Papers by Dimitrios Michailidis
Ταξινομική και παλαιοοικολογική μελέτη της πλειστοκαινικής πανίδας πτηνών του ελλαδικού χώρου: συνέπειες στην παλαιοοικολογία του Homo
Quaternary International, 2018
The mining activities in the Middle Pleistocene lacustrine basin of Megalopolis (Peloponnesus, Gr... more The mining activities in the Middle Pleistocene lacustrine basin of Megalopolis (Peloponnesus, Greece) have exposed expanded sections of lacustrine sediments. In particular, the northernmost mine of Kyparíssia has yielded numerous vertebrate fossils, recovered during field surveys and small-scale rescue excavations. The stratified specimens indicate the presence of at least two fossiliferous horizons, which are stratigraphically closely situated. The fossils are generally widely dispersed, but they are much more abundant along the western margin of the palaeolake. Four sites showing denser concentration of fossils were located and partially excavated during the 2004-2008 fieldwork. An additional site was identified and excavated in 2012. The fossils were found in organic-rich sediments (mostly lignites), indicating that they were deposited during a warm and humid (i.e., interglacial) time period, in a richly vegetated environment. The recovered fauna is diverse, dominated by hippopotamuses, deer and elephants. The present study presents the chelonian, avian and suiform finds. The following taxa
3D representation of biominerals integrating microscopy and photogrammetry: implications in geoarchaeology
EGU General Assembly Conference Abstracts, Apr 1, 2019
Taxonomic and palaeoecological study of the pleistocene avifauna of Greece: ιmplications to the palaeoecology of Homo
A review of the Greek Pleistocene avifaunas is presented. The dissertation focuses on the study o... more A review of the Greek Pleistocene avifaunas is presented. The dissertation focuses on the study of avian fossil material from two important Greek Pleistocene sites; Charkadio Cave at Tilos Island and Vraona doline in Attica. The objectives of the study are the taxonomic classification of the material, the reconstruction of taphonomic processes and the palaeoecological reconstruction of the palaeoavifaunas. Several excavation periods at Charkadio cave, until 2001, resulted in the discovery of three hundred and seventy five avian skeletal elements. The taxonomic analysis of the above material led to the identification of twenty four different avian taxa. Fifteen of them were identified to species level, four to species confer, three to genus level, two to the family level, while some specimens were identified only to class level (Table 3.1). Excavations held at Vraona doline resulted in unearthing four hundred and seventy three avian skeletal elements. The taxonomic classification was...
Two new vertebrate localities from the Early Pleistocene of Mygdonia Basin (Macedonia, Greece): Preliminary results
Comptes Rendus Palevol, 2015
ABSTRACT Two new vertebrate fossiliferous localities from the Pleistocene of the Mygdonia Basin (... more ABSTRACT Two new vertebrate fossiliferous localities from the Pleistocene of the Mygdonia Basin (Macedonia, Greece), Tsiotra Vryssi (TSR) and Platanochori-1 (PLN), are presented in this article. TSR belongs to the Gerakarou Formation and its preliminary faunal list includes the corvid Corvus pliocaenus, the hyaenid Pachycrocuta brevirostris, the canid Canis etruscus, the rhinoceros Stephanorhinus sp., two species of Equus, the bovid Bison sp., the cervid Metacervocerus rhenanus and the giraffid Palaeotragus sp. PLN belongs to the Platanochori Formation (overlying Gerakarou Formation) and its fauna includes the following taxa: Stephanorhinus hundsheimensis, Equus apolloniensis, Bison sp. and Pontoceros ambiguus. The preliminary comparison of these faunal assemblages with the already known localities from the Mygdonia Basin and the wider region, combined with the geological data, suggest a Late Villafranchian age for TSR, chronologically intermediate between the localities Gerakarou-1 and Apollonia-1, while the fauna from PLN is indicative of a Latest Villafranchian age, similar to that of Apollonia-1. These new localities will enhance our understanding of the crucial time period of the earliest dispersal of hominins into Europe.
Remains of a large flightless bird from Kerassia (Northern Euboea, Greece)
The Paleontological Society Special Publications, 2014
Quaternary International, 2018
In the Middle Pleistocene open-air locality Marathousa 1 (Megalopolis Basin, Peloponnese, Greece)... more In the Middle Pleistocene open-air locality Marathousa 1 (Megalopolis Basin, Peloponnese, Greece), lithic artefacts are spatially and stratigraphically associated with faunal remains. Among the latter, birds are known by over 120 skeletal elements and represent an important part of the vertebrate fauna. The majority of them are identified as anseriform birds of various sizes, from swan size (Cygnus olor) to teal size (Anas crecca). The next largest group is gruiform birds, while, at least one small-sized passerine is also present (cf. Cinclus cinclus). A number of taxa are recorded for the first time in the Pleistocene of Greece. The taphonomic analysis of the deposit points to a minimal transfer of the avian skeletal 2 elements, accumulated possibly through the combined action of some raptors and natural transfer of unconsumed avian remains. The palaeoecological analysis reveals a rich lakeshore environment, under temperate climatic conditions, that would support large numbers of aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates and small vertebrates. The avifaunal composition and its richness demonstrate the importance of the palaeolake system, which would have contributed to the development of habitats capable of supporting a variety of species including hominins.
