Pannonictis pliocaenica (Mustelidae, Carnivora) from the Early Pleistocene of Crimea (Taurida Cave)

Abstract A large mustelid Pannonictis pliocaenica Kormos, 1931 (Ictonychinae, Mustelidae) is described from the Early Pleistocene Taurida Cave in central Crimea. The material includes a complete hemimandible and four isolated teeth. Detailed morphological comparison and morphometric analysis indicate closest similarity of the Taurida finding to P. pliocaenica , supporting its attribution to this species. Although Pannonictis represents the most widespread member of Lyncodontini in the Plio-Pleistocene of Eurasia, its records in Eastern Europe and Western Asia remain scarce and are currently restricted to only a few localities. The discovery of P. pliocaenica in Taurida Cave significantly expands the known eastern range of the species during the Late Villafranchian and contributes to the understanding of the Early Pleistocene carnivore guild of Crimea. Given the frequent association of Pannonictis with riparian palaeoenvironments, the Taurida material also has palaeoecological implications, supporting the presence of water-influenced habitats in the region during the Late Villafranchian and complementing existing fossil evidence from the locality.