Mimomys savini size evolution in the Early Pleistocene of south-western Europe and possible biochronological implications

This article studies the rate at which the length of the first lower molar (m1) of Mimomys savini (a species of Palearctic arvicoline present in Europe between approximately 1.8 and 0.6 Ma ago) increased over the course of its evolution in Iberian Peninsula (south-western Europe). Because this increase in length occurred at a constant rate, a direct relationship can be established between average length of m1 and chronology, which allows us to set numerical dates to Pleistocene sites containing Mimomys savini remains.