New herpetofaunal data from Temara’s caves (Morocco): archaeological and palaeoecological implications
Résumé
Two archaeological caves (El Mnasra and El Harhoura 2) located in the coastal region of Temara, in Morocco, are of particular interest as they have yielded large amount of Amphibian and Reptile remains. First analyses on El Harhoura 2 material have shown a great diversity (Urodela, Anura, Amphisbaenia, Sauria, Serpentes) with endemic taxa occurring as soon as the beginning of Late Pleistocene. The accumulations were mainly made by predation (owls and diurnal raptors or small mammalian carnivores). The present paper focuses on new data on the second cave, El Mnasra, and on older (unpublished) levels of El Harhoura 2. This new study has notably highlighted the occurrence of additional taxa, rare in archaeological context. The herpetofaunal palaeobiodiversity, its evolution throughout Late Quaternary in North Africa, and implications for palaeoenvironmental reconstructions, are discussed.