Similarity relationship between large mammal faunas of Spanish and Italian peninsulas from the latest Miocene to the Middle Pleistocene

The relationship between large mammal faunas from the Iberian and Italian peninsulas has been difficult to define on the basis of the paleontostratigraphical schemes proposed to date. A multivariate analysis was applied to test the affinity between these two faunal groups from the latest Miocene to the Middle Pleistocene. The application of multivariate methodology used to compare Italian and Spanish local faunal assemblages (LFAs) showed a good resolution in the definition of clusters of the highest hierarchical rank. These clusters correlate broadly with LFAs belonging to what has been previously defined as "Mammal Ages". While the higher hierarchical rankings demonstrate a good concordance, there are often problems with the interpretation and biochronological definition of the lower hierarchical ranks.