Early Pleistocene fossil birds from Cava Sud, Soave (Verona, North- Eastern Italy).

The analysis of the fossil bird remains found in the Early Pleistocene deposits of Cava Sud, one of the localities of the so-called “Brecce di Soave”, is presented. The fossil remains have been found in some fissure fillings opened in the Eocene limestone and exploited by quarry activities. The fossil bird bones were associated with macro- and micromammals and the whole association is referred to the late Early Pleistocene MNQ 19 on the basis of the taxonomy and evolutionary degree of the micromammals. This study reveals the presence of at least 14 taxa and Cava Sud testifies the oldest occurrence of some of them, particularly Rallus aquaticus and Strix nebulosa, and the oldest Italian record of Carduelis chloris. The species identity of Corvus pliocaenus is also discussed and confirmed. Our results also support the hypothesis that the late Early Pleistocene represents the beginning of the present-day European avifauna, as the fossil associations of this age comprise mostly extant taxa. The bird taxa found at Cava Sud allow making palaeoenvironmental reconstructions of the area, suggesting the presence of dense woodlands and open grassy environment.