Neogene mollusk faunas fromStrymon basin, Macedonia, Greece. First results for biochronology and palaeoenvironment

Abstract

Several fossiliferous sites with mollusk faunas have been located in Strymon basin. The faunal characters of the so far determined fossils and the lithology of the fossiliferous sediments allow the distinction of two groups. A. Fossiliferous sites, indicating a shallow marine palaeoenvironment with clastic sedimentation linked with the proximity of a palaeocoast. These sites have been dated to Pliocene and can be correlated with an early Pliocene marine transgression. B. Fossiliferous sites with fine grained clastic sediments and indications of a complicated (shallow marine — brackish — lagoonal to lacustrine) palaeoenvironment. These sites include lenses of euryhaline marine fossils alternated with marine, brackish and fresh water faunas. The fossiliferous deposits of this group, possibly overlie those of group A and could be dated to Pliocene.