Abstract
The Grosberg-Bank from the limestone quarry Mainz-Laubenheim (Heidelberger Zementwerke AG) southeast of Mainz, which is part of the Oberrad Formation of the Mainz Basin, yielded a relatively rich earliest Miocene vertebrate association. Within the Hydrobia marl of the Grosberg-Bank, a large number of disarticulated bones, about 480 teeth, and several mandible fragments of mainly medium-sized terrestrial mammals have been recovered in addition to other vertebrate faunas. Twenty taxa could be identified, thereof 13 small mammal taxa. Based on the coexistence of a progressive form of the eomyid Rhodanomys schlosseri and the moschids Pomelomeryx cf. boulangeri and Amphitragulus sp. the locality is placed within the uppermost MN1 zone, a similar level to that of the locality Lautern 2 (Lower Freshwater Molasse, southern Germany). Comparisons with the mammalian assemblages of various Central European MN1 and MN2 localities confirm this correlation. The terrestrial vertebrates of the Grosberg-Bank have been washed in by streams with accompanying gallery forests pervading the apparently savannah-like hinterland of the Mainz Basin lagoon.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call