The black grouse, Tetrao tetrix (L., 1758) (Tetraonidae, Aves) , a disappeared species in Bulgaria (Paleolithic and Neolithic records)

The black grouse has been included in the Bulgarian Red Data Book as a disappeared species according to various unproved records on its former distribution through the country in the 19th and 20th centuries. The paper aims to present all data available so far, bath in the literature and author's ones to clarify the former existence of that species in Bulgaria. Recently three bone finds of early Neolithic Age ( Kazanluk, 6 000 bc) have been published. In addition, in 1993 four other bones from three new different sites ( Paleolithic, Neolithic and "Holocene") have been discovered. Thus, the former distribution of Tetrao tetrix in the Quaternary covers: Central Rhodopes Mts., Western Stara Planina Mts., foothills of Central Stara Planina Mts. and the Ludogorije Region, i.e. Central, Western, Southern and Northeastern parts of the country. Therefore, the black grouse should be correctly considered as a disappeared species from the Bulgarian nature and its disappearance may be attributed to the economic activities of man ( devastation of natural habitats for agriculture, over-hunting and drastic deforestation) during the Holocene.