From the Charkadio cave excavation, to a full 3D reconstruction of an extinct elephant
Two new vertebrate localities from the Early Pleistocene of Mygdonia Basin (Macedonia, Greece): Preliminary results
Comptes Rendus Palevol, 2015
ABSTRACT Two new vertebrate fossiliferous localities from the Pleistocene of the Mygdonia Basin (... more ABSTRACT Two new vertebrate fossiliferous localities from the Pleistocene of the Mygdonia Basin (Macedonia, Greece), Tsiotra Vryssi (TSR) and Platanochori-1 (PLN), are presented in this article. TSR belongs to the Gerakarou Formation and its preliminary faunal list includes the corvid Corvus pliocaenus, the hyaenid Pachycrocuta brevirostris, the canid Canis etruscus, the rhinoceros Stephanorhinus sp., two species of Equus, the bovid Bison sp., the cervid Metacervocerus rhenanus and the giraffid Palaeotragus sp. PLN belongs to the Platanochori Formation (overlying Gerakarou Formation) and its fauna includes the following taxa: Stephanorhinus hundsheimensis, Equus apolloniensis, Bison sp. and Pontoceros ambiguus. The preliminary comparison of these faunal assemblages with the already known localities from the Mygdonia Basin and the wider region, combined with the geological data, suggest a Late Villafranchian age for TSR, chronologically intermediate between the localities Gerakarou-1 and Apollonia-1, while the fauna from PLN is indicative of a Latest Villafranchian age, similar to that of Apollonia-1. These new localities will enhance our understanding of the crucial time period of the earliest dispersal of hominins into Europe.
Digitizing, modelling and 3D printing of skeletal digital models of Palaeoloxodon tiliensis (Tilos, Dodecanese, Greece)
Quaternary International, 2015
Charkadio Cave, on Tilos Island, is one of the richest Mediterranean fossiliferous sites, preserv... more Charkadio Cave, on Tilos Island, is one of the richest Mediterranean fossiliferous sites, preserving remains of the dwarf elephant Palaeoloxodon tiliensis. This species is considered to be the last European elephant. Recent advances in the fields of engineering and imaging technology and their applications in palaeontology have allowed the digitization, modelling and 3D printing of skeletal remains of P. tiliensis for the first time. Taphonomical data were combined with appropriate mathematical methods and allometric analyses in order to determine missing bone measurements and estimate correct relative proportions of skeletal elements. Computed Tomography and non-contact digitization via Laser Scanning were used in order to capture the specimens' surface morphology and create 3D models that are adjusted to the correct dimensions derived from the mathematical analyses. The 3D models were then 3D printed with the use of Rapid Prototyping technologies. A research potential of fossil 3D modeling could be its application in morphological comparisons between different taxa. In this study, atlas 3D models of P. tiliensis and Palaeoloxodon antiquus (Falconer and Cautley, 1847) have been combined in a single 3D model that quantifies morphological differences by a color scale, thus minimizing observation error. 3D models and 3D printed replicas facilitate and enhance inter-institutional scientific interaction, minimizing costs and risks related to the transfer of irreplaceable fossil specimens. Finally, a positive outcome related to the above research could be its application in educational activities hosted in institutes such as schools, universities and museums.
Ταξινομική και παλαιοοικολογική μελέτη της πλειστοκαινικής πανίδας πτηνών του ελλαδικού χώρου: συνέπειες στην παλαιοοικολογία του Homo
First description of an ostrich from the late Miocene of Kerassia (Euboea, Greece): remarks on its cervical anatomy
Historical Biology
ABSTRACT The present study describes an almost complete cervical region of the fossil ostrich Str... more ABSTRACT The present study describes an almost complete cervical region of the fossil ostrich Struthio karatheodoris from the Turolian locality of Kerassia (Euboea, Greece). The material comes from two distinct fossiliferous horizons and consists of twelve cervical vertebrae, ten of which belong to the same individual. These specimens are the first remains of a large flightless bird from Kerassia and represent some of the very few findings of the genus Struthio in the sub-Paratethyan (Balkan-Iranian) bioprovince from the late Miocene. The morphology of the cervical vertebrae implies that the neck of S. karatheodoris had similar biomechanical properties to that of extant ostriches, pointing to similar ecological adaptations, relating to food procurement. However, it probably had a more flexible and stronger neck, which might indicate a somewhat different ecology. Furthermore, considerable intraspecific size and morphological variation of the cervical vertebrae of S. karatheodoris is observed. This signifies that S. karatheodoris was not necessarily larger than S. camelus as previously suspected, but their size ranges in fact overlap significantly.
A Study Case for a 3D Skeletal Reconstruction of Elephas Tiliensis Based on CT and Laser Scans; Morphology, Population Data, and Taphonomy
The Paleontological Society Special Publications
In the Middle Pleistocene open-air locality Marathousa 1 (Megalopolis Basin, Peloponnese, Greece)... more In the Middle Pleistocene open-air locality Marathousa 1 (Megalopolis Basin, Peloponnese, Greece), lithic artefacts are spatially and stratigraphically associated with faunal remains. Among the latter, birds are known by over 120 skeletal elements and represent an important part of the vertebrate fauna. The majority of them are identified as anseriform birds of various sizes, from swan size (Cygnus olor) to teal size (Anas crecca). The next largest group is gruiform birds, while, at least one small-sized passerine is also present (cf. Cinclus cinclus). A number of taxa are recorded for the first time in the Pleistocene of Greece. The taphonomic analysis of the deposit points to a minimal transfer of the avian skeletal elements, accumulated possibly through the combined action of some raptors and natural transfer of unconsumed avian remains. The palaeoecological analysis reveals a rich lakeshore environment, under temperate climatic conditions, that would support large numbers of aqu...
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Papers by Dimitrios Michailidis