Successions of Quaternary mollusc fauna in easternmost continental Europe (southern Urals, Russia)

The evolution of the mollusc fauna found in the easternmost part of Europe was affected by three main stages of development during the Quaternary. The Early Eopleistocene mollusc assemblage consists of rare terrestrial and numerous freshwater species with numerous thermophilic (Pliocene) species. The Late Eopleistocene – Early Neopleistocene is characterized by terrestrial and freshwater molluscs with few warm stenothermic Pliocene species. The Early Neopleistocene – Holocene assemblage is characterized by terrestrial and freshwater molluscs of modern affinities.