
The amphibian and squamate reptile fossil remains from the 2002 to 2009 excavation campaigns in Azokh 1 Cave (Nagorno-Karabakh region) are described. The fauna includes three anurans (Pelobates cf. syriacus, Pseudepidalea viridis sensu lato and Ranidae/Hylidae indet.), at least five lizards (Agamidae indet., Pseudopus apodus, Lacerta sp., Ophisops elegans and Lacertidae indet.) and seven snakes [Eryx jaculus, cf. Coronella austriaca, cf. Elaphe sp. (probably E. sauromates), cf. “Coluber” sp., “Colubrinae” indet., Vipera sp. [V. berus complex (probably V. ursinii)], Vipera sp. (“Oriental vipers” complex or Daboia)]. Of particular relevance is the occurrence of species that currently live at high altitude in the Caucasus, such as the representatives of the V. berus complex and the smooth snakes cf. Coronella austriaca. Azokh 1 represents the first fossil evidence for their presence in the Caucasian area at around 200 ka. The other taxa have greater similarities with the fossil and extant herpetofauna of the Irano-Turanian or Mediterranean biogeographical provinces. No Middle Asian desert taxon has been found. Through the Azokh 1 chronological sequence, the evolution of the paleoherpetofaunal assemblages suggest a progressive increase in aridity between Unit Vu (late Middle Pleistocene) and Units II and I (Upper Pleistocene to subrecent) and the replacement of a meadow-steppe by an arid mountain steppe environment.
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 12 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Average | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% |
