IL GENERE Equus NELL'ITALIA CENTRALE

Abstract

We discuss in this paper the state of knowledge on vari­ous Italian species of the genus Equus during Plio/Pleisto­cene. Equus livenzovensis is considered a distinct species from E. simplicidens and E. stenonis; it is a large form with not very evolved upper teeth and slender limb bones (that are adapted to a dry steppe environment), wich entered Europe possible 2.6/2.7 m.y. ago ("Equus/Mammuthus dispersa!event"). In centrai Italy, this species (or a strictlyrelated form) is present with a few and fragmentary remains at Montopoli (Toscana) (Faunistic Unit of Montopoli), in deposits aged about 2.6 m.y. (a little later up the M/G magnetic inversion), and at Cava Toppetti (Perugia, Umbria), in deposits refera­ble to Middle Villafranchian. [...]