hunting or via indirect activities probably became critical.