Note on the first fossil remains of a whale from Northern Bosnia

Ivan Stefanovic

doi:10.2298/gabp1071127s

Abstract

Herein, the first find of a fossil whale Cethotherium aff. rathkei is reported from the Middle Miocene sediments (Badenian) of the West Paratethys (the Strbci village, east of Banja Luka and Prnjavor, northern Bosnia). Although mostly represented by vertebra, the well preserved remains of the single individual consist also of humeri, tympanicum, and some isolated fragments of the skull. The find is discussed in its paleogeographical context, and the importance of the discovery in an international context is shown.

Highlights

The first find of a fossil whale Cethotherium aff. rathkei is reported from the Middle Miocene sediments (Badenian) of the West Paratethys
In Europe, the Pliocene and Miocene species of whales seem to have been the most abundant and they were present in Central Europe in the region that was once covered by the Paratethys Sea
The remains of Middle Miocene whales are abundant in the Paratethys Region

Summary

Introduction

The first find of a fossil whale Cethotherium aff. rathkei is reported from the Middle Miocene sediments (Badenian) of the West Paratethys (the Štrbci village, east of Banja Luka and Prnjavor, northern Bosnia). In Europe, the Pliocene and Miocene species of whales seem to have been the most abundant and they were present in Central Europe in the region that was once covered by the Paratethys Sea. During the Middle and Late Miocene, tectonics and a decreasing eustatic sea level gradually isolated the Paratethys Sea from the other seas, causing a decrease in salinity (RÖGL 1998; HÁMOR 2001). KADIĆ (1907) based the species on a well-preserved complete skeleton from the Badenian of Borbolya in West Hungary It is known from the Middle Miocene (Late Badenian) locality Neudorf-Sandberg (Dvinska Nova Ves) on the border of Slovakia and Austria (THENIUS 1952, STABOL & HOLEC 2001)

Discussion

Conclusion