The mammalian record and climatic change over the last 30,000 years in thePampean Region, Argentina

A changing pattern of mammal distribution in response to climatic variation s is proposed. It is based on mammal records from archaeological and palaeo ntological sites of late Pleistocene-Holocene age. We hypothesize that majo r faunistic changes may be linked to climatic events, and consequently we c ompare the distribution of the most climate-sensitive mammals with models b ased on isotopic and pollen analyses. The lower part of the Lujan Formation , dated to ca. 30,000 yr BP (brown zone of the Guerrero Member), is represe nted by a mammal community that indicates a warm and humid environment. The interval between 28,000 and 13,000 yr BP is characterized by mammals adapt ed to cold and dry habitats. A transition from temperate and semi-arid to m ore humid conditions occurred between 12,000 and 8500 yr BP. From 9000 to 7 500 yr BP, the faunal record reveals a dry episode. Between 7500 and 5000 y r BP, mammals reflect a humid climate. Mammal communities from the Late Hol ocene indicate a predominantly humid environment, with some arid phases. (C ) 1999 INQUA/Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.