Fossil Record and Distribution of the Hazel Grouse (Tetrastes bonasia) (Linnaeus, 1758) (Phasianidae - Aves) in Bulgaria

Abstract

An analysis of the past geographical, altitudinal and chrono-stratigraphical distribution of the Hazel grouse (Tetrastes bonasia) remains in Bulgaria is given, based on fossil and subfossil bone remains. Data of 8 Quaternary localities (Calabrian to Meghalayan (former Early Pleistocene to Late Holocene)) from Bulgaria are presented. The records prove the wide distribution of the species mainly in the lowland plain landscapes in North Bulgaria in contrast to modern distribution. The localities were spread at 75 to 580 m a.s.l. but the majority of them were located bellow 250 m a.s.l. Most data originate from the prehistoric cave dwellings of the Paleolithic people.