Panthera fossilis (REICHENAU, 1906) (Felidae, Carnivora) from Za Hájovnou Cave (Moravia, the Czech Republic): a fossil record from 1987 – 2007

Abstract

Abstract. The town of Lázně Bělohrad, not far from Jičín, acquired its name in 1905. Until then, it was known as just Bělohrad. The spa (Lázně) was founded in 1888, when the long-known baths were officially acknowledged to have healing effects. In 1900, the newly opened moorland spa became a frequent destination for Dr. Antonín Frič. His summer stays there became a yearly ritual, consisting always of several weeks with his wife, and later also with their grandchildren, Karl and Toníček. This tradition continued until his death in 1913. It wasn't only the healing baths that benefitted the elderly man's health, but the surrounding countryside offered interesting geological material for study. Frič soon gained the respect and deference of the local inhabitants, which enabled him to introduce a suggestion in 1903 -to found a new museum building in the rapidly growing town, constructed in accordance with all the then-recognized principles of museum design. Thanks to Frič's propagation and enlightened direction, the museum became a prime example for many subsequent cities and towns that decided to emulate Bělohrad. FRIČOVO MUZEUM V LÁZNÍCH BĚLOHRADAbstrakt. Městečko Lázně Bělohrad nedaleko Jičína dostalo své dnešní jméno až v roce 1905, do té doby bylo známo pouze jako Bělohrad. Základ zdejšího lázeňství se traduje rokem 1888, kdy byly oblíbené vanové lázně úředně uznány za léčivé. Za zdejšími slatinnými koupelemi začal do nově zřízených lázní od roku 1900 jezdit i profesor dr. Antonín Frič. Jeho letní pobyt se stal každoročním rituálem, setrval zde vždy několik týdnů s manželkou, později i s vnoučaty Karlem a Toničkou, a to pravidelně až do své smrti v roce 1913. Nebyly to jen léčivé koupele, které starého pána uzdravovaly, Bělohrad se svým okolím dokázal přírodovědci na odpočinku nabídnout velmi zajímavý studijní materiál geologického charakteru. Frič si záhy zjednal mezi zdejším obyvatelstvem respekt a úctu. Proto také mohl bez obav přijít v roce 1903 s návrhem, zbudovat v tomto, především díky lázeňství, rychle se rozvíjejícím městečku, samostatnou budovu městského muzea, navrženou a postavenou podle všech tehdy platných muzejních pravidel. Z nové muzejní budovy se velice rychle, také díky důsledné Fričově propagaci a osvětě, stal vzor pro mnohá další zemská města a městečka, která se rozhodla město Bělohrad následovat. The idea to build an exemplary regional museum, and use it as a showcase for methods of organizing and presenting its collections was a long-term ideal of Dr. Frič. His interest in such matters dated back to his youth. He published his first work in this vein, titled Guide to ordering Animal Collections, at age nineteen (before graduating!) in the Czech Museum Magazine (hereafter ČČM) 2 . His foundation and experience for this publication came from his knowledge of preparing birds and mammals, gained in childhood. He acquired further experience as a volunteer for zoological collections of the Czech Royal Museum (hereafter just Museum), where he began going in 1849. During his trips, both domestic a...

Late Pleistocene Felidae remains (Mammalia, Carnivora) from Geographical Society Cave in the Russian Far East

“…The latter mandible was originally described as Felis youngi (Pei 1934). The tooth dimensions of Felis youngi correspond with those of female P. fossilis from European localities (Sabol 2014). However, the European finds of Panthera spelaea from earlier in the Pleistocene are also characterized by large size; in a course of evolution of this species in the Middle and Late Pleistocene a decrease in size process is observed (Argant et al 2007, Baryca 2008, Marciszak et al 2013.…”

A review of the geologic sections and the faunal assemblages of Aurelian Mammal Age of Latium (Italy) in the light of a new chronostratigraphic framework

“…Also consistent with the European early appearances, Sardella et al (2007) suggested a transitional character to the Fontana Ranuccio FU (MIS 13/11) for the faunal assemblage of Visogliano (northern Italy) which included V. vulpes and F. silvestris. In contrast, the different remains attributed to Panthera spelaea in some sites along Via Aurelia and referred to MIS 13-11 should be reviewed considering the possible attribution to Panthera fossilis (see Marciszak et al, 2014;Sabol 2014).…”

The unique record of Za Hájovnou Cave

“…However, it is even more complicated. Group 2 A has two stratigraphic classification according to the lion findings (Sabol 2014). In the Narozeninová chodba, both groups (A and B) are separated by a large debris cone.…”

“…Zoopaleontological finds: Ursus cf. deningeri (Wagner 2005), Panthera fossilis (Sabol 2014), Canis sp.…”