id
	15557
Url
	https://chloe.cnr.it/s/BiDiAr/item/15557
Resource template
	Academic Article
Resource class
	bibo:AcademicArticle
Title
	The ecological niche and distribution of Neanderthals during the Last Interglacial
Creator
	Benito, Blas M.
	Svenning, Jens-Christian
	Kellberg-Nielsen, Trine
	Riede, Felix
	Gil-Romera, Graciela
	Mailund, Thomas
	Kjaergaard, Peter C.
	Sandel, Brody S.
Date
	2017
Language
	eng
Rights
	© 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Abstract
	Aim In this paper, we investigate the role of climate and topography in shaping the distribution of Neanderthals (Homo neanderthalensis) at different spatial scales. To this end, we compiled the most comprehensive data set on the distribution of this species during the Last Interglacial optimum (MIS 5e) available to date. This was used to calibrate a palaeo-species distribution model, and analyse variable importance at continental and local scales. Location Europe and Irano-Turanian region (20° N to 70° N, 10° W to 70° E). Methods We used archaeological records and palaeoclimatic and topographic predictors to calibrate a model based on an ensemble of generalized linear models fitted with different combinations of predictors and weighted background data. Area under the curve scores computed by leave-one-out were used to assess variable importance at the continental scale, while local regression combined with recursive partition trees was used to assess variable importance at the local scale. Results Annual rainfall and winter temperatures were the most important predictors at the continental scale, while topography and summer rainfall defined habitat suitability at the local scale. The highest habitat suitability scores were observed along the Mediterranean coastlines. Mountain ranges and continental plains showed low habitat suitability values. Main conclusions The model results confirmed that abiotic drivers played an important role in shaping Neanderthals distribution during the Last Interglacial. The high suitability of the Mediterranean coastlines and the low suitability values of most sites at the northern and eastern distribution limits (Germany, Hungary, Ukraine) challenge the notion of Neanderthals as a species with preference for colder environments.
Is Part Of
	Journal of Biogeography
Doi
	https://doi.org/10.1111/jbi.12845
Issn
	1365-2699
Issue
	1
Pages
	51-61
Volume
	44
Homepage
	https://www.zotero.org/groups/5293298/bidiar/items/CY5IFNJ3/item-list

